Monk’s Kettle 3141 16th Street, SF, CA 94103 http://www.monkskettle.com/ Like beer? You’ll LOVE Monk’s Kettle. Weave your way through the folks playing music on the sidewalk and into Monk’s for an amazing, multi-page beer experience! I’m a Chimay ale guy and they didn’t let me down with the selection. Page after page of beer awaits you. You name it and they’ll have it or something like it. The service was fantastic. The server we had took time to … Read entire article »

Balboa Sushi House 402 Balboa Street San Francisco, CA 94118 (415) 386-3769 Another Richmond treasure, the Balboa Sushi House is a cozy sushi place with a lot of character. More “down home” than Sakura Sushi, Balboa is clean and quaint with a strong personality and friendly hosts. The sushi and price are fair market and they have a nice selection of sake and beer as well. If you’re looking for something off the beaten track in the Richmond, … Read entire article »

Herbivore http://www.herbivorerestaurant.com/valencia.html (3 locations)  San Francisco, CA 94110 I just discovered the amazing and delicious world of HERBIVORE recently. My wife suggested it and I went in with a cool, clear mind. A place with no meat on the menu – no worries. I’ve long since given up my “meat with every meal” lifestyle and I thought this would be a pleasant and healthy choice. Bingo – spot on.  We tried the Valencia location and I found it … Read entire article »

Delano’s IGA Market 6333 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 752-0205 Right. It’s a market. Not even a SUPER market. Why is it here? The sandwiches! The deli has a wide selection of meats and cheeses and makes a mean, middle of the road, take me to Golden Gate Park deli  sandwich. The price is right and the service is fair. A nice and quick addition to a summer day out in the park. … Read entire article »

Sakura Sushi http://www.sakurasushisf.com/ 2450 Clement St San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 386-8008 I have to say, I had to think long and hard about posting anything about OUR sushi spot here. It’s OURS. It’s never over crowded. It’s always pleasant. The service is always top notch. The food is always delicious. The prices are great. We can always walk in and get a seat. Why do I want more people to be here – taking up seats that I … Read entire article »

Tease-O-Rama Burlesque Convention http://www.teaseorama.com/ Dress up and head out to a celebration of the female form! Tease-O-Rama is a wondrous adventure for those that are not scared of a little flesh, but who likes their naughty 1950s style – somewhat cute and sweet instead of down and dirty. Couples friendly, Tease is a fun exploration of burlesque entertainment complete with a ribald humor hostess and female bodies of all shapes, sizes, and forms. This is an affair that’s … Read entire article »

Trad’r Sams 6150 Geary Blvd San Francisco, CA 94121 (415) 221-0773 Ok…let’s just get this out there before we get to ahead of ourselves. Sam’s is a dive. It’s a swarmy little tiki bar that tends to get too crowded and too congested. But man, is it fun!     Your best bet is to get there early – somewhere around 9:30 – and camp out in one of the corner tables (around eight people or so)  or … Read entire article »

Orbit Room 1900 Market St  San Francisco, CA 94102-6228 Phone: (415) 252-9525 The Orbit Room was host to my 40th birthday gathering towards the end of the night (after a glass of wine at CAV) and it was a hit with the group. Fun mixed drinks populated the menu along with some standard fair like beer. Strong and well-mixed martini’s and the like abound. The price was ok, but it is not a “cheap date” location. Orbit leans … Read entire article »

Cav wine bar http://www.cavwinebar.com/ 1666 Market St San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: (415) 437-1770 CAV offers a fine wine experience at a price. Unlike The HIDDEN VINE, CAV plays closer to fancy across the board. The experience was more chic and cozy.  Example: Some people call them “French Fries” and charge $3. CAV calls them “Pommes Frites” and charges $8. They have a very good wine selection, however, and the price point was pretty standard for drinking wine “out … Read entire article »

Cal Skate http://www.calskate.com/ 6100 Commerce Blvd. Rohnert Park, CA (707) 585-0494 VIVA LA FUN!!! Cal Skate is fantastic family fun for all!  Affordable family entertainment is hard to find in this wonky economy, so Cal Skate is the place to be for a solid afternoon of fun without breaking the bank. Watch sports while the kids skate. Have a birthday gathering and keep everything – pizza, skating and cake – in one location. Bring a date and show them just … Read entire article »