Thursday, September 20, 2012

Cocktails in the City - Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel

Top of the Mark - CheersAs a continuation of our search for good and refreshing cocktails in the city, Mijo, Jim, Jose and I paid the Nob Hill neighborhood of the city a visit and went to the Top of the Mark at the Mark Hopkins Hotel.

Mijo and I have been to the Top of the Mark but only for Sunday brunch and never for cocktail hour. That is why we didn't have second thoughts when Jim and Jose suggested we go there for our Thursday night cocktail.

Top of the Mark is an elegant and cozy place for a pre-dinner drinks with good friends.


Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Baseball in the City - Field Club seating

SF Giants - TixI received another pair of Giants tickets from a raffle draw in the office.  This has been the best baseball tickets I have received for free so far.

Not only it was the Giants hosting the Dodgers, not only it was Field Club seating (our first time in that section, by the way), the Giants won the game that night 4-0.  And here's one more, the seats were just two rows behind the Giants dugout! Go Giants!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Ehlers Estate

Ehlers Estate - EstateWe needed a late lunch break after three consecutive wineries. So after the delicious and lively meal break at the Calistoga Kitchen we hit the road again in search of our fourth and last winery of the day. 

This time we went to Ehlers Estate and we were joined by wine enthusiasts Francis and Scott. This certified organic winery has very well rounded Cabernet Sauvignons.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Envy Wines

Envy Wines - SignOur third stop to our Napa Valley wine tasting trip with our friends Bob and Bren was at Envy Wines. At this time, the morning fog in the valley burned off and the sky was blue and the temperature got warmer. Also at this time, I was getting a little buzzed which was not surprising because we only had a light breakfast plus we started wine tasting early. Envy Wines has good selections of red and white wines.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Chateau Montelena

Chateau Montelena Winery - Wine BarrelsThe second stop to our Napa Valley wine tasting trip with our friends Bob and Bren was at Chateau Montelena. We came to Chateau Montelena because of the movie Bottle Shock which is based on a true story where a Chardonnay from this winery (and another California winery) won a Paris blind  tasting in 1976.   

Guess what? I've tasted here one of the best Cabernet Sauvignons.



Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Wine Tasting in Napa Valley - Castello di Amorosa

Castello di Amorosa - VineyardWe tagged along with our friends Bob and Bren to Napa Valley for an entire day's worth of wine tasting. Our first stop was Castello di Amorosa. This wine tasting experience was inside a castle complete with a moat. Yep, a moat surrounding the castle. But don't judge them with their themed appearance. Their castle may look out of placed in Napa as if it was beamed from Europe to California but their wines for tastings are good to very good!