About San Francisco's Marina

A PERFECT NIGHT

After a long hard week, Gary and I thought it was a good time to treat ourselves to "dinner in the City" (San Francisco).

Tonight was the last night for the SF 2011 Restaurant Week.

It was a perfect night: starting from the exceptional San Francisco weather, to the time Isa Restaurant in the Marina District accepted our reservation, finding parking around the corner, having a very pleasant waiter named Dean waiting on us, a spectacular menu and choices, a fabulous patio setting, and finally the meal itself.

A PERFECT DINNER

For this review, I use "perfect" or "perfectly" a few times. That pretty much describes the entire meal.

The first course: foie gras that was definitely the best ever. Succulent, perfectly cooked, amazing sides that enhanced its flavor. It was an OMG dish. We thought that if this is an indication of what to expect next, then we're in for a truly fabulous treat.

Dungeness crab salad with avocado, grapefruit, apple and tarragon. Very light dressing, wonderful mix, very generous serving of perfectly seasoned crab.

We had two second courses, and it was a tie as to which one was the better one.

The flat iron steak was perfectly cooked (medium rare). The special menu said the steak was served with moutarde (mustard) verte and bordelaise sauce. Truly amazing flavors. I'm actually glad they sliced the steak so that it was easy to share. We were literally lapping up the sauce with every bite. So scrumptious.

The duck breast with what appeared to be currant sauce was exceptional. And yes, we lapped up that sauce, too.

For dessert, we had creme brulee with the crispiest caramelized sugar top. Really creamy, and not too sweet. Wonderful.

TAKE THAT, FRENCH LAUNDRY!

Easily one of the best dinners we've had without having to drive to Yountville that has some of the most fabulous restaurants in the area. As a matter of fact, I totally agree with San Francisco Chronicle's review that this place should be as difficult to get into as the French Laundry. But I'm glad they don't. We'll be back!

Union Street Eco-Urban Festival

Come and celebrate the 35th Anniversay of one of San Francisco’s largest free annual events!

This year the east entrance of the Festival, (beginning at Gough) will again feature arts and crafts created with recycled and sustainable materials and eco-friendly exhibits.

Additionally, the Festival showcases 150 arts & crafts booths, 25 gourmet food booths, two stages of live entertainment and bistro style cafes.

Please note, this year, the festival will be an alcohol-free event! Let's hope the scheduled rain holds out so we can all enjoy the festival.... For more information, click on the picture.

Saturday June 4 & Sunday June 5th, 2011 from 10am to 6pm

There's been a lot of buzz talk over the past several months as to whether or not San Francisco will be hosting the 2013 America's Cup. Word on the street is that the City will prevail, but we won't know until the eleventh hour (basically, by the end of TODAY). While Rhode Island has been running a close second for the bid, sources say they won't be able to present a final offer in time due to some financial issues. Besides, billionaire Larry Ellison is the primary decision maker and think there may be a little bias leaning towards home base (dontcha think?). Other than the fact that it would be fun to host this great event, the City anticipates over $1 billion of tourist dollars flooding into the region as a result. I'd say that's a pretty good incentive to make it happen.

From the Zephyr video log:

Marina

"To live in the Marina is to be the envy not only of many San Franciscans, but also of people from around the world who visit our city to relish the ornate beauty of the Palace of Fine Arts, the brisk air of a stroll along the Marina Green or out to Crissy Field, and views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. Single family homes, apartment buildings and flats offer a range of housing options for home seekers in this often sunny enclave; "Marina Style" barrel front homes and art deco style buildings are a hallmark of the area. Chestnut Street businesses will satisfy even the most avid shoppers, foodies and night owls alike. The Marina is a well-known nightlife destination for young professionals and professional partiers alike, and some of the City's most renowned dining destinations can be found here as well. Residents enjoy spending a sunny afternoon at the Moscone Playground. Had it not been for the 1906 earthquake, this lovely neighborhood might have never been. Enterprising developers pushed rubble from the destroyed city into what was then marshland, creating a man-made foundation for building. The site was home to the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition, one of the finest World's fair ever hosted in the United States. The Palace of Fine Arts is a remnant of this seminal San Francisco event. If you visit the waterfront just east of the Yacht Club when the tide is out, you might catch a glimpse of some of that old San Francisco rubble. Adventure a bit further, and you'll find the Wave Organ- an art installation of tubes extending out to the bay with openings to listen to the waves pulsing in and out. Note rubble from the former cemeteries of San Francisco strewn about and used to develop the site. When venturing to other parts of San Francisco, public transit is a breeze with both Muni and Golden Gate Transit serving the neighborhood. And by car, the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin County are just minutes away".

Four Renovation Projects that Increase Your San Francisco Home's Value

Whether you're planning on selling soon or just want a comfortable home to live in now, here are five projects that increase your San Francisco home's comfort and value:

1. Uncover hardwood floors. Is there a hardwood floor lurking under your [city] home's carpet? If you're not sure, pull up the carpet in an unnoticeable corner and investigate. If you find wood floors, you'll probably need to refinish them, but that's a lot less expensive than installing new hardwood flooring.
2. Install a new bathroom floor. Installation is typically the most expensive part of this home improvement, so if you can do it yourself, you'll save quite a bit of money. Choosing a neutral-colored tile adds the most value.
3. Update bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Replacing outdated or unattractive fixtures is a low-cost, high-impact renovation project. In bathrooms, put in new spa-style showerheads and towel bars. In both rooms, put in new light fixtures, sink faucets, switch plates, outlet covers, cabinet knobs and drawer handles. Choose items in colors and finishes that appeal to a wide audience.
4. Power wash your San Francisco home's exterior. Make your home look almost as good as new by power washing away the grime. Clean the driveway, stairs and outside space.
5. Want more home-improvement ideas like these? Subscribe to my blog. It's free and easy.

Links:

Installing new hardwood flooring

http://www.hometips.com/diy-how-to/installing-hardwood-floors.html

Free San Francisco Home Search

http://www.SFPropertyFinder.com

San Francisco: Marina District: Unique Condo: Sunday Open House: 2442 Chestnut Street A unique Condo in the Marina District of San Francisco. 3 Bedroom, 2 full baths with garage parking, backyard and plenty of storage. All rare qualities in an SF home!

Come visit me on Sunday, November 14 from 2-4pm to check out this beautiful Condo!

Tough to beat this Marina District location for convenience and access. Chestnut street boasts amazing shopping, restaurants, 2 movie theaters, drug store, Pottery Barn, William Sonoma, and several wine bars.

There is literally something for everyone on Chestnut Street. In the morning you can walk out of your front door and grab coffee at The Roastery, Pete's or Starbucks and then head to Marina Super and Marina Meats for groceries. After coffee we usually lose the kids to the Apple Store so they can drool over all the new apple technology they dream of owning. Then off to pick up birthday or holiday cards at Papyrus or Paper Source. Grab some cash at one of 3 banks and then shop for t-shirt at The Gap, Jeans at Lucky or visit one of the many boutiques.

If you can't find it on Chestnut street the 30 bus line to downtown and Union Square picks up on the corner of Chestnut and Divisadero street. Or jump in your car and gain quick access to the Golden Gate Bridge and visit the beauty of West Marin, The Headlands or Cavallo Point in Sausalito for brunch or Spa treatments.

This happens to be my hood as well. On warm sunny days we venture out on City Walks to Crissy Field, Aquatic Park, Ghirardelli Square, Fisherman's Wharf and our sons favorite SF destination, China Town.

The diversity of shops and services combined with access to outdoor space and public transportation make it an ideal location for all.

Come and see for yourself. Visit the open house and then catch dinner and a movie or an afternoon beer at De La Rosa. Realizing there is a story in every shop, every restaurant and every park in my hood. Hopefully this small slice of Marina Life will entice you to come and check it out.

One of the "not-typically-seen" features of this Condo is the added on Master Bedroom Suite which you will find down a gracious stairway making this a two-level Condo.

2442 Chestnut is across the street from my favorite Marina hang out, Global Yoga. I will be there on Sunday from 2-4 and can't wait to see you all there!