Don’t worry, get happy at happy hour

Golden Hour Oysters at The Dorian. Photo: The Dorian

San Francisco’s restaurants have had a heck of a time staying open during the pandemic. Restrictions on indoor dining, social distancing, and masking have made it especially tou... Read More

Avocado toast options from Toasty. Photo: facebook.com/toastysf

Modern Eating

Get out for a bit o’ brekkie

By Julie Mitchell

Going out for dinner is always a special treat, and eating lunch anywhere but in our own kitchens is welcome. Even a quick burrito from a taco truck qualifies as an adventure. ... Read More

Bone marrow, tiger prawns, and pork chop at Wilder. Photo: Albert Law

New & Notable

Make new friends, but keep the old

Visit updated neighborhood favorites and explore the new ones

By Julie Mitchell

Now that pandemic restrictions have ended, it’s the perfect time to check out the local restaurant scene. Along with quite a few new spots, several old favorites have remodeled ... Read More

Fitness

Get buff without bulk: The benefits of strength training

By Julie Mitchell

Whether it’s due to gaining the “Covid-19 19,” or you just want to get in shape for the summer, many of us are eager to get back to our workout routines. That can be as simp... Read More

A sampling of Spanish pinxtos available at Red Window. PHOTO: Marc Fiorito, Gamma Nine Photography

Dining

Mother’s Day 2021: A celebration for moms and families together at last

By Julie Mitchell

Last year, Mother’s Day fell near the start of the pandemic, so virtually all celebrations were, well, virtual. Going out for brunch or dinner was impossible. Now that restau... Read More

Exercising at home has its challenges. Photo: AnnaStills

Fitness

When a self-declared gym rat couldn’t hit the gym

By Julie Mitchell

Before times, I was a dedicated gym rat and yogi. I used cardio and weight equipment at my gym at least three times a week, took exercise classes several times a week, and two or ... Read More

Wellness

A potpourri of solutions to combat pandemic fatigue

By Julie Mitchell

Now that it’s been a full year since pandemic-related shutdowns and shelter-in-place began, we are all pretty much suffering from what’s been termed “Covid fatigue.” Even ... Read More

Christopher Elbow offers artful chocolate gifts. Photo: facebook.com/elbowchocolates

Modern Eating

Go virtual this Valentine’s Day

Cooking classes and more to inspire your at-home celebration

By Julie Mitchell

While some think that Valentine’s Day is a “throwaway” holiday, true romantics like to shower their sweethearts with chocolate, flowers, and intimate dinners or weekend geta... Read More

Online and premium wine sales have surged during the pandemic. Photo: Feverpitched

Wine World

Raise a glass to 2020

It wasn’t all bad for California wine

By Julie Mitchell

It’s a huge understatement to say that 2020 was a rough year, and California’s wine industry suffered multiple crises — the pandemic that closed winery tasting rooms, weeks ... Read More

Modern Eating

Create a sparkling holiday table for a smaller celebration

By Julie Mitchell

There’s no getting around it; our holidays will look different this year. Celebrations will be smaller and gatherings more intimate — if they happen at all. But regardless of ... Read More

Dining

Pack a picnic to go

North Beach area offers a variety of choices

By Julie Mitchell

September usually brings the warm weather that San Franciscans crave all summer long, making it the perfect time to pack a picnic and head outside for a casual meal at the park or... Read More

Fitness

Keep moving, stay healthy

By Julie Mitchell

After three months of sheltering in place, we have developed some degree of cabin fever and crankiness; psychologists refer to it as “quarantine fatigue” — the stress that c... Read More

Modern Eating

Dining during shelter in place

Takeout and delivery options from your neighborhood restaurants

By Julie Mitchell

As California’s shelter-in-place rules continue, most of us have developed new routines to cope with the stress of working, exercising, parenting, and especially, cooking at hom... Read More

Dining

Had it with home cooking?

Restaurant pickup and delivery services to the rescue

By Julie Mitchell

San Francisco is famous for its fine restaurants, and urban dwellers, travelers, and other Bay Area residents love to dine out in the city. Everything from the food trucks at Off ... Read More

Charmed by Calistoga

A San Franciscan’s transition from city dweller to country girl

By Julie Mitchell

When I told people that I was moving to Calistoga last September after 30 years of living in the city, once they recovered from the shock, many mentioned how wonderful Napa is. But... Read More

Julie Mitchell