lifestyle – procrastinationchronicles.com

calistoga

March 3, 2024 No Comments

You may remember that I like to do a spa day each year for my birthday. Occasionally I make a weekend out of it and go somewhere local, typically somewhere in the wine country. Being so close I often end up at Sonoma for day trips so I wanted to dig in a little further.

Last year I stayed in St. Helena and since I found it so charming made it my lunch stop on the way up. A delicious meal at The Charter Oak right as the rain was really starting to come down. Followed by a stroll through the downtown and a quick stop at The Model Bakery, though a little too late for their English muffins.

From there I made my way up to my Calistoga hotel The Best Western Plus Stevenson Manor. Overall a nice stay with a short walk to the main downtown. They had a pool and jacuzzi as well as a gym, I passed due to the pretty constant downpour and my spa day. They had onsite breakfast which was meh. A cute downtown strip with shops, restaurants, and wine-tasting rooms. Did I make some purchases at Blackbird, yes I did.

I didn’t book vineyard tastings for the weekend because I wanted a little more flexibility and with the pouring rain most of the outside spaces were a no-go. But fret not there are tastings to be had. Lawer Estates had a tasty selection and a friendly staff who also helped me with some restaurant recs. Picayune Cellars & Mercantile was very cute and I even opted for the chocolate pairings which I hear were introduced for the Insta crowds, but yum. Over the weekend I also made it to August Briggs which I found a little less engaging of an experience.

As for food, the first rec landed me at Sam’s Social Club for a tasty and festive dinner. The next day breakfast went to their historically noted breakfast place Cafe Sarafornia for some solid breakfast grub. And then a fancy dinner wasn’t thwarted by the power outage and the staff at Evangeline made a lovely dinner happen.

And the spa day was really the cornerstone of the weekend. I did “the works” at Dr Wilkinsons. An early arrival allowed time to hang in the fortunately covered mineral hot springs. From there a mud bath followed by a mineral bath with a facemask. A pop into the steam room before a blanket wrap. This gets you all ready for your massage. I certainly felt gooey after that day.

On my trip back I decided to take the cutover to Healdsberg and check it out. A daring decision in the continued downpour but the downtown square makes for a charming stroll. One more tasting at Lioco was a great vibe and tasty wines. A lunch stop at PizZando where I had a solid pasta before heading back.

I’m so grateful to be close to so many beautiful places and to have the opportunity to just get out of my apartment for a bit. Another year well celebrated.

lifestyle

monterey

October 29, 2023 No Comments

There are so many beautiful places in the Bay Area that I know I don’t take advantage of them enough. I think it had been more than 20 years since I visited the Monterey and Carmel areas so it seemed like the perfect destination for a little mini vacation. And nobody will blame you if you pop into the Gilroy Outlets to pick up a couple of basics on the way there.

I didn’t do a ton of research before I went but ended up picking the Hotel Abrego. It’s a cute boutique hotel at the top of downtown, if you were mainly going for the aquarium I’d shoot for more around that area. It’s walkable to downtown and a longer walkable down to the aquarium but I did Uber back. Also some nice amenities like a complimentary happy hour wine, pool/jacuzzi, and a decent breakfast.

Food and beverage stops overall were tasty. Night one was a stop by the very cool bar Pearl Hour for a fancy cocktail in the courtyard by the fire followed by Passionfish which had a notably good but moderate wine list that paired well. My appetizer of biscuit with Dungeness crab salad was one of the best I’ve had followed by a tasty but not as memorable trout.

The following day started with a breakfast stop at Alta Bakery and Cafe for some extra fancy avocado toast and a seasonal mimosa in a courtyard at the charming Historic Cooper Molera Adobe. A walk through the small and uneventful downtown to the water. The Old Fisherman’s Wharf might be worth a visit if you’re new to touristy wharf locations. And then strolled through the pretty cute Cannery Row, still touristy but a few more charming stores, before heading into the aquarium. The aquarium is still impressive, favorite stops are the otters and the hypnotic jellyfish. But tons of timed events like feeding and activities for the kids as well as of course a fun gift shop.

After so much time on my feet a needed and enjoyable stop for a wine tasting at A Taste of Monterey overlooking the bay for some continued time checking out otters in the wild. Looking for a dinner closer to the hotel I ended up at my one lackluster meal, a random recco Cibo for Italian. The clubby vibe was off and the pasta just wasn’t great though I did have a pretty good shrimp appetizer.

On my final day, I sampled the hotel breakfast before heading over to Carmel starting with the 17-mile scenic drive. Overall it’s beautiful just don’t underestimate the amount of time it will take. Lots of possible stops, you do get an official map when you pay $11.75 for entry. And the twists and turns find cars at points sticking to about 5 miles which on a slight off-season weekday you could eventually maneuver around but I can’t imagine other times.

There are lots of places to sample wines but logistically for this amount of time, it made sense to stick to downtown tastings. There are a bunch of spots and I believe an official tasting pass you can get which might get you something. I ended up via recco at Manzoni Tasting Room which was tasty and lovely. A discussion with the super lovely woman working there and another couple about meh foods (even some of the fancy places recco’d) ended in a recco to Pangea Grill so made that the lunch destination which ended up being quite good. Tons of shopping in the charming downtown area and I might have ended up with a new pair of shoes and a birthday gift for a friend. And maybe a cookie for the road from Carmel Bakery.

I picked a hotel in Monterey because I knew I wanted to do the aquarium but also because it was a little cheaper for what you get. I was very happy with the trip but if I could do it again I’d probably look for another day in Carmel. But I was also glad I timed it so I could be back in time to do some at-home catchup. A relatively short drive is another benefit to local sites.

lifestyle

wine country

February 21, 2023 No Comments

You know I love a good vacation. For various reasons big trips haven’t been as much on my radar, so one of the things I decided is to take more long weekends away. One of my traditions is to do a spa visit for my birthday so this year I decided to combine the two.

First up wine tasting! A stop at Domaine Carneros was the perfect way to toast the weekend, I am a fan of sparkling. Next with sandwiches on hand was Gun Bun, my friend is a member so free tasting yes please (it turns out they no longer allow outside food so that became a sort of picnic). And whilst kicking around Napa it seemed like a good time to check out the outlets. Spending didn’t go crazy but I picked up a few basics.

Checking in at Southbridge in St Helena, I was able to snag an easy walk-in on a busy night to the casual Pizzeria Tra Vigne which is basically the same property (my room overlooked their Bacci court). I am limited to sourdough only for my pizza so I was delighted.

The next day’s complimentary breakfast allowed for a slow start before a walk along downtown St. Helena. It’s a small area but very charming stores and restaurants. Particularly Elyse Walker (cute though outside my price range), New West KnifeWorks (also outside my price range but the magnetic knife holders were gorgeous), some cute housewares stores, and yes I love that $27k painting (too bad it’s too big for my wall).

The wine tastings were all booked but I lucked into too gorgeous of a day not to sit outside with a glass of wine. And Farmstead offered the most picturesque location (the restaurant is also supposed to be very good). Next stop Health Spa Napa Valley for a massage. Even if I hadn’t booked a spa treatment would have been a good stop for the outdoor pool and jacuzzi with access from my hotel right across the courtyard.

Birthday dinner was Michelin starred Press which was overall very enjoyable. I did not opt for the tasting menu but had a lovely selection. The pink bay scallops were fabulous as was the dry-aged beef tartare (yes I like the occasional tartare). Also good (but not quite as exceptional) was the truffle-glazed chicken and chocolate creme. The atmosphere was also lovely and the service while incredibly friendly was a little disjointed with too many people.

On the drive back the next day a stop into downtown Napa. A brief stroll through Oxbow Public Market made a tough lunch call but ended up heading toward the river for the charming Angele to enjoy some sole and broccoli. A stroll through the first street shopping area felt a little lacking in adult targetted stores but enjoyed the Insta-worthy Wine Girl Napa Valley.

It’s really a relatively quick jaunt from SF so glad to enjoy being away for the long weekend. Happy birthday to me.

lifestyle

staycation

November 1, 2020 No Comments

So I realized it had been a year since I took my last vacation… And while I still have fond memories of Fiji and New Zealand, I needed to make some new memories, and get out of my apartment. Staycation it is! I am lucky enough to live in a city that I love and always intend to take more advantage of as well as lucking into a week with pretty perfect weather and no fire smoke. Off to a good start!

A few things to prepare for a staycation, since I wasn’t going to spring for a hotel or Airbnb I needed to get my apartment clean enough that I didn’t look around annoyed or compelled to clean. I also made a pasta dish to supplement some food delivery meals as well as buying some snacks like fresh cut fruit. Staycations do have some pros and cons. Pro, I don’t have to do things like pack. Con, it’s easier to let a few tasks slip into the week, though I did decide that was for the best rather than stressing to get 100% of things tackled. I also tried to keep my apartment a little vacation vibey by doing things like take a bath, light a new smelly candle, ready a book, read a magazine, and actually purchased a tv series (latest season of The Good Fight) to treat myself.

So while I was also just taking a little bit of downtime I wanted to do at least one out of apartment activity a day. A stroll through Japantown and up Fillmore Street ended in an unexpected restaurant visit, Choquet’s had a closed side street and at an off hour offered isolation from fellow diners and passersby’s and was very well serviced. A trip to the San Francisco Zoo with timed and limited arrivals as well as many closed touch and speaking activities, turned out to give lots of animal sightings, adorable! Another stroll (suggested by The Nudge) started with a to-go cocktail from Horsefeather and taken up to Alamo Square for a look around a temporary mural exhibit next to the Painted Ladies and then a hang in the park to sip and watch the sunset, not too shabby. A pop into to the deYoung, which is also at limited capacity, has a Frida Kahlo exhibit (which was sold out) and The de Young Open which features 877 pieces by Bay Area Artists followed by a peek at the new carousel (also sold out). And capping off the week a trip on the Ferry always puts me in vacation mood, this time a trip to Tiburon and a socially distanced patio lunch at Sam’s Anchor Cafe.

Overall like most vacations it felt too short but it did give me a break from what has been a very long year. It also renewed my enthusiasm for activities that appreciate the city. And got me out of my apartment which has been a bit of a challenge for much of the year. Still looking forward to another vacation, maybe next time I get in a car and drive. Any suggestions?

lifestyle

shop for shelter

June 30, 2020 No Comments

So it’s been a while now, 15 weeks or so. And while we’ve all been impacted in different ways one common theme is a lot more time in our own homes. And while everyone has by now hopefully been able to get the basics: food, TP, masks, and antibacterial hand wash, plus I actually scored some cleaning wipes (it was the last container but gave me a sign of hope). But there are a few things that I’ve appreciated or added that supplement the bare essentials.

Taking a little time for self-care might be keeping me a little more sane. While I have been known to order the occasional item online a good trip to your local drugstore should stock you up for this. With all the hand washing make sure you’re treating yourself to a little extra moisture, I personally never use hand lotion so ended up splurging for this version from L’Occitane. I figured I could splurge there since I’m saving so much money on mani pedis, which I now make time for over the weekend to do myself, though I’m skipping color I do find I need a little nail strengthener or my nails fall apart so use the Nailtiques 2plus and try a little moisture there with some cuticle oil. And if your place of residence has a tub indulging in a little time with an epsom salt soak should be on the menu and while you’re there maybe throw on a sheet or a mud or charcoal mask (I find the options on sheet masks a little overwhelming), and yes still on the lookout for the perfect bubble to accompany.

I find that although I’m not going out as much I do still try to change out of my pajamas for the day, it just makes me feel better and avoids those awkward moments when the delivery guy knocks on your door. But while I do like to put on “real” clothes this mostly consists of t shirts and some sort of comfy pants. Personally comfy pants are not fitted “yoga” pants, it just still feels a little like giving up if I’m not actually exercising. Mine are usually something I’ve snagged off the sale rack but I have comparable versions to and these soft drape pants, tapered knit pants, slightly oomphed knit pants, and on a whim these overalls. And don’t get me wrong a good pair of pajama pants are in my book indispensable and I snagged a cute pair of these in the lemons right before lock-down. And yes I do still do zooms so depending on the audience have been known to put on an actual shirt. Sorry gents no personal men’s suggestions but similar pants are out there like these lounge chinos or these pants both suggested by The Strategist (which I love for reccos).

It’s been really tough not seeing people and being able to hang out on a semi regular basis but we’ve been able to supplement the quality alone time with some virtual activities. A fan of our lovely local Napa Valley it seemed like a good opportunity to support some local wineries and did a virtual tasting through Matthiasson that was fun and tasty, with a discounted follow up wine purchase. Also took advantage of some speaker series through Commonwealth Club and Eventbrite as well as some events normally attended in person like City Arts & Lectures and Pop-Up Magazine. And of course have figured out a way to get together for weekly happy hours that include themes (usually includes a virtual background and an occasional attire inspiration, Paris anyone?) and game night fun with Drawful, Trivia, Scattergories, and a non virtual made virtual version of Codenames but I think there’s an online version. Museum tours have also been attempted but something feels lacking in not being there.

My biggest quarantine splurge was well worth it for an alt gym option since my short walking has been curtailed and long walking impeded by foot issues. My building manager made a point that our ecosystem was out of balance with people trying to work on zoom and others getting their aerobic on but this low key cycle keeps me able to get some movement on a regular basis, my setup is of course with a chair and in front of the television. I also like to try to get some regular strength and stretching and have developed an affinity for the PBS show with my buddy Miranda (and no we’re not friends I just refer to the show in a way that makes it seem like we’re just going to hang out), but I like that it’s quick, full body strengthening and stretching, and again is not setting off the apartment building ecosystem.

And you know I couldn’t survive this without some tv and a few books for book club and otherwise. Let me know in the comments what is keeping you going and anything else I should consider buying?

lifestyle

new orleans

July 10, 2019 No Comments

I’ve been too busy after my vacation to talk about my vacation but it’s never too late to remember a good trip. There’s plenty to keep one occupied in New Orleans and if you’re there for a week you also have some time to take it easy. It is The Big Easy afterall. The weather in May gave us a good combination of sun, humidity, and downpour. For chill time while sunny one can spend a little time at The Country Club for a little pool with a side of food and bevvies. Or stop by The Spa at Windsor Court for a spa treatment with a side of lounging by the pool with a few bites and bevies. Not bad.

You can’t do the city without catching some Jazz and a little am rain couldn’t keep us away from a Saturday at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Some of the best music wasn’t the headliners like Donna Summer but the smaller tents for some swing and some singer songwriter action. And while you can find jazz everywhere for a little more chill vibe make it a point to hit Bacchanal Wine where you can buy a bottle at the counter and head out to the backyard and with any luck some space at a table to enjoy, and while you’re there a surprisingly good dinner menu.

The French Quarter is filled with the overwhelming Bourbon Street but worth a pass one can stop at bars like Cafe Lafitte in Exile for a quick round of Wheel of Fortune (call out the winner and get a free drink) or the oldest bar around Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. And of course you can stop by The Carousel Bar & Lounge, just don’t expect to snag a seat at the rotating bar itself. If you need to get yourself to a more traditional sit down spot we found success at Sobou or Arnaud’s French 75 Bar which had not only a great bar program but some snazzy monkey lamps.

Heading over to the warehouse district The Ogden Museum of Southern Art brings a great selection of both permanent and and changing exhibitions. If it happens to be Cinco de Mayo you might be lucky enough to catch some Mexican wrestling at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar and while as a California girl I wouldn’t go out of my way for Mexican food and margaritas it makes for a festive atmosphere. And though it was a bit of a chain-like feel had a great stop in for food at Meril followed by a nightcap at charming Loa Bar.

And while you’re on Magazine Street, which is a little longer than one can necessarily conquer, you should allow yourself a little shopping. Be it Billy Reid or White’s Mercantile there are plenty of options to pop into. And of course with shopping comes the need to pause for a snack, and while there was some question as to which of the split chef’s restaurants to go to all I can say is a meal and beverage at Shaya was well worth a stop.

Plenty of sites to be seen from the garden district, beautiful old cemetaries, and a bit of voodoo. Or just grab breakfast at Ruby Slipper or head out to Willie Mae’s Scotch House for some fried chicken. All in all a pretty fun way to spend a week.

lifestyle

staycation – sausalito

September 1, 2018 No Comments

Sometimes you have a flexible schedule but maybe not enough time or money to take a real vacation, well that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like you’ve gotten away from it all for a bit. First stop the Ferry Building, you can also get a Ferry from Pier 41 but the Ferry Building is more convenient for most of downtown and is worth some time either before or after your trip. There’s Farmer’s Market Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday but even without there’s plenty of food. There are variations from more formal sit down like The Slanted Door (though pop-ins to the bar area work just as well) to Blue Bottle Coffee (I’m a recent convert to the decaf oat lattes) as well as specialty food spots plus a few nonfood items.

The Ferry itself is about a half hour and offers great views of San Francisco, Alcatraz, Golden Gate & Bay Bridges, and heading into Sausalito, and if you’re lucky like I was maybe some dolphins. Sausalito just off the Ferry is a pretty small area which makes it perfect for a little day trip. There are a handful of shops right as you disembark and right along Bridgeway Street. And while it is a bit on the touristy side there are a few galleries, Daniel Merriam’s Bubble Street Gallery is worth a look, and who can resist Soxalito for a cute pair of socks. One should definitely plan a meal stop. I hit Fish which is a chunk of a ways out of the main drag but I just wanted a casual quality piece of fish (and while a 30ish minute walk one way is doable the walk isn’t quite along the water so perhaps spring for an uber, note the Heath Ceramics factory store is also right there), I would also recommend Poggio or Sushi Ran. There are a few spots on the water, Scoma’s is pretty classic upscale seafood (I’ve only been to the SF location), but if not a meal maybe pop in to one of those spots to enjoy the view and have a drink. Since I had time to kill before the next Ferry back I was able to settle in for a tasting at Madrigal Family Winery where the tasting room brings the wine country a little bit closer.

Easy, picturesque, and a nice break from the daily grind! What’s your favorite day trip?

lifestyle

boston

June 12, 2018 No Comments

I have been to Boston before and it has notes of sort of a small San Francisco, good food, a little neighborhood action, some shopping and museums, but of course with a whole lot more history. Starting off doing the Freedom Trail is a great way to get the history under your belt and see a good chunk of the city. The Boston Common is a must do for the start of the trail and even some leisure time activities if the weather is right, including the Swan Boats which I didn’t make it to. Part way through you make it to Faneuil Hall which was under construction but you can still maneuver through Quincy Market, which is a bit on the touristy side, but good for a variety of snack foods to reinvigorate you (smoothie anyone?). If you must walk all the way to the top of Bunker Hill Monument as your final stop (following the walk across the bridge and some time on the USS Constitution and a stop at some lovely outdoor seating cafe with lackluster food) then you deserve to treat yourself to a nice glass of wine.

No wine nearby? A missed opportunity but this might be a good time for a change of location. After a stop at Bin 26 Enoteca for a refreshing glass of wine a walk along Charles Street gave a taste of the local boutiques like December Thieves (which has both a clothing store and a more artistry/accessory focus) or some clean skincare and body options at Follain. On another day a follow up trip to check out the more museum side of the Old State House and a good lunch bite at Scholars, the also starting at Boston Common but less well marked Black Heritage Trail was on the agenda which overlaps with the charming Beacon Hill should one want to combine these activities. For additional shopping you should also do a trip along Newbury street, which while it’s more well known brand shops and doesn’t have as much local fare one can always be taken in somehow, even if only at the Sneaker Junkies for a new pair of kicks. This also has you in the neighborhood of Arlington Street Church which has an amazing collection of Tiffany Memorial Windows, don’t be afraid to opt in to the custom tour by one of the guides, much more informative than the online one. Also in the neighborhood a couple of locations of Tatte Bakery & Cafe for a coffee, a pastry, or a meal.

And of course with all good cities there is art to be had. Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum which had a very charming and tasty cafe and a bizarro look at a single woman’s vision of displaying a disparate an enormous amount of art in a house that I have to admit had me most captivated by the beautiful courtyard. While timing prohibited a trip to the Institute of Contemporary Art it reportedly has one of the top ten museum gift shops in the world and I can attest there were a few irresistible items, plus makes for a nice stroll along the HarborWalk. The Museum of Fine Arts made for a great way to spend a day (or more), including checking luggage. Picking focus on the more including some Picasso, Pollack, Monet, Rothko, Klimt & Schiele… And as there was a good amount of time to kill one could sample their fancier restaurant Bravo and while the food was just a’ight but their various cafes can meet anyone’s needs.

But good food was generally on the menu with stops for Speakeasy Cocktails at Wink & Nod, dinner at Erbaluce for delicious pasta, Myers + Chang for great Chinese (chef recently touting some honors), a stop for a glass of wine at Frenchie was cute but a little overrun at the time so we headed over to Giacomo’s for some custom combo pasta in bigger servings than one needs (cash only!). And while we popped into the intriguing Smith & Wollensky steakhouse Back Bay castle location between the lack of light on a sunny day and the lack of barstool it made more sense to pop across the street to Mooncusser Fish House which has a designated Moonbar downstairs for a flight or glass of wine.

And while one can entertain themselves pretty well in Boston a little trip through the Cape up to Provincetown, or Ptown as folks call it, makes for a great few days away. A drive along the coast is a little less coastlike but a pull off outside of Dennis to the Sesuit Harbor Cafe for ‘world famous’ lobster roll can put you in the mood. Once in Ptown a stroll up the main thoroughfare has everything you need. Drinks at the Harbor Lounge, breakfast or a quick bite with great outdoor seating if the weather is right at Patio or The Canteen with a nice dinner to be had at Ross’ Grill or an even more exceptional meal and experience at The Mews. Shops with a great gallery selection like Rice Polak Gallery and stops at stores like Yates & Kennedy where one could pick up housewares, clothing and/or a bitchin’ drafter’s tablet (aka fancy notepad) or Salt Supply for more styly kitchy options. A tasty breakfast stop at Liz’s Cafe before heading out along the south for a little more lighthouse action including Highlight Light for a tour and then a lunch stop (with perhaps a little additional shopping) at Chatham. Overall curious about more of the east coast beach culture but this was a nice little outing.

lifestyle

another 100

May 8, 2018 No Comments

‘Tis that time of year. The time when I evaluate my San Francisco worth based on my new total of restaurants of the Top 100 visited. Ok not really, but I do tend to feel like it’s been a good year if I’ve eaten some good food out and in SF that’s an easy thing to do whether or not I cross more restaurants off my official list.

This year with 18 new entrants that means some of the previous entries had to go. Although I ended last year with 52 visited, as of this week I am knocked back down to 46. And that’s with catching new entries A Mano (yummy local Italian), The Morris (made a fine birthday treat), and RT Rotisserie (a great pop by on my way home), as well as credit for not new to me but new to the list Locanda.

Other endeavors this year included fine Indian fare and cocktails at August1Five, tasty tapas at Bellota, yummy Mexican seafood at Cala, and finally timed a visit to Ramen Shop for a pop in with only a slight wait at the bar.

Let me know what you’ve eaten that’s good in the comments, I’m always plotting my next meal out!

lifestyle

spa de da: Remède Spa

February 23, 2018 No Comments

It was that time of year again so what better way to ring in another year of me than with a little pampering and relaxation. A little pricier but sometimes you do get what you pay for.

Spa: Remède Spa San Francisco
Service: 90 Minute Signature Massage
Cost: $255/$270 (more expensive sa/su) ($2.83/3 min)
Amenities: They have the full suite of facility options with steam, sauna, and Jacuzzi in the locker rooms and a pool right across the way (the pool is a part of the hotel but it was pretty quiet). Locker rooms have the standard spa fare, very luxurious robes, and actual clocks to see if you’re in a rush to get to your treatment which you certainly don’t want to miss. There’s a small waiting area for you to be brought down a level for another small waiting area. The second includes typical spa snacks in addition to fabulous chocolate truffles. And you’re greeted, if you so choose, by a glass of champagne upon completion of service.

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