E Angelo Restaurant San Francisco

E Angelo's Restaurant 

2234 Chestnut St San Francisco

This little Italian Gem in the Marina is one of husband and my favorite places to go for a cheap date night. They don't take reservations but it's worth the wait. They also only take cash so come prepared. When you arrive you are greeted buy a friendly Italian staff. The restaurant only seats about 30 so don't expect to have a romantic intimate dinner. This is a great place to make some new friends. We always start are meal off with the very unhealthy spinach salad it's to die for. It is topped with a tangy dressing, crumbled blue cheese, walnuts, and yummy pancetta. My favorite main dish is the Veal Piccata one of the best I've every had. The sauce and thin slices of veal just melt in your mouth. After you finish the veal dip the table bread in the extra sauce it's well worth it. The veal is served with a side of grilled vegetables and roasted potatoes. They also have many excellent homemade pasta dishes and thin crust pizzas that are worth trying. Our favorite dessert to end our meal is their Tiramisu, which is presented in glass dish topped with strawberries and cream. 

Best Napoleon in San Francisco

One of the best bakeries in San Francisco is Stella Pastry & Cafe. This bakery is in North Beach at 446 Columbus Ave. When I first moved to the city I discovered this little gem in North Beach. It is my favorite place for dessert after having dinner in Russian Hill. You can just hop on the 45 bus off of Union and take it all the way to Columbus. I recommend ordering the classic Napoleon pastry. 

It is the best I have ever had. My second favorite choice is the cannoli. It almost compares to one in the North End of Boston at Mikes Pastry. This is still the best cannoli if you are ever in Boston. 

Eating an Éclair in Paris

Not only is Paris one of my favorite cities but éclairs are one of my favorite desserts. I must say I will never forget the éclair that I had on the Left Bank on Ave De Villars at a Boulanger. It not only had the perfect crispness in the pastry but was filled with a decadent chocolate custard which made it more unique. If you ever get to the Left Bank I recommend trying this place especially after visiting the Musée d'Orsay. 

Sharffen Berger Chocolate Maker

Sharffen Berger Chocolate Maker - 914 Heinz Ave Berkeley, CA. This is my favorite artisan chocolate maker in the Bay Area. You can take a free factory tour in the Berkeley main headquarters. You get to do chocolate tasting and learn the differences between dark and milk chocolate. I recommend taking the time to check it out. It's a charming old brick building in the industrial section of Berkeley. You can make your reservation on line for any day at scharffenberger.com

Hyde Street Bistro San Francisco

Hyde Street Bistro at 1521 Hyde Street San Francisco, CA 

(Russian Hill neighborhood) It's one of my husband's and my favorite French Bistros. It is a small quaint place with a very French staff, which adds to the whole experience. They have the best scallop dish ever! I highly recommend it. To start off the meal we always order the warm goat cheese salad and we end it with a very traditional Créme Brulee.

Noix De Coquille St Jacques Provencales

Seared Maine Scallops with Provencal Sauce 

served with Saffron Rice Pilaf and Ratatouille

Polk A Dot Stationers San Francisco

Polk A Dot Stationers in San Francisco's Russian Hill -

1742 Polk Street.

This has become a new inspirational place for me. I have always had a fetish for stationary and wrapping paper - maybe that is why I am a textile designer. They have retro party favors that bring me back to going to birthday parties when I was a kid. This place was a great find and I'm glad it's in one of my favorite neighborhoods in San Francisco.