This Saturday I discovered San Francisco and fell in love with it.
Funny thing to say that I'm discovering it just now considering that I grew up in the Bay Area. However, most of what I know of SF is a) visiting my grandma, b) shopping in Union Square, and c) on the rare occasion going clubbing. I never spent time roaming through the neighborhoods in the daytime or lapping up the culture. So I shall now bore you with what I did on Saturday that gave me my revelation of how wonderful this place is.
The day started off with me groggily driving up from Fremont (home) to Noe Valley to join some work friends for tea/lunch at Lovejoy's Tea Room. I seriously must have drank 20 cups of tea. In any case, we had a good time and afterwards decided to roam around the neighborhood (24th/Church, to be exact). Weather was great, which by my standards is not too warm but sunny. I prefer chilly/cold weather to warm/hot weather. It was incredibly relaxing to stroll down the street and peruse the many boutiques and used bookstores. Our "tour guide" pointed out all the good restaurants and cafes, particularly Martha & Bros. which apparently puts Starbucks to shame. I wanted to try it, but decided it wasn't the best idea after having 20 cups of tea :)
By the time we went our separate ways, it was just shy of 3 o'clock and I still had a couple hours to kill before meeting my parents at my grandma's place. After having a taste of Noe Valley, I was in the mood to explore more as well as get some exercise in. (Yea yea, walking isn't really much exercise but it's more than what I get nowadays) So I drove over to Fillmore & Post (where my gma lives), parked my car, and started strolling around down Fillmore. Like Noe Valley, there were tons of little shops and coffee places and DOGS. Nickey would have loved it. It appears that part of Fillmore, just blocks away from my grandma's, is Pac Heights. I helped myself to some joe from Peet's and happily strolled up and down Fillmore. I saw someone from work that I don't know personally but have seen around the office. It then reminded me of the several coworkers that lived in the area.
Realizing that my parking meter was running out (what the hell, 25 cents only buys you 10 minutes now!?!!?), I went to move my car and then decided to explore the area past the big hill on Fillmore-- the Marina district. I was surprised to see there was a Pottery Barn on Chestnut and noticed it was a lot busier. Lombard, Greenwich,... this suddenly reminded me of when I was last in this area. I think only a handful of people will know what I'm talking about ;) I wonder how much of a mess that person's apartment was after we left in the wee hours of the morning.
My parents, my grandma, and I had dinner at Ton Kiang, one of my favorite restaurants. It is located at Geary and 22nd and is absolutely fabulous for both dim sum and dinner. Despite the fact that probably half of the customers are not of Asian descent, it's extremely authentic and the service is better than at most Chinese places.
All in all, a wonderful Saturday was had. Gonna have to visit again really soon with dog in tow.
Funny thing to say that I'm discovering it just now considering that I grew up in the Bay Area. However, most of what I know of SF is a) visiting my grandma, b) shopping in Union Square, and c) on the rare occasion going clubbing. I never spent time roaming through the neighborhoods in the daytime or lapping up the culture. So I shall now bore you with what I did on Saturday that gave me my revelation of how wonderful this place is.
The day started off with me groggily driving up from Fremont (home) to Noe Valley to join some work friends for tea/lunch at Lovejoy's Tea Room. I seriously must have drank 20 cups of tea. In any case, we had a good time and afterwards decided to roam around the neighborhood (24th/Church, to be exact). Weather was great, which by my standards is not too warm but sunny. I prefer chilly/cold weather to warm/hot weather. It was incredibly relaxing to stroll down the street and peruse the many boutiques and used bookstores. Our "tour guide" pointed out all the good restaurants and cafes, particularly Martha & Bros. which apparently puts Starbucks to shame. I wanted to try it, but decided it wasn't the best idea after having 20 cups of tea :)
By the time we went our separate ways, it was just shy of 3 o'clock and I still had a couple hours to kill before meeting my parents at my grandma's place. After having a taste of Noe Valley, I was in the mood to explore more as well as get some exercise in. (Yea yea, walking isn't really much exercise but it's more than what I get nowadays) So I drove over to Fillmore & Post (where my gma lives), parked my car, and started strolling around down Fillmore. Like Noe Valley, there were tons of little shops and coffee places and DOGS. Nickey would have loved it. It appears that part of Fillmore, just blocks away from my grandma's, is Pac Heights. I helped myself to some joe from Peet's and happily strolled up and down Fillmore. I saw someone from work that I don't know personally but have seen around the office. It then reminded me of the several coworkers that lived in the area.
Realizing that my parking meter was running out (what the hell, 25 cents only buys you 10 minutes now!?!!?), I went to move my car and then decided to explore the area past the big hill on Fillmore-- the Marina district. I was surprised to see there was a Pottery Barn on Chestnut and noticed it was a lot busier. Lombard, Greenwich,... this suddenly reminded me of when I was last in this area. I think only a handful of people will know what I'm talking about ;) I wonder how much of a mess that person's apartment was after we left in the wee hours of the morning.
My parents, my grandma, and I had dinner at Ton Kiang, one of my favorite restaurants. It is located at Geary and 22nd and is absolutely fabulous for both dim sum and dinner. Despite the fact that probably half of the customers are not of Asian descent, it's extremely authentic and the service is better than at most Chinese places.
All in all, a wonderful Saturday was had. Gonna have to visit again really soon with dog in tow.
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