Sometimes we remember particularly good days in great detail. June 11 is one such day for me and since, over the course of Metroblogging San Francisco, people have covered all the things that happened to have made June 11 a great day for me, I’d like to recap them for you, in case you’ve awakened this Sunday morning to find a sunnier, warmer day than I think it might end up being - or you need something to brighten whatever kind of day it turns out to be.

For the last few weekends, I’ve revived an old tradition of ditching my weekend runs (okay, the ditching the weekend runs part is a long-standing tradition, you got me) in favor of strolling through the park, coffee and Arizmendi treat in hand, to catch some free music by the Conservatory of Flowers.

Sometime in the near future, I’ll stop listening to the heavenly strains long enough to formally interview these guys, but for now, let me just recommend (again) that you wander down to the pedestrian tunnel in front of the Conservatory (off JFK, Dr.) and keep your ears peeled for the sounds of sax and bass taking full advantage of the tunnel’s acoustics. I’ve seen them there playing any time between 11:30 and 1:00pm or so. June 11 a year ago was a Saturday and on that day, there was a much fuller ensemble - but I haven’t been on Saturday in awhile. One instrument or 20 instruments sound equally amazing when enjoyed in our lush, green park - especially when you have time to sit and just take in the sights and sounds. If the weather is good and you grab that Arizmendi treat you’ll have yourself a full 5-senses experience.

After enjoying that and perhaps catching some more park goodness, do whatever productive things you have to do before Monday, then slip over to North Beach for dinner and then a drink at what Anna so rightfully calls one of SF’s best bars, 15 Romolo.

Even if you blew your dinner and a drink budget last night, catch the music in the park today and ready yourself for the week ahead.

To the right, my friend Bethany is leaning out of one of the three windows of 15 Romolo. The street far left is Broadway. I took this to show how it’s up an alley, one of the most endearing aspects of this bar. The Basque Hotel has a rich history in SF.

Besides that, though, this is a beautiful little nook of a bar. It can be sporadically crazily packed, and I can’t recommend a safe time, since I’m not sure the method to the madness. The bartender/manager says they are lately going through a quiet happy hour period, so I would advice going after work if you want to hear your friend talk. More tidbits and photos after ze jump.
Read more

Went to the ValleyWag sloshcon last night - the reality is that I went to my best bar, 15 Romolo, which I’ll post about later, and convinced a friend to accompany me to the industry event. We got there way early, then ran over to Belden Alley on Bush St. and had some amazing mussels at Plouf. The manager there is super cool, and she tipped me off again to the great oyster (les huitres always sounds better) deals at the Market oyster place at the Ferry Building. On Mondays, 1$/oyster. More gossipy stream of consciousness after the jump.
Read more