Nighttime in North Beach

I love fall in San Francisco. Sure, we don't have the kind of beautiful foliage they have back east, but the air turns crisp and the city turns inward as everybody enjoys the quiet after the rush of summer tourism. Here are a few snapshots from some meanderings through a few of my favorite spots in North Beach.
    At Bow Bow Cocktail Lounge (both of the terms "cocktail" and "lounge" are used rather loosely in this instance) Barrels of candy at Z. Cioccolato   Shhhh  Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church 
Dinner at Park Tavern Beep beep - time to go home

Playing Tourist

Sometimes I like to explore the city as if for the very first time, wandering around guidebook hotspots, watching the enchantment in tourists' eyes as they take in the city I'm lucky enough to enjoy everyday. Here are a few snapshots from just such a meandering.
 
  The famous Buena Vista Cafe, home of the Irish Coffee.

Mama A + Mama E @ Mama's

Last weekend, I had a good friend in town from Newport Beach who insisted on Mama's in North Beach for brunch. Fearing the restaurant's legendary hour+ wait, I had successfully avoided the place until then. I mean, I just don't like eggs that much. But it was the one and only thing on her to-do list for the weekend, so I obliged. Here is the photographic evidence from our expedition, including rarely-seen glimpses of the inside of the legendary Mama's on Washington Square.

Hour-and-a-half-long line

We made it!





Amazing carrot cake!

Deck the Halls

Santa Pub Crawls are something of an institution in San Francisco, and I joined in the fun this season for the first time. Naturally, I accepted an invitation from Tiger Santa and accompanied him about town.

Party Like It's 1985

80's cover band - Tainted Love - at Bimbo's 365 Club in North Beach! "Touch me, baby, tainted love"

Fair Weather Festival

What perfect weekend weather for a street fair! We wandered around the North Beach Festival last Sunday (it was the 57th annual festival!) and saw some interesting wares (and people). I was so proud of my foresight when I found what I hope to be the perfect Christmas gifts for my brothers. I love checking things off my many mental lists haha

There were some strange people selling some strange stuff, but I definitely want to go back and check out this little shop called Aria again soon. I don't usually like antiques, but that place had some really cool vintage things.

Beach Blanket Babylon!

Last weekend I saw Beach Blanket Babylon and laughed constantly at the enormous wigs and campy performances! The show has been playing since 1974, and really is hilarious. It pokes fun at current events (hello, Weinergate!) and features some classic characters along the way. I highly recommend! 
Pics from here.