With names like Cardinal Zin and The Heart Has Its Rieslings, you can tell that this is a winery that doesn’t take itself too seriously. So it’s no surprise that the Bonny Doon tasting room is inviting and lacking in pretension — ideal for a wine neophyte like myself. On a recent visit, my small group was treated to a staffer attempting to complete an entire tasting while wearing an eye-patch and talking like a pirate. (You won’t find that in Napa!)

So yes, you can come here and have a good time, but what about the wine? Behind the tasting room’s offbeat ambiance are some great, unique wines at reasonable prices. And the staff is actually as knowledgeable as it is friendly.

Bonny Doon’s tasting room sells over 30 wines, and pours about 10 daily. The Big House Red, Sangiovese and Malvasia Bianca are a few favorites. If there’s one you just have to try and it isn’t listed as one of the day’s offerings, just ask; there’s a good chance they’ll accommodate your special request.

For me, the best part of the tasting is the finale: Shots of the raspberry-infused Frambois are served in small, dark chocolate cups. Both the Frambois and the cups are available for purchase. The combination is certain to impress at your next dinner party … Especially if you can serve them with an eye-patch on, without spilling.

Bonny Doon Vineyard
10 Pine Flat Road
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 425-4518

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If you’re like me, you usually show up at a restaurant famished and eager to take your seat. But at Cortez, a little waiting at the bar isn’t such a bad thing. The bartenders are friendly, serve up delicious cocktails, and even offer bowls of rosemary popcorn for you to snack on. (Much better than plain ol’ peanuts!) Just remember not to fill up on the popcorn because once your table is ready, you’re in for a real culinary treat.

The menu is comprised of small plates that are meant to be shared. If you like sashimi, start with an order of the daily crudo — fresh, marinated fish served raw. The soups also change regularly, and are served in a pair of shot glasses.

My favorite dishes here include the beet salad, chicken breast and shortribs. But even if none of those items were on the menu, I would come here simply for the fries. Served with harissa and zaatar spiced mayonnaises, they are some of the best in the city. Seriously.

Again, while inhaling the small plates, remind yourself not to fill up. The desserts here are phenomenal. The mikshake shots are too cute to resist. (I’ve had the butterscotch and the chocolate malt — both delicious.) The sugar and spice beignets, served with Vahlrona chocolate for dipping, are also high on my list of recommendations. But the stand-out on the dessert menu is the chocolate-peanut butter truffle cake with caramel ice-cream and peanut praline. It is plate-licking good.

From the hostess to the bartender to the servers, the service at Cortez is friendly and efficient. The plates come to the table one at a time, so you can easily pace yourself. The decor is a little funky (cork-tiled columns, mobiles hanging from the ceiling), but I didn’t notice it too much — I was way too focused on devouring the dishes in front of me.

Cortez (in the Hotel Adagio)
550 Gear Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-6360

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After a morning spent shopping downtown, take a break and enjoy Afternoon Tea at the Rotunda Restaurant. Located on the fourth floor of Neiman Marcus — with sweeping views of Union Square — it is the perfect place for a pot of tea and a bite to eat.

The restaurant is a haven from the bustling area outside. Plush red chairs, comfortable curved booths and white tablecloths provide further confirmation that you have stepped into another world — away from the harried shoppers, cable cars and tourists. Just above the restaurant is a spectacular glass dome comprised of over 26,000 pieces. “The Glass Ship” is an architectural beauty that was originally installed in the City of Paris, a legendary San Francisco store built in 1909.

In addition to an assortment of black, green and herbal brews, the Rotunda offers an array of small sandwiches and sweets. All are beautifully presented on a multi-tiered server.

Somewhere along the way — between bites of smoked salmon, cucumber, fruit tartlets and scones — you’ll realize that this tea break has left your mind, body and appetite completely satisfied.

Afternoon Tea
Daily: Seatings between 2:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Rotunda Restaurant (in Neiman Marcus)
150 Stockton Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
( 415) 362-4777

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When I went to Europe for my honeymoon, we couldn’t get away from Zara. Every city we visited had one. A few months later, I spotted Zara in Hong Kong as well. Then New York City. And Los Angeles. So what about San Francisco?!

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one thinking that. In the summer of 2005, the Spanish retailer finally brought its affordable and trendy clothes to the Bay Area. Zara’s Union Square store offers women’s, men’s and children’s clothing. For women, the wardrobe options runs the gamut here — from jeans and t-shirts, to tailored wool overcoats and evening dresses. Be on the lookout for accessories as you weave through the racks and shelves.

Given its moderate prices, it’s no surprise that the three-story shop is usually bustling. My only complaint is that they tend to be low on small sizes (I found this to be true at other Zaras I’ve visited, too). But, if you can fit into the children’s sizes — which go up to size 16 — you should definitely check out that department for even better pricing on clothing and shoes.

Zara
250 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 399-6930

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For nearly a decade now, Firecracker has been offering a contemporary take on the traditional Chinese cuisine. Everyone from local hipsters to young families comes to this 50-seat restaurant — as much for the food as for the ambiance. Marionettes and lanterns festooned with firecrackers hang from the ceiling. The predominantly red space is cozy and inviting; tables are a bit close to each other, but that just adds to the energy here.

One of the biggest complaints about Chinese food is that it can be too greasy. Not so at Firecracker. The spicy calamari, which is sauteed with spinach, is a favorite appetizer. The pork dumplings, wrapped in wonton wrappers, are served with cinnamon-infused soy sauce. For the main course, the salmon is delicious. It’s flash-fried with garlic and wine, then topped with Asian pears. The walnut prawns — which, thankfully, aren’t too sweet — are usually my contribution to the meal when a group of us order family-style.

The dishes here are moderately-priced, so you get a lot of bang for your buck. It may not be as cheap as your average Chinese take-out spot, but Firecracker is definitely above-average and worth spending a little more.

Firecracker
1007-1/2 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 642-3470

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Thanks to Shoe Biz, the Upper Haight may be the city’s best destination for fashionable footwear. On any given day, owners Nooshin and Mehran Esmaili’s trio of stores — each with its own distinct personality — are teeming with shoppers in search of the coolest gear around.

The original Shoe Biz opened its doors in 1979 and has succeeded thanks to its affordable, stylish selection and good customer service. Trendy brands such as Steve Madden, N.Y.L.A., Sugar and Rocket Dog can be found here. For the best in sneakers — from Adidas to New Balance to Puma — there’s Shoe Biz II (also known as Dino Store, in honor of the mascot that sits on the sidewalk in front of it). Those in need of something dressier should head to Super Shoe Biz, which is home to high-end designers.

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Housed in a former bowling alley, Amoeba is considered one of the best indie music stores in the country. Its tens of thousands of new and used CDs, cassettes and records cover every genre you can think of — including jazz, pop, folk, classical, rock, rap, punk, hip-hop and R&B. Rare posters and videos can also be found here.

With two locations in the Bay Area (the original opened in Berkeley in 1990), Amoeba’s appeal goes beyond the massive selection of music. It’s not uncommon to hear DJs spinning in the background, and there are even free in-store performances by major recording artists. If you’re looking to update your personal music inventory, you can trade in your tired tunes for cash or store credit. Not sure what to do with that credit? Ask the very friendly and knowledgeable staff.

While you’re snaking through the check-out line, browse the deeply discounted music near the registers. You may be surprised by what a few bucks can get you.

Want another reason to love this place? A portion of Amoeba’s profits go to the Rainforest Action Network — music to any shopper’s ears.

TIP: Parking is available for Amoeba customers at the Kezar lot (entrance on Frederick and Stanyan). When you check out, be sure to get your parking ticket validated. It’s good for one hour of free parking.

Amoeba
1855 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 831-1200

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