I will be in San Francisco for a conference the weekend of April 21. I'm hoping to have time to hang out with any available Buffistas on Saturday night, if the meeting ends early! We're staying at the Westin. Can SF'istas recommend any bars, restaurants, and/or tapas places in the vicinity of Market Street that I can take my coworkers to and get them well fed and drunk?

We're staying at the Westin. Can SF'istas recommend any bars, restaurants, and/or tapas places in the vicinity of Market Street that I can take my coworkers to and get them well fed and drunk?

Well, the Westin St. Francis is right down the street from Colibri Mexican Bistro.

Damn, Zen!! I'd love to meet you but I'll be in Philly that weekend (actually in Philly from 20th-30th!). Pooh!

The room block link is up and running! I’ve posted information over on the Hotel page of the F2F website [link] , or you can just get it here:

Link for hotel reservations at our room block rate: [link] OR call the hotel at the following number: Hotel: 626.449.4000 or Sheraton Reservations: 800.457.7940 and ask for the Buffistas rate.

Also, thanks so much, Omnis and Sail, for your kind words. That website was a bit of a labor of love, and I’m pleased with how it turned out. My goal is to TEMPT EVERYONE.

Gg faitc.h m.b1 tng sf bchgu rd. gb vb njt uh jl.bs vs

(A message from Sammy.)

Hey lookee, Sammy types in baby talk.

I had a wonderful time hanging with Sammy and his mommy for most of Saturday! I picked them up at their hotel and took them on a drizzly tour of Pacific Heights, the Presidio, Sea Cliff, and then a long and lingery drinks and meal at the Cliff House. God I love that place - the drinks and food are okay but our service was excellent and friendly, and the ocean views were captivating. Sammy got SO much positive attention because he literally didn't make a peep then entire time we were at the restaurant - and we were there for hours. He sat in my lap and gazed into the ocean for forever.

Then we drove down highway 1 to Half Moon Bay and then back up 280. I haven't spent that much quality time just relaxing and talking and driving and eating and drinking with a splendid companion in way too damned long. It was just so free to not have plans that night and be able to eat away at as much of the day as we wanted.

I felt 20 again, I tell you what.

Well, the Westin St. Francis is right down the street from Colibri Mexican Bistro.

We're actually at the Westin Market Street. I didn't know there was another Westin so close! Dang, they're like Starbucks.

java, sorry I'm missing you!

We're staying at the Westin. Can SF'istas recommend any bars, restaurants, and/or tapas places in the vicinity of Market Street that I can take my coworkers to and get them well fed and drunk?

That's literally (and I do mean literally) around the corner from my office.

Off the top of my head:
Right near the Westin is Tropisueño, which has good, not too expensive Mexican food. (Cross through the middle of your block towards 4th street, just past the Jewish Museum to Yerba Buena Lane). At the Market Street end of the same alley is Blu, more of a fancy cocktail place.

When downtown, you usually you want to seek out the tiny lanes between bigger streets. Two well-known alleys not too far away that have a few good places are Claude Lane (b/w Sutter & Bush, just west of Kearny) and Belden Place (b/w Bush & Pine, just east of Kearny).

If you like coffee, you absolutely must try Blue Bottle coffee at Mint Plaza, a lane that wraps around the Mint building at Mission and 5th--seriously, best latte ever, bar none. Also great beans to bring home. Around the corner from BB is Thermidor, another fancy cocktail place. Their pizza is delicious, among other items.

If you want to head over to Chinatown, try either Jai Yun (first choice), Brandy Ho's, or R & G Lounge.