PERFECT Northern California Weekend

Justin Herman Plaza -- Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt starting & ending point

PERFECT Northern California Weekend:

FRIDAY – After a long week, we dined with the family and had a quiet evening at home.

SATURDAY – We dropped kids off with our wonderful neighbors, drove to North Beach [the “Little Italy” of San Francisco]. We relished in lunch with friends Ronald & Grettel & Marco at Bottle Cap. The Humboldt Burger was amazing moist and flavorful. My husband consumed his Muscovy Duck Hash & (poached) Eggs with gusto.

Next we all joined our teammates Audrey & Tim for The Chinese New Year Treasure Hunt. This outing was our most successful year (out of six!) when it came to solving clues – we solved 16 of the 17 problems!

Classic cocktails at TOSCA in North Beach (Rye Manhattan & French 75)

Five hours after we began the hunt we rewarded ourselves with properly prepared classic cocktails at Tosca, followed by a memorable dinner at Vicoletto. My Vitello Piccata (Veal Piccata) hit the spot, and the Gnocchi (stuffed with ricotta & spinach no less!) & the Tagliatelle were lovely as well.

SUNDAY – Waking up knowing what lies ahead a few moments later: homemade waffles!! We ate them in the traditional way of our friends: with preserves, fresh berries & whipped cream.

Next on the agenda was a movie premiere of "SPY GIRLS" followed by an autograph session. (If you want some quality entertainment, click the link at the bottom of my blog to see the movie!)

Premiere viewing of “Spy Girls” in North Beach

Debating where to stop on the drive home, our gracious host suggested walking to Chinatown to pickup Dim Sum from Delicious Dim Sum. The fellas forgot the Year of the Dragon celebrations were still going strong, but after a short wait we were enjoying delicate and beautifully balanced bites of dim sum!

Take-out lunch from “Delicious Dim Sum”

A nice drive home led us to our kids. After dinner together and story time, the adults settled down to relax with a glass of red!

Boy is it fantastic to have such hospitable friends in one of the most peaceful, yet bustling neighborhoods in San Francisco!! Thank you and CHEERS to all who made this a FABULOUS weekend!!! --TC 2/12/2012

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**Helpful Links:

BOTTLE CAP -- 1707 Powell Street (near Union Street), NORTH BEACH - San Francisco, CA (415) 529-2237 http://www.bottlecapsf.com/
(same location of the now closed Washington Square Bar & Grill, or “The Washbag,” on Washington Square Park)

CHINESE NEW YEAR TREASURE HUNT -- http://sftreasurehunts.com/hunts/chinese_new_year/

DELICIOUS DIM SUM -- 752 Jackson Street (between Ross Alley & Duncombe Alley), CHINATOWN - San Francisco, CA (415) 781-0721

**Note: Ca$h ONLY & the menu is in Chinese.

SPY GIRLS -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7II4JjVhFw
Directed by Joe Vazquez. Story by Gabriella Kelly.

TOSCA – 214 Columbus Avenue (between Broadway & Pacific), NORTH BEACH - San Francisco, CA (415) 986-9651

VICOLETTO Italian Restaurant – 550 Green Street, NORTH BEACH - San Francisco, CA (415) 433-5800 http://www.vicolettosf.com/