Exit Through The Gift Shop

"I WENT TO THE DE YOUNG, AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS"

DE YOUNG MUSEUM
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr
San Francisco, CA 94118
map
(415) 750-3600
deyoung.famsf.org/


OVERALL:4.5
ART: 4
SERVICE:4.5
AMBIANCE:5
VALUE:4.5



Banksy is not in the house, but this museum is still one of my fave weekend hangouts in SF.  Might have something to do with the unique architecture that's part futuristic copper-clad Swiss cheese, part larger-than-life sculpture garden.  Or maybe it has something to do with being gorgeous-by-association, thanks to its ultra-green Academy neighbor on the Music Concourse.  Might also have something to do with me having a membership -- but seriously, a membership is a no-brainer & easily pays itself off several times over, with reciprocity at the Legion of Honor & all the kickass special exhibits that roll through each year:

• Chihuly (2008)
• YSL  (2008)
• Maya Lin (2009)
• Monet/Impressionists (2010)
• Balenciaga (2011)
• Olmec (2011)

The goodies in the permanent collection are pretty enticing on their own & keep me oohing and ahhing:

• 360° city view from the 9th-floor Hamon Tower
• Outdoor patio & sunshine galore at the locally-sourced deYoung Café
• Art nouveau decorative pieces (oooh, Tiffany!)
• Cool interior fern enclosures
• Friday Nights (FREE for college students/faculty!)
• First Tuesdays - FREE

Olé!

LALOLA BAR DE TAPAS
1358 Mason St
San Francisco, CA 94133
map
(415) 981-5652
www.lalolasf.com

OVERALL:4.5 FOOD:4.5 SERVICE:4.5 AMBIANCE:5 VALUE:4
I should be concerned that this place is visible from my bedroom and perfect stumbling distance away...VERY concerned. Not only are there $3 sangria happy hours, pintxos/tapas that'll have you moaning in purrrfect Spanish, but as the BF so helpfully pointed out: 'Whoa--there's some NICE dark-haired eye candy for you'...well then, encantada! Y mas sangria por favor!

Great vibe: simple but chic layout, lively, stylishly laid back crowd, energetic, fun--perfect way to end the week. Dozen or so wines, Stella, imported cider & attractive tapas options. Totally uncharacteristic for me, but the food actually wayyyy outshines the sangria--YUM!

• Beer Braised Chicken!!!
• Patatas Bravas!!!
• Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding!!!

Epic Bubble Bath

BURKE WILLIAMS SPA
845 Market St, Level 5
San Francisco, CA 94103
map
(415) 694-7980
www.burkewilliamsspa.com

OVERALL:4.8 SERVICE:5 AMBIANCE:5 VALUE:4.5

OooOoOOOoHh, aAHHhhHhhh, mmMmMMm...
(etc, etc, etc...)

Impulsively cashed in a giftcard and booked an early massage on another day off.  Possibly one of the best decisions of my life...getting all gooey just writing about it...

Go early to avoid mall/spa crowds; 9am = had the ENTIRE place all to myself!  No other patrons, no other staff...just one big personal jacuzzi, sauna, mist room, dressing room, showers, and a crap ton of fresh fruit, cucumber water, coffee, and fresh towels for MMEEEE!  Makes it immeasurably more relaxing & enjoyable...Absolutely worth the early wake-up.  Plus, wearing that bikini becomes even MORE optional (lobby/quiet room is only co-ed area and requires a robe...everywhere else, your fab bod is free to go au naturel)!

Soaked/sauna-ed for 30 min before massage (you get unlimited spa access with any treatment appointment), then was whisked off through a few quiet hallways into a dimly lit room that was all citrus and sandalwood and made me blissfully weak in the knees.  I was done for, no doubt.  Needless to say, King Midas worked some kind of magic with those hands...great bedside/tableside (??...um, hmmmm) manner, softspoken, JUST the right level of chattiness, good pressure & adjustment (I like it pretty firm), 60 minutes of unadulterated rapture...!

Takeaways:

• Go early in the day (quieter, well-stocked, fresh masseuses)
• Arrive at least 30min before appt (take advantage of spa facilities)
• Full arsenal of grooming products
• (cleanser, lotions, shampoo, cond., razors, blowdryers, styling products, mouthwash, etc...)

Prepare to be pampered!

What happens in the house, stays in the house

THE HOUSE
1230 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133
map
(415) 986-8612
thehse.com

OVERALL:4.5 FOOD:5 SERVICE:4 AMBIANCE:4.5 VALUE:4.5

I vowed to be strong, to play hard-to-get, to keep it buttoned up--my days of putting out and giving my heart to eateries everywhere were s'pposed to be behind me. But then along came this cute little number outta nowhere with all kinds of tricks up his sleeves: cozy space, beautiful Cali-Pan-Asian creations (the mixed breeds are always irresistible, right?), wonderful smells, mad kitchen skills, and before I knew it...*whimper*...please touch my taste buds there and THERE...and don't stop!!

As much as The House had my knees a-knocking, I don't even have the words to describe how gorgeous and drool-worthy everything is (Sea Bass is ______, Coconut Creme Brulee ______ my mind). Just give this soft-spoken studmuffin a whirl...EVERYONE will leave sated, glowing, and dreaming of an encore performance. Just try to have a one-night stand--I dare you.

Let Them Eat Cake!

BRIOCHE BAKERY & CAFE
210 Columbus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94133-4509
map
(415) 765-0412
briochecafe.com

OVERALL:4.4   FOOD:4.5   SERVICE:4   AMBIANCE:5   VALUE:4

It's the end of March, it's 77 degrees (30 degrees above my hometown!), it's sunny, and I have the day off -- Qu'on mange de la brioche!

A little piece of springtime in Paris (with some Moroccan flair), this spot is ideal for:

• people-watching (lots of sharp FiDi suits & skirts...oh là là!).
• enjoying pastries with unadvisably high butter content (croissants, briwats, and pain aux raisins, oh my!).
• getting your vitamin D on while sipping du café outside.
• surfing the Google on free Interwebs.
• generally living up la vie en rose.

Bon appétit!