San Francisco
Real Stepmoms. Biased Reviews.
Our Fall picks for San Francisco
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Find this upstairs salon on trendy Union Street. Very innovative atmosphere and architecture. Head massage, aromatic oils and trance music get you relaxed before the cut. Moxi is not only a fabulous haircut, but a great retreat. Aveda products. Ask for Andriana. Not only is she the owner, but the woman you want styling your hair.
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My SF girlfriend says of her trainer Pedro Herranz, “I LOVE my trainer.” This is a woman who leaves work during her lunch hour to train. Do you hear what I’m saying? She skips a mid-day sandwich to be emotionally and physically abused. And then she has to spend the rest of the afternoon sitting behind her desk disheveled and sweaty. She does look amazing, (even flushed) so I guess Pedro’s drama is good for the mama.
BEST CAFE: Mario’s Bohemian Cigar Store
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In the heart of North Beach, on the corner of Columbus and Union, this tiny Italian dive is a local favorite. Grab a stool at the espresso-stained bar and order an Italian beer or an Americano with a grilled panina sandwich. Very authentic and so very San Fran.
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I don’t necessarily advocate self-medicating with flour and sugar, but in this case, I encourage it. I have a girlfriend who drives 50 miles for the peanut butter chocolate chip and I have been known to miss deadlines fantasizing about these nasty, slutty cookies. What more can I say? Yes, I’d take them to bed with me.
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The Cafe Myth lunch hour scene is hot right now. Amazing sandwiches. Order the BLT. Seriously, I think this thing weighs about two pounds in pork. Make sure you have a glass of water to chase it down.
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A little trendy for my taste, but worth waiting in line with the hordes of sorority sisters that pack this Chestnut Street favorite. Order the mozzarella burrata with olive oil, sea salt and crostini and you’ll forget about your step-family crisis. My girlfriends and I like to make a meal of it with a bottle of wine. I’ve had fantasies about this cheese.
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Of course there are many in this town to choose from, but I like an excuse to get out for a night in SOMA. Plus, they serve over 100 wines by the glass. Try them all.
BEST DINNER OUT WITH YOUR MAN: Zuni Cafe
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Order the chicken. A friend calls this menu selection, “soooo pedestrian,” and maybe it is, but it is the best goddamn chicken I’ve ever had. And I’m not the only one who thinks so because it’s become Zuni’s signature dish (along with oysters on the half shell). In fact, as soon as you sit down your waiter says, “Good Evening, would you like the chicken?” Just say YES and then order a bottle of wine. It takes an hour to cook. Worth it.
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I like the Ferry Building location with the view of the Bay and the Peets coffee next door. Book Passage is a smart, independent book store, full of interesting titles and great work by local authors. Their speaker series is well respected and attended.
BEST LOCAL JEWELER: Stuart Moore
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I fell in love with this jewerly before I met and fell in love with The Husband. When I knew I would marry him, I may have suggested that he visit the SF gallery. These untraditional designs are inventive, solid, simple and gorgeous. I am currently coveting a rose gold setting with a yellow diamond. Who doesn’t want this?
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San Francisco is a shopping haven, so it’s hard to pick just one place that fits all, but a friend from Austin recently discovered this SF boutique and walked out with two bags full of great stuff that would appeal to a wide range of ladies. Affordable labels from hundreds of designers. Lovely costume jewels and shoes, too.
BEST PLACE TO WALK AND COOL OFF: Ferry Building Farmer’s Market
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Walking through this coloful maze of fresh produce and flowers grown by regional farmers is a great escape. The market overlooks the Bay and is swarmed by good-natured folks who, I imagine, all enjoy the same simple pleasures: beautiful food, a sense of community and sunlight dancing on the Pacific.
BEST OVERNIGHT STAY: Clift Hotel
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Expensive and small rooms, but great Theater District location and one of the most beautiful bars (Redwood Room) in the City. I admit, it can be a bit of a scene and filled with Euro-trash, but it’s visually spectacular and the adjacent hotel restaurant Asia de Cuba has an eccentric Asian-Latin menu. Order the lobster mashed potatoes. Crazy.
S-mom escapes are updated regularly. If you have a suggestion of your own, send it to izzyrose@stepmothersmilk.com with a brief description of why it’s your top pick.
Tags:San Francisco, stepfamily, stepmom, stepmother, step kids, step parenting, The Young One
