Isa Winner

So, Monday was a pretty nice, liesurely day. A perfect summer day. The SF weather was unusually warm, sunny and the wind was unusually dull. The boyfriend and I decided it was a perfect beach day and made our way over to Baker Beach with Emiliana Torini's Love in the Time Of Science playing in the background. That record always reminds me of lazy summers (especially the track, "Unemployed in Summertime"... go figure.) People were tanning, dogs were playing, the dolphins were swimming. We read a little, napped a little and then finally, after about 3 hours, we lazily made our way back to the car. Now what? Dinner.

We drove to Chestnut, with the intention of going to E'Angelo's. But (and we run into this problem often) they were closed Mondays. So, we walked around until we wandered into this place called Isa, on Steiner St. We chose to sit in the patio, which was this adorable, enlosed space, lit by christmas lights and the setting sun's final rays piercing through the sides of the awning. We were protected by the wind, and therefore were not cold despite our barely-there beach attire. After one quick look at the menu, we knew all the things we wanted... seabass crudo, procuitto de parma bruchetta, butterfish baked in parchment paper with truffles and herco vert, al dente pasta with truffles and tomatos and finally (yes, I know we eat a lot thankyouverymuch), lamb with flava beans and mini olives. All of which were Delicious.

I started off with a Rose (it was that kind of day), a Bailly-LaporreCremant de Bourgogne. Then, we were prsented with the crudo, which looked beautiful. Fresh, thinly sliced pieces of seasbass with just the right amount to celantro, lime and zest! We quickly went through that. Next, procuitto de parma bruchetta which was presented with fresh pieces of arugula and little orange melon balls on top. Yum. Then the first main course arrived, butterfish. It was pretty neat how it came cooked in parchment paper. How that paper doesn't go up in flames, I don't know, but it certainly holds all the flavors in nicely. Soon after came the al dente pasta. Half way through, we knew we wouldn't be full so we ordered theRoasted Rack of Lamb. After all this, we still managed room for dessert-- 2 desserts: amareto flavored semi-fredo and creme brule. I nearly always get creme brule if it's on the menu. And this one was pretty yummy. My only gripe was that it was in a small, deep dish so there was more cream than sugar, whereas I like it in a wider, shallower dish so there's more sugar than cream. Anyway. Check it out. The place has the atmosphere, the food, and I'd like to say service bu t that isn't necessarily true. I've yet to find a place that has good service in SF. That's what would get me to come back to a place. Besides convenience (thank you, NOPA).

better than fiction

Time for a little revamping... I know it's been a while. But that's usually how I am, takes a little bit before something sticks. (I mean, I'd started like five journals before I actually kept one going, writing everyday.) But this one's gonna stick. I promise. So I was thinking about what makes me happy. What are my passions. I love to eat... I go out to eat all the time... love trying new things and learning new things from tabblehopper or chowhound or gayot.... Food! I love food. And I'm always listening to my ipod, checking out track50 for the next show or pitchfork for the next big thing.... Music! I love music. And there you have it.

So last Friday, the 23rd, me and my friends had an impromptu concert outing. It was my last night in LA and, somehow, I still hadn't seen one of my best friends. Well, her mom had arranged tickets for us to see a group by the name of Fiction Plane. Yeah, I'd never heard of them either. But, they were discribed to me as this UK rock band, more specifically-- an up-and-coming group led by Sting's son. Yeah, Sting! Now I'm not this super Sting fanatic, but still, he is a major cultural icon in the music scene and I can appreciate his music and that voice. His son definitely follows in his father's footsteps with the same fluid, powerful voice. He even sort of looks like him. But at the same time, he held his own.

After somewhat of a scene outside the Viper Room (you know LA, velvet ropes and guest lists) we get inside to what is a packed house. We inch our way through, little by little, until we find some room to breathe. I'm standing there, finally have some space to move my arms, turn my head from side to side to look around-- check out the crowd. I look to my right and I see all the well-dressed 20-somethings squeezing in through the doors, making their way to the bar.... I look forward and I see a foggy, dimly lit stage at the end of a pretty eclectic sea of people ranging from 20s to 60s, converse to support shoes.... I look to my left, and I see... oh... Hi, Sting.

I'm literally rubbing elbows with Sting. (I mean, there was no where else for my elbows to go). Huh, he's pretty tall. Where's the wife? Cool jacket. I wonder if he helped the band during rehearsals and if-- the crowd starts to cheer and my attention is quickly diverted to the front as the three skinny guys walk on stage for their big show. They pick up their guitars, get themselves situated. I observe Sting, as he morphs into a regular, proud papa, standing on his toes, waving his arms about to make sure his son can see that he is there. Aw, how sweet. Then, Fiction Plane starts their opening number and I forget that I'm standing next to one of the most famous musician in the world. Admittedly, I wasn't that into the band at first. The song didn't grab me. But by their second number, I was jamming. I was into it. And Sting's son (I'm sure he has a name) was working the crowd. Guitar solos. A trucker hat that said Fuck. Hands clapping. Eventually, I made my way closer to the stage (Good bye, Sting) and rocked out to Fiction Plane on this random Friday night.

When the show was over, there was a mad rush to leave. Maybe there was some hot afterparty that I didn't know about. So it took a while to inch our way to the exit, too. In fact, at first I couldn't move and was stuck by this non-descript door, when out came the bassist of the band. I told him the band was really great and I enjoyed the show. He insincerely (maybe he was tired) thanked me and moved on. Finally, we reach the door and oh, what do you know... look who's next to me again. Only this time, it was him, his wife, and a hundred lights flashing from the paparazzi and some guy with a video camera all up in our faces. Two seconds later we're spit out on the sidewalk of Sunset Blvd. And that was that.

life of pi

it's not every day that you get vip treatment.......... at the zoo! i had so much fun today, petting porcupines, ferets and legless lizards and feeding a giant asian rhino. and we didn't have to walk the extensive grounds, but got driven around in a golf cart with our personal guide. we even took a trip on the carousel. it was a great day spent with the greatest friends. i dont really have anything else to say because im tired and feel lazy/sleepy. maybe later.

M is for Monday. M is for Music.

i easily forget that one of the things that makes me happiest is enjoying live music. a band that I love. a new band that is great. a friend's band. my sister's. and i stand there (well, i was sitting tonight but i usually stand) soaking it up. it's true i don't understand what they're saying half the time, but it's the bassist giving that beat and the drummer giving that energy and the singer giving that voice, which can be so filled with love and hate and sadness and jealousy and fear and excitement and surprise... it's all these elements together, live, in front of your very eyes that can be so very amazing.

often, i'll cry.

not necessarily because i'm sad or upset or even "feel their pain", but because that's the only way to express what i'm feeling listening to the music. sometimes i bob my head. sometimes i dance and rock out. but sometimes i cry.

tonight was Emily Haines and the Soft Skeletons at the Great American Music Hall. her voice just dives right into your heart. her lyrics can be a little weird, but i know she's being satirical some of the time. that's one of the things that makes her great-- she's not all serious all the time.
and the other half she has some pretty interesting things to say, which is more than you can say about a lot of groups out there, which i'm sure i'll vent about it some future blog. so, to help point you all in the right direction i thought i'd post a few upcoming shows that hopefully i can go to and you all can, too:

2.2/3 The Blow, also at Great American Music Hall.
2.9 Mirah, Bottom of the Hill
2.13 Cake, Zellerbach
3.3 Earlimart, The Independent

let's cry together.

The First Bite

...is always the best. Isn't it? Especially when you've been really craving something, like a yellowtail handroll, prosciutto sandwich or creamy polenta! (I love food, and yes, I know I can have random cravings). But, another craving I've been having is to Do something. Create something my own. I'm tired of working my ass of for free for people who don't appreciate it. I'm tired of not creating for my own sake.

At 22, near the end of my college career I don't know what the fuck is next. For the first time my life isn't planned. It's nerve racking. And yeah, I know this is completely normal for most other 20-somethings. But nonetheless... So perhaps, something will come out of this. I don't even know what it is yet, but you have to start somewhere. There has to be a beginning-- a first. So I'm just going to throw myself out there and
go.

the theme for this entry will be firsts...

best place for a First date:

* Brazen Head: you can shut up if you think I'm biased, but this truly is a great date place. And with a friendly staff, awesome bar, it's got the perfect atmosphere for a first date.

* if you can't be taken sailing like a friend of mine did (major points for that first date), try a ferry to Sausalito or Tiburon for the afternoon. any first date where you can actually talk, is a good thing. the whole movie thing only works AFTER you've been together for a while and don't feel like talking to one another-- but for a first date it's just plain awkward!

* me and my girlfriends have talked about this before. why do dates always have to be at night? why can't they be, say, in the morning? i think breakfast or brunch would be a great date and a good spot for that would be Zazie because it's just too darn cute. you can sit outside on the little patio. (anywhere you can sit outside gets automatic points in my book) the service may not be too hot, but you know what i've been noticing lately? you can't find good service anywhere anyway.

first thursdays...

...at 49 Geary: if you can ignore the slightly pretentious vibe and actually get a chance to see the art, then it's well worth it. there are a bunch of galleries in here that open their doors on this delightful day. often times the artists are there. plus free wine in fancy plastic cups.

...at Frisson: a new art installation plus cocktail reception from 7-9-ish. they have fun cocktails and it's got that good loungey vibe. and perhaps good food? i don't know, haven't eaten there yet. but i'm willing to bet it has horrible service.

fun first facts~

1st mayor of sf: john white geary, who geary st is named after

1st documented discovery of the sf bay was on november 2, 1769

1st hotel was called "city hotel" on kearny and spanned from clay to commercial

and while i'm at it, might as well mention some of my own firsts-- in foods:

the first time i had escargot was on a carnival cruise to mexico with my grandparents and cousin. each night the restaurant on the ship served a different cuisine. i thought it was so much fun and when i heard we were getting snails for dinner i was... delighted! at 10, you'd think snails would be gross but i grew up eating dishes i still don't have names for.

the first time i had prosciutto was in carmel with my parents. we went to a local deli and got a bunch of cold cuts for our picnic sandwiches. i had one with prosciutto and have been in love ever since.

the first time i had frog was this past summer in taiwan. yup, tastes just like chicken.

well, that's it. that was my first blog. thanks for reading

(ps- what do you like to read in blogs? whatwould you like to see here? what's fun about these kinds of sites? just curious...)