Paulette

Paulette Macarons in Hayes Valley specializes in gourmet macarons in over 10 of flavors
creating a stunning display of the classic French cookie. They are made fresh daily and are perfect for a sweet snack or festive parties. My person favorite flavors include caramel pecan and chocolate hazelnut but they are all delicious.

Paulette Macarons San Francisco
437 Hayes St (map)
Between Gough and Octavia

open: Tue – Sat  |  11am – 7pm
Sunday  |  12am - 6pm
415. 864 2400

www.paulettemacarons.com

Beard Papa's

This Japanese pastry shop has been popping up all over the world and selling hundreds of its famous "pipin' hot cream puffs." With two locations in San Francisco its popularity has taken off and it's the perfect spot to pick up a variety of pastries and other desserts. Their specialty is definitely the cream puff made with a perfect light, fluffy dough and filled with a rich custard cream that comes in a variety of flavors. Classic vanilla and chocolate custard fillings are always on the menu and they have a daily special which rotates between green tea, strawberry, pumpkin, coffee and many more. The cream puffs make the perfect sweet snack; just make sure you get enough napkins!

Located in the Westfield San Francisco Centre food court and across from the Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission street (map)

for more information visit their website: BeardPapaSF 

A Perfect Day

Pakwan

Tonight I ate at Pakwan one of my favorite restaurants and in my opinion the best cheap Indian food in the city. It has a very casual atmosphere, and great inexpensive food. My favorite Indian dish in general is Chicken Tikka Masala and their version is spot on. The menu isn't extensive but they have all of the traditional food usually found at Indian restaurants and everything is made fast and fresh. Downsides: they only take cash and don't serve alcohol (but you can bring in your own) and those things are small prices to pay for great food.

Check it out at:
3180-82 16th Street (map)
Between Valencia and Guerrero
(415) 255-2440
Open 7 Days a Week 11:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M.

Inspiration

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” 
from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

From The Hill

MoMA

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SF MoMa) was the first museum on the West Coast devoted to modern art and was founded in 1935. Over the years it has housed an impressive range of contemporary exhibitions and pieces from many world renowned artists. The museum has in its collection important works by Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Richard Diebenkorn, Clyfford Still, Henri Matisse, Paul Klee, Marcel Duchamp and Ansel Adams, among many others. Located in Downtown San Francisco at 151 Third Street the MoMa is across from the Yerba Buena Gardens and the building designed by Mario Botta is hard to miss.

for more information visit:

sfmoma.org

Hours:

Monday - Tuesday	10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday	Closed
Thursday	10:00 a.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Friday - Sunday	10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

FREE first Tuesday of every month

415.357.4000

Movie Recommendation

Vertigo

This classic Alfred Hitchcock film follows the story of a retired police detective hired to follow the wife of a client who has been acting in a peculiar manner. Unfortunately the detective has acrophobia (the fear of heights) and this proves to make his investigation quite difficult. San Francisco provides the perfect backdrop for this thrilling story, and highlights many of the city's landmarks.  

photo courtesy Irina Slutsky

Summer Shots

 

Dome

The Dome at Westfield San Francisco Centre

Quote of The Day (and to live by)

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."
-Dr. Seuss

Another Old Picture

 

Truly Mediterranean

Located in the heart of the Mission is Truly Mediterranean, which serves a variety of delicious Mediterranean specialties. It's my pick for the best Falafel in the city served rolled up in lavash bread with hummus, hot sauce, vegetables and tahini sauce and optional eggplant and potatoes. They also serve lamb and chicken shawerma (marinated pieces of meat rolled up like the falafel), kababs, and a variety of other dishes and sides. The only seating available is a small counter inside and a few tables outside making it an ideal spot for takeaway, and every wrap or sandwich is made to order.
For any fan of Mediterranean food this place is a must.

located at:
3109 16th Street (map)
Between Valencia and Guerrero

price range: cheap

Fog

“There may not be a Heaven, but there is a San Francisco.”  
                         -Ashleigh Brilliant

Japantown

One of San Francisco's many specialized areas, Japantown is home to a wide variety of stores selling all kinds of Japanese specific items. Snacks, candy, kimonos, prints, housewares, books and stationary are just a few of the things you will find here. It is also home to many restaurants serving authentic sushi, noodles and other traditional Japanese cuisine. Whether you're just browsing or looking for something in particular, Japantown is a must see!

located at Webster St and Geary Blvd (map)

Don't miss:

Ichiban Kan a Japanese dollar store full of treasures

Taiyaki (waffle batter in the shape of a fish filled with red bean paste or chocolate) at May's Coffee Shop

Pika Pika not your typical photobooth

Kinokuniya Stationery and Gift for all of your office accessory needs

Kinokuniya Bookstore a huge selection of books and magazines

Soko Hardware any Japanese cooking appliance possible


an array of snacks

From The Archives

Barbed Wire.
2005

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Quote of The Day

"He who awaits much can expect little."
-Gabriel García Marquez

Heartfelt

One of my favorite local stores and owned by a close friend, Heartfelt is a one stop shop for all of your gift needs. Located in Bernal Heights it has accessories, household items, toys, baby clothes, books, jewelry and just about anything else you could imagine! All of the items are unique and reasonably priced and it's almost impossible to leave without buying something.

Check it out at 436 Cortland Avenue! (map)

for more information visit:
http://www.heartfeltsf.com/
or call: 415.648.1380
and become a fan on Facebook:
Heartfelt

photo copyright Darcy Lee

Hipstamatic

golden gate bridge, dolores park, skyline, downtown
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House of Sand and Fog

A book recommendation:
House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III
a tragic, compelling story set in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area
















image copyright 1999 Andre Dubus III

Photos

some of my photos from Spring 2009



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Pier 24

Yesterday I visited a photography gallery on the Embarcadero called Pier 24, named for it's location right under the Bay Bridge. The space is an expansive warehouse and home to the very impressive contemporary photography collection of the Pilara Foundation. The collection includes prints from Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, Robert Frank, Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander and many more. For anyone even remotely interested in photography the gallery is a must see, and it's free!

for more information visit:
http://pier24.org/
or read the SF Chronicle article

San Francisco Sunsets

a spring sunset

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