All posts filed under: french cafe

French For A Day – Or A Day To Play French

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There is a restaurant (La Central)  in the corner of Grant and Bush in San Francisco, I haven’t been to for a while. Perhaps three years-unfortunately for me-because I had forgotten how wonderful the place is, not only because of the very French ambiance but for the food also. I normally take the same route to walk during my lunch break when I plan to shop near Union Square. But Tuesday last week, I decided to veer right, thinking I was going to go to Banana Republic to check out their clearance rack, instead I went in for lunch – dragging a good friend of mine with me.

Travel: Bordeaux, France

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I included Bordeaux a few years ago on one of my trips to France. But only because I was travelling by train at the time, and didn’t want to take long-haul train rides from Spain into France. So I used Bordeaux as a hub, spending only a day or two in a small hotel in the outskirts of the city. My loss I gather from this article detailing (just in time mind you because I was considering bypassing France on my next trip to Europe) eight reasons why we need to consider Bordeaux. {photo source}

Travel: European Cities To Add To Your Travel Plans

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I just got back from my annual trip to Europe in May, and I am already thinking about planning the next one. This year, my travel partner and I decided to change it up a bit, adding a few new destinations, seeking some adventure.  We opted for Lisbon, Porto, Edinburgh, back to Madrid, then through the norm, the French Rivera, and ending up in Paris. And I have to say it was the best decision we made. Based on the article here, I would like to say that I have to agree with Porto, Salzburg, Seville, Edinburgh, Bruges, Verona being underrated destinations, but most definitely places worth seeing and exploring. As for the rest of the places on the list, I need to add to my list of places to see. The problem is, I have to wait until 2016.      

travel: let’s meet at the seine river

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Every trip to Europe I discover something new. This could very well be because I go different times of the year. I’ve done February -October so far. So I am looking forward to the winter months, or maybe not. Anyway, this trip was in May (wow, was in May), and I have to say I loved the idea of flowers in full bloom, or starting to. I love the idea of outdoor cafes turning down their heat lamps, and most of all in Paris, I love walking along the Seine River, and discovering so much happening in one of my favorite parts of Paris. After walking from our hotel to the Eifel Tower, I descend the stairs leading to the river. Not to take a cruise mind you, but to walk along the water, to a different perspective about the city I love so much. The water’s edge is quieter, compared to the bustling city life several feet above, with the continuous flow of cars, buses, and always ambulances. Although there are cruise boats, and various stationary …

three bars and a cafe – san francisco – no 5

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I don’t know why, but recently I am in the mood to be in bars situated on a rooftop or the highest level of a building somewhere downtown. Perhaps because we’ve had clear skies for weeks, with 70 degree temperatures. I promise you I am not bragging, simply explaining my mood. So with that I’ve found three bars that fit the bill and a cafe, I happen to love, in an old-fashioned kind of way. Click on photo to be redirected:

having paris withdrawals

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While Tuesday was the first actual cold day in San Francisco. Let me clarify, Fall cold, because technically our summers are cold too. Anyway, while yesterday we got a taste of bitter cold, I couldn’t help but check the weather for Paris – something I crazily do on a daily basis to compare. It showed the same temperatures as we had in San Francisco. low 50s to cool 70s (F), throughout the day and I have to say, I smiled.  Although the two cities are often compared in so many ways, all I ever see are all the difference, favoring Paris all the way. Trivial you might say for this blog entry. I suppose. But just the thought of Paris makes me smile, any time of the year and I needed to express that right about now.

thoughts on vacations

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When I plan my annual trip, privately, and once confirmed send a global message to my co-workers announcing that I’ll be out of the office, some frown upon the fact, that I choose to travel. Although I respect their opinion, I cannot for the life of me understand how they go an entire year, without taking a single day off from work other than the usual weekends and company sponsored holidays. The ten days I spend away from the norm, not only revives my soul, it helps me think, plan and make a list of goals I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year. Not to mention the fact, gives me the courage to push for what I really want out of life. Call me crazy, but how do people go on, bypassing any type of vacation and saving their earned time off for a rainy day instead? On my last and only day in Paris to catch a flight back to the U.S. the sun came out miraculously from a week or more …

healthy recipe – fig chutney

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I have to admit, I love figs, fresh ones or otherwise. When they are in season, I gorge on them until I am sick to my stomach and just when I swear I wouldn’t eat  anymore, I find myself always in the gourmet section of a grocery store searching for anything made with figs. So, of course, it’s not a surprise that after finishing a jar of fig jam and eating a dozen or so fresh ones out of a basket, like an addict, I began a desperate search for fig chutney to make during the impending holiday season. A good excuse to eat figs again 🙂 Although I search the internet extensively for most any recipe to compare the ingredients so that I can create my own version, for the fig chutney, since it’s my first time making it,  I have decided to go with my favorite chef/author/connoisseur/online mentor if you will and follow the recipe he suggests to the exact just to make sure it’s the right balance in flavor. Fig Chutney Two …