Gay Travel Buddy

Le Central near Union Square – San Francisco

Le Central opened its doors in 1974 to a town that was a bit different than it is now. A bit wilder, a bit ballsier. French cuisine was not cutting edge, but more of the earmark of upper-end dining. Le Central managed to stand out among a sea of cassoulets and steaks au poivre. It not only stood the test of time, it also managed to become a landmark and staple of San Francisco dining.

There was a small group of men that helped to make Le Central what it is today. The member have changed a bit over the years but the core group included such legends as  Herb Caen(reporter SF Gate) , Willie Brown(politician and Mayor of SF) , Wilkes Bashford(clothier) , Harry de Wildt(socialite) and Matthew Kelly(musician). They had a standing lunch date every Friday and would start with drinks at the bar, followed by a dice game for the bar tab. Then they would choose a table, often by the window,and dine and hurl insults at each other while glad handing whichever passers-by took notice of them. These men were cornerstones of San Francisco society and were united in their love of the city. They had a true and lasting camaraderie that the insults barely masked. They loved Le Central too, and for good reasons.

The first thing that delights the eye about Le Central is the red tabac sign. It is a total throwback to a common sight in Paris. The interior is also quite authentic, with Plat du Jour chalkboards and fresh flowers on each table. Even the large bar was sent over from France to lend even more authenticity to a place steeped in it.

The menu is pretty classic and it would be hard to take a misstep ordering. There rae a few standards that have been in residence here since the beginning. There is a sign on the wall that ets you know how long the cassoulet has been going for (which is since he opening day) and as anyone who has ever dined at Le Central, it is a symphony of delicious. It is a white bean stew with duck confit, lamb, sausage and pork. The ingredients are all in perfect harmony and the quality of the cassoulet makes it one to measure all others against.

There are other delicious items on the menu, such as the roast chicken pommes frites which is a half of a chicken served with sauteed spinach. The chicken is tender and juicy and the pommes frites ( French fries) are a salty revelation. The filet mignon au poivre is served with pommes purée (mashed potatoes), haricot verts(green beans) with a brandy peppercorn sauce. Classic and well executed here. The daily items are almost always a good bet as well, making it difficult to choose just one item.

Le Central has a great bartender, a respectable wine list and a nice happy hour. The dessert menu can be a bit hit or miss, but do not let that dissuade one from ordering from it, because the hits are home runs. The staff can be a bit austere, but the that can change based on the day as well.

Le Central is a place to visit to not only have an excellent dining experience, but also to be a part of this historical restaurant and gathering place. They have an outstanding happy hour with a small discounted menu. Plus, sitting at the bar gives one a chance to meet  Dave Gabine, bartender extraordinaire. He makes a mean cocktails and has stories for days. Le Central is a San Francisco classic, and I hope it stays that way.

453 Bush St. near Union Square San Francisco Click for Google Map

Benu French Restaurant SOMA San Francisco

Fine dining in San Francisco used to be a pretty buttoned-up affair. The offering were invariably French served on white linens by men in formal attire. Tasting menus ran several courses long and could tie you up for five hours or more. Then, the landscape changed. younger folks were bringing in obscene sums of money with dot coms. Diners became savvy to a wide range of cultures and cuisines. This infusion of new blood didn’t want to be fed the same fare. They wanted something new, something to reflect their experiences. This set of circumstances gave birth to a new era of upscale dining.

Cory Lee got to witness this transition from the trenches. As a chef, he cut his teeth in classically appointed French restaurants. There he learned the artistry of the precisely aimed ingredients. He was steeped in the ways of dishes consume in a bite or two, with no room for error. He learned how to laser site ones taste buds and delay the flavor experiences so that they came in timed waves for maximum effect.

Lee opened Benu in 2010. He took his time at three-star rated Michelin restaurants in Europe and at French Laundry in Napa and applied it with distinctive influences from the East. His restaurant is set up to put all of the focus on the food, with little distraction.

The courtyard one walks through is uncomplicated with slate tiles and groomed grasses. The kitchen is only seen from the outside and reveals several chefs diligently working in pristine surroundings. The dining room is simple and sparsely decorated with artwork. The tables and seating are quite comfortable, but the eye is unstimulated.

The menu is arranged in a la carte options, which range from teens to thirties per dish. There is a highly recommended tasting menu which consists of over thirteen courses for $160. The accompanying wine tasting varies in price, but is usually around $110, making an evening’s dining experience pretty spendy. The artistry with which the tasting menu is assembled makes the tasting menu the better of the options.

Naturally, the tasting menu changes often, to reflect seasonal items and trends. The wine menu shifts along side it, making each evening spent here its own special event. Although the menu changes often, there are some items who have enjoyed more than one turn on the stage. The 1,00 year quail egg shows up a lot. This is served with strand of scallion and a ribbon of pickled ginger. Another recurring character is the “shark’s fin soup” made with Dungeoness crab, cabbage and ham that are poured over a black truffle custard.

The rest of the tasting menu habitually replete with sure palate pleasers. There has been some complaints that the portions are too  small and the menu overpriced. In the author’s humble opinion, if mere sustenance is what you are looking for, there are many other options that one should explore well before they arrive at the door of Benu. This restaurant is epicurean artistry, not just food. One must approach it as such in order to appreciate the rare opportunity to be delighted with every new course and morsel. At the end of the tasting menu, hunger will not be an issue. This type of cuisine sates one body and soul.

22 Hawthorne St. SOMA San Francisco Click for Google Map

Fringale SOMA San Francisco

Fringale has been a staple of San Francisco dining since 1991. For 14 years it was the brainchild of Gerald Hirigoyen and J.B. Lorda who maintained its reputation of serving exquisite Basque food in a comfortable and upscale environment. In 2005, they decided to sell the business to an employee, Jean-Marie Legendre. One of the original staff, Legendre has continued the Fringale reputation while letting it breathe a little.

The menu is Basque in nature, which refers to a member of a people living in the Basque Country of France and Spain. It could also be described as a blend of the best parts of french and Spanish cuisines with a heavy seafood presence. Thde interior is decorated in the color scheme one would expect to find in the warmer regions of both countries. Shades of beige and warm yellows hues blanket the interior in a warm glow. The massive verdigris(a bright bluish-green encrustation or patina formed on copper or brass) bartop adds to the inviting atmosphere and makes it a place that is easy to return to again and again.

One traditional dish which even encompasses the region’s name in its name, Seafood Basquaise is offered on the menu. It is a particularly excellently executed dish here, composed of salmon, cod, prawns, tuna, mussels, red pepper and tomato coulis for a cozy and slightly spicy seafood stew.The duck confit is also a fundamental of the menu. Fringale prepares theirs with lentils “Du Puy” (or French green lentils), potatoes Landaises, garlic and bacon with a red wine sauce. The skin was crispy yet the meat was tender and seasoned just right. The roasted rack of lamb was succulent and was served with scrumptious potato gratin, haricots verts(green beans) and a rosemary sauce. Parfait! The Dungeness crab Napoleon is a classic dish and is served light and refreshing here. It is made with avocado, lemon zest, piquillo peppers and mango salsa with caviar on top for extra zest. The frissee salad is popular as well, consisting of frissee lettuce, warm bacon dressing, pine nuts, poached egg and toasted levain croutons(French sourdough).

The wine list is very petite. There are about ten wines available by the glass. They are all reasonably priced. The bottles by the wine are pretty spendy and the corkage fee is steep, so bringing in your own isn’t a much better option. The dessert list, conversely, is extensive. There is not much I like better than lots of dessert options, and Fringale delivers. It would be difficult to make a misstep on this menu, all of the options are wonderful. From cakes and custard to tartes and truffles, it is so hard to choose just one.

Fringale is a certain crowd pleaser. Whether on a date, entertaining guests or business clients, there is an appeal that is across-the-board.

570 4th St. SOMA San Francisco Click for Google Map

Café de la Presse – Financial District – San FranciscoOkay, I will admit it: I am a Francophile. I love all things French. For as long as I can remember, I have thrilled at the sound of a nasal vowel. I delight in an hour long conversation over sauce. I thrill at the sight of a jaunty scarf, tied with an insouciant flair. I am always on the lookout for my new favorite place to go where I will be delighted with authentic fare and ambiance. Luckily, San Francisco has its own little French Quarter, where one can find all of these things and more.

On Grant Avenue, off of Bush street, one can find a number of places to hang up a beret and settle in for some authentic French wonder. Cafe de la Presse is a new-ish addition to this delightful neighborhood. It is every bit a brasserie (an informal usually French restaurant serving simple hearty food) with a twist. This cafe is attatched to the Hotel Triton, a part of the French renaissance in SF. The space itself is dominated by a large horseshoe wooden bar which has racks facing outwards for magazines. Cafe de la Presse boasts over 500 publications to choose from. From Elle French to Paris Match and Les Echos, they have a stunning array of periodicals available.

The interior is decorated in classic colors of red, blue and yellow. There are flat screen monitors sprinkled throughout which show cooking series and fashion shows, past and present. In the middle of the dining room there lies a large wooden table and it is laden with floral arrangements, breads and…desserts. Dozens of desserts. Desserts of all kinds, just sitting there, looking delicious and inviting. There are cookies, cakes, custards and tarts, depending on the day and season.

The menu itself offers breakfast (le petit dejeuner), brunch, lunch (dejeuner) and dinner. There are soups, salads, sandwiches, cheese and meat arrays and entrees to choose from. The cassoulet, which is available on thursdays, is an authentic stand out. It is a bean stew cooked with pork links, garlic sausage and carrots, and is done to perfection here. The confit de canard aux lentilles, or confit of mallard duck with French green lentils is another home run. The confit, or meat cooked slowly in its own fat, is decadent and melt-in-your mouth tender with crispy skin on the outside. Positively heavenly. The soupe l’oignon is matchless; beef broth with just the right amount of salt, sweet onions and cheese melted to the perfect temperature. This is French comfort food at its best. In fact, the entire menu is pretty much comfort food, done right.

There is a small but totally adequate wine list available. On nice days, they put out small wicker tables and chairs outside. I can think of few better ways to spend a lazy afternoon than sipping on a luscious red wine, paging through a Paris Match and enjoying a leisurely lunch of luxuriously prepared French delicacies at reasonable(!) prices. C’est magnifique!

352 Grant Ave, Financial District San Francisco

Cafe Claude – Union Square – San Francisco

After a trip to Paris, I found myself trying to find places to have a cocktail or meal that is reminiscent of my travels. I loved the cozy cafes and lack of fast food that was thoughtlessly prepared and full of empty calories and junk. I relished having a moment to sit and be still with a glass of wine or cup of coffee. Cafe Claude is a little slice of that experience. Located on Claude Lane off of Bush street, Cafe Claude has been likened over and over again to stumbling upon a a cafe in an alley in Paris and rightfully so.

The place appears to have been lifted from France and dropped into San Francisco. If it weren’t for a few tell-tale signs of modern day California ( earthquake beams and slender wall sconces), one might think that they had been transported to another place and time. The cafe has two floors. the bottom floor is mostly bar and micro mini bistro tables. The bar itself is a large, curvaceous zinc topped affair, gorgeous in its audaciousness. I can imagine no better place to sip a Fraternite (Ciroc vodka, muddled cucumber and mint, lemon and pineapple juice with a pimiento d’espellete salt rim), a pastis or absinthe. The wine list is impressive and offers over 25 wines by the glass plus many more by the bottle.

The second floor house the extremely “cozy” seating for dining. This is also a nod to classic french style because the tables are extremely close together. If personal space is an issue fpr you, this may be uncomfortable. However, if you enjoy making new acquaintances whilst dining, then do not be daunted. The menu is quite worth the elbow bumping.

Cafe Claude offers a delightful menu offering at devilishly low prices. The lunch menu includes classics done right. The soupe à l’oignon is marvelous, the salad Niçoise is fresh and delectable. The escargots en croute were served in a puff pastry and were divine. The cheese and charcuterie plates were perfect. It is hard to select anything not wonderful whilst dining here.

The dinner menu steps it up a notch and brings such quintessential dishes as coq au vin, filet mignon and  lamb sirloin. The bonus to all of this sumptuous French fare? The prices. Cafe Claude keeps their prices so competitive, it is hard to imagine why one would not want to dine here. French food can often be such a wallet-gauging affair, but at Cafe Claude, this is not the case.

At, a if all of that weren’t enough, there is jazz. On thursdays, fridays and saturdays, there is live jazz. The cast of performers rotates each night, and the schedule can be found on the website. And if the skies are clear, there is a heated patio available for seating. reservations are suggested for a complete dining experience. These can be made easily on the website also. Cafe Claude is a long standing classic in San Francisico for good reason.

7 Claude Lane. San Francisco Union Square Click for Google Map

Gitane – Union Square – San Francisco

As an adult,  I have often felt as though I have been cheated. I grew up watching a lot of movies and television and came to expect that my grown up world was supposed to look a certain way. I thought, quite frankly, that we would have flying cars, or jet packs at the very least. I thought we would have house cleaning robots and magic ovens that made whatever food we desired just by asking. I thought there would be dancing with my dinner when I went on dates and I thought we would have laser-shooting guns. On most counts, I have been disappointed by what has actually come to fruition on these hope. Gitane, however, looks just like someplace I would have imagine that I would like to go to as an adult.

Exotic and cozy, the interior is a luscious blend of French and Spanish influences. The colors remind one of the mediterranean with rich jewel tones of ochre, cyan and crimson. The lighting is warm and flattering, emanating from “pearl choker” shaped chandeliers. The seating and walls are covered with sumptuous, luxurious textiles, reflected in the glossy ceiling. The artwork on the walls both French and Spanish and perfectly accents the decor.

Piloting the kitchen is Bridget Batson, the longtime chef of Hawthorne Lane and its successor, Two. She has kept the vibe of the first chef, Lisa Eyherabide, but expanded to add her own personal touches. The cuisine is a symphony of influences from Spain, Portugal, Southern France and Morocco. The menu is so interesting and masterful that it is often difficult to select because everything sounds excellent.

The tapas menu is positively packed with delicious morsels. The calamari comes stuffed with bacon and onions. Of all of the ways that I have had calamari, this is one of my new favorites. The lamb tartare is exquisite and served raw with spiced cucumber yogurt. There are sardines are crusted with semolina and accompanied by hearts of palm and apples.

For main entrees, the tajine is a consistent winner. It is a stew of spiced chicken breast slow cooked with saffron, green olives, vegetables, almonds and served with couscous.  There are delicious side dishes available, the most interesting being the sauteed radishes.

The desserts are exquisite and change frequently. In addition to the hand crafted cocktails that are available, there is an extensive list of sherries. In a successful attempt to bring this libation back from the Siberian exile it has been relegated to, the staff is well versed and can easily assist one in selecting the right sherry for you.

Aside from the beautiful furnishings(from Anthropologie, no less), the flattering lighting and the elegant menu, Gitane has even more to offer. It is sexy. This is an excellent plac e to go for a date. The table and corner booths are cozy and intimate and the whole set up of the establishment lends itself to romance. The staff is professional and adept at being unobtrusive. If you want to impress your date, this is the spot for you.

6 Claude St. Union Square San Francisco Click for Google Map

Eureka is a cozy, upscale eatery with a Southern-influenced menu. They have a small but well-represented menu that is both creative and traditional. If your tastes are more adventurous, the Duck & Pistachio Terrine with Crostini, Mustard, Pickled Onions & Cornichons or Lamb Stifado is sure to be a good fit. If traditional cooking with a flair is more your style, the Eureka Baked Casareccia Macaroni & Cheese or Grilled Hamburger with French Fries is guaranteed to delight. The Pot Roast is simply superb and I have yet to taste better.

Chef Gaines Douglas Dobbins is Mississippi born and raised. He comes from a long line of chefs and brings that culinary tradition into his kitchen at Eureka. Trained under Paul Prudhomme, he takes pride in crafting a creative and traditional menu. He has brought a new twist on Southern comfort food that is simply wonderful.

The ambiance inside cozy and romantic. The staff is knowledgeable, professional and adorable to boot! Reservations are necessary, but there is a gorgeous bar upstairs that makes waiting a delight. The cocktails and wine selections available don’t hurt either. Eureka is a great place for a small and intimate dinner. It can get a bit loud but that can be an excuse to sit closer.

Chez Papa – Union Square

In the heart of downtown in SoMa, the city is pulsing with activity. There are busy streets and crowded sidewalk full of folks taking care of their daily business. The racket from all of the activity can be quite deafening. It is hard to imagine that there is a place to go where you can escape the cacophony, even while sitting outside. To that end, there is Chez Papa Resto.

While dining at Chez Papa Resto, one word keeps coming to mind over and over again…”sexy.” This restaurant is positively teeming with sex appeal. The lighting is low, extremely flattering and emanates from large windows and plentiful chandeliers. The banquettes incorporate an orange Art Deco-inspired backrest that reaches half way up the wall. There are plentiful luxe touches such as horsehair panels on the walls and fabric boxed covered lighting ensure that there are no unflattering places to sit in the establishment.

The patio is heated either by the sun or heat lamps and is well sheltered from the din and distraction of the surrounding neighborhood which can be a little gritty. Weather permitting, it can make for an absolutely delightful escape into a bit of nature from the confines of an office.

Executive Chef Steven Rojas is currently at the helm of Chez Papas Resto. His pedigree includes Patina in Los Angeles and two separate Michelin three-star restaurants in Europe. His influences over the menu have been well received and the place is consistently busy and frequented by regulars and new customers alike. The menu is a combination of both California cuisine and French Provencal. They offer lunch and dinner menus. There is a four course seasonal tasting menu that is available with or with out the wine. The price is exceptionally reasonable for such an offering and the author is yet to be disappointed.

The cocktail menu is expansive and hand crafted. Chez Papa offers happy hour specials which include Muse Vert Absinthe for $5, classic cocktails for $6, draft beer $3 and house wine for $5 per glass. There is also a small menu that includes Hamachi sashimi, Chicharones, wings, Kobe beef tartare and pommes Dauphine at a reduced price.

There is a lunch or business lunch menu. The business lunch consists of three courses with 2 options to choose from for each. The lunch menu consists of lighter fare with the inclusion of sandwiches. Dinner is the main event here and there are a few dishes that are must-haves. In particular, the braised beef cheeks are simply divine served with a trio of cauliflower puréed, caramelized and pickled. The sweet potato Agnolotti, a kind of ravioli typical of the Piedmont Region is served with toasted hazelnuts, Parmesan, pickled raisins and beet greens.

All in all, Chez Papa is an oasis of luxury and elegance in the middle of the bustling downtown. An evening spent here will no doubt be filled with sumptuous food, sparkling ambiance and a marvelous experience.

4 Mint Plaza, San Francisco - Click to see Google Maps

 COCO500

Loretta Keller is the chef extraordinaire that is the driving force behind COCO500. Formerly of Bizou, Keller is something of a celebrity in the Bay Area. She made a name for herself at the helm of Bizou and for twelve years, she provided finely crafted meals in multiple courses. Her reputation was such that her name became synonymous with a certain level and style of dining. She has since COCO500’s opening gone on to compete in Top Chef and to be a prime collaborator and creator of the dining concept and experience at the Moss Room in the California Academy of Science.

When Keller realized that the neighborhood was changing and she was going to need to adjust her restaurant to the new demographic, she decided to to close Bizou and open COCO500 in its place. A small-plates restaurant which also offers multiple course dining options, COCO500 was a leap from what Bizou was. The decor was made sleeker and modern with buttery leathers and earth tones to facilitate maximum coziness.

When creating the menu for COCO500, Keller had to retain a few of the menu items to keep her loyal customers happy. The new menu is teeming with essential items such as  whole roasted fish, which rotates based on what fish is in season, duck liver terrine, which melts in the mouth, rotating flatbreads which are always a delight, and the piece de resistance, the batter fried green beans. The green beans are so exquisite, I dare you to have them and not have your socks knocked clean off of your feet. They are perfectly battered and spiced as to not be mundane or usual but they retain enough of their simple charm to become a staple of any dining experience to COCO500.

Keller was one of the first chefs in SF to offer beef cheeks on the Bizou menu, and they have been carried over to the COCO500 offerings in the form of COCOmole tacos. The tender and delectable cheeks are served with a chocolate and chile sauce on triangles on tortillas. If you are an omnivore, it would be a shame for any diner to leave without trying these morsels.

The dessert list is rotated frequently and fits into the modern California-cuisine with the rest of the menu. From vacherin, a meringue shell filled with whipped cream, ice cream and fruit, to buttermilk panna cotta served with huckleberry sauce or chocolate ecstasy cake, there really are no mis-steps here.

The wine list is extensive, if a bit spendy. They have over 100 option to choose from by the bottle and just under 20 for by the glass options. There are also a small but well appointed menu of hand crafted cocktails. The negroni or the mojito are the best of these. If you wish to bring your own wine there is a small corkage fee of $15.

This can be quite a busy place, but is unique in that it can be a rowdy place to share small plates with friends in the small bar area or a more intimate for a dinner for two. No matter what type of experience you are looking to have, you can be assured that you will leave with a happy stomach and a craving for more of those marvelous green beans.

400 Brannon St. San Francisco, CA 415-543-2222 Link to Google Maps

El Castro

ESTACIONAMIENTO

¡Advertencia! Si tienes la intención de conducir en el Castro, mantiene estas cosas en mente sobre donde puedes estacionarte. Entre semana, un permiso S cubri estacionamiento fuera de los parquimetros en frente de las residencias del Castro, Noe Street, Lower Haight, y el área de Duboce Triangle (Triángulo), tal vez unas calles más. Dependiendo de la calle, puedes estacionarte por 1 ó 2 horas antes de necesitar un permiso. Si te estas quedando en casa de un amigo o incluso un “bed and breakfast” (alojamiento y desayuno) se puede obtener un permiso temporalmente. Pero vas a necesitar una prueba de que te vas a quedar en esta area, de lo contrario no lo vas a pode obtener.

Sólo hay un estacionamiento de pago en el Castro y esta muy bien escondido, la entrada esta en Noe Street justo al norte de Market. Ten en cuenta este garaje se cierra a la medianoche. Si estás buscando por este lugar en cualquier mapa, la dirección se encuentra en Market St. así que puede ser un poco complicado de encontrar.

Los parquimetros se vigilan muy estrictamente! El Castro es la parte más estricta de la ciudad, hay más guardias aqui que en cualquier otra parte de la ciudad. Ve tu parquimetro con cuidado y le las señales con mucho cuidado. Algunos de los lugares de estacionamiento estan solamente reservados para los vehículos comerciales hasta las 4pm y no estoy seguro si los sabados tambien estan reservados para vehículos comerciales o no. Los parquimetros son gratis los domingo, hasta los lugares comerciales tambien. Los lugares reservados para vehículos comerciales estan pintados amarillo. Observa cuidadosamente para parquimetros rojo, en estos no mas se pueden estacionar por media. Si tienes una placa de discapacidad, no se estacione en lugares comerciales cuando entre semana o recibirás una multa. En California, placas comerciales se identifican con una sola letra. Por ejemplo, 1X12345 es comercial, 1XYZ1234 no lo es. Estos parquimetros son muy caros y no conozco a muchas personas que tienen mas de $10 en monedas en su bolsillo. Para ser esto mas conviniente, se venden tarjetas que se pueden utilizar para los parquimetros de la ciudad en la tienda Rossi’s Deli.

Fijate por señales en los parquimetros anunciando eventos o zonas de construcción, esos van a ser enforzados estrictamente. Tambien revisa tus llantas por marcas con gis, si sigues poniendo dinero en el parquimetro más allá del tiempo asignado puedes obtener una multa. La manera fácil de que te estan moderando de encontrar esa marca de gis en las llantas que se da a la calle.

No sé a ciencia cierta, pero me han dicho que una compañia privada fue contratada para encargarse de las multas de estacionamiento. Ya que la multa se haya dado, no hay manera de cancelar, asi que no vale discutir con la gerente o puedes terminar en la cárcel. Esta no es una broma, si se sienten amenazados pueden llegar a lanzarte tras las rejas! Muchos de estos gerente tienen muy mal humor y no toleran mucho. Es en tu mejor interés no molestarlos. Puedes tratar de luchar contra una multa de estacionamiento, pero en mi experiencia, esto es casi una cosa imposible de ganar. Es peor que la lucha contra una multa por velocidad. Si piensas que el gerente se ha equivocado, puedes hacer lo que quieras para justificarte, pero no hay mucho a tu lado.

Ten en cuenta que enfrente del Castro Theater hay 4 o 5 lugares de estacionamiento que en cualquier momento puede cambiar a no ser disponible, solo zonas de carga. Va a ver señales cuando esto pase, asi que fijate. Igual, no intentes discutir, realmente no vale la pena.

Y para tu informacion, estacionamiento con parquimetros adicionales está disponible detrás del teatro, y Sliders está justo en frente. El acceso a este lote es a la derecha de Naia. Hay un segundo lote junto en la calle 18, detrás de Walgreen y a lado de Magnet, la clinica de salud sexual para hombres.
Los parquimetros son caros, $0.25 no te compran más que unos minutos en algunos locales. Puedes comprar una tarjeta de estacionamiento en la página web de MTA, y la estación del MUNI Montgomery los vende durante horas de trabajo regulares.

Tambien puedes comprar tarjetas de estacionamiento en Rossi’s Deli, direccion 426 Castro St. cerca de la tienda Diesel en la interseccion de Market y Castro. El otro lugar donde he comprado tarjetas de estacionamiento es en el la gasolineria Chevron, también en la esquina de Market y Castro, pero ahi no mas venden la tarjeta de $20.

TRANSPORTE PÚBLICO:

Si estás buscando alternativas para llegar al Castro, estás de suerte. San Francisco tiene un gran sistema de transporte público, y hay un montón de opciones. Durante las ferias como Orgullo Gay y la Feria de Castro Street a lo mejor es fácil conseguir un taxi que te lleve al Castro, pero conseguir una de salida puede ser un caos. Olvídate de estacionamiento, tendrás un tiempo muy difícil encontrar un lugar porque estas ferias son muy populares tambien con personas que vienen desde lejos en sus Vehículos. Muchas de las calles se cierran temporalmente o están configuradas para no ser disponibles para estacionar.

Tambien hay un tren de cable que va encima de Market Street llamado la línea F, estos trenes van desde Fisherman’s Wharf al Castro. Por lo general este servicio termina alrededor de las 11 o medianoche. Puedes tomar este servicio desde Union Square, donde se encuentran la mayoría de las grandes tiendas y hoteles. Pero esta es la manera más lenta posible de transportacion en San Francisco, aparte de caminar. Estos trenes son antiguos y por eso muy lentos!

Si vienes desde Union Square, la forma más rápida a llegar al Castro es a través del servicio de tren MUNI, que se encuentra bajo tierra. Para aliviar la confusión, en Union Square se puede entrar a las estaciónes de Montgomery, Powell Street, o en Civic Center (Centro Cívico). Estas estaciones son los más cerca a Union Square, y Powell Street es la calle más céntrica de Union Square. También hay una parada del la linea F y de BART en Powell.

En la plataforma hay dos direcciones, inbound (entrada) y outbound (salida). Trenes que van de entrada se dirigen hacia el Embarcadero o siguen en dirección oeste hacia la bahía. Trenes de salida van hacia el este, y pasan por el Castro. No utilice la linea J, porque se dirige a Church Street, que si está cerca al Castro, pero no es la mejor opción. La línea N se dirige al distrito del Sunset y recorre todo el camino hasta llegar a la playa. Aunque la linea J y la linea N se paran en estación de Church Street, no pasan por el Castro, aunque se puede caminar desde allí. Tanto las líneas J y N salen a veces a la superficie.

Las líneas de salida que te llevarán a la estación del Castro son K, L y M. Durante las horas pico entre semana, hay una linea S o la línea de Castro Express que salta muchas paradas y es muy rápido. Aungque no es muy buena idea esperar por la linea S, a veces el tiempo de espera entre los trenes puede ser muy largo y he esperado un buen tiempo por la linea S desde Powell no mas para encontrarlo tan lleno que no se podía subir.

No se apoye en las puertas de los trenes en movimiento, he escuchado historias de las puertas abriendose repentemente mientras los trenes se están moviendo a toda velocidad. Estoy seguro de que no es divertido salir volando afuera de estos trenes. No trate de subirse en el tren sin un pase válido, no tire este pase después de pasar por la puerta. Estos trenes tienen policía que comprueban las entradas, y te darán una desagradable multa si te encuentran sin un pase. Yo también no tocaria nada en el tren, algunas personas que viajan en los trenes no son muy higiénicos!

Algunas noches cierran los trenes subterraneos temprano y servicio pasa a los autobuses de la calle, que tendrá las mismas letras que los trenes. Durante los fines de semana hay autobuses que funcionan toda la noche por Market St. que no recurren seguido, pero es una alternativa si no tienes dinero para un taxi.

VIDA NOCTURNA Y BARES GAY:

Aunque el Castro tiene una larga lista de bares gay, se pensaria que habria más lugares para elegir, sin embargo hay un límite estricto sobre las licencias de bebidas alcohólicas dentro del Castro por lo que es casi imposible abrir más bares.

Blackbird es un bar que abrio reciente en el Castro, y tiende a tener un público más joven y mezclado. Es unas buenas cuadras desde Market y Castro, pero vale la pena el esfuerzo. Es el bar más cerca a un “lounge” que tenemos y tambien tiene una mesa de billar.

Blush – Un favorito personal, este bar de vinos sofisticados es muy relajante y ubicado en el corazón del Castro, cerca a 18^th St.

2223 es un bar y restaurante, así que puedes cenar y brindar en una sola sesión. Buena comida!

El Café es un bar y club de baile gay muy grande situado en el centro del Castro, con un montón de eventos todas las noches.

Twin Peaks es una barra de buen tamaño en el Castro, que atiende a un público de edad mayor. También se conoce como el “Glass Coffin” (ataúd de cristal0, así que usted puede leer entre líneas.

440 Castro es una barra de buen tamaño, que tiende a satisfacer a los osos y cachorros. También tienen un par de noches que son para chicos más jóvenes y un noches de cerveza barata que son muy popular.

Bar On Chuch (formalmente conocido como Bar On Castro), pero después de perder su contrato de arrendamiento se movió desde el Casto a Church St. El nuevo lugar es muy amplio, y la gente es una mezcla, pero por el lado más joven en general. A unos cortos pasos de Gayway, perdon Safeway.

Trigger es un bar para el público “gay yuppie” (jovenes profesionales), las bebidas son por lo general el doble precio que en cualquier otro lugar. A mi me gustava ester lugar, pero se ha dejado ir en calidad en mi opinión. Incluso page por su “Black Card” (tarjeta negra) el primer año, pero no lo volveré a hacer.

Martuni’s es un bar gay con piano, situado en las afueras del Castro. Aqui hacen sus bebidas y cocteles muy fuertes y diferentes eventos casi todas las noches, es un buen lugar, intimo y elegante.

The Mix es otra barra gay de tamaño medio con una bonita terraza al exterior en la parte trasera. Aqui tienen algunos divertidos eventos y una mesa de billar. Atrae a una gran variedad de público, y en el pasado he conocido a algunos chicos muy agradables aquí.

Moby Dick es un bar pequeño pero divertido con una mesa de billar y un tanque de peces detras de la barra. Un lugar popular para los equipos de deportes gay para brindar despues de un partido.

Harvey’s es un restaurante muy popular y emblemático de la vida gay. Esta situado en el corazón del Castro en la esquina de 18th y Castro, visita obligada para todos los turistas.

The Edge es el bar para osos y cachorros, nunca he estado aquí, pero siempre veo que hay mucha gente por lo general.

Toad Hall es un bar gay muy popular por un patio exterior, la gente es mezclada con una gran cantidad de jóvenes para elegir. Yo lo llamo “Toad Vomit” (vómito de sapo), pero no mas es mi punto de vista.

Badlands es el bar gay más popular en el Castro, gente muy joven, con pantallas LCD en todas las paredes. Esta es la trampa para todos los turístas porque cuando entres no vas a querer salir, los precios de las bebidas son muy razonables y una buena hora orientada a matar a las personas con intoxicación alcolica.

The Mint, técnicamente está fuera del Castro, pero que está cerca de Martuni’s que vale la pena mencionarlo. Este es tu lugar si quieres una noche de karaoke.

TIENDAS

Best in Show – Una boutique de juguetes para tu perrito, tu ser mas querido.

PERSONAS SIN HOGAR:

San Francisco es la capital para personas sin hogar de Norte America. Y los turistas son los principales objetivos. Sé que vas a sentir lástima por ellos y ellos te dirán todo tipo de historias locas sobre todos sus problemas. Si les das dinero, te seguiran preguntando, una vez que observen que le diste a uno, los otros te perseguiran por mas cambia. Tan feo como suena, es mejor no hacer contacto y decir no gracias y seguir caminando. Si les das un cigarro abres las puertas para que empiezen a pedir dinero. La ciudad les ofrece dinero, alimentos y vivienda.También tienen decenas de opciones de educacion, ayuda a conseguir un trabajo y asistencia médica. Ellos o tienen problemas mentales o elegin sequir molestando no mas para arruniar tu dia.

RESTAURANTES:

El Castro tiene una gran selección de restaurantes para elegir, todos muy fáciles de llegar a pie. En el extremo major en terminos de precio, hay Catch, un restaurante de mariscos que es realmente delicioso, está situado en Market St. en el Castro. Igual que Eureka, que se encuentra el la calle 18, tres quartos de cuadra desde Castro St. en dirección hacia “Dolores Park” (Parque Dolores). Una de las mejores novedades es Starbelly, en la esquina de la calle 16 y Market. Puedes hacer reservaciones en “Open Table” (Mesa Abierta) para ambos Catch y Eureka. Starbelly, a menos que haya un grupo muy grande es por orden de llegada, hacie que espera una espera.

Francés

Bisou – Esto es mi restaurante Francés favorito en San Francisco, sin duda alguna! Tienes que probarlo!

Americana – Alimentos para satisfacer a los borrachos

Harvey’s – Debes probarlo, concinan muy bien la comida Americana, tiene tambien una barra grande y el personal es muy amable.

Home Restaurante – Este es el restaurant que debes de ir para probar el almuerzo, asegúrate de conseguir una reservacion y trata los panes hechos en casa.

Cafe Flore - Un café al aire libre, con un bar y un restaurante, agradable en los días soleados.

Orphan Andy’s – clásica cena Américaca, abierto las 24 horas, también tienen una gran seleccion de comida con bajas calorias y carbohidratos para los borrachos en dieta.

China

Brandy Ho’s – Uno de mis favoritos tambien, su estilo es Hunan asi que puede ser picante.

Nirvana – Comida aqui es más fusión asiática. Los fideos valen la pena probar. Y tambien los excelentes cócteles!

Sushi

Osaka Sushi – buena comida, excelente ubicación, por lo general algunas de las opciones de pescado son bastante buenas.

India

Bombay

Kasa – Kasa es un pequeño restaurante y único en como sirven la comida India, he comido aquí decenas de veces y siempre me encanta.

Méxicana – Latina

Luna

Mediterráneo

Café Mystique – Una adicion más reciente en el Castro y un buen cambio de las típicas opciones.

La Mediterranee – no lo he probado, pero otra opción.

Italiano – Pizza

Nizarios – Pizza servida en rebanadas y siempre rico.

The Sausage Factory – Uno de mis restaurantes italianos favoritos en San Francisco, debes probarlo.

Escape From New York Pizza – Un buen lugar para una rebanada o si tienes apetito, toda la pizza entera. Tambien entregan a domicilo.

Marcello’s Castro – Pizza por la rebanada

Mariscos

Anclaje Oyster Bar – Una gran opción para los amantes de ostras!

Catch – Cena de lujo, tambien uno de mis lugares favoritos.

Tailandesa

Thai House Express

Vietnamita

Zadin – Un gran restaurante vietnamita, tambien incluye un menú sin gluten.

Postres – Cafes

Castro Tarts – Un café pequeño, es un poco difícil de encontrar.

Hot Cookie – Una pequeña panadería que hace unas galletas que parecen muy similares en el sistema reproductivo humano, pero mas sabrosos.

The Cove Cafe – Una pequeño café con postres.