Lesly "Glamour Girl" S.'s Profile

Despite living next to North Beach we've somehow avoided eating down there quite successfully, but on Christmas Night we were led like shepherds to the manger down to Chinatown and then on to NB for some Italian. We made a reservation but arrived a little early and were able to sit outside under a heat lamp and get our grub on with no waiting. The place was packed--according to our waiter no one wants to cook at home anymore on Christmas, but we were completely happy with the service, and the food was delicious. I had the dungeness crab ravioli with a splash of some of their secret pepper olive oil. Delicioso! And my date loved his dish, the fettucini alla amatriciana which won them the Yelp-endorsed "Boss of the Sauce" award for awesomesauce a few years ago.  It was still awesome.

After waiting for months for the new Ritz Carlton restaurant to open across the street from my house, Jole S. and I popped over last week to check out the new digs, with high hopes that we had found a restaurant close enough that we can see it from our house, saving us a trip down (and back up the hill). But that did not work out, and we are one and done on Parallel 37, thanks to ridiculously minuscule portions of bland food, a "bar program" that I could have topped in my kitchen, and prices that are completely out of whack for both sizes and quality.

Look, I know its the Ritz Carlton, meaning everything comes with a Ritz tax. But $7 for one potato-wrapped mid-sized shrimp (which the bartender warned us about, meaning people must have already complained about the portions), with a side of sauce that I think came from Trader Joe's (which I love, but really?). Or the pulled pork slider... my date guessed Scrooge McDuck must have been on QC that night, because my slider had multiple whole peppercorns (not something you want to bite into!), a tiny bit of meat, and was otherwise so sweet it reminded me of a sloppy joe.

As for the cocktails, they weren't terrible at all, but given the pre-opening hype about the bar program I expected more. I've had much better drinks at the Burritt Room--I'd pick Tunnel Top over P 37 for drinks.

I know this place will do brisk business regardless of my review, but for people visiting from out of town, do yourself a favor and skip Parallel 37--you'll have a much better experience for the price at just a walk down the hill (or a cab ride) away.

Few things are as enticing to me as a lady than having my man hook up a lovely dinner out for us to enjoy. So when Jole S. mentioned he had a Bloomspot deal for pizza and wine in North Beach I was all ears, and we finally put it to use last night with awesome results. When we arrived were were seated immediately and got instant attention from our server, which continued through the night. Our deal included a bottle of Coppola's Directors Cut (Jole chose the cabernet) and a pizza--we went for the meatball.

It wasn't the best pizza I've ever had, but it was good and my side of braised escarole made it easy to stick to my diet plan in a carb-rich environment. I also found the space to be totally welcoming. Its obviously Coppola-centric--the walls are covered in their wines and there are movie posters and cool photos all around, but it doesn't rise to a Planet Hollywood level of annoyance. The space combined with the company made it an evening I'm looking forward to recreating.

You're wine tasting--hunger should not factor into that equation, because drinking on an empty stomach is totally foolish. And the Fremont Diner is so full of delicious that you have no excuse not to drop in for some of it. The menu is full of solid American favorites--pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and that most traditional of US dishes, chicken and waffles. Add a side of lemonade or iced tea and you've got yourself a history lesson in goodness on a plate. We tried to stop by on our last trip in the area--they were closed and I was heartbroken. Dreaming of their cornbread until next time...

I'm realizing the only reason I haven't Yelped Kuleto yet is because I didn't want the word to get out, but clearly its too late for that. And with good reason--the experience enjoying wine here is unlike any other vineyard I've visited. I imagine it to be much closer to a European style of enjoying wine with the makers. Our first visit to Kuleto was several years ago at the suggestion of the President of Luna Vineyards (another great vineyard in Napa). At her invitation we were given a private tour of the grounds--including the house, AHMAZING- enjoyed our lunch overlooking the lake, and were given a tasting unlike any before or since. The wines are phenomenal really across the board, from the perfect for summer rosato to the India Inks and Danielli reds--big, bold flavorful wines that might turn off some who prefer whites or softer tastes, but will thrill anyone who truly appreciates a California cab experience in a glass

The wines here are not inexpensive, and several are worthy of purchasing and cellaring for a future occasion if your willpower can hold out. Over the years the grounds have been built out, and now that we live in the area we are able to attend those member parties we used to get letters about and drool over. Even with a hundred or so people milling about, its still possible to find some intimate spaces to enjoy the wine and the beauty of this place. Its truly special and absolutely worth the harrowing drive up the hill!

Two stars only because of the beauty of the grounds. We visited because it was on the list of free tasting options thanks to our Visa Signature cards, and we figured it was worth a try after passing it a million times heading into and out of Sonoma. However, the hard sell on joining their wine club--BEFORE WE EVEN TASTED ANYTHING--was really, really annoying. We get it dude, you clearly work on commission, its the end of the day, you need to meet your quota. But seriously. Also, the wine was not enjoyable for either of us, so why would we want to get it in the mail on a regular basis?

Its worth stopping by to check out the views, and I think you can eat your own picnic lunch on their patio, but try to bring wine from somewhere else. You'll be happier.

I've visited Cline a few times since my last review, and my feelings have definitely improved about both the vineyard and the wines. For one, Cline was one of the few wines I tasted on early visits to Sonoma that I could get back East without going through a shipping situation, and I grew to love their zinfandel over the years.

I've also done many more tastings in that in that time and have found my "style" of both wine and vineyard--not too complicated, roomy enough for interpretation, and classic. Cline has changed its tasting set up so there are now many different areas to settle in, meaning you may never even have to step foot in the tasting room/gift shop (my least favorite part of most wine tasting experiences is looking at all the crap on sale for people too drunk or tacky to know better). And their wines are as good as ever, including their awesome rose, and of course, the zinfandel.

Discovering Jacuzzi is one of the highlights of my year in wine tasting! Most importantly, the wines are a great find--delicious, a great selection of varietals, and competitive prices. As a sister property to Cline Cellars across the street I expected good things and was not disappointed. We'd noticed the tasting room while it was under construction, and the final result does not disappoint. Very nicely done inside with room for lots of folks to slide up to the bar and get their taste on, or step across the foyer to try their olive oils. Outside there is a beautiful interior and exterior courtyard (perfect for weddings), and the staff is accomodating, full of information without pretension. We joined on our first visit--members have access to a lovely private tasting room on the second floor--and we are happily making our way through our growing cellar and loving Jacuzzi.

I wish I had more time to devote to scouring the racks here on a recent trip, but I think my limited scheduled made me more focused and ultimately more successful. I was looking for bags and scarves, but initially got caught up in the massive Chanel shoe rack before I got back on track. Its packed in here for sure, but with a keen eye (and some style) you can come up, like the Zero+Maria Cornejo cashmere sweater dress that had my name on it in the back room. Things aren't always as cheap as one would like, but its worth a visit if you love to shop!

We all know about the awesomesauceness of Bi-Rite, I mean, just look at the reviews. The ratings. The lines. Its all real.

But do you know about the national treasure that is their ice cream cake? I would have never found it if my hubby hadn't randomly requested such a calorie bomb for this ?0th birthday last week, a mere three days before the said event. The next morning, I took to Google and Twitter, thinking Humphry-Slocombe and Bi-Rite would be my first choices before I went the *gasp* Baskin-Robbins route. And praise the Lord Bi-Rite answered me almost immediately. I called after a morning meeting and was able to select from one of the three cakes they had in stock for pickup later that evening--malted vanilla with milk chocolate and peanut brittle. WHAT?

Its three days since we cut the cake. Its still in my freezer. I've had to add an extra mile onto my runs to work it off because there is no possible way for me not to eat some of it. I think I had some for breakfast this morning.  If you have an occasion calling for ice cream cake (or just decide to make one up) you won't be disappointed. See you on the trails...