To celebrate the kick-off of Club Dine In! we are having a Happy Hour on Thursday, June 3rd.
We hope you can join us and bring all your friends. We are looking forward to seeing you and meeting new friends. We’ll have drink specials, light appetizers, and a fabulous raffle! Find out what all of the buzz is about!
Please RSVP here.
Raffle Prizes include:
Two 1 month passes for Boot Camp ($180 each)
Blue Bottle Coffee Beans ($24)
Sustainable Flower Arrangement by Yasi Faraziani ($20)
Dear Club Dine In! Members,
This long weekend is finally upon us, which (hopefully) means that summer is here! If you don’t have plans to get out of town, here is a local’s game plan for you.
Fri-Sat May 28-29 • Citizen Cake• 11AM
Everyone shuttered when the legendary Citizen Cake closed a few months ago. But a “Coming Soon” sign on an empty store front in Pacific Heights brought much hope. However, it might be a couple of months before things actually get started, so Elizabeth Falkner is going to unveil a pop-up Citizen Cake shop this week at her SoMa spot, Orson. Starting at 11am on Friday and Saturday until everything’s sold out, Falkner and friends will be selling a host of Citizen Cake items, both newly-imagined and from their greatest hits collection.
Fri-MonMay 28-31 • Earth to 5 Star • 12-6 PM
Within the historic vaults of the Old Mint, explore the past, present and future of food and drink in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each day there will be a live presentation exploring the history of food in the Bay Area and the people who have made that history.
Friday May 28 • Wine Release Tasting • 12-4 PM
Warmer weather is upon us, and with it, the Sol Rouge 2010 Spring Release! Included in this release is a very special white wine that promise to pair well with warm sunny days and three reds that will compliment just about anything you can grill up on the barbecue. The wines are included in this offering include their 2007 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that received a Double Gold Medal and tied for Top Cabernet Sauvignon honors at the 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
Friday May 28 • Coco500 Anniversary • 4-6 PM
Chef Michael Morrison has created a delicious and diverse menu featuring the freshest seasonal ingredients. Local seafood, handmade pastas, wood fired pizzas and artisanal meats make up the dishes while the freshest farmers market fruits and vegetables round out the menu. For their 5th anniversary, they are offering a special menu of $5 cocktails, appetizers, beer and wine.
Saturday May 29 • Think Walk • 1-3 PM
Before bikes were invented, the Wiggle was a foot trail to avoid the hills of San Francisco. Change the way you see the landscape as we talk about everything from art and bike politics to floods, lakes and native societies. Free. Donations encouraged.
Saturday May 29 • Lake Merritt • 9AM
Stroll along Lake Merritt in Oakland before heading over to the Grand Lake Farmers Market where you are more likely to see locals than tourists. Grab lunch and a seat near the live entertainment.
Sat-Sun May 29-28 • San Francisco Carnaval • 10-6PM
One of the city’s most spectacular traditions, San Francisco Carnaval showcases the very best of Latin American, Caribbean, African and fusion cultures and traditions with a diverse array of food, music, dance and artistry, including works created by the talented community of Mission District residents and Bay Area artists.
Sun May 30 • City Kayak • 12-6 PM
See the city from a different point of view with City Kayak’s two-hour downtown tour. From your kayak the only sounds you’ll hear are lapping waves, migrating birds, and perhaps the occasional “Ahoy!” from a passing sailboat. No experience necessary.
Mon May 31 • R&R • 12-6 PM
Visit your favorite spa, watch a movie, detox, or simply “catch up” on things!
Have a wonderful, safe weekend!
Posted in Weekend Guide
Tagged Citizen Cake, Coco500, cupcake, farmer's market, guide, kayak, Lake Merritt, Memorial Day Weekend, tour, walking, weekend, Wiggle
I have been waiting for this night for two years- the premiere of Sex And The City 2! I, like millions of other women, am obsessed with the glamorous, unrealistic lives of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda. I watched the first movie with my cousins in Scottsdale, while my love story with Satish was just burgeoning. This time, I am putting on my red pumps and flirty mini to imbibe in cosmos with my Mr. Big at a party put on by Trendy Lime in my city, before walking over to the movie theater.
Restaurant Review: Frances
Crowd: Polished men and women in their 30′s-60′s
Vibe: Lively and Energetic
Decor: Dim lighting, elegant yet earthy. You feel like you are at home.
Layout: Long and narrow with a very small bar
Neighborhood: On a cozy, lively neighborhood street in the Castro
Service: Unpretentious
Portion Size: Meant to be shared
Imbibe: Beer and wine only; the Market Shot is their specialty
Enjoy: Applewood-Smoked Bacon Beignets and Toasted Firebrand Brioche
Waist Slimmer: Beet Salad
Last Friday, we finally got the chance to go to the coveted Frances with our dear friend Fred. Of course, we had made reservations many weeks ago. And only then, we were able to get a table at 10PM. I love that the restaurant looks so unassuming from the outside. Actually, peering in from the window makes you want to walk into this warm, homey yet elegant place. Frances is a Club Dine In! approved restaurant. Frances supports the shortest distance between the source and the table, bringing its guests local, sustainable and organic products when available. The menu is market-driven. They also have custom blended wine on tap- $1 per ounce! Frances has garnered 3 stars from SF Chronicle and the chef/owner, Melissa Perello, has quite a few accolades under her belt. Start with the Market Shot, a custom blend of fresh juice and make sure to get the beignets. The menu is small, which isn’t always a bad thing. The options are poor for vegetarians; the Crepe Cannelloni is just okay in flavor. I thought the Toasted Firebrand Brioche was better than the highly acclaimed beignets and could not get enough of them! The seafood and meat dishes are executed finely. Someone on the table should order the lamb dish, because it’s what Chef Perello does. Skip the dessert, it’s not worth it here. The ambiance is nice and beautiful, the service perfect and overall experience worthwhile. I would go back in a heartbeat if getting a seat wasn’t such a drag.
Market Shot and Frances Red
Applewood-Smoked Bacon Beignets
Roasted Beet Salad
Watson Farm Lamb
Smoked Steelhead Trout
Almond and Semolina Crostata
50 seats
Three very stuffed yet happy patrons!
I just tried making reservations, but nothing is available until July! Maybe, you will have better luck.
Frances l 3870 17th Street San Francisco, CA 94114 l 415-621-3870
This is what has been going on this week in the food world:
Slow Fast Food: Chipotle
In 2002, Chipotle started serving naturally raised chicken at certain locations and in 2003 Chipotle opened in New York with only naturally raised meats. Now, the large restaurant chain purchases some of its produce from local farms, serve sour cream free of the synthetic growth hormone rBGH, and use organically grown black and pinto beans. As of May 2010, Chipotle is the largest restaurant buyer of locally grown produce. Steve Ells, founder, chairman and co-CEO, started Chipotle with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience.
CDC Says to Avoid All Raw Sprouts
The federal Centers for Disease Control said last week the alfalfa sprouts appear to have sickened at least 22 people in 10 states, including a baby in Oregon. Eleven of those sickened were in California. Caldwell Fresh Foods sold the raw sprouts to Wal-Marts in 15 states. This is the second large multistate outbreak in fresh produce announced this month. Twenty-six people were sickened by an outbreak of E. coli in romaine lettuce in Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.
Beer Belly Linked to Alzheimer’s Disease
A US study of more than 700 adults showed that being overweight is associated with smaller brain volume, a factor linked with dementia. The results showed that as BMI increased, brain volume decreased - a finding that has been reported in other studies. “It is never too late to adopt a healthy lifestyle and to keep weight in check. What’s good for our bodies may be good for our brains,” state Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust.
The Future of Seafood and Oil
Fishing is a $2.4 billion industry in the Gulf States. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has closed nearly 20 percent of the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area because of the spill. Seafood shortages are starting to plague markets in New Orleans and throughout the country. The spill is especially affecting shellfish such as oysters, shrimp and crawfish.
Posted in Food News
Tagged alfalfa sprouts, Alzheimers, Beer Belly, burritos, CDC, Chipotle, fast food, food news, Gulf States, humane meat, Lousiana, meat, Oil Spill, organic, rBGH, seafood
Who would like fresh-off-the-farm spring veggies, free-range eggs, a beautiful bouquet of flowers, or homemade bread and jam? Let’s go to the Farmer’s Market!
Buying locally grown food is a great way to be green and get healthy, and is just a few of the reasons I shop at the FM. Through an organized FM, many communities where fresh, nutritious foods are scarce gain easy access to food. FM also promotes nutrition education, wholesome eating habits, and better food preparation, as well as boosting the community’s economy. Also, there is a whole environmental side to the FM. Eating locally grown food guarantees that local land stays in agricultural production. This, in turn, reduces the impact of transportation, use of harmful pesticides, and unfair labor practices. Steven L. Hopp proposes that “if every U.S. citizen ate just one meal a week (any meal) composed of locally and organically raised meats and produce, we would reduce our country’s oil consumption by over 1.1 million barrels of oil every week.”
There has been a misconception that people who shop at the FM must be able to purchase spendy food. The truth is that good food that’s worth eating is more expensive no matter where you purchase it. Quality produce, organics, food that hasn’t been 
bred more to travel than to taste good — are going to cost you more. However, I have been going to the FM for quite sometime and I usually only spend $35-40 for the entire week for two grown adults. I normally buy lots of fruits, veggies, nuts, 1-2 artisan goods, eggs and a bunch of flowers. I, also, stop by Whole Foods each week to buy milk, OJ, meat, seafood, and anything else I just could not get at the FM. Many markets have been established to provide consumers with fresh produce at lower prices than local supermarkets. In other cases the goal has been to provide fresher, superior product at competitive prices. Either way, the customer finds better value, which is defined by the relationship between product and price.
As I have said before, the FM makes me swoon. I feel like I am in a time and place where life is always simple and romantic. Somewhere like France or Italy, where I can load up my basket with a fresh loaf of crusty bread, raw honey, cheese, and wine to enjoy at nearby park with my lover .
While traveling, visiting the local FM or bazaar is a great way to experience local culture. There is nothing like stall after stall of fresh, beautiful and seasonable produce intermingled with stalls selling dried fruits and nut, cured meats and roasted chestnuts.
In conclusion, when you spend a dollar at a FM, not only have you have bought fresh local food, but you have also had an enjoyable experience, voted for your local economy, and saved farmland. The FM can be a great date place too! 
Heart of City Farmer's Market
Posted in Eating Tips, Farmer's Market
Tagged Animal Vegetable Miracle, consumption, farmer's market, flowers, fresh, local, nutritious, organic, seasonal, Steven L. Hopp, support, value, wholesome
Week 6: I have skipped boot camp last week completely! Not because I didn’t want to go- believe me, I wouldn’t want to stop just when I am making progress and feeling good about my success in the class. It’s just that, we went to the Grand Canyon! We hiked 6.8 miles down to the Colorado River (all steep downhill, 5 hours), camped at the base of the river, and then hiked 9.6 miles back to the rim (all uphill, 9 hours). I was so glad that I had been doing boot camp for 5 weeks, or I would not have made it. I am anxious for starting up boot camp this week. What if I suck? Or have regressed? Check back for pictures soon! Also, check out my post “Boycotting Arizona?” for our experience with the immigration law and racism.
Posted in The Work Out, Travels
Tagged boot camp, camp, Colorado River, Grand Canyon, hiking, miles, steep, workout
We went on vacation to Arizona. Yes, Arizona. Before you judge, let me explain. My dear cousin got pregnant seven months ago and we had planned to go to her baby shower five months ago. Satish and I had booked our tickets and made camping reservations in the Grand Canyon. Then the Arizona Immigration Law (SB 1070) came into affect four months later. As California was getting ready to boycott the red state, I was looking forward to seeing my cousin/childhood friend in her new phase of life. Also, camping permits in the Grand Canyon are pretty tough to come by.
We spent Friday evening thru Sunday in the Beverly Hills of Arizona- Scottsdale. Except there were no Persians in sight. We tried getting into discussions regarding SB 1070 with the locals, but it seemed futile. Sitting at the bar of Olive and Ivy, we eavesdropped on two plastic girls’ conversation. They were happy about this new law and were perplexed as to why Californians were boycotting them. After observing and engaging in several other discussions, we concluded that most Arizonians were comfortable with SB 1070. We quickly assumed these are just the opinions of the rich and White. But, even our waitress didn’t have any qualms with it and went on to say that majority of the people wanted SB 1070 passed. Maybe, she won’t have to compete with the “illegals” for her position. It was eerie to see how Arizonians had justified SB 1070. The law doesn’t address border security, it only targets those who have already been here. We felt remorseful and uncomfortable. Why didn’t we just fly in for the baby shower and leave soon afterward? We felt all eyes on us all the time. Maybe, it was in our head or we really were being discriminated against at the Cancun-style Margarita joint. All aspects of racism are unnatural to us. We have to think twice before we realize the act or words were racist. I was born and raised in ever-growing diversity- the San Francisco Bay Area! Satish lived in Alabama and Campbell, CA for a good part of his life and still didn’t encounter much racism. Anyway, I could go on about the big, drunk, White guy who got in Satish’s face with racial slur and how we were so oblivious that we thought it was joke for a second. Or I could write about the two really nice, young grass roots activists we met a half hour later.
The problem is that racism is normal in Arizona-all of Arizona. Well, except for in the Grand Canyon National Park. Racism and profiling is not controversial there. It’s a way of life. It’s just the way it is. With this realization, I felt the bubble that I live in shrink.
Posted in Travels
Tagged Arizona, Arizona Immigration Law, baby shower, Boycott Arizona, boycotting, Grand Canyon, happy hour, illegal, pregnant, profiling, racism, SB 1070, Scottsdale, vacation, White
Posted in Weekend Guide
Tagged art, Douglas Gayeton, earthto5star, electric bike, fort mason, game, Ghirardelli Square, Google, guide, happy hour, old mint, pacman, Sausalito, Sexy Soup, To do, Uncorked, weekend
Months ago we had planned this trip, only because my cousin is having her first baby shower. We decided to make a trip out of it, by discovering what Phoenix/Scottsdale has to offer and hiking the Grand Canyon. We even managed to get a camping permit and were thrilled to finally use our camping gear that we got from our wedding registry. Obviously, all of this was planned before the wacky immigration law passed. We already have a boatload of stories to tell, so stay tuned for more on our encounters in Arizona. For the next three days, we will be truly unplugged and completely immersed in nature.
Being healthy is not only about what you eat or how much you workout, but also about keeping the environment around you healthy. This could mean going completely green, simply reducing your use of plastic, walking/cycling to the post office, or using water-based nail polish. My focus is to increase awareness about current food and fitness trends and environmental health issues.
