Grilling up a Savory Sandwich for the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Diane Harrigan

The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen defines local, social, sustainable and the food is off the charts delectable. Food and Wine ranked them one of the best restaurant openings of 2010 and they’re about to open a second restaurant in the Mission. Down the street from AT&T park, this gourmet sandwich shop touting artisanal ingredients is truly a San Francisco original.

Who better to pay tribute to international orange with a sizzling sensation (including cheddar, havarti and jack) at the upcoming anniversary celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge than these seasoned chefs. The American Grilled Cheese Kitchen confirmed they will be among the food vendors at this historic event.

Proven to be outstanding at festivals — serving 180,000 at Outside Lands — Founder Nate Pollak gave me a sneak peak at one item on the upcoming menu that crowds can sink their teeth into on May 27th — as I learned more about his overall recipe for savory success.

Filed under: Eating and Drinking, Family Events in San Francisco, San Francisco Festivals, Video Postcards of San Francisco | Tagged: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Presidio’s Old World Charm Retained with Renovation

Posted on April 22, 2012 by Diane Harrigan

 

The Presidio’s famed Montgomery Row is evolving into a vibrant neighborhood for business, tourists and locals alike.  Buildings once occupied by soldiers serving during a span of conflicts – from the Spanish-American War to the Vietnam War – are gradually being prepped for a new era.  Revamped to accommodate 2012 telecommunications and LEED standards, one of these structures could soon be home to the next digital video or mobile tech startup.

Architect Robert Wallace and Historian Randolph Delehanty with the Presidio Trust recently took the public inside the first of the Montgomery Street Barracks – Building 101 -- for a rare look at the distinction of this Presidio icon before the next phase of occupancy begins.

The 117-year old structure undergoing an $11 million facelift is only one of two buildings on this row (Building 103 is the other) with original space intact: including Barber & Tailor rooms.  Most of the structures were gutted on the inside by the Army over many decades of various uses.

The most famous of these structures already reconfigured is Building 104, which houses the Walt Disney Museum and opened in October of 2009.

While we still don’t know the full blueprint for 101′s future, this tour reflects the timeless elegance of Presidio’s past and a glimpse at the evolution of its rich renovation.

Filed under: Bay Area Destinations, Family Events in San Francisco, Video Postcards of San Francisco | 2 Comments »

Flash Mob Moves in the Castro

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Diane Harrigan

Flash Mob paid tribute to Rhythm Nation this weekend with dancers donning black leather and powerful moves. The Castro was their encore destination in a day of street dance that stopped trains on the tracks.  The ‘F’ line had to pause for the four minute performance much to the delight of passengers.  Who are these impromptu artists?  ”We are a fun-loving Flash Mob group who surprises the public with spontaneous performances of choreographed dances all over the SF Bay area,” according to their website.  What makes them especially brilliant is how anybody can join in — and the fact that they get to do it in San Francisco.

Anyone can attend free classes or teach themselves through YouTube video tutorials.  All you have to do on ‘show day’ is dress the part.  And thanks to Facebook updates, you can’t lose track of the next stage.  It was my good fortune to feel the rhythm on the first day of April.

 

Filed under: Bay Area Destinations, Celebrities in San Francisco, Family Events in San Francisco, San Francisco Dance, Top Pick, Video Postcards of San Francisco | Leave a Comment »

Hitchcock’s Romance with San Francisco

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Diane Harrigan

Alfred Hitchcock made several movies with scenes in San Francisco — with lavish backdrops like the Flood Mansion in Nob Hill, Grace Cathedral, Mission Dolores, Union Square, Palace of the Legion of Honor and of course the Golden Gate Bridge.  One of his most memorable films shot here is Vertigo, made in 1957. Starring James Stewart and Kim Novak, there are enough familiar scenes in this murder mystery to create many a walking tour.  But hats off to San Francisco City Guides and the true movie buffs who take you on the journey down the side streets and back streets you might otherwise miss — and for keeping it free of charge.

On many a Sunday afternoon, crowds gather at the fountain in Huntington Park off of Sacramento, for a chance to follow along to catch Madeleine’s apartment building, the site of the Podesta Baldocchi Floral shop, or the site of the exclusive Pacific Union Club.  I always wanted to know where the pet shop filmed in the opening of The Birds sits — and now I know it was Maiden Lane, but not the brown building I would have suspected.

The storytellers include incredibly knowledgeable guides –Robert Munzer, Rory O’Connor, and Jay Sherwin who truly know their stuff.

It’s also worthy of note that this June 14th, Kim Novak, the star of Vertigo, will receive the San Francisco Cinematic Icon Award.  Also – Saturday, April 7 at 2:00 pm at the Golden Gate Club, 135 Fisher Loop on the Main Post in the Presidio of San Francisco, contributors to a new book - The San Francisco of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo: Place, Pilgrimage and Commemoration will be on hand for a signing.  Hitchcock made his mark in San Francisco and his work and legacy live on.

Filed under: Bay Area Destinations, Celebrities in San Francisco, Family Events in San Francisco, San Francisco Artists, Video Postcards of San Francisco | 1 Comment »

Zoo Station Rocks San Francisco on St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 18, 2012 by Diane Harrigan

Zoo Station – a Bay area U2 tribute band – rolled through San Francisco on a flatbed to electrify the crowd at the tail end of the 161st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade – and they were running on all cylinders.

Dubbed “The Complete U2 Experience” vocalist Bonalmost (Joshua Fryvecind) has a remarkable resemblance to U2 lead singer Bono and he completely gets into character. It was a “Beautiful Day” as the rain held off long enough for the parade to make its way down Market Street.

Zoo Station, which formed a decade ago through a Craigslist post, delivers U2 theater at its best. Watch as Bonalmost interacts with the audience injecting his Irish rock-star magic into the performance.

 

Filed under: Celebrities in San Francisco, Family Events in San Francisco, San Francisco Festivals, San Francisco Holidays, Video Postcards of San Francisco | Leave a Comment »

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