Recently in San Francisco Category

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region. This past week, she has been reporting on dining in San Francisco.

I always bring an eager appetite to San Francisco - the city that my husband and I both adore. We were so sad to learn that Michael Mina's in the Westin St. Francis stopped serving afternoon tea, but dinner there is exquisite. The Palace Hotel on New Montgomery St. is our home away from home. Everytime we walk into the lobby, gaze up at the amazing atrium and feel so privileged to be at such a grand and glorious hotel where over a hundred years ago Hawaii's King David Kalakaua also stayed. One day I'll bring my parents here as well. My father, a Cal Berkeley grad, says he visited The Palace once during the prom (did colleges have proms back then?), but never stayed there.

Dim sum at Yank Sing, gingerbread cupcakes from Miette, fresh seafood from Swan Oyster Depot and little plates from Cortez are all on our regular Bay itinerary. We also never leave San Francisco without making our faithful pilgrimage (on BART no less) to Rockridge to hand-carry home 10 pounds of Italian almond cookies from Market Hall Bakery to share with friends and family.

Candice Kraughto is the director of public relations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and thelobby.com's expert on the region. This week, she reports on dining in San Francisco.

The first time I tasted parsnips was at XYZ restaurant in the very chic, but cozy W San Francisco. I was having dinner with media and some colleagues from Hawaii including Sumithra and Chef Bart from The Westin Maui Resort & Spa. Chef Bart had just completed a live on-air cooking segment earlier on ABC San Francisco KGO-TV's "View from the Bay." We sat around an elegant round table near the window looking out at 3rd Avenue. The parsnips were positively delicious - why had I never eaten parsnips before? I called my husband excitedly later that night, "It had a savory taste between a creamy potato and a carrot," I raved. I dreamed of eating those parsnips again.

Was it just me? Or do most of people who grow up in Hawaii seldom have an opportunity to experience parsnip perfection? Macaroni and cheese is another mystery.

There's nothing like the beauty of the San Francisco Bay area, with its hilly terrain and expansive water views that seem to go on forever. If it's been a while since you've paid a visit, the time might be right to get reacquainted. The Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends. Located in Emeryville, just across the bay from San Francisco, the hotel is convenient to some of the area's greatest attractions. Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf are just ten miles away and well-served by public transportation, eliminating the need to find a parking spot. In nearby Oakland, meanwhile, literature fans can retrace the steps of Jack London by visiting his namesake square and some of his favorite haunts. And for those ready to hit the high seas on a fishing expedition, Emeryville Sportfishing is a short walk from the hotel, offering a variety of adventures on a fleet of modern boats. The Four Points by Sheraton San Francisco Bay Bridge is only one of more than fifty participating Starpicks hotels and resorts this week, so check the list to find the destination that's calling your name.

There's simply no bad time for a trip to San Francisco. No matter what the weather decides to do, the city has a warmth and dynamism that makes every visit exciting and memorable. So if you feel like spending some quality time in San Francisco in the very near future, click on over to the Starpicks site. The W San Francisco is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, so it won't take too much green to find yourself in the "City by the Bay." The W San Francisco is located in the trendy SoMa (South of Market) neighborhood, just steps from some of the city's greatest attractions. Start your day with a stroll through nearby Union Square, with its many shops and galleries, and then enjoy some Far East cuisine for lunch in Chinatown. A springtime afternoon is perfect for a visit to Fisherman's Wharf or Ghirardelli Square, but if you're looking for something a bit more offbeat, check out the Exploratorium. This quirky museum dedicated to "science, art, and human perception" is located in the Palace of Fine Arts, and features interactive exhibits ranging from the Tactile Dome and the Mind Collection to the off-site Wave Organ, a wave-activated acoustic sculpture located on a jetty in the bay. It's out of this world. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list often to find the destination that's right for you.

Jaime Gottlieb is the Manager of Online Communications for the Luxury Brands Group and thelobby.com's source on all happenings at W Hotels.

Introducing the latest in Whatever/Whenever® services, W Hotels and Acura have announced an exclusive partnership for W Hotels guests. The 300-horsepower Acura MDX, the preferred vehicle of W Hotels Worldwide, is ready to show you the town from a whole new perspective.

Starting in 2008, W guests can request their ride in select W Hotels. Whether it’s shopping on 5th Avenue, a ride down Rodeo Drive or a swift lift to Bourbon Street, bring your sensory experience along. Just dial the Acura Ambassador or Whatever/Whenever, reserve a complimentary ride and enjoy an SUV stocked with W essentials like Tidy Towels, Wish magazines and signature W music. To help guide you along your way, the MDX is filled with technologically advanced amenities like the Acura Navigation System with on-demand Zagat® reviews. Find where you’re going and the perfect entrée to order once you get there. The Acura Experience is ready to whisk you away at all W Hotels in the U.S., starting April 1, 2008.