Time for a toast!

Bourbon and Branch is a very big deal in the city.  It's a special speakeasy that requires a password just to get in.  There's a time limit for your stay and you can't take pictures inside.  That being said, I have yet to go.  However, I did find myself at their sister bar, Rickhouse on a particular special Saturday night.

Doors on the right, the trick doors are cool though!

Unlike Bourbon, Rickhouse is a fun, laid back bar where it's a bit too crowded, a bit too loud, and a lot of bit fun.  On this Saturday, I was out with Phil, Oli and her husband Peter for a fun double date. (I guess that's what you do when you get old.) We stumbled into Rickhouse around 10:30-11:00. It had a little bit of a line, but wasn't too bad.  I don't do long lines.  We managed to macgyver a spot at the bar, and the rest of the night is history.  No not really, maybe for Peter, but the rest of us had a great time.

View of the Bar from Upstairs

Gigantic Punch Bowl of fruit and juice and a hangover

Like Bourbon and Branch, Rickhouse has a punch bowl.  Personally I hate sweet drinks, but the punch seems to be a hit with most ladies.  We decided to just get personal drinks and Phil started out with an Old Fashion, Peter got bourbon neat (bye bye Peter), and Oli and I couldn't decide.  This is when me being my annoying self started asking the bartender to create us something yummy and good.  And he delivered.  I can't tell you much of what they were called.  One was an Airplane maybe?  Anyway, the goods were great.  Everything is made fresh, right in front of you with the freshest ingredients.  Not too pricey either for an establishment like that.  I would recommend asking the bartender for his favorite or get something good like an Old Fashioned or Moscow Mule.  This is a place you want to go back to the oldies, and not get something like a vodka-soda: true story someone ordered four, I wanted to cry.  They also have beer on tap for those who don't like hard alcohol, but come on people be adventurous!

Yummy.  So many options!

Fresh to Death

Something the Doctor Recommended

Tourist Tip: You can reserve the upstairs loft area.  And on Saturday night there is live music - always fun!

For San Diego readers, and hopeful vacationers

This past weekend was Valentine's Day.  Normally I hate it.  And that is not because I am single.  I have always had a Valentine, I just hate it.  It's a stupid holiday with stupid expectations and stupid expensive things.  That being said, this year my bf, Phil, took me to San Diego for a vacation.  Fun city, but wouldn't want to live there...anyway we went out to celebrate Valentine's day and it was one of the best meals I have had in a long time.

Little Italy at Night is so pretty!

My friend Chris (the one from the Sac posts) is from San Diego, so we asked him for some hints on where to go.  He is a big foodie and recommended Bencotto.  I am SO glad I listened to him because it was unreal.

Welcome to a piece of heaven.

The best part about the restaurant was its service.  Our waitress was so helpful and didn't rush us at all.  We ended up having dinner for 2 hours, and it was awesome.  We had a huge glass of wine.  Like one of the biggest pours I have ever seen at a restaurant.  Then we ordered the Caprese and spicy meatballs.  They were both amazing.  The Caprese Salad was so good.  It was a huge chunk of fresh mozzarella with beautiful tomatoes.  The only way it could have been better would be if it were heirloom tomatoes, but besides that it had basil puree on top and vinegar beautifully crafted throughout the plate.  The meatballs were the big hit.  I absolutely love meatballs (if you can't tell from my many meatball sandwiches).  These were in spicy marina sauce.  They were small but so moist and delicious (sorry SMo, I know you hate that word.)  I highly recommend the meatballs.  I also would have liked to try the prosciutto and melon app or the risotto balls but Phil isn't too keen on too many carbs or melons for that matter.

Spicy Meatballs. A must order!

Prosciutto and Melon

Fried Risotto Balls

For dinner Phil got the Chicken Parm but instead of mashed potatoes he got the homemade spaghetti with meat sauce.  The pasta is so amazing here, getting anything else would be a mistake.  I don't know why he got chicken parm - to be honest it wasn't anything special but he liked it.  I got the lasagna.  It was easily one of the best things I have ever had.  It isn't your typical American lasagna.  The pasta is so thinly sliced and it has fresh marina sauce with great chunks of meat.  I highly recommend it.  And the leftovers were amazing after a night of drinking.

Chicken Parm - Normally comes with mashed potatoes but skip that and order pasta!

They are famous for their gnocci.  Didn't try it but it looked delish!

Lasagna - "Dream about this dish" delicious.  That's a promise.

Phil's pasta with meat sauce - so good!

Unfortunately, we didn't have room for dessert (well I did but Phil was stuffed).  So we paid our bill and walked around Little Italy.  If you don't stop by here you are greatly mistaken. Definitely the best find in a long time!

Outdoor Patio - not bad on a nice day but right on the street and super cramped!

Tourist Tip: Make reservations and sit inside!  We sat at the patio and it was a bit cramped.  If you can't get into Bencotto go next door.  It is their sister restaurant but they also offer brunch options!

wine, wine, wine

I don't know about you folks, but I love me some wine.  In fact, for this past Valentine's Day, the bf bought me a nice expensive cab instead of a bouquet of flowers - he knows the way to my heart.  Being so close to wine county means good quality for cheap prices.  It also means lots and lots of options.

My Beautiful Bouquet of Wine

One of the best places to go in the city is just a few blocks from my house.  Amelie is absolutely delightful.  (Disclaimer, I lived in Paris for a summer so I am a bit obsessed with all things French.)  It is a lively wine bar owned and run by a Frenchman.  It seems that everyone who works here is from Paris, which meant that the more I drank the more I tried to speak French.  I loved trying to talk to them and ask them which were their favorite wines.  I don't know if they loved hearing me butcher the language.

White, Red, Syrah, Champagne, you pick!

The best part about Amelie are the wine flights.  During happy hour it is $10 for three flights of your choice.  It lasts from 5:30-7:00 but often they honor the prices even longer.  I can't recommend any wines because honestly you can't go wrong.  The staff is very helpful and will answer any questions you have.

Red, red winnneeeeeee

Heaven.  Just simply Heaven.

 They also serve food.  But I have only ever had the charcuterie plate.  That is a treat.  Three cheeses, five meats, honey, garlic, everything...man I am drooling.  If you have had other items please let me know if they are worth trying!

Cheese, Meat, Sauce, Bread - Try and Be Mad

Tourist Tip: Get there early and sit at the bar.  Faster service and lots of help picking out the best wine for your palate! 

To All My Readers...Now it's YOUR turn!

Calling all you foodies or, in my case, fatties!  I need your help.  My bf and I are heading over to San Diego for the Valentine's Day weekend and we need advice on where to go.  Good food is a must, fun atmosphere is encouraged and gorgeous views would be a bonus.  Any suggestions would be very appreciated!

What are you doing for Valentine's Day?

I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD!!!

So-Cal = Mexican Food.  I am your typical Southern California girl - blonde hair, blue "ish" eyes (really green but just go with it), and I definitely talk like they do in Clueless...as if!  Another stereotypical thing about the So-Cal in me is that I love Mexican food.  I am born and raised in Venice, CA; land of foodies and ethnic eateries galore.  But my father - well he just loves spice.  So that meant Mexican food at least three times a week.

Greasy, grimey, gooey - LA Mexican Food

The worst thing about moving to the Bay Area was that I had to say bye bye to all good Mexican food.  I am sorry SF but you just can't compete with Southern California - NOT EVEN THE MISSION.  I know there are people out there that will hurt me for saying this, but it's true.  Because of my strong love for Mexican food, I often crave it and search for anything resembling a burrito or taco.  Usually I come up empty handed.  However, on one such occasion I meandered into Tacolicious in the Marina, and boy was I impressed.

Outdoor seating is fun on a nice weekend!

I have been back several times since then.  I literally bring everyone that visits here.  It is just so tasty, so fun, so crowded!  If its a weekday lunch, there is space galore.  If it is a weekend night, I stay far far away from here.

Interior on a PACKED day!

Happy Hour Specials - Beware!

If its your first time, you have to get the 4 tacos for $14.  You must.  I love the chicken mole, the fried fish is the bf's fav, the carnitas is so fatty and juicy, and my friends love the short rib.  If you have been before, you MUST try the Tuna Tostada appetizer.  It's probably the best thing I have had here.  The chips and salsa are amazing too - and free!  You really cannot go wrong!

Chips and Salsa!

Short Rib, Carnitas, and Fried Cod

Tuna Taco and a Marg - Heaven

Tourist Tip: If you manage to snag a table on the weekend, get be weary of the shot and a beer deal!  Also any of the margs are delish.  It's a sure fire way to start off a fun night.

Thursday's the New Friday

Okay, its not really new.  But ever since college, Thursday has been the day that my friends and I all celebrate the start of the weekend...aka drink.  No I am not an alcoholic, but yes I am going to be an attorney so I know a lot about alcohol.

Living in Nob Hill/Russian Hill area means I am around a ton of bars, lounges, and clubs.  Although I have my favorites, I decided to head to a new place after a double date with my besties Oli and Pedro and of course the bf, Phil.  After a yummy meal at Chambers (see review below), we headed to a new dive bar - Hi Lo Club.

The ONLY sign for the place.  You will miss it the first time!

It was early so it was still pretty empty and we were able to snag a small booth.  The waitress quickly came up to take our order.  They had plenty of good beers on tap, and more liquor than you could try in a year. The place is pretty hidden but if you walk up and down the block enough you will find it.

Such a cool Venue and Vibe - love the speakeasy feel!

Inside it feels a bit divey, a bit like a speakeasy.  The booths are a great touch.  All in all it's not a bad place to start out your night.  I think if you came here later in the evening it would be way too crowded for any fun, and with just one bar you would never get served.  Definitely a place to stop off early in the night as it is realitvely cheap, but after that I would move somewhere more fun like McTeagues or Lush.

Beers on Tap - always changing.

Cocktail list - Cash only.

Bourbon Up!

Tourist Tip:  Carry cash.  Most places around this area are cash only, so if you are going to bar hop you will need it!

Don't sweat the small stuff...

First off I would like to thank everyone who checks out my blog.  Even if you visit just to make fun of my food addiction, or if it helps get you to try new places - thank you! I reached a thousand views last week and that was more than I ever expected from this little site.

On to the post.  So after all of my food and booze lately, I realized that it was time to start my work out regime. As its the first of the year and I have a wedding in -80 days (thanks to the couple who has the countdown all over facebook), it was time to get moving.  My friend Jess just bought a groupon for Bikram Yoga and invited me along.  So of course instead of studying I decided to try it out.  Two things you should know ahead of time are 1. its hot 2. it smells.  If you can get past that, then you will get into great shape!

I think its Warrior? Who knows, I just do what they tell me.

It can get pretty crowded on cold days, so get there early!

It was an hour and a half of hot, sticky, smelly athleticism.  Although I haven't done yoga in a few years, I still had some flexibility in me and was able to hold my own.  I only had one moment where I thought I might get sick, but besides that it was great.  It was a nice venue with a lot of accessibility on BART and the bus, and tons of restaurants in the area.  The yoga was both easy but also was a struggle.  Even experts will be tested.  After burning 700-800 calories, there is a little juice shop around the corner that has fresh squeezed juices and smoothies.  There was a long wait, but it was pretty good.  Kind of expensive though, so you may want to invest in your own juicer if Bikram Yoga seems to be your thing.

Sidewalk Juice - Cash Only!

Mission Exlicir - So tasty after working out!

Tourist Tip: Bring your own mat and full towel because its $2 to rent them, and let's be honest you don't want someone else's rented towel when you are going to drip sweat for over an hour.