The Original Soupman, Ana Mandara, Spring Cocktail Event, Scotch Tasting, Marin Greek Festival, Borders, Restaurant.com

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

The Original Soupman, yes, like the one from Seinfeld, has its first West Coast location here in San Francisco at the Fisherman’s Wharf.   Very exciting!  Word on the street is that Reggie Jackson, the company’s strategic advisor, was here for the opening.  Get some soup to go and head over to the Bushman to be amused!

Ana Mandara is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful restaurants in San Francisco.  It doesn’t hurt that they have delicious food and great cocktails to go with it (the foie gras is one of the best in the city).  Right now you can get a 3 course meal for 2 for $59 or an appetizer tasting for 2 for $39.  This one is a no brainer.

Farmer’s Market Spring Cocktail Night at the CUESA Kitchen in the Ferry Building takes place Wednesday, May 25th from 5:40-7:30.  You will sample many innovative cocktails as well as snack on delicious food.  Get your tickets here.

Do you fancy yourself a Scotch connoisseur?  Cafe Des Amis is having a Scotch tasting next Thursday, May 26th in their private dining room where the brand’s expert director ambassador will be pouring some of the rarest Glenrothes whiskeys available.  In addition to all the tastings, you will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and a Glenrothes cocktail.  Get your tickets here.

The Marin Greek Festival is next weekend, May 27-29th in Novato.  Besides having authentic Greek food and live music, several local wineries will be there showcasing their best.  For $10, you can get a voucher to taste from 7 different wineries on Friday, May 27th.  Need one more reason to go?  5% of the proceeds are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay.  Drinking for a cause is what its all about.

Borders has a 50% off coupon for in stores (if there are any left) or use the code BYE7070P for online shopping. 

Get 70% off at Restaurant.com by using the code PLATE.

Happy eating and drinking this weekend!

Food, Shopping, Social Events

Swimsuits and Food Trucks

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

I know, I know.  The 2 go together like ebony and ivory.  And it’s about time someone wrote about them together.

Neiman Marcus is having a swimsuit sale right now, 25% off their regular priced swim suits for women, men and children.

Vix Swimwear is designed by a native Brazilian and we know they know their swimsuits.  One of my favorite swimsuit lines, you can get a voucher for $100 worth of merchandise for $50.  Just in time for the summer…

Today is the kickoff for Food Truck Crush at the Larkspur Ferry parking lot.  Food trucks will include the Rib Whip, Curry Up Now, Dessert Bar, Sift Cupcakes, Pizza Politano, Suzie Q Lunchbox, and Three Twins Ice Cream.  There will also be live music and its happening today and every Friday thru September from 4-8pm.

Off the Grid is a much bigger food truck gathering located at Fort Mason from 5-10pm.  Food trucks include some of the above plus Roli Roti (the porchetta sandwich is scrumptious), Kara’s Cupcakes (delish), Le Truc, Let’s Be Frank, The Taco Guys and many others.  They have various other locations during the week.

Food, Shopping

Happy Hours and Such

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

We may not have nearly as many Happy Hours as Portland or Seattle but the Bay Area does have a good ones if you know where to go.  Here are some local happy hours that should help the week go by a little quicker!

Grande Cafe and Bar (Monday-Friday, 3-7pm; in the bar) at the Hotel Monaco on Geary and Taylor is one of my all time favorite restaurants.  Besides making me feel like I am back in Paris, they have the best banana cream pie in the whole wide world.  Yes, that good.  Happy hour offers bar bites such as oysters on the half shell, flatbread and salmon tartare ($3-$7) and house wine for $5. Go in on a Monday and mention the secret word “Moulin Rouge” to your server and get 50% off bar food items.

Cafe Des Amis (Monday-Friday, 3-6pm; bar, lounge or outside bistro tables) on Union Street is another restaurant that takes me back to Paris (ok so maybe I’m a bit of a Francophile).  It looks and feels just like a Parisian Cafe and the food is just as good.  Their happy hour offers a daily selection of beers for $2.50, glass of wine for $5, $1 0ysters, Charcuterie Tasting ($10), Cheese Tasting ($12) and burger, fries and glass of wine for $19.  Not to mention the bartenders and servers are super fun and friendly.  Like you needed more of a reason to hang out here.

Comstock Saloon (Monday-Friday, 11:30-2:30pm) is located in a historic space on Columbus Ave near Jackson Square that has been serving up drinks since 1907.  For those of you who like to have a drink (or 2) on their lunch break before going back to work, this is your go-to spot.  Buy 2 full price drinks and get a free lunch.  Who would turn down a free lunch?

Beast and the Hare (Wednesday-Friday, 6-7:30pm) recently opened on Guerrero in the Mission and is likened to a London gastropub.  Their happy hour offers appetizers like root beer lamb sliders, spicy wings,  deviled eggs and fried pickles.  Wash these down with $4 draft beers, $3 cans and $5 house wine.

Horizons (Monday-Friday, 4-7pm) is right on the water in Sausalito and offers one of the most stunning views of the Bay Area.  Pop in for happy hour and you have your pick of $5 items like nachos, fish tacos, sliders with fries, chicken skewers and roasted garlic with cambozola and chutney.  Pair it with $4 beers, $5 wine of the day or $4 well drinks.

Balboa Cafe (Tuesday-Friday, 3-6pm) in Mill Valley is known for its burger but I could just eat the warm bread and butter and be just fine.  If bread and butter isn’t your thing, their happy hour offers other appetizers like Buttermilk Chicken Lollipops, Calamari Fritti, Chicken or Vegetables Quesadillas (all $5) and Balboa Sliders.  Drink specials include $5 chardonnay, merlot, sparkling wine, bloody marys, well drinks and $4 draught beers.  Be ready to see some cougars in action.

More to come next week….

Food, Social Events

Saks Fifth Avenue, Spruce Burger, E&0 Trading Company, Salsa Classes, Orbitz, AMC Movie Tix

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Saks Fifth Avenue is having their weekly Fashion Fix right now on all their bright colored dresses and accessories.  This sale ends tomorrow at 9am.  Free shipping with orders $150 or more with the code SHIPMAY.

If you haven’t been to Spruce yet in Laurel Heights, now is the time to go try it out.  And what better way than to try the Spruce burger (voted in the Top 10 best in SF), a Niman Ranch made to order burger on a homemade English muffin with pickled red onions, zucchini and housemade aioli.  Right now you can get the Spruce burger served with Kennebec fries, 2 super premium scotch cocktails and a taste of Glenrothes 1975 for just $45 but act quick before this deal ends.  Are you ready to fall in love?

E&O Trading Company in the city is known for its delicious Asian fusion cuisine in a fun environment.  Get a 4 course meal for 2 with 2 cocktails for $59, which is more than half off. You start with an order of their famous corn fritters (Brian Boitano mentioned them on Best Thing I Ever Ate), then choose 2 appetizers, 2 entrees and share a dessert.  Buy this deal now and try it out with a friend next week!

There is nothing hotter than a girl (or guy) that knows how to salsa dance.  And luckily for you, you can start learning without breaking the bank.  For $30, you can get a 4 week dance class at their studios in San Francisco or in the East Bay.  Soon you’ll be dancing like Kate Gosselin on Dancing With the Stars…

Orbitz has Memorial Day deals going on right now.  Get 5% off your hotel stay by using the code MEMORIAL5

Today only you can get 4 AMC movie tickets for just $30.  Click here before the deal ends.

Food, Shopping, Social Events, Travel , , ,

World’s Most Expensive Pho

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

​The AnQi Phở is no piddling bowl of broth, noodle and tendon, gulped down in some Westminster dive at 2 a.m. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.) This is phở of another caliber, and at a minimum cost of $5,000 per bowl, it’s definitely meant to be savored. Made with A5 Wagyu beef, white alba truffles, a foie gras broth, hand-raised bean sprouts and “noodles” created, through some sort of gastronomic wizardry, from rare blue lobster meat, it’s quite likely the world’s most expensive bowl of soup.

This staple of Vietnamese cooking, elevated here with luxury ingredients, will be auctioned off at the Bash Benefactor Dinner on Friday. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Hospitals of Los Angeles and Orange County as well as the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

Bidding for the bowl of soup starts at $5,000, but will only go up from there. Don’t worry if you can’t attend the invitation-only dinner and auction, held at Tiato, a Vietnamese café opened last summer in Santa Monica as part of the House of An, the group that owns Crustacean in Beverly Hills (they also own the one on Polk Street). The $5,000 AnQi Phở will also be featured on Crustacean’s permanent menu with proceeds continuing to benefit the Children’s Hospital.

Food

Michael McDonald, Food Trucks, Fandango, Monterey Excursions, Banana Republic

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 4

Ahhh, you’re half way there.  Time to start planning what to do this weekend.  And why not start the weekend tomorrow?  Michael McDonald, from Madtv, is in town tomorrow thru Saturday at Cobb’s Comedy Club.  You can score tickets for as low as $9.  If you’re lucky he will do his Stuart impression…

Are you in need of a mellow Friday?  How about dinner and a movie?  SF has Off the Grid at Fort Mason from 5-10pm where a bunch of delicious food trucks come together in one place.  Marin has their own version, Food Truck Crush, launching this Friday at the Larkspur Ferry Terminal.  It will be held every Friday from 4-8pm thru September.  For the movie, Fandango is giving 2 for 1 tickets for most shows this Friday for all Visa Signature holders.  Use this link to get your tickets now!

Thinking of taking a quick day trip to Monterey?  Right now you can get half off a Monterey Bay Whale Watch tour that is led by marine biologists.  Get your tickets now to see whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea birds before this deal expires tomorrow evening.

If whale watching sounds a little slow for your tastes, Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca may be right up your alley.  You can get tickets for this event, May 20-22, right now for $12.50.  Deal expires tonight at midnight…

Got your eye on something at Banana Republic?  Go into any of their stores on May 19th for the After 5 Event and get 25% off any purchase over $100.  The Corte Madera store and the Grant Ave store in SF will also be offering complimentary refreshments to keep you hydrated while you shop.  If you can’t make it into the store, you can use the code BRAFTER5 online.

Food, Shopping, Social Events , , , ,

Bloomingdales, Saks 5th Ave, Last Call, Shoes.com, Gap and SF Giants

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Bloomingdale’s is having a quick 12 hour sale that ends tonight at midnight.  What are you doing still reading this?

Not to be outdone, Saks Fifth Avenue is also having a secret sale on denim and designer tees that ends tomorrow at 9am.  Here is your invite!

And not to be left out, Last Call by Neiman Marcus is giving an extra 30% off women’s apparel, shoes and handbags as well as men’s sportswear.

Shoes.com is offering an extra 25% off all shoes that are already on sale.  The sale ends today.  Use promo code 25SHOES.

Get 25% off at Gap when you use your Visa card, now thru May 27.  Just use the code VISACARD

If you are in need of updating your SF Giants wardrobe, now is the time.  Their MLB shop is offering 15% off an order of $75 or more, 20% off an order of $100 or more and 25% off an order of $150 or more.  Just in time for the Giants/Marlins game next Tuesday…

Have I provided enough reasons to shop?!

 

Shopping, Social Events

Wellington’s Wine Bar, Uncorked, and TAPAS Wine Tasting

Posted on May 14, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Ahhhh the weekend is finally here!  Now you can kick back and have a glass of wine and a panini at Wellington’s Wine Bar in Sausalito.  Wellington’s is right on the waterfront with amazing views and an even better ambiance.  There are several couches to relax on or if you’re feeling a little frisky, challenge your friends to a game of scrabble.  They also have a small deck which is perfect for this weather.  Click here to get 2 paninis and 2 glasses of wine for $25 and plan on having a fun day in Saus!

For all you winos, you are in luck!  There are a couple of wine events coming up so you can taste to your hearts content:

The 6th annual Uncorked! is coming up on May 21st in Ghiradelli Square. It is a free event with live music, wine seminars and chef demonstrations.   If you want to participate in the wine tastings, tickets are $50.

The 4th annual TAPAS Wine Tasting event is coming up the 1st week of June.  Right now you can get tickets to this event on Sunday, June 5th for $30 instead of the regular price of $60.  Do you need more convincing?

And don’t forget, the SF OysterFest is today and Bay to Breakers is tomorrow.  Have fun, be safe, and wear sunscreen!

Food, Social Events

Sol Food for 50% off!!!

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 2

For you Marinites (and even those in SF and the East Bay), this is a deal you can’t pass up.  Everyone I know loves Sol Food and for those who don’t, I definitely question our friendship.  Right now you can get $20 of Sol Food for $10 by clicking here.  Get it now before the deal expires in 15 hours.  Mmmm bisteca combo with tostones and hot sauce…mmmmm

Food

NM Last Call, Shopbop.com, Gap, Free Tix at Cobbs, Giants vs Marlins & Sonoma Jazz+ Festival

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Miss Babbles | Permalink 0

Well you’ve reached the hump of the week and I see you are just itching to do something to make this day go by faster.  Miss Babbles to the rescue!

Neiman Marcus Last Call is giving 25% off when you 2 or more items.  Last Call is Neiman’s outlet store so you are already getting great prices for designer brands.

Shopbop.com is holding their Friends and Family event right now until tomorrow.  You get 15% off everything by using the code INTHEFAMILY15.

Gap is offering 30% off all Women’s and Men’s styles and 15% off Gap Kids, Babies and Maternity wear.  Use the code GETGAPNOW.  Ends 5/13.

Free tickets for Cobbs Comedy Club tonight at 8pm!  The Bay Area’s top comics will be in the house so click here and get your tickets before they are gone!

Cheer on our beloved World Champion San Francisco Giants as they play the Florida Marlins on Wednesday, May 24th at 7:15pm.  Get Lower Box Left Field tickets for $20 and have extra money for hot dogs and Irish Nachos.

Sonoma Jazz+ Festival is coming up and you can score cheap tickets for the events on Sunday, May 22nd.  For $75, spend a Sunday in downtown Sonoma at two awesome events in one, featuring six bands, five venues, 12 wineries, and four New Orleans brunch food tastings.  Score tickets here until they are gone next Wednesday.

 

Shopping, Social Events