City Love

Reason #90

Reason #90 - Only living 8 hours away from Vegas by car. Not sure if I'm serious about that or kidding about it.

This weekend was nuts.

It went from happy hour at Bacar to Gallery Lounge to cheesesteaks to the BELLAGIO. We decided to drive to Vegas. Which is kinda crazy now that we think about it.

Sometimes you just gotta be spontaneous.

I'm the person who likes to be prepared, plan in advance, and I pack my suitcase a week before I leave on a trip. But this weekend I wasn't prepared, we didn't plan in advance, and we threw everything in the car right before taking off.

So epic. Right?

I've been wanting to take a road trip for awhile. It was a great way to get away for a weekend, and completely forget about everything else. 

From a 3 hour champagne brunch (we got every dollar's worth and then some) to losing money at the Palms, I'd have to say this was one of the best weekends I've had in a loonnnnnng time.

Next time we are definitely flying.

Reason #91 - Not having to own a car

I don't own a car here in San Francisco. Because:

1) There's not really anywhere to park at work (ok there is, but you have to get to work at the buttcrack of dawn to find all day parking, or pay $12 if it all fills up)

2) I don't really like parallel parking

3) Muni is pretty effecient if you think about it

4) I'm sure gas prices would kill me

5) No worries about car repairs or insurance!

Parking around my neighborhood is actually decent. But here in San Francisco there are tons of restrictions for parking. Meters, hour limits, the dreaded street cleaning, crowded, etc...

It's a hassle to have a car sometimes. But I miss being able to drive outside of the city whenever I want.

Anyway, the point of my post was to clarify that I really do love not having the responsibility of a car right now. I live in SF, and work in SF. The muni goes right by my house. Sure it may take a hour to get to work by muni, but it's worth not having to pay $12/day for parking.

Here in San Francisco everyone takes muni. Not like the suburbs, where the bus comes maybe once an hour.

Reason #92 - Never colder than 40 degrees

Sure, I hate cold weather. I hate freezing my ass off. And being in San Francisco - you get used to the fog. You never have a tan. You miss warm weather.

BUT - I love that it never will get colder than 40 degrees here in the winter. And it's pretty consistent all year round here.

And, if I want warm weather I just travel to the East Bay, Peninsula or Wine Country... cuz that's where the warm weather is.

Bloc Party!

Wednesday night we saw Bloc Party at the Fillmore. I love living 5 minutes away from this venue.

Sorry pic is so small, was taken from my phone...

Reason #93 - Ristorante Parma

My top 100 reasons why I love San Francisco might as well be my favorite restaurants. But I'm not too sure if I've been to a 100 restaurants in San Francisco? Might have to blog about that later...

Anyway, on Friday night we went to one of our favorite Italian restaurants in the Marin, Ristorante Parma. I never get tired of this place. It's a cute little place located on Steiner St. in between Lombard and Chestnut.

I usually don't pig out on bread, but at Parma I do. They usually serve their bread with this garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. So good! And it's so addicting... For our appetizer we usually get the carpaccio, but this time we ordered a cured sliced pork, which was pretty good. I had the homemade pumpkin ravioli for my main course, which was delicious! Grant had the scallops and risotto. Both were specials that night, and we were happy with our choices. Can't wait to go back next time!

On Vox: the happiest hour

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good times, good friends.

Originally posted on bethyroo.vox.com

Reason #94

Reason #94: I love being able to walk to grab something to eat if I don't feel like cooking. If you live in the 'burbs, you have to get in your car, drive out of your neighborhood to find food. Plus I'm not even sure that places are open that late in the 'burbs. My neighborhood is so convenient. I love living there.

There's this sushi place around the corner from us that is quick, fast, cheap and pretty fresh. We recently found out that their spicy scallop and walu is BOMB. So good. If you haven't ever tried walu, you need to! So the place around the corner is called Godzila sushi. Plays old rock and rolls tunes while you are enjoying your yummy sushi.

Oh, how I love sushi. If you're ever in my hood, hit me up and we can go for some sushi!

Reason #95 - Shows in the city

Reason #95, why I love San Francisco: all the great shows. Some really great bands roll through here. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to get tickets, sometimes I'm not as lucky if I don't hear about the concert in time.

I almost didn't get tickets to Bloc Party at the Fillmore in July. I was about to cry. And we were right there at 10am on Sunday, ready to buy tickets online. For some reason, Grant's credit card didn't go through on the website for Ticketmaster. So then I used my credit card, but we couldn't buy 2 tickets. WTF??? I was thinking they were sold out, but already??? In 10 minutes Bloc Party is sold out??!!??

I kept refreshing the page, but no luck. Finally I thought, why don't we just buy a single ticket at time. Score! Luckily that worked!!! I know, kind of bratty that I would throw a tantrum and cry if I didn't get those tickets.

BUT - Bloc Party is like my favorite band. And even though I've seen them like 3 times in concert, I never get sick of seeing them again. I'm so glad I can just walk to the Fillmore - it's pretty close to my apartment, score!! And it's a MUCH smaller venue than where I've seen them (Shoreline). <3 Bloc Party exclamation point exclamation point!

Reason #96 - Pacific Catch

I heart the restaurant Pacific Catch... we had been going to the one in the Marina for a couple years now. Until Monday. I told Grant we should check out the one on Irving St. Turns out this Pacific Catch is more spacious, has a parking lot, and no wait on a week night! Try finding that in the Marina!!!

I love their poke wasabi bowls, their sweet potato fries and the shrimp ceviche is finger licking good! Definitely check it out if you're ever in San Francisco. www.pacificcatch.com

I heart baseball season!