SFBayStyle

Seeking Sassy Women Biz Owners for CRAVE Guide 2009!

Girl Power indeed. Seems small businesses and mostly female entrepreneurs are going to be the ones to get us out of the economic crisis, by everything I've been reading. And what better way to not only promote small business but celebrate the sassiest, boldest and most innovative women biz owners in the Bay Area than with The CRAVE Guide 2009: An Urban Girl's Manifesto. This 2nd edition has been completely redesigned and it looks gorgeous. This book highlights the women you need to know across the Bay Area and their businesses: shops, boutiques, salons, online marketplaces, interior designers, stylists, photographers, graphic designers, B2B businesses, etc.  It's an amazing (and cost effective) way to invest in press and marketing so that you are ripe to take advantage when the economy recovers. And the book will be seen in all the most fashionable shops and businesses around town, as well as Barnes and Noble and Borders!

Here's a peek at the Seattle one that just came out - how lovely is that?!: http://craveparty.com/book/seattlepeek.htm

Fashion for the Rest of Us

Runway style for real women?  Could be the time has finally come. Recently, the Wall Street Journal discussed the runway trends at NY's Fashion Week and noted the return of attire that real women could actually wear to the office.  While wearability versus art will always be a source of friction amongst fashion experts, designers like Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs exhibited lots of inspired hot looks that could be taken to the workplace.  Ample coverage, lack of sheer tops, bold accessories. Sure, there were feathers galore this year but some designers stretched their creative muscle by combining style with sensibility. That's encouraging to hear.

We all know the shows are part fantasy and drama and part creative expression and that today's runway dares will morph into tomorrow's pared-down flavors at Nordstom, but it's nice to see designers embracing the needs of real women from the get-go.  Now we can sport runway looks without the "inspired by" label and maintain the desiner's original vision that drew us to the fashion in the first place.

What do you think?  Should Fashion Week be an art forum or a wearable fashion forum?

Lunchtime in Provence

I've been here in SF eight years, and just stumbled upon the cutest hidden gem: historic South Park. I always knew the general area, but when a friend invited me to lunch on South Park Street I actually turned left off of 3rd Street to an area that could have been somewhere in Europe.

South Park Street is a crowded loop of a street that encircles a small grassy park and playground, with nestled houses and cafes dotting the entire circle. Our destination? The Butler and the Chef, an homage to every countryside French bistro ever in existence. Old road signs dot the walls, enamel bistro tables out front, vintage French travel posters for menu covers, the whole nine yards. Their motto: Our food is simple, yet epicurean. Where has this place been all my life?!

They have all the classics you want and need. French Onion soup, quiche of the day, crepes, duck confit, croque monsiers...I could go on and on. They even carry a selection of baguette sandwiches, such as the Parisien with Niman Ranch ham, french butter and cornichons. High cholesterol never looked so good.

My friend and I both opted for Croque Mademoiselle - a twist on the old favorite with baked smoked turkey instead of ham, and emmenthal cheese on organic whitebread with crème fraîche and cornichons. We went nuts and said yes to the tomato upgrade, which was a hearty slice of heirloom tomato rested on the sandwich, sprinkled with herbs de provence. The sandwiches are served with a side of mixed green salad dancing in a light vinaigrette and in some cases, a cup of soup.

My sandwich was perfectly toasted to a golden-brown crunchiness, the crème fraîche and cheese melted oh-so-perfectly and the sour crunchiness of the cornichons in between bites broke it all up. It was just......yum. Adding the charm, the friendly French chef came out and chatted us up, and even showed us some lovely heirloom tomatoes from the kitchen. They were gorgeous and plump, in shades of red-orange and yellow-white.

TBATC also offers a variety of daily-baked breads and pastries, and most everything in the place is made from 100% organic, all natural ingredients. Even your bill comes with a tasty treat: bite-sized chocolate truffles. To make you feel even better about your future heart attack, the restaurant is very community-minded and eco-friendly. They are a certified San Francisco Green Business (whatever that means) and also support a wide array of charities and causes. I wish I had more time to check this place out for dinner and I assume the wine list is killer, but that might have to wait for my first visit as an out-of-towner!

Rosebud Revisited - Peter Finch & Thunderbird Theatre Production in SF

What do H. G. Wells, Orson Welles, Huey Lewis and Tom Stoppard have in common? "Aaah! Rosebud," a new play by KFOG News Director, Peter Finch, directed by Dylan Russell and produced by the Thunderbird Theatre Company. A comedy of Evil Dead proportions, featuring an "evil sled" (often referred to as a "she-devil" by multiple characters in the play), the play takes us "Back in Time" to retell the story of Citizen Kane, where a collection of crafty champion curlers fight a killer cabal.

The theme of the play twists the tale on why Kane's final word was "Rosebud", taking it in a comedic direction vs. a serious one. Finch, a veteran actor for the Thunderbird Theatre Company, wrote the play with the theatre company and several of their regular actors in mind according to the Chronicle article. He acts splendidly in the two roles he plays. My husband, brought up in Michigan, was cracking up at his Canadian curler accent as Mack.

Yield Wine Bar in DogPatch - Eco & Excellent

Saturday night, Maria, who sadly will be leaving SF to move to Seattle soon, invited us to try out Yield Wine Bar in Dog Patch in San Francisco. The unimposing, natural wood atmosphere made us feel at home immediately.

Yield is proud to be the "first and only 'green' wine bar in San Francisco" and their organic wine list is rotated frequently. I had an excellent 2004 Sangiovese from San Vito in the Chianti region of Italy and my husband enjoyed a complex 2004 California blend of Grenache, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Mourvedre called "Steelhead Red" by Quiviara in Dry Creek. Yield also serves some amazing appetizers - their flat breads are amazing as were the beans and chocolate.

A Little Bit of Italy

My Italian blood constantly seeks out new and exciting takes on my homeland cuisine.  And once again, the Marina has delivered (meaning, if you have not yet been to Parma on Steiner Street you must leave your computer right now and run) My husband and I recently tried Cappannina on Union and Laguna and it is belissimo.  Ignore the boring website they have and get in there. 

A funky, clean vibe greets you in this upscale casual eatery, along with authentic Italian waiters and homemade pasta that will made your head spin.  And do not get up from the table until you've tried the Bufalo Mozzarella and tomato salad.  I tend to live on this dish in the summer, but the cheese was so thick and creamy, it was almost like custard.  Mmmmmmm.  If I sound bossy on this post, it's because I grew up with Nonna's cooking and I know from what I speak.  This is a perfect spot to bring visiting parents, go on a first date (ask for the curtained nook in the back corner like we had), or celebrate a birthday with a small group.