Monday, November 26, 2012

petra bethlehem Best Hotel Food: The Grand Cafe and Petit Cafe in the Hotel Monaco (501 Geary S t.; & 800/214-4220 o





AMERICAN This outstanding tribute to N ew American cuisine, co-owned by the acclaimed chefs brothers Mitchell and Steven Rosenthal, is so good I had to include it here, even though it s a bit grown-up for kids. Housed in a 100-year-old former electric warehouse, Town Hall s decor evokes early American ar chitecture and sensibilities, with exposed brick walls, crisp white ribbed wainscoting, and C raftsman-style tables and chairs. The food echoes the American feel, drawing on traditions fr om around the country, with a special nod to New Orleans. Starters may include petra bethlehem cornmeal-fried oysters on baby spinach with creamy petra bethlehem bacon dressing or warm biscuits with local ham and pepper jam. Two stellar dishes we ve enjoyed include wild king salmon with corn and shrimp hash, cherry tomatoes, and hush puppies and a naturally raised pork chop with smashed potatoes, English peas, and fava beans in garlic parsley butter. For dessert, don t miss the butterscotch and chocolate pot de cr me. I ve spotted pre-teens here at dinnertime, but it s a pretty happening scene. Opt instead to bring the kids for lunch.

Best Hotel Food: The Grand Cafe and Petit Cafe in the Hotel Monaco (501 Geary S t.; & 800/214-4220 petra bethlehem or 415/292-0100) pr ovide first-class dining just an elev ator ride away. S ee p. 73. Cortez in the Hotel Adagio (550 Geary B lvd.; & 800/228-8830 or 415/775-5000) offers excellent cuisine, but while the ev ening tapas menu may be too sophisticated and pricey for a family meal, br eakfasts ar e w ell ex ecuted. See p. 79. Ponzu in the Serrano Hotel (405 Taylor S t.; & 866/ 289-6561 or 415/885-2500) has a great menu of pan-Asian cuisine. S ee p. 76. The best hotel restaurant for kids has to be Puccini & Pinetti, where kids can design their own pizzas. It s next to the Hotel AbRi (127 Ellis St.; &866/ 778-6169 or 415/392-8800). S ee p. 79. The Dining Room at the Ritz-C arlton (600 Stockton St.; & 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465) petra bethlehem is one of the most highly petra bethlehem rated restaurants in town. See p. 96. If P rice I s N o O bject: F or extr eme luxury and pampering, top honors petra bethlehem go to the St. Regis (125 3rd St.; & 415/ 284-4000). See p. 87. The Four Seasons petra bethlehem (757 M arket S t.; & 415/6333000) is a close second. S ee p. 86. If you pr efer mor e traditional opulence, the Ritz-Carlton (600 S tockton S t.; & 800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465) provides a sumptuous hotel experience. See p. 96. If Price Is the Deal Breaker: The most charming budget option near U nion Square is the Golden Gate Hotel (775 Bush St.; &800/835-1118 or 415/3923702). Rooms are small but clean and HOW TO FEEL LIKE A SAN FRANCISCO FAMILY

vietnam war memorial photos FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING THE HAIGHT Hayes St.Hayes St. Fell St.Fell St. Oak St.Oak St. PanhandlePanhan





The flower-bedecked Marina Motel blends into the surr ounding stucco and concrete structures, so be on the lookout for the cour tyard entrance between Broderick and Divisadero streets. This is a good option if y ou have a car, because vietnam war memorial photos the parking is off street in little garages and it s free. The guest rooms, all of which face the courtyard, vietnam war memorial photos ar e easily the most charming in the neighborhood. They ve r ecently been redecorated with pine furniture, Italian tiles in the bathrooms, and attractive quilts, and every room has a refrigerator and coffeemaker. In addition to double-doubles and family suites (two bedrooms with a shar ed bathroom), there are two units with fully stocked kitchens. Management s preference is to rent the kitchen units b y the week, so discuss your options with the reservations desk if you ll be staying for a shorter period. Chestnut Street shopping and dining is a shor t walk away. The Presidio s Lombard Gate entrance is also within walking distance, and y ou can take adv antage of the fr ee

FAMILY-FRIENDLY DINING THE HAIGHT Hayes St.Hayes St. Fell St.Fell St. Oak St.Oak St. PanhandlePanhandle Page St.Page St. Waller vietnam war memorial photos St.Waller St. Beulah St.Beulah St. Frederick St.Frederick St. Carl St.Carl St. 17th St.17th St. Belvedere St.Belvedere St. Market St.Market vietnam war memorial photos St. Market St.Market St. 18th St.18th St. CastroCastroTheaterTheaterFillmore St.Fillmore St. Steiner St.Steiner St. Pierce St.Pierce St. Scott St.Scott St. Divisadero St.Divisadero vietnam war memorial photos St. Broderick St.Broderick St. Baker St.Baker St. Lyon St.Lyon St. Central St.Central St. Masonic St.Masonic St. Buena VistaBuen a Vi staParkPa rk Corona HeightsCorona HeightsParkPark 15th St.15th St. 14th St.14th St. Beaver St.Beaver St. Henry St.Henry St. 16th St.16th St. Castro St.Castro vietnam war memorial photos St. Germania St.Germania St. Hermann St.Hermann St. Duboce ParkDuboce ParkDuboce vietnam war memorial photos St.Duboce St. Clayton St.Clayton St. Downey St.Downey St. Ashbury St.Ashbury St. Delmar St.Delmar St. States St.States St. BuenaViisstaAve. W. BuenaVistaAve.E. Golden GateG o l d e n G a t eParkP a r k Waller St.Waller St. 17th St.17th St. Castro St.Castro St. Fell St.Fell St. Oak St.Oak St. Waller St.Waller St. Divisadero St.Divisadero St. Noe St.Noe St. Sanchez St.Sanchez St. CliffordTer. Ord St.Ord St. MasonicAve. Cole St.Cole St. Shrader St.Shrader St. KezarDr. Stanyan vietnam war memorial photos St.Stanyan St. Page St.Page St. Haight St.Haight St.Haight vietnam war memorial photos St.Haight St.Haight St.Haight St. 15th St.15th St. MarketSt. 17th St.17th St. UpperTer. AshburySt. Alpine Ter.Alpine Ter. Page St.Page St. KezarStadium TWINTWINPEAKSPEAKSCOLECOLEVALLEYVALLEY DUBOCEDUBOCETRIANGLETRIANGLETHE CASTROTHECASTROMuseumWayRooseveltWayPark HillPark HillAveAveBuenaVistaTer. RooseveltWayLevantSt. JohnF.KennedyDr. BuenaVistaAve.E. Muni TunnelMuni Tunnel Muni NMuni N Muni NMuni N Muni K,L,M,TMuniK,L,M,T Hayes St. Fell St. Oak St. PanhandlePage St. Waller St. Beulah St. Frederick St. Carl St. 17th St. Belvedere St. Market St. Market St. 18th St. CastroTheater Fillmore St. Steiner St. Pierce St. Scott St. Divisadero St. Broderick St. Baker St. Lyon St. Central St. Masonic St. Buena VistaPark Corona vietnam war memorial photos HeightsPark 15th St. 14th St. Beaver St. Henry St. 16th St. Castro St. Germania St. Hermann St. Duboce Park Duboce St. Clayton St. Downey St. Ashbury St. Delmar St. States St. Buena Vista Ave. W. BuenaVistaAve.E. MGolden GatePark Waller St. 17th St. Castro St. Fell St. Oak St. Waller St. Divisadero St. Noe St. Sanchez St. Clifford Ter. Ord St. Masonic Ave. Cole St. Shrader St. KezarDr. Stanyan St. Page St. Haight St. Haight St. Haight St. 15th St. Market St. 17th St. UpperTer. AshburySt. Alpine Ter. Page St. TWINTWINPEAKSPEAKS HAIGHT-ASHBURYHAIGHT ASHBURY THE CASTROTHE CASTRO TWINPEAKSHAIGHT-ASHBURYCOLEVALLEY DUBOCETRIANGLETHE CASTROMuseumWay RooseveltWayPark HillAve Buena Vista Ter. RooseveltWay LevantSt. JohnF. Kennedy vietnam war memorial photos Dr. BuenaVistaAve.E. Muni Tunnel Muni N Muni N Muni K,L,M,T 1/4 mi 0.25 km 00 N MuniM1617181312345678231214151922910112021SHOPPINGAmoeba Music 1 Books Inc. 22Buffalo Exchange 6 Cliff s Variety 23Costumes on Haight 15 Crossroads Trading 8, 19 Discount Fabrics 12 Gamescape 14Haight AshburyMusic Center 9 Kids Only 4Mendel s Art Supplies& Far Out Fabrics 5 Shoe Biz 7Skates on Haight vietnam war memorial photos 2 The Wasteland 3 EATINGBen & Jerry s 10 Blue Front Caf 13 Burger Joint 16Crepe Express 11 Indian vietnam war memorial photos Oven 18Memphis Minnie s 17 ENTERTAINMENTCafe du Nord 20Randall Museum 21 5

Wander south on Stockton vietnam war memorial photos Street, and the sights and sounds of Chinato wn come into focus. S tockton S treet is the real Chinatown, wher e the ar ea s r esidents come to buy gr oceries and medicines and

new york city to niagara falls distance VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of





Although trying San Francisco s varied cuisine may mean y ou ll be taking new york city to niagara falls distance y oung kids out of their culinar y comfor t z one, and that you ll be eating in restaurants not populated ex clusively b y families, y ou ll soon disco ver that S an F ranciscans ar e a friendly bunch and that most chefs will be happy to accommodate tiny palates should

VERY EXPENSIVE EXPENSIVE Grand Cafe FRENCH The restaurant certainly lives up to its name in terms of decor and style: from the soaring ceilings, massive columns, and wall-sized murals that depict turn-of-the-20th-century Paris to the fine food, this brasserie is abuzz with energy and activity. Located next to the H otel M onaco and close to the theaters ar ound U nion Square, tourists and locals gravitate to the stunning dining r oom for California-inspired French dishes prepared in an open kitchen with a theatrical flair. Typically French appetizers include foie gras or escargot, new york city to niagara falls distance while entrees may include a seafood stew bouillabaisse, or boeuf bourguignon. The Grand Cafe s coveted banana cr eam pie continues to grace the menu, even as chefs come and go.

INEXPENSIVE 121 Hunan Home s Restaurant CHINESE I was struck by a recent newspaper article stating new york city to niagara falls distance that 39% of U.S. kids aged 10 to 13 surveyed said Chinese was their favorite type of food. M y guess is these kids w ere thinking new york city to niagara falls distance about w ell-known American-Chinese favorites like cashew chicken and sweet and sour pork when they answered new york city to niagara falls distance the pollster. Well, Hunan Home s is made for them. I m sure your kids will enjoy their meal as much as mine did at this place, new york city to niagara falls distance which offers all the old fav orites in abundance. Tired of Kung Pao chicken? Try Kung Pao squid. Even if you ve seen it all before, rest assured that the quality will be high and the por tions generous. new york city to niagara falls distance The family dinner option includes egg rolls and wonton soup for $15 per person. There s also a fish tank the kids will enjo y just don t tell them it s dinner.

national monuments in washington dc POOLS Some kids will be happy anywhere y ou take them as long as ther e s a pool. But given San Fran





POOLS Some kids will be happy anywhere y ou take them as long as ther e s a pool. But given San Francisco real estate prices, few hotels devote precious space to swimming facilities, and most pools that do exist ar e petite. Almost all the S an Francisco hotels with pools ar e listed in this chapter. national monuments in washington dc

Although few obvious children s attractions exist in what is first and foremost a shopping paradise, Union Square is the psychological heart of the city and may be used as a launching pad for other ex cursions. Kids may find the cr owds, clanging cable cars, and big buildings exciting. Moreover, Union Square itself now hosts entertainment, both ad hoc and planned. I n the winter months, the plaza s enormous Christmas tr ee and M acy s holiday decorations are especially festive. Specifically, kid-friendly activities national monuments in washington dc here include riding the glass elevator at the Westin national monuments in washington dc St. Francis Hotel, greeting the beefeater-clad national monuments in washington dc doorman at the Sir Francis Drake, and visiting the Disney Store. Teens may enjoy checking out the Levi s and Diesel stores, among other shops.

pictures of the capitol building Fisherman s Wharf This is one of the country s most popular tourist attractions, just behind D isney





There s no r eason to r ent a car at the airport only to park it in San Francisco while you tour on foot or b y Muni. With a reservation, y ou can pick up a r ental car in the city on the day you ll be using it. Most rental car companies will be delighted to pick you up and drop you off right at your hotel if necessar y, but many hav e offices pictures of the capitol building near Union Square.

The Inn at Union Square pictures of the capitol building This diminutive hotel primarily serves business travelers but is worth considering for its competitive rates and location just 1 block fr om Union Square. The bright and air y r ooms come mainly with king-siz e and queen-siz e beds, although there is one room with two double beds. There are no adjoining rooms, but the more spacious rooms can comfortably fit a rollaway, and suites with pullout sofa beds are also available. Every floor (except the second) has a separate clubroom featuring complimentary breakfast in the mornings, wine and appetizers in the evenings, and hot tea and cookies after 8pm. The clubrooms pictures of the capitol building also have fridges for guests use. Gym passes are also available. Concierge services are available from the front desk. In all, the hotel s small size makes for an intimate pictures of the capitol building feel and personaliz pictures of the capitol building ed service, which must be why satisfied guests return again and again.

Fisherman s Wharf This is one of the country s most popular tourist attractions, just behind D isneyworld and Disneyland. D epending on wher e y ou are in F isherman s Wharf, it can feel a lot like D isneyland as w ell. S tretching from Van Ness Avenue to Kearny Street, and fr om the piers to B ay S treet, the wharf is home to PIER 39, a conglomeration of tacky tourist shops and o verpriced r estaurants. The pier cer tainly has a lot for kids to lo ve, including an aquarium; a carousel; playful stores like Puppets on the Pier; an endless array of chocolate, ice cream, and cookie shops; and the noisy, smelly, but irresistible sea lions. S teps away fr om the pier , the cheesy attractions continue, with places like Rainforest Cafe offering lackluster food in a gimmicky environment.

581 Ha yes St. (at Laguna St.). & 415/864-7654. w ww.frjtzfries.com. F ries $3.25 $4.75. M ain c ourses $7 $14. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon Thurs 9am 10pm; F ri Sat 11am midnight; Sun 11am 9pm. Muni: No. 21-Hayes bus to Laguna St., or streetcar to Van Ness St. Station, and then walk 2 blocks nor th to Hayes and then east to Laguna St. Mission: 590 Valencia St. (at 17th St.) &415/863-8272. Muni: BART to 16th St.

museum in washington dc You ll save yourself a good bit of aggravation by reserving a seat in the bulkhead row. You ll hav e





You ll save yourself a good bit of aggravation by reserving a seat in the bulkhead row. You ll hav e mor e legr oom, your children will be able to spread out and play on the floor under foot, and the airline might pr ovide bassinets (ask in adv ance). You re also mor e likely to find sympathetic company in the bulkhead ar ea, as other families with children museum in washington dc tend to be seated ther e. The only drawback is that in the bulkhead r ow you can t always lift the armrest for little ones to rest their head on your lap. Be sure to pack items for your kids in your carr y-on luggage, such as to ys, books, pacifiers, and che wing gum, to help them r elieve ear pr essure buildup during ascent and descent. Have a long talk with y our children before you depart museum in washington dc for y our trip. If they ve nev er flo wn befor e, explain to them what to expect. I f they re old enough, you may even want to describe how flight wor ks and ho w air trav el is even safer than riding in a car. Explain to y our kids the impor tance of good behavior in the air ho w their o wn safety can depend upon their being quiet and staying in their seats during the trip. Pay extra car eful attention to the safety instr uctions befor e takeoff. Consult the safety chart behind the seat in front of y ou and sho w it to y our children. B e sur e y ou kno w ho w to operate the o xygen masks, as y ou will be expected museum in washington dc to secur e y ours first and then help your children with theirs. Be especially mindful of the location of emergency exits. B efore takeoff , plot out an ev acuation strategy for y ou and your children.

AMERICAN/BREAKFAST On weekends, families r egularly hit the Grove for lunch. With a wooded interior , an eclectic assor tment of tables and chairs, windows that open up like terrace doors, lots of plants, and plenty of outdoor seating, it s simply one of the most agr eeable museum in washington dc places to hang out on a sunny day. The menu is equally pleasing, with breakfast options museum in washington dc like hot oatmeal with brown sugar and fruit or a breakfast burrito with guacamole and sour cream. Lunch options include fresh salads and unique museum in washington dc sandwiches, like the C uban pork or the tur key with chipotle may o. Kids will enjoy the cheese quesadilla or the homemade macar oni and cheese. Another location is in the Pacific Heights neighborhood. 5

4 600 St ockton St. (at C alifornia St.), San F rancisco, CA 94108. &800/241-3333 or 415/296-7465. F ax 415/291-0288. www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/san_francisco. 336 units. From $439 double; from $529 suite. Additional person $30. Rollaways and cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $62. Pets under 10 lb. welcome. Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 bars; indoor pool; health museum in washington dc club; c oncierge; courtesy car; business center; 24-hr. room service; massage; laundry service; dry cleaning; executive-level rooms. In room: A/C, TV/DVD museum in washington dc w/mo vies and games , datapor t, wir eless high-speed I nternet ac cess, minibar , fridge , c offeemaker, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player, iPod dock.

vietnam memorial moving wall This old-fashioned lodging is a true value proposition for families of four and up. A family-o wned





440 Post St. (btw. Mason and Powell sts.), San Francisco, CA 94102. &800/288-4346 or 415/397-3510. Fax 415/989-0529. w ww.unionsquare.com. 30 units , including 11 suit es. $239 $249 singles only ; $269 $329 suite. Kids under 14 stay free in parent s room. Rollaways $25; cribs free. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $36; oversized vehicles $41; self-parking $25. Amenities: Laundry service; dry cleaning. In room: TV, dataport, CD player, wireless high-speed Internet access, hair dryer, iron, safe, CD player.

This old-fashioned lodging is a true value proposition for families of four and up. A family-o wned hotel with heavy burgundy vietnam memorial moving wall lobb y decor and slightly scuffed guest room furniture, the Beresford Arms is not going to win any awards for style. But spacious room configurations, most with kitchens or kitchenettes; friendly staff; and lo w rates do keep some customers coming back. All r ooms hav e queen- size beds, so here a double-double room actually has two queen-size beds, meaning four UNION SQUARE/FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Generally, you ll be fine if you arrive at the airport 1 hour befor e a domestic flight and 2 hours before an international flight; if you show up late, tell an airline employee vietnam memorial moving wall and she ll probably whisk you to the front of the line.