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(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.

And if you make it to Brandy Ho's, you should walk another block and a half and have a drink at Vesuvio, another at Tosca, and then take your tipsy self into City Lights bookstore.

Woot. I have a room for Pasadena F2F!!!!

Mmm, Chef Jia [link] is my favorite Chinese restaurant around Chinatown. Estranged brother of the chef of House of Nanking, right next to HoN, and it's vastly better. Still within striking distance of Tosca and Vesuvio's, also around the corner from the tasty tasty cocktails of Comstock Saloon.

Hurray! First to book!

Do I get a prize??