24 Hours in San Fran

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, nope...Coffee, beer, and wine, yep! This is what my day consisted of on a sunny Saturday in the city.
It's the morning of the Chinese New Year parade, the year of the Dragon begins. Chinese parade: http://www.chineseparade.com/

Coffee: This spot was shown to me by a local. You would never find it otherwise because this hidden gem are really hidden. I guess in S.F. it's cool to look like you dan't care if you have customers. In this city, strangely this is what gets you more customers. Also my local told me that San Franciscans want to wait in a line. If you are waiting in a line it means that the food is good. If there is no established line when you arrive, keep walking. That place you don't want to be seen at.  Go figure but hay, when in Rome... Also this place was minimal. No honey, no soy milk, no lids, no straws, no fancy orders period.

Beer: That coffee should keep you going in the chilly mornings until the fog burns off and then it's time to get serious. Located just below the Height on the corner of Hayes and Octavia is the clostest thing you can get to a real outdoor German beer garden. 1 liter beer steins, handmade pretzels, picnic table seating, no winches. Plus there is always a line here so you know it's good. Bier Garten: http://www.biergartensf.com/

Beer was accompanied by delicious Japenese noodles eaten at a hole in the wall restaurant in Japantown. The best noodle bowls and be sure to ask for the chili sauce!

Mifune: http://mifune.com/

Wine: I discovered that wine really is the best accompaniment to garlic and you have to really like garlic to eat at The Stinking Rose. This mostly Italian style restaurant puts garlic in everything on the menu, including it's 40 clove chicken. Warning! Don't go here on a date. I had the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce which was decadent to say the least but I highly recommend it but don't recommend the Bagna Calda. It is NOT real Italian Bagna Calda, not even close to it.

The Stinking Rose: http://www.thestinkingrose.com/

An early eaving showing of Beach Blanket Babaloyn followed by a nightcap at the famous Condor Club (where my family's name is on a plaque on the door for being the first owners) and our night is complete. What a day...to say the least!!

The Condor Club: http://www.condorsf.com/

I Found My Heart in San Francisco

  This never gets old, driving across the Golden Gate...

One of our first stops over the bridge was the Francis Ford Coppola Winery. A bit like a Planet Hollywood with all of the movie props on display but good food and great wine.

 Director's Cut Pino Noir and penna Putenesca.. word on the street is that they add extra oak chips to the wine in the barrel to increase it's oaky taste.

 The Godfather's Oscars...they probably make the wine tate better.

The Sugar Mafia

 I'm still traveling in the States and as usual I am so excited to eat all of my favorite foods and also cook and share some Italian dishes that I have learned by being an expat. The problem is this, SUGAR. It's everywhere in America. It's in everything, places where you wouldn't expect it! Like these Del Monte stewed tomatoes. 3rd ingredient: High Fructose Corn Syrup. Why? Are tomatoes not good on their own? Do we need them to last on the shelf for 100 years?

Kroger sweet golden corn, 3rd ingredient sugar.

This Mott's apple sauce has 2 forms of sugar, high fructose and syrup.

I could go on and on pulling everything out of the pantry (which I did the other day out of shock and horror) but you get the picture. Just when did sugar creep into everything we eat? Take a note form Italy my fellow Americans, fresh is best. Easier said than done but totally worth it.

But hay, dentists, Congratulations!

Closing Night

Closing night. Awards given. Drinks had. Dancing done. Good-bye's said.

Looking forward to Sundance 2013...

Scene at Sundance

  Remember that volunteer appreciation video that Kenneth Cole was filming from my first day? Well, here is the finished product (Thank you Mark Curtis!). Love it!


We volunteers make some of our own movies too...

The Blistery Scene at Sundance: Around Town

Detective Origional Gansta

  Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Ice T (aka Tutuola) sing  O.G. Origional Gansta in a tiny art gallery turned stage with about 100 people. He's in town to talk about a documentary film he made with Chuck D about the rise of rap music and the rap artist. He was amaz-balls.

Found at Sundance: Day 2

I got a new tote made from the recycled banners from last years Sundance.

We're all making our own movie at the fastival, right?! P.S. "Look Again" is the theme this year. P.S.S. My friend Kellie is the model in the pic in the background, cool.

This guy came into the shop wearing a shirt from the 1987 Sundance Film Festival! Woo.

Found at Sundance

5 Tips on how to enjoy the festival.

Now this is how you tag your film guide, color coded. By day, intrest, and buzz-worthy?

First Look: Sundance Merchandise Shop

  I have spent days turning this plain hotel meeting room into a Pop-Up Sundance store. Here it is, the 2012 Sundance Offical Store, at Headquarters.

First Day at Sundance

  On my first day working at the Sundance Merchandise shop, Kenneth Cole and company came in to film a commercial! The craziness has begun. Those orange jackets were designed by Kenneth and given to all of the volunterrs and staff for the festival.

Door Series #56