This weekend we really focused back on exploring new things. For those of us that know we are constantly revisiting our haunts (Mission Beach, anyone?), it was a happy weekend when every single thing we did this weekend was brand new for us.
Friday night, it was Ian’s turn to decide on dinner, so we set out to the unknown destination, and wound up at L’ardoise Bistro. It was great (and such a nice surprise for Ian to have planned). We ended up sitting at the bar, but decided it might be just as nice (if not nicer) to have those seats. We each had a kir, split unique (delicious) escargots, and had the perfectly cooked hangar steak with pommes frites.
Located in the Castro, it sat on the corner of a cute flower-lined segment of Noe. Really fun.
We took the J down Church St Saturday morning for brunch. I had seen a place called Chloe’s Café that looked cute and was popular the last weekend when we happened by. It turned out to be delicious. Ian had the best French Toast he’s had in a long time, I opted for the Avocado and Jarlsberg scramble with rosemary toast and fresh fruit. 
The coffee was great, and wouldn’t stop steaming. Not like you needed the proof, but here’s a picture anyway because it was just so fascinating.
After breakfast, we wandered around Church popping into the different antique shops, which made for a fun day of wandering. We also found a German specialty store, where I bought some gluhwein fix—very exciting! We stumbled upon 2 open houses, and were not disappointed. I think the only disappointment stemmed from the fact that the second house will never be ours. Yes, we’re used to the cost of housing being higher, but the $1.1 million price tag is beyond us. The house was much like ours in Durham in many ways. It was actually right beside Chloe Café, and was a yellow bungalow (right in the city!). Such character, in great condition. We had a lovely chat with the realtor, and were sadly on our way.
Saturday afternoon we decided to see a play. After a bit of searching and sifting through the large list of performances in the Bay Area on a Saturday night, I decided on a performance of Amadeus taking place in the North Bay. It was given by the Marin Shakespeare Company, just across the Golden Gate and in San Rafael. It was at an outdoor theatre, and we were encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets etc.
After breakfast, we wandered around Church popping into the different antique shops, which made for a fun day of wandering. We also found a German specialty store, where I bought some gluhwein fix—very exciting! We stumbled upon 2 open houses, and were not disappointed. I think the only disappointment stemmed from the fact that the second house will never be ours. Yes, we’re used to the cost of housing being higher, but the $1.1 million price tag is beyond us. The house was much like ours in Durham in many ways. It was actually right beside Chloe Café, and was a yellow bungalow (right in the city!). Such character, in great condition. We had a lovely chat with the realtor, and were sadly on our way.
Saturday afternoon we decided to see a play. After a bit of searching and sifting through the large list of performances in the Bay Area on a Saturday night, I decided on a performance of Amadeus taking place in the North Bay. It was given by the Marin Shakespeare Company, just across the Golden Gate and in San Rafael. It was at an outdoor theatre, and we were encouraged to bring a picnic, blankets etc.
The ampitheatre and general area were lovely and pastoral. We were among the first to arrive and settled into our large wooden bench with a large blanket and a bottle of chianti.
The performance lasted until nearly 11, and by then we were bundled and snuggling. The full moon rose over the stage the later it went (the tiny dot in the picture below), and the performance was entertaining and quite funny. It at least seemed a nice, different thing for us to do, and my goal is to make it back for the other 2 performances before the season’s end (A Winter Tale and Much Ado About Nothing).
Sunday morning we opted for brunch at 2223 on Market. What a great choice that was! I’ve been wanting to go for dinner (it looks charming and delicious), and brunch was a fantastic treat. Ian struggled with the menu—because simply everything sounded so good. He ended up ordering the Chorizo scramble, but found himself picking off the large quantities of cilantro when it arrived. If it were me, I would’ve been super excited about the bonus, but Ian hates cilantro. The server, absolutely above and beyond what I’ve seen lately, stopped by and insisted that he bring Ian something else. What a shock. He swiftly returned with the new dish, the homemade corned beef hash and poached eggs, and Ian was very happy. I thought my dish fairly good—the French toast with sour cherries, valhrona chocolate, and almonds, but ultimately decided I made a poor choice (as it was like dessert). Overall, you could tell that they knew what they were doing, served scrumptious food, and engaged in thoughtful service.
We decided to go for a walk to shed off some of the feelings of being stuffed, and popped in a few stores. Ian bought a soft, new hoodie, and the walk itself was much needed. I also stopped at the gym on the way home, and was finally able to use the exceptional Microsoft discount.
In the afternoon, I made some calls and watched a movie, while Ian piddled on the computer (OK, he actually did some work). For dinner, we opted to eat out again, and had Indian food at Pak Wan on 16th. The atmosphere was lacking (the smell of smoke was so strong, our clothes still smell—and not of cigarette smoke, but of campfire smoke). The food, however, was excellent. Again full, we decided to have a walk down Valencia before calling it a night.
It was a good walk, and surprising in that we made purchases at 3 different stores. A new picture frame, some cards for friends, and the saddest—the Abandoned Planet bookstore is closing and they were having a ridiculous sale. All books were $1, except for books over $20—those were 75% off. We made out with a stack of books for $31…3 of those had been pricier, but I can’t believe what was selling for a dollar. On the final 2 days of being open, they’ll be selling all books at 3 for $1. Very sad, as it’s a beautiful store, but I was pleased with what we left with.
Alas, that brings us into a new week. It’s insane that I’m wearing boots and a sweater today (and was all weekend). It’s July, for goodness sake! What’s up with the 50 degree weather? Strangely, I’m used to it already….
If I were an antique store, my name would be Annabelle.
We decided to go for a walk to shed off some of the feelings of being stuffed, and popped in a few stores. Ian bought a soft, new hoodie, and the walk itself was much needed. I also stopped at the gym on the way home, and was finally able to use the exceptional Microsoft discount.
In the afternoon, I made some calls and watched a movie, while Ian piddled on the computer (OK, he actually did some work). For dinner, we opted to eat out again, and had Indian food at Pak Wan on 16th. The atmosphere was lacking (the smell of smoke was so strong, our clothes still smell—and not of cigarette smoke, but of campfire smoke). The food, however, was excellent. Again full, we decided to have a walk down Valencia before calling it a night.
It was a good walk, and surprising in that we made purchases at 3 different stores. A new picture frame, some cards for friends, and the saddest—the Abandoned Planet bookstore is closing and they were having a ridiculous sale. All books were $1, except for books over $20—those were 75% off. We made out with a stack of books for $31…3 of those had been pricier, but I can’t believe what was selling for a dollar. On the final 2 days of being open, they’ll be selling all books at 3 for $1. Very sad, as it’s a beautiful store, but I was pleased with what we left with.
Alas, that brings us into a new week. It’s insane that I’m wearing boots and a sweater today (and was all weekend). It’s July, for goodness sake! What’s up with the 50 degree weather? Strangely, I’m used to it already….
If I were an antique store, my name would be Annabelle.
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