Gay Travel Buddy

Abri Gay Hotel – Union Square – San Francisco

I have strangely become a fan of orange. We have the Hotel Abri in San Francisco to thank for that change in attitude towards a color that doesn’t fall onto the rainbow flag.

Hotel Abri is located smack dab in the heart of Union Square and less than a block from the main “Powell Station” for BART and MUNI, the two most convenient modes of transportation for getting around the city (and to and from the airport).

We were pleasantly surprised as we rounded the corner to the hotel to see a proudly displayed Pride Flag directly above the hotels namesake flag.

Check in was a breeze and the nice gentlemen behind the desk welcomed us genuinely to the hotel, didn’t blink at our request for a king size bed and had arranged for us to be upgraded to a corner room! While checking in be sure to take a moment to enjoy one of the complimentary orange ‘shots’ that are offered (as well as a giant orange gum ball). The shots change daily, and the Saturday we checked in we were treated to a vodka and orange energy drink. Much needed for a Saturday night on the town!

The lobby was warm an inviting, and looked like a great space to sit by the fire and participate in one of our favorite past times, people watching. (We wouldn’t have minded watching the two boys that checked in while we were headed to our room either!)

Our room was in a corner on the fourth floor and we were amazed at the generous size of the room when we entered.  The bedroom was large enough for a king size bed and a chaise lounge (with obligatory flat screen TV mounted to the wall), a walk through bathroom connecting it to the living area was a nice touch, and we stopped to admire the bathroom. Normally a hotel bathroom doesn’t excite me too much, but the ample L’Occitane bath essentials and the shower stood out. The glass enclosed shower was a dream, nice and large with a rainfall shower head positioned at least 7 feet high, perfect for someone who is 6’4”, and rare to find in a hotel.

The living area was fit for a gathering of friends, or a lazy night in watching the ample flat screen with a large comfortable couch for lounging as well as another lounge chair and a table for cocktails. The mini fridge was empty, and there was a ‘pocket’ in the door that fit our bottle of vodka perfectly! Another nice feature was that the ice came in a pre-packaged plastic bag, perfect for pre-gaming before hitting all the nightlife that San Francisco has to offer. One thing we were amazed about based on the hotels location was the lack of noise. Besides the occasional clattery clack of the cable car, it was rather quiet, and honestly, hearing the cable car just reinforced the fact that you were in the heart of San Francisco.

A few of the nice touches that we enjoyed were the ample availability of outlets throughout the room, the iPod player in the bedroom, and the work-station which had plenty of outlets, free WiFi and included access to the “Tech-Bar”, where you could borrow, or buy such things as a phone charger, iGo Laptop Charger, Compact Power Strip, Mini Speakers, and so much more.

The little orange touches throughout, including the whimsical lava lamp and the bright orange coffee mugs were fun and really played well into the overall theme of the hotel.

The staff was amazing, and quite knowledgeable and able to direct us to a variety of gay bars in both SOMA and in the Castro area that night, and the next morning was sure to point out the fact that Puccini and Pinetti (Link) recently started serving breakfast., and is conveniently located next door.

The only complaint we had about our stay was that we only had one night in this very gay friendly and super comfortable home away from home in San Francisco’s Union Square.

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

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

Espetus Churrascarias – Hayes Valley – San Francisco

I have been hearing for years about excellent Brazilian meat restaurants were. Grilled meats didn’t seem that unique to me. I mean, you put meat on a grill and it is all pretty much the same, right? Wrong. Espetus is a churrascarias, or a Brazilian steakhouse. Churrasco is the cooking style, which translates roughly from the Portuguese for ‘barbecue’. I would say it loosely translates for delicious because every thing that I put into my mouth at this place was succulent and delectable.

The procedure here is pretty intriguing. First, there are no entrees to order. If you are seated, you are part of the all you can eat extravaganza. There is a wine and beer list, but the wines are pretty bland. The beers, however are interesting and I would  for sure steer in that direction. Second, there is a sign on your table for “yes, please” or “no, thank you.” Upon turning the sign to yes. you are able to partake of any of the meats on skewers that are circulating in the hands of multitudes of handsome men in red neckerchiefs.

The meats available range from filet mignon, chicken thigh, pork tenderloin, shrimp or lamb. There are even chicken hearts, which in retrospect, were the only thing I tried that wasn’t above my expectation. The meats circulate at a pretty regular rhythm and pace, so my plate was never empty.

There is also a buffet in a separate room. This has items ranging from salads to sides of rice, paella or potatoes and some entrees. The sides were good as were the salads, but I steered clear of the entrees. Why take up room that could be filled with delectable meats?

After dinner, there is a menu with coffees, coffee drinks and after dinner libations. Then, there were the desserts. The choices included pudin which is a fancy custard served with caramel sauce, mousse de maracujá which is passion fruit mousse, petit gâteau which is Belgian chocolate cake topped with warm chocolate sauce and served with vanilla ice cream. There was also crème de papaya which is blended with ice cream, topped with Cassis liquor and served with Cassis sorbet, açaí cheesecake, and Dulce de Leche crêpe – Orange zest crêpe butter filled with homemade Brazilian Dulce de Leche served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Had I known the desserts were going to be so tempting maybe I wouldn’t have eaten so much…Oh who am I kidding?

One thing that struck me about dining here was that on one particular night, I was the only woman in the room. The dining room was filled with table after table of groups of men. They were clearly having a wonderful time, based on the volume of the dining room, but I found it interesting that I was so far in the minority. The decor is simple and warm, with lots of clean lines and warm lighting. The tables were comfortable and spaced far enough apart to allow for a little privacy. This is definitely a crowd pleaser, and could just as easily be the place you take out of town guests to dine as it could be the place you take a date. All in all, this is one of my favorite SF dining experiences,  and I intend to keep it in rotation.

1686 Market St. Hayes Valley San Francisco

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

Lulu’s SOMA San Francisco

Seventeen years ago, Reed Hearon and Cass Calder Smith took a 1910 warehouse and converted it into a delightful dining space called LuLu. The cavernous space was filled with warm lighting, blond wood and colorful dining ware. In the center of the room  a wood burning oven and grill was constructed with a rotisserie, lending even more warmth and charm. The menu was built on the concept of wood oven roasted and grilled meats and vegetables as the prominent dishes. Four years later, Hearon stepped down from LuLu’s, but the place has managed to retain its charm. Currently run by John Henningan, the menu is still replete with wood grilled items and has become a staple for many folks for dining while participating in events at the Yerba Buena Center or Moscone Center.

The menu is served family style. The dishes are offered in large portions, intended to be shared. The crowning jewels on the menu have been and remain the mussels and the pork loin. The mussels are prepared in the oven, cooked at a very high temperature which produces tender and flavorful morsels in each shell. They are so delicious cooked this way, that some even believe they do not require any lemon  or garnish, that the mussels are perfect served on their own. The pork loin is cooked ever so slowly in the rotisserie oven. It is flavored with fennel and remains tender and juicy.

There are many other noteworthy items on the menu. Another favorite is the rosemary chicken. Also slow cooked on the rotisserie oven, the chicken is both moist and tasty without being bland or boring. There are a wide variety of sides that can be ordered with these, including roasted winter vegetables (squash, brussel sprouts, etc.), pasta and potatoes.

The wine list is positively a jewel in the crown of LuLu’s. It has been given the Best of Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator for 10 years running. The menu of wines served by the glass is utterly staggering, with 70 selections made available. The wines by the bottle menu is equally enormous. Even more impressive, the waitstaff has intimate knowledge of these wines and can masterfully suggest a wine to suit the tastes of each guest.

In addition to all of this fabulous stuff, LuLu’s has an outstanding happy hour. From 3 to 7pm every day, there is 50% off of beer, liquor and a small selection of wines. My friends and I love going to LuLu’s for this. Because of its proximity to the Yerba Buena and Moscone centers, there is quite a cast of characters at the bar on any given day. Some are regulars, some are out-of-towners, but it is usually interesting. I have yet to be disappointed with my selection of wine or cocktails and after being treated to the aromas of the delightful dishes being served, usually find myself ordering something at the bar. The bar staff is always really friendly and attentive and it is quite easy to spend a couple of hours here.

818 Folsom St. SOMA San Francisco – Click for Google Map

Sons and Daughters – Financial District

The phrase “molecular gastronomy” has been getting tossed around quite a bit these days. Some folks find this locution to be quite confusing, intimidating even, because it lends itslef to sound like a definition of very tiny, scientific cooking. The actual culinary definition is “a new style of cuisine in which chefs explore new culinary possibilities in the kitchen by embracing sensory and food science, borrowing tools from the science lab and ingredients from the food industry and concocting surprise after surprise for their diners.” Now, that sounds much better ( and more appetizing). Who doesn’t enjoy surprises?

Sons & Daughters uses such avant-garde concepts and applies them to the cuisine served here. The menu is arranged in a to offer a five course prix fixe menu available for $86 with additional wine pairings for $68. This might seem quite spendy and it is, but there several factors that go into the fees for the experience of dining here. First, the restaurant space is Lilliputian, offering only 29 seats at maximum capacity. Second, most if not all of the fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown in the restaurants one acre garden in Los Gatos. Third, the food portions are petite, but packed with flavor ecstasy.

The menu offerings change frequently to mirror both the imaginations of the chefs and the items in season from the garden. The menu includes dishes such as Wild Boar with Burgundy truffle, apple and hay, or sea urchin with sea beans, cauliflower and dashi. There are two options for each course and a couple amuse bouche in between. If you have a dietary restriction, they do their best to accommodate.

The interior is pretty casual for such a high-end menu. Black and white is the color scheme with chandelliers and black leather chairs. There are framed black and white photos on the walls and the kitchen is open.

The story of how S&D came to fruition is pretty interesting. The two men who own and mastermind the restaurant met in culinary school. They had short and distinguished resumes when they decided to open their own place. It was an ambitious undertaking, and one that has allowed for loyal customers to be part of their journeys from fledgling chefs to restauranteurs. And their newness isn’t belied in the cooking, either. Their dishes are rendered masterfully and with the spirit in which molecular gastronomy was intended.

All in all more than worth the expense to have such creative and interesting food.

708 Bush St. Financial District – San Francisco Click to see Google Maps

Zare at the Fly Trap – Financial District San Francisco

It is nearly impossible to discuss Zare at Fly Trap wth out telling the remarkable story of its fearless leader, Hoss Zare. Zare is a Persian transplant. Growing up in Iran, he had eight siblings and loving parents, all of whom he had to leave behind. He fled Iran in the eighties after serving in the military but refusing to take part in the slaughter of innocent people. He was supported in this decision by his family, who expressed their wishes that he go wherever he could become the success they knew he was destined to be.

Zare landed in SF to study medicine and live with his brother. To earn money for school, he worked for his sibling in his restaurant. As a busboy and dishwasher, he continued his premed education. One day, the kitchen was short handed and Zare hadto fill in. And that was all she wrote for him. The kitchen was where he belonged.

He began his culinary journey in chefs in places such as The Fly Trap, South Park’s Ristorante Ecco, and Aromi. After earning his way through these establsihments, Zare opend Zare , his first restaurant. Soon followed Bistro Zare and Zare Napa. Eventually, Zare realized that he longed to return to the city where it all began, so he came back to San Francisco and opened Zare at the Fly Trap.

Mr Zare is well known for his hospitality and warmth. It is clear that he assembles his staff to reflect his style of caring for the customer. An evening at one of his establishments is a warm experience, much like going to a favorite uncle’s house for dinner. The decor is beige and red with pale wood and black accents, gossamer balloon shades over the windows bring a delicate touch to the classic yet modern interior.

The cuisine is a marriage between Persian and Mediterranean fare, with a healthy bent. There are dishes such as kufteh tabrizi made vegetarian and served with mediterranean avocado salsa and mushrooms as well as a lamb burger with sumac. There is a roasted baby beet salad served with watermelon, yellow wax beans and  goat cheese croquette that is a taste explosion to be sure. The roasted kabocha squash is a delightful dish served with a spicy yogurt and the  roasted chicken breast with quinoa and fesenjoon sauce are must haves.

606 Folsom Street San Francisco Financial District Click to see Google Maps

Sausalito Seahorse Restaurant

On Saturday night, November 12, 2011, I was a female VIP dinner guest of singing performance and prepaid for an entire dinner package sitting next to an older woman at a dinner table.

The owner, Mauro Dosolini of the Sausalito Seahorse Restaurant address is 305 Harbor Drive (Gate 5), Sausalito, CA  94965. Mauro Dosolini, other address located at 660 Bridgeway, Suite 3, Sausalito CA 94965, phone # 415-331-2899.  Mauro verbally assaulted me one inch from my face and threatened to “throw me out” and “kick me out” of the restaurant for his employees mistakes of charging for a glass of wine that was claimed to be part of the full dinner package — could of been a bait and switch tactic.  He continued to yell over and over in my face and threaten me that “You better pay for the wine and tip or I will kick you out and throw you out now, you better pay or I will kick you out!”  I was not able to say one word. He then escalated the situation and physically grabbed my chair when I told him finally to get out of my face.  He left and then came back later to harass me more and shouted at me and said “You know what? I am the owner and I can do anything I want to you!”

I was going to call the police on him for assaulting me and potentially physically threatened and assaulting me and did not because my friend was performing with a crowd of people and did not want to cause a scene.  I felt physically and mentally violated and publicly embarrassed and had to seek legal help to handle this situation of a man assaulting me as a woman.  it’s taken me almost a couple of months to be able to write about this assault.

Formal complaints has been filed today to:

• BBB of the Golden Gate & Northern California
• 1000 Broadway, Suite 625
• Oakland, CA 94607
• Phone: (510)844-2000
• Fax: (510)844-2100
• Email Address: info@bbbemail.org
• Website: www.goldengatebbb.org
•  CA Dept of Consumer Affairs

Correspondence Unit

305 Harbor Drive (Gate 5), Sausalito CA 94965

Lookout – Gay Bar

The Lookout is a very popular gay bar in the Castro, located on the second floor of the building with a long balcony that wraps around the building. They allow smoking outside. This place is usually packed on Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday days when the weather is good as well. It has 2 bars.

During the day they sell food from their restaurant called Thick and Thin Pizza. They sell more than just pizza, the wings are particularly good.

The music is popular gay top 40 and is typically pretty good, they have a decent sound system and usually great DJ’s. This bar is a nice mix of locals and tourists, mostly younger guys but a decent mix overall.

The Lookout has been recently updated and now has more bathrooms, updated food menu and the food is so much better than it used to be.  Drink prices are a little higher than on average in the Castro, but commonly the crowd is more attractive and when the bartenders aren’t goofing off, the service is pretty good as well.

Try the mini burgers!

The Lookout is located next door to Cafe Flore and above Squat and Gobble. 3600 16th St, next to Market st and Noe.