San Francisco, February 2015

always a fun place, Pier 23

outside the Cliff House

the Cliff House

outside the Cliff House

desert, Stones Throw

they give you the check with 

a little stone, cute, Stones Throw

view of the spectacular Pacific Coast 

from the Cliff House

Graziano, Pier 23

the deck, Pier 23

crab salad, Pier 23

sweet potato fries, Pier 23

Shrimp Louie, Pier 23

a perfect salad wine, Pier 23

this is my dream wine cellar but I didn't even look at the wine list because 

I was so impressed by the cocktails, Hakkasan

Cliff House bar bottles

I never miss a visit to 

Café Claude in SF

The Niscose salad is always my favorite, Café Claude

excellent cocktails, Graziano had the simple martini while I experimented with 

the Chinese Mule (Purity vodka, Junnila sake lime) at Hakkasan

organic cucumber vodka sakatini, Hakkasan

yummy vegatable pot stickers, Hakkasan

the bar with a waiter in action, Hakkasan

we went to the W for an aperitivo and I sent the first sparkling rosé back because it had been opened for I don't know how long, apart from that the place just sucked.  Not what I remembered it to be in the late 90's when it WAS hip and happening, not any more!

Cliff House bar

night cap at The Scarlet Huntington Hotel Piano Bar, 

this my friends is a Vesper (Casino Royal) 1953 

Nolets Gin,  Ketel One Vodka Lillet, lovely way to finish off the evening

classic old school furnishings at 
The Scarlet Huntington Hotel Piano Bar

because my iPhone photos just don't do it justice, check it out

http://www.thescarlethotels.com/huntington-hotel-san-francisco/my-restaurant-and-bar/

this was really really tasty, oysters with 

avocado champagne  sauce! presented on a bed of sea salt and pepper corns

out of this world delicious! Stones Throw

appetizer, Stones Throw

a nice Pinot, Stones Throw

flank steak, 

Stones Throw

grilled scallops, Stones Throw

Stones Throw restaurant

mis en place & 

the Harris' Martini, great with steak

this is an American dinner,  

The Harris' Steak 

no white meat here at 

Harris' Steak House

fresh oysters at Union Larder

some paprika almonds went great with

the wine at Union Larder

Union Larder

window bar seats for people and 

cable car watching

Menu at Union Larder, great place 

great neighborhood

details at Union Larder

Vespasia, July 2014

This summer we took a mini vacation to Le Marche.  On the way there Graziano said we could stop in Norcia for lunch and have fish.  I said, "Fish in Norcia, that's weird".  It was sooooo good that we also went there on our way home!  Two times in one week and I am really looking forward to the next.  They have a really interesting wine list too.  Lots of organic labels.

what a gorgeous presentation of red shrimp

Emanuele Mazzella the chef from Ischia, a man who knows how to do fish!

my raw fish appetizer

superb organic white from Gavi, 100% Cortese

vespasia

Norcia

chips staged on farro

In good company

appetizer details 

smoked mackerel

Palazzo Seneca, Norcia

piano lounge

front door entry

Vespasia Lounge

silverware makes everything taste better

aperitif was served with 

a lovely Trento DOC

wonderful Sommelier Mauro of Vespasia

homemade bread box

patio

homemade breadsticks

fried mussels dipped in saffron mayo

unsurpassed attention to detail 

by far the most beautiful presentation of linguine I've ever seen placed before me

Fresh fish in Norcia? Why not!

A mini masterpiece tartar of amberjack with wild greens, cucumber and dots of ricotta & candied lemon

a very nice gesture, a gift of
locally made jams

Beatrice loves dog friendly restaurants

main dinning room of Vespasia

complimentary appetizer

Graziano's tortellini