tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-100037792024-03-13T09:23:27.328-07:00Rolandito's BALITANG SFThis is San Francisco living romanticized
by this transplanted Filipino!Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-83102648427797727472018-08-13T20:33:00.001-07:002020-09-03T22:57:16.774-07:00Landmark in the City - Community opening of the Salesforce Transit Center<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/44008702891/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Salesforce Transit Center - Entrance bw"><img alt="Salesforce Transit Center - Entrance bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/44008702891_7389587f50_m.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">Finally, the newly opened Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco's Financial District opened to the public during its Community Openhouse. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Mijo and I went there together with thousands of local San Franciscans to inspect this massive </i><i>transit</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> venue. Mijo and I love it. It is easily another San Francisco landmark.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Mijo and I got to the transit center early, around 10am before the mobs of people. We started our walk from its Beale St. side. From there, we could see the </i><i>undulating</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> facade like waves of water or p</i><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>aper doilies.</i></span></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/44008701021/in/dateposted-public/" title="Salesforce Transit Center - Side"><img alt="Salesforce Transit Center - Side" height="160" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1799/44008701021_2053186fc3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>I like its paper white color and it almost gives me a powdery texture just by looking at it.</i></span></span></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">This looks like a cable car but it was not operational at the time we visited.</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A view </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>of the metal facade of the transit center and the super tall Salesforce Tower.</i></span></span></span></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">Another facade shot this time with the ultra stylish Fremont tower.</i></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">When I stepped inside the transit center, I noticed these lovely patterns on the floor. I am sure there are Bay Area references and meaning to these patterns but there were no staff around to answer these questions.</i></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">And thousands were already waiting in line by the time we got there. These escalators take you to the bus stations and to the rooftop park. The train </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>stations,</i></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> one floor down, are still under construction. We were told the train stations will be a station for Caltrain and the California Highspeed train that will run between LA and SF.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/43960081212/in/dateposted-public/" title="Salesforce Transit Center - Natural lights"><img alt="Salesforce Transit Center - Natural lights" height="160" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1835/43960081212_7f15cfeb08_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">The park above is amazing. Real trees and real grass. The selection of plants and trees made me feel like I am at a botanical garden. I'm sure that birds and insects will be around by the time these greeneries mature.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>Here are more views of the Rooftop park. Yoga, anyone? Though, I'd like to do my yoga on a firm flat surface and not on a lawn and grass.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>Bamboos and the dome where natural lights go through. I can't wait for these bamboos to </i></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>fully grow and cover the side of this dome.</i></span></span></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">This is the Redwood Forest. I'm amazed and surprised that the transit center can support all this weight. </i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>A quiet nook in the park. Yep, that's where I see myself one of these days engrossing on a good book.</i></span></span></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">More trees. I am imagining that the park will have more of a real park character when the trees and plants have grown and mature. But this will do for me, for now.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/44008701731/in/dateposted-public/" title="Salesforce Transit Center - Pine trees"><img alt="Salesforce Transit Center - Pine trees" height="160" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/44008701731_31df0c4f5e_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">Music. There was also live music performances downstairs in the main lobby.</i></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">Looking up from the escalators.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Bus stops on the </i><i>second</i><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"> floor. This floor is open air but the patterned panel made it feel like it is enclosed. This area is clean for now but I am imagining soot will soon cover the walls and ceilings. I wonder if the panels and the ceilings are easy to clean?</i></span></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I'll try to be back again to the </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>transit</i></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> center next week and take </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><i>more</i></span></span><i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> photos. </i><br />
<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Stay tuned.</i></div>
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<i style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">~rl </i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-39559949149841927072018-04-19T23:09:00.001-07:002018-10-21T21:30:07.518-07:00Breakfast in the City - Le Marais Bakery<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511607212/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Sign bw"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/940/41511607212_fa11c99525_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">It was a Friday morning and I didn't have to be in the office that morning. Mijo and I decided to pay this cute bakery tucked inside the Castro neighborhood called Le Marais Bakery.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As always, our breakfast was good, relaxing and dreamy.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Mijo and I have been in this bakery twice before and we were here in October last year. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">As soon as I step inside the restaurant, I felt like I was transported somewhere in Paris. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The way the morning sunshine creates this evocative scene is just so romantic.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511606822/in/dateposted-public/" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal;" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Sign shadows"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Sign shadows" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/783/41511606822_884d93d91f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> Classic French music was being played in the background, the interior is painted with different hues of light colors, lots of natural lighting, small colorful flowers accessorize the white marble tables, and the crowd silently conversing.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27682932038/in/dateposted-public/" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal;" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Crowd"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Crowd" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/933/27682932038_840868b0f5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Since we've been here before, we sort of knew what to get. We started with a plain croissant which we paired with their delicious coffee. I didn't ask what kind of coffee they serve but it tastes with a hint of acidity much like a Central American coffee. </i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511608822/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Coffee and croissant"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Coffee and croissant" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/936/41511608822_f459af8566_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We decided to order this chicken sausage with scrambled eggs and salad. I forgot we ordered this before but it looked slightly different. The scrambled eggs is smooth and fluffy. It went well with the savory chicken sausage.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27682931538/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs scrambled eggs Chicken sausauge"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs scrambled eggs Chicken sausauge" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/821/27682931538_3d2def1cf4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We also shared this moist French toast that went really well with the coffee.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511608072/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs French toast"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs French toast" height="240" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/41511608072_18796a983d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here are some of the photos that I took the last two times we were here at Le Marais Bakery. I love their attention to detail. I wonder if French people living in the Bay Area come here when they miss home?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Simple wall displaying a select wines.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27682931318/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Wall wines"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Wall wines" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/788/27682931318_5fe53fda71_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The pastry selection is good too. My next goal is to try each one of them.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511608322/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Freshly baked goodies"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Freshly baked goodies" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/801/41511608322_1b18458f72_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here's what the chicken sausage and eggs that we ordered last year.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27682931388/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs Chicken sausauge scrambled eggs"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Les Oeufs Chicken sausauge scrambled eggs" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/843/27682931388_ea409540a3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>More pastries...</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27682932358/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Baked goodies"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Baked goodies" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/810/27682932358_b72cc3cf7f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The first time we went to this place, we just ordered a sweet and a savory scone with coffee. </i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/41511608592/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Le Marais Bakery - Coffee and scones"><img alt="Le Marais Bakery - Coffee and scones" height="213" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/787/41511608592_6934d8a0b7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Le Marais Bakery is located on 18th St. in San Francisco's Castro District.</i></span></div>
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~rl</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-18138750496335278302018-03-07T21:33:00.001-08:002018-06-07T22:05:08.446-07:00Musical in the City - The Wedding Singer<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39956231044/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre program"><img alt="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre program" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4663/39956231044_c45132e280_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">Mijo and I went to see Bay Area Musical's production of The Wedding Singer at the Victoria Theater in the Mission District. The tickets were Christmas gifts from our loved ones A and B. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It was a small production compared to the Broadway shows staged at the Orpheum, Golden Gate or Curran but it was good nevertheless. The production felt more intimate and yet casual.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">I have not been inside the Victoria Theatre in my years of living in the city. This and seeing the musical were like hitting two birds in one stone. (Though, I don't encourage hitting birds) Mijo had told me stories about the theatre before and how it had transitioned from a movie theatre to a performing arts venue. The interior of the theatre is simple and modest. I</i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;"> thought the acoustics of the theatre was great. </i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25795431667/in/dateposted-public/" title="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre street side"><img alt="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre street side" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4602/25795431667_9075b64cae_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">Mijo and I got to the theatre early. True to the musical's genre, 80s music was being played while we wait for the curtain call. Suddenly, I was walking down memory lane.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: left;">I have seen the Wedding Singer in NYC before but that was many years ago and I can barely remember it. Since this is a small production, I didn't expect big mechanical props and that is perfectly fine. However, the stage design was ample and what I call efficient. I appreciate that everything on the stage was thought of. I was also pleasantly surprised that the </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>accompaniment is live and not a recording. Like what I said earlier, the performance was intimate and casual.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The cast was great. At first I thought they looked pretty young.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They looked like they were having so much fun on stage. They all did a great job - Zack Schuman as Robbie Hart, Jenny Angel as Julia, Alissa Sanchez as Holly, Matt Ono as George, Max Thorne as Sammy. The ensemble was entertaining as well. There were times I thought the stage was too small for all their dance moves but they made it work. I hope to see more projects from these young (and not so young) artists in the future.</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">Please support small and local productions.</span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-style: italic;">The musical is playing through March 17, 2018.</span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39956231374/in/dateposted-public/" title="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre front"><img alt="Wedding Singer - Victoria Theatre front" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4619/39956231374_d760dacf29_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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~rl</div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-54884163385642160572018-02-18T22:58:00.001-08:002018-06-07T22:07:44.577-07:00Dinner in the City - Delfina Restaurant<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40298194382/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Delfina - Menu bw"><img alt="Delfina - Menu bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4749/40298194382_2375b06cd3_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">Mijo and I were at Delfina restaurant last in 2014 and we have not been there since. We love the restaurant and for our first restaurant splurge of the year, we decided to go back to Delfina. </i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">Same tasty dishes, same very friendly service, a new satisfying experience!</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Our reservation was on a Wednesday night at 6pm. I made this reservation weeks ahead. Dinner on a Wednesday evening because we'd rather go out during the week except Friday. We try to leave the city to out of towners on Friday evenings. We got to the restaurant early enough and was surprised that there were people who got there much earlier than us.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40298193772/in/dateposted-public/" title="Delfina - Wine Glasses"><img alt="Delfina - Wine Glasses" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/40298193772_9dc6af9820_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo was seated against the wall and behind him was this huge mirror. I was facing the wall and noticed the reflection of the kitchen, the light fixtures and wall art. I could see people were busy inside the kitchen, the hostess walking around and the servers too. I thought it was a romantic Delfina moment so I took a picture of it.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Our friendly server let me took a picture of the bottle of Rhone blend we ordered that night. We only ordered two glasses, not the whole bottle, since it was a week night and I had an early meeting the next day. The wine was from Mendocino and was well balanced and can be drank without any food pairing. </i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40298194722/in/dateposted-public/" title="Delfina - California Red Wine"><img alt="Delfina - California Red Wine" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4674/40298194722_b6ff367265_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We decided to get their <b>Chicken liver crostini</b>. The chopped liver was not too creamy and had some tender chunks which provided texture and bite. The crostini went so well with the red wine. </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo later commented how happy he is that I am so </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>adventurous in terms of food. I just smiled and mentioned to him </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">of the times when my Dad would make chicken liver adobo for dinner.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40298194602/in/dateposted-public/" title="Delfina - Chicken Liver Crostini"><img alt="Delfina - Chicken Liver Crostini" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4696/40298194602_11dedf17d5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For our primi, we decided to share their </i><b style="font-style: italic;">Semolina Battuta</b><i> with lamb sausage ragu and pecorino. The pasta was al dente and the sauce was perfectly coating each pasta. It was very very tasty.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For the main course, I decided to get their <b>Wolfe Ranch Quail </b>with grains, black trumpet mushrooms and dandelion greens. It was bursting with flavors without any fatty flavors.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo decided to get the <b>California swordfish</b> with lentils, chicories, and anchovy aioli. Mijo gave me a small piece of it so I was able to taste it. It was juicy and perfectly seasoned.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As if the we were not enjoying the food enough that evening, we washed down the savory flavors with their decaf coffee served in a stainless press and paired with their Brown <b>Butter Hazelnut cake</b> with poached pear, espresso mouse verdichio passito.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo and I were both very very satisfied with what we ate that evening. We asked for the check from our friendly server and she gave us these spiced almonds along with the check.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It is not just the food. It is the entire package for us - the service, the pairing of the wine with the food, the dessert, the ambience, and of course, the company. These are the reasons why we always have a great experience at Delfina.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">~rl</i><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-35542770689008949932018-02-13T20:32:00.000-08:002018-02-14T20:37:54.729-08:00Art at the Airport - American Folk Art at SFO Museum<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425385860/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art sign bw"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4607/38425385860_401ba26b15_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">I was at SFO recently to drop-off Mijo for his trip abroad. While waiting for him to finish check-in, I had time to walk around the International terminal and had an enjoyable time looking at the airport's art displays about American Folk Art near Gate A. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I didn't really know what folk art means so I looked up online. According to the <a href="http://www.internationalfolkart.org/learn/what-is-folk-art.html" target="_blank">Museum of International Folk Art</a>, folk art is the art of everyday. Even with that definition I just learned that evening, I still didn't have an idea what sort of art is folk art until I browsed through SFO Museum's exhibit.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I learned that folk art, unlike fine art, is for practical purposes. It is utilitarian and decorative rather than purely for aesthetics. It is usually made by master crafts and trades people and it is rooted in the local culture and traditions with techniques and styles passed from one generation to the next.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Growing up in a small town in the Philippines, I remember seeing a few pictorial needlework, pictorial wood carvings, domestic kitchenwares, and whimsey bottles depicting local life and thinking how traditional, odd looking, too-Filipino looking they were because I didn't have an appreciation for folk arts at that age. Now that I am older, I now wonder whether there are genuine folk arts still being created today with local traditions being diluted due to globalization, internet and social media. I wonder if a so called local style still exists? I can only hope.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here are the ones on display when I was there. </i></span><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It was educational to view these folk arts depicting the regions in the U.S.A. where they were made and the styles of that time. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Duck Decoys.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338343315/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Duck Decoys"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Duck Decoys" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4747/39338343315_944966c40d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Domestic Kitchen wares.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425387060/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Domestic Kitchenwares"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Domestic Kitchenwares" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4750/38425387060_6e144eea1b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Windvanes.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338343695/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Animal Weathervanes"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Animal Weathervanes" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/39338343695_0c12320a09_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>School children's copybook.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338343465/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Children's Copybook"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Children's Copybook" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4748/39338343465_a761a9725f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Carved Stone books.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425387360/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Carved Stone Books"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Carved Stone Books" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4764/38425387360_2ac3d42dc6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Southern Folk Pottery.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338342195/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Southern Folk Pottery"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Southern Folk Pottery" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4745/39338342195_866a176512_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pictorial Wood Carving.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338342875/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pictorial woodcarving"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pictorial woodcarving" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4661/39338342875_275e35e18e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pennsylvania Pottery</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425386290/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pennsylvania Pottery"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pennsylvania Pottery" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/38425386290_f1b941b6f6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Pennsylvania German Furnishings.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425384620/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pennsylvania German Furnishing"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Pennsylvania German Furnishing" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4695/38425384620_f9c00343d6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Maritime Folk Art.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338342885/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Maritime Folk Art"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Maritime Folk Art" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/39338342885_553e53a01b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Fraternal Folk Art.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425386490/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Fraternal Folkart"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Fraternal Folkart" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4621/38425386490_375a2a02c2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Fraktur.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338343175/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Fraktur"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Fraktur" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/39338343175_d4e354f7f9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Folk Houses.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425386790/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Folkhouses"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Folkhouses" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/38425386790_99b7a0c549_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Whimsey bottles.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425384310/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Whimsey Bottles"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Whimsey Bottles" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4707/38425384310_e75abe1517_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Windvanes.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425384880/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Weathervanes"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Weathervanes" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4614/38425384880_54b542f36b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Bald Eagle</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338341935/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art The Bald Eagle"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art The Bald Eagle" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4612/39338341935_33acc2275e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Samplers and pictorial needle work.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39338342525/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Samples and Needlework"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Samples and Needlework" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4629/39338342525_b8973d84fe_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Presidential Folk Art.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38425386060/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Presidential Folkart"><img alt="SFO Museum - American Folk Art Presidential Folkart" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4723/38425386060_93d387fcaa_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The American Folk Art exhibit is on display through July 15, 2018. It is located at the International Terminal near Gate A.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">~rl</i><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-89921332998875012262018-02-10T22:36:00.000-08:002018-02-14T20:48:22.460-08:00Blooms in the City - Magnificent Magnolias at the San Francisco Botanical Garden<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416718599/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling flower bw"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling flower bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/28416718599_207dd912ed_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: center;">The weather was great on the weekend so Mijo, Berna, Judy, Joaquin and I went to the San Francisco Botanical Garden to see the Magnificent Magnolia Garden collection of 54 species and 49 cultivars which is a significant collection for conservation outside of China.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It is always a joy to visit the San Francisco Botanical Gardens. The Garden is big itself and it being inside the Golden Gate Park made the entire area feel like an oasis in the middle of hustle and bustle of the city.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>So when we heard about the Magnolia blooms, we </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>didn't waste anytime to visit the Gardens. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some of the pictures I took during our visit there. Enjoy!</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/26324198578/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden Golden Gate Park"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden Golden Gate Park" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/26324198578_28366ab6c8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">A free map to a self guided tour of the magnolias. </i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">The walk is long but very pleasant and you can pace yourself because of the different beautiful sceneries all around.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485151174/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden map"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden map" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4631/39485151174_ba7f314f54_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here are some pictures of Magnolia campbelli darjeeling. (#1 in the map)</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>This magnolia offers deep pink flowers and was propagated from a tree at the Lloyd Botanical Garden in Darjeeling, India.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485154224/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling people"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling people" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4703/39485154224_484a646650_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485154514/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling bud"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling bud" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4663/39485154514_59596775a9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485151244/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling flower"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 1 Magnolia campbelli darjeeling flower" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4623/39485151244_6291c013f7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia springeri. (#2 in the map)</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This one is tall and a native to China. The flower is rose pink.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416718309/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri buds"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri buds" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4619/28416718309_fd133b3824_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485153854/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri canopy"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri canopy" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4761/39485153854_0839f77cd0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416717679/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri flower"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri flower" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/28416717679_eeda94ba67_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485153614/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri people"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 2 Magnolia Springeri people" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/39485153614_9c97b5b98c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Magnolia macrophylla. (#4 in the map) </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>did not have any blooms when we were there. However, I noticed its large brown leaves on the ground. I read from the description on the map, it is commonly called Bigleaf Magnolia where the leaves can reach up to 30 inches in length.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485153274/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 4 Magnolia macrophylla leaves"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 4 Magnolia macrophylla leaves" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4622/39485153274_25683eeecc_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia sargentiana. (#5 in the map)</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This was a present at the signing of the UN Charter which took place at the Cathedral Grove in Muir Woods and presented to the Garden in 1946 by Lord Cranborne of Salisbury. It first bloomed in 1953.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485153134/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 5 Magnolia sargentiana"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 5 Magnolia sargentiana" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4755/39485153134_ab20e20ee7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia x </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>silangeana</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">. (#7 in the map).</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This is also called Rustica Rubra which is a Dutch clone raised at the end of 19th century in Baskoop. The flower has a goblet shape and has reddish purple flower.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416716899/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 7 Saucer Magnolia taking pictures"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 7 Saucer Magnolia taking pictures" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4770/28416716899_bd7ff9a3c9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40196727801/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 7a Magnolia Campbelli Betty Jessel"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 7a Magnolia Campbelli Betty Jessel" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/40196727801_8d5e2303d4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416716589/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 8 Magnolia Campbelli flower"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 8 Magnolia Campbelli flower" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4651/28416716589_73b235cc59_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>denudata</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">. (#9 in the map). </i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This one has white flowers and have a full canopy of flowers. This is called Yulan or Jade Orchid bu the Chinese. The blossoms are pure white in color. This type of magnolia has the longest known history of cultivation among magnolias. This is why its beauty sometimes can be seen on ancient Chinese embroideries, scrolls, and porcelains.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416716179/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 9 Magnolia denudata canopy"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 9 Magnolia denudata canopy" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/28416716179_3cfd7be707_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/40196727291/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 9 Magnolia denudata canopy upclose"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 9 Magnolia denudata canopy upclose" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4709/40196727291_69423e3586_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia campbelli Strybing White. (#11 in the map) </i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It is one of the largest magnolias in the garden. The trunk of this tree is so thick it will probably take 3 people to hug it. This one is so tall, towering over 80 feet, it is hard to take a picture of the entire tree. The special white species was grown from seed purchased from India in 1934, propagated at the Golden Gate Park Nursery and planted in 1940.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416715089/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 Strybing White"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 Strybing White" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4711/28416715089_f6cd79ac28_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I had to walk a few yards away to get this picture.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39485151454/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 Strybing White whole"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 Strybing White whole" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/39485151454_b17b3608ed_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This one is not on the map but it is next to #11.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416715499/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 near Strybing White"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolias - SF Botanical Garden 11 near Strybing White" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4714/28416715499_c915773504_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are some pictures of Magnolia </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>doltsopa</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">. (#12 in the map). </i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It is commonly called Sweet Michelia and was discovered near Kathmandu, Nepal around 1803.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416714899/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 12 Magnolia Doltsopa"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 12 Magnolia Doltsopa" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4653/28416714899_9a2fcc6fc4_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28416715839/in/dateposted-public/" title="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 12 Magnolia Doltsopa upclose"><img alt="Magnificent Magnolia - SF Botanical Garden 12 Magnolia Doltsopa upclose" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4654/28416715839_9c9f42bdf5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It was an immensely enjoyable walk seeing these ethereal beauty. The entire garden is 55 acres and we've only seen parts of it where the magnolias are planted. I made a mental note to go back often to enjoy the other plants from around the world.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>SF locals get in for free!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thank you SF Botanical Garden!</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #666666; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">~rl</span></i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-84392072964406245502018-01-29T23:50:00.002-08:002018-06-07T22:17:25.341-07:00Everyday Coffee in the City - Peet's Coffee and Tea's Baridi Blend<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39082457295/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend bw"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4666/39082457295_3f79eb4f0f_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For this week, while Mijo is on a trip abroad, I got creative and decided to try a couple of new coffee blends. My first in the list was called Baridi Blend by Peet's Coffee.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I've been told that this coffee is made for cold brewing but I love it brewed hot. This medium roast coffee is flavorful.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I always buy the coffee whole beans to be ground at home right before brewing. I don't really know if it truly makes a difference in taste that way. I just love the way grinding coffee fills the kitchen with coffee aroma goodness whenever I do this.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25109813217/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend beans"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend beans" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4698/25109813217_315e73def8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/everyday%20coffee" target="_blank">read my other Everyday Coffee blogs here</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Even though this coffee is considered medium roast, the aroma is full bodied.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39082456955/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend medium ground"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend medium ground" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4756/39082456955_bdb4bb8d2f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I only made coffee using drip for this blend. The foam instantly forms as soon as the warm water mixes with the ground coffee. More coffee aroma fills the room.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25109813007/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend drip"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend drip" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4710/25109813007_2b85f16772_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">For pairing, I first paired this coffee with a Filipino rice cake called Bibingka. The pairing brought out the fruit flavors of the coffee. Blackberry and cocoa finish.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39270017874/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Bibingka pairing"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Bibingka pairing" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4661/39270017874_14e3dd64ca_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I also paired it with another Filipino bread called Spanish bread. Spanish bread is like a sweet roll with a buttery center. The white rectangular pieces covered with powdered sugar and rice are called Espasol. I think they are made of cassava. The pairing brought out citrus flower and fragrant qualities of the coffee.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39082457125/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Filipino Spanish bread pairing"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Filipino Spanish bread pairing" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4625/39082457125_1ddbf7b2ed_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">I paired this coffee one morning with a broiled ripe plantain. The natural sugars in the ripe plantain that burnt during the broiling process created that caramel tasting outer layer. The plantain brought out the earthy flavors of the coffee.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25109812617/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend plantain"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend plantain" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4671/25109812617_00c1603426_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>More pairings... madeleines by St Michel.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25109812867/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Macaron pairing"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend Macaron pairing" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4706/25109812867_f44b4a3fc5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>And cookie macaron or macaron cookie by Model Bakery is made to be paired with coffee. For this, I made the coffee a little stronger because the cookies are on the sweet side.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25109812377/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend macaron cookie"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend macaron cookie" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4719/25109812377_a486cb8107_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We will definitely try this Baridi Blend again.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39270017734/in/dateposted-public/" title="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend"><img alt="Peets Coffee - Baridi Blend" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4717/39270017734_09b49deb5a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-46705045791421473262018-01-28T20:11:00.000-08:002018-06-07T22:19:02.654-07:00Play in the City - Pinter's The Birthday Party at A.C.T.<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/26084870658/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre bw"><img alt="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4651/26084870658_ec66db7611_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thanks to my friend D, for her excellent choice in which play to see. We saw a </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Harold Pinter classic The Birthday Party at the A.C.T. </i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">If you want a good play and solve some mystery, watch this one. Very well acted, as well.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">The play started with Petey coming home and Meg making him something for breakfast. They live in a small coastal town. Meg kept mentioning waking up Stanley. That was my first question. Who is Stanley? </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">My friend D and I looked at each other with a blank look. Apparently, she had the same question.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/shows%20and%20concerts" target="_blank">read my other Play and Musical blogs here</a>]</span></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When Stanley finally appeared on stage and the subsequent scenes answered my first question, but my confusion only grew exponentially because now I am curious what was Stanley doing in this town and why hasn't he gone outside the house for a year? Did he leave home? Is he wanted for a crime? With the appearance of more characters in the mix - the pretty Lulu and the mysterious looking duo of McCann and Goldberg, now the plot thickens.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/26084869248/in/dateposted-public/" title="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre"><img alt="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4667/26084869248_63f77ff3e9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The second act mostly answered my questions but in the end I only have assumptions regarding the true identity of Stanley. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The cast were fantastic! The play was written by </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Harold Pinter and directed </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">by Carey Perloff. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Meg was played by </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Judith Ivey,</i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> Dan Hiatt as Petey, </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Firdous Bamji as Stanley, </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Judy Adamo as Lulu, </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Marco Barracelli as McCann and </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Scott Wentworth as Goldberg.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28177937649/in/dateposted-public/" title="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre Pinter"><img alt="Happy Birthday - American Conservatory Theatre Pinter" height="240" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4622/28177937649_3e0223b285_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The Birthday Party is playing at the American Conservatory Theatre on Geary Boulevard through February 4, 2018.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>~rl</i></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-30650308155348889542018-01-27T21:47:00.000-08:002018-06-07T22:16:01.087-07:00Light snack in the City - Waystone<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39040334245/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Waystone - Rose Pinot Noir Cellars 33 2016 bw"><img alt="Waystone - Rose Pinot Noir Cellars 33 2016 bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/39040334245_e50822813b_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I met up with my friend D for a light lunch before going to see a Harold Pinter classic The Happy Birthday at the A.C.T. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We decided to go to Waystone just because we've never been there and it is within close walking distance from A.C.T. We got lucky because the place serves good food and drinks and the service is super friendly.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I waited for D at the Powell St. BART station. I got there before her train arrived. The Powell St. BART station is always busy with people especially during the weekend with shoppers. I noticed the station was a lot busier that day because the Women's March was happening that day as well and people watching helped me get entertained while waiting for her. </i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39040334015/in/dateposted-public/" title="Waystone - Storefront waiting"><img alt="Waystone - Storefront waiting" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4707/39040334015_60f11567b3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/food%20and%20drinks" target="_blank">read my other Food and Drinks blog here</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We both walked to Waystone on Market St. and found out that the place was still 30 mins from its opening. We waited there along with other people who look like march participants. I didn't tell D but I felt like the two of us were the only ones not marching that day. It was a mix feeling of embarrassment and guilt.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Waystone opened 10 minutes earlier than scheduled. D and I were hoping that we didn't force them to open at the same time thankful that we didn't have to wait any longer.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25067117707/in/dateposted-public/" title="Waystone - Wine wall"><img alt="Waystone - Wine wall" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/25067117707_b05fe5ffd2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We were greeted by their super friendly and engaging staff. We both ordered a glass each of 2016 California Rose Pinot Noir by Cellars 33.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25067117847/in/dateposted-public/" title="Waystone - Rose Pinot Noir Cellars 33 2016"><img alt="Waystone - Rose Pinot Noir Cellars 33 2016" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4699/25067117847_99316bffd5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We also didn't want to eat a lot because we had a play to catch in a couple of hours. We decided to get the Ploughman's Board and the Veggie Avocado Toast. The Ploughman's Boards consisted of cheeses, charcuterie, slices of bread, medium boiled eggs and pickles. The Avocado Toast has mashed avocado, pickled onions, beets and seasonal veggies. The flavors complimented each other and went well with our Rose Pinot Noir.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25067117967/in/dateposted-public/" title="Waystone - Ploughman's Board Avocado toast rose"><img alt="Waystone - Ploughman's Board Avocado toast rose" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4602/25067117967_d8aa447b8a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I am always impressed when food are put together with a lot of thought - not just on the flavor department but also visually. The board was pretty. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We also made use of that time to catch up since we haven't seen each other since the Holiday Season. From our view, more marchers with colorful outfits were walking toward the Civic Center area where the Women's March was gathering.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39040333645/in/dateposted-public/" title="Waystone - Women's March"><img alt="Waystone - Women's March" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4701/39040333645_c028b0f2f7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We loved Waystone. It is a great place to catch up with friends while munching on good light food paired with good selections of wines. Wastone is on Market St. and Taylor St. </i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">~rl</i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-1175663301889240662018-01-24T22:06:00.001-08:002018-06-07T22:23:06.797-07:00Art in the City - Klimt exhibit at the Legion of Honor<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175289294/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor sign bw"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4701/39175289294_a0a1f21c2e_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The Legion of Honor is currently running the Klimt & Rodin exhibition and I was lucky enough to get tickets to this enormously popular event.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Klimt and Rodin are two of the more popular artists whose works of arts I enjoy and I feel thankful to have seen this exhibition while it is in San Francisco.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>While San Francisco has world class paintings hanging in its art museums, there are works of arts that reside permanently in other cities worldwide, unless their home museum is being renovated and the paintings or works of arts are on loan to other museums. I feel lucky that the museums in San Francisco have been a stop to these traveling exhibitions.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39853364232/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor facade"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor facade" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4624/39853364232_71a106f3b1_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/2013/06/art-exhibition-in-city-girl-with-pearl.html" target="_blank">read about the Girl with a Pearl Earring at De Young Museum</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I got to the Legion of Honor around 930am, I believe this is the time the museum opens on the weekend. However early I made it there, there were other people who got there before me. It was the last two weeks of the museum's Klimt & Rodin exhibit, </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>after all</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">. In this blog, I'll split Klimt and Rodin because it is too much to blog about. I'll show you first Klimt's works in the exhibit.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175289464/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Rodin Thinker"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Rodin Thinker" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4718/39175289464_1f78879bac_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/2011/09/picassos-in-city.html" target="_blank">read bout my Picasso blog at SF MoMA</a>]</span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">The tickets to go in is timed. I got the 11am group so to kill time, I lingered next to Matisse, Monet, Gaugin, Van Gogh and other Impressionist painters at the museum's permanent collections in Gallery 17. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">When it was finally my time to go into the Klimt & Rodin exhibition, it was already swarming </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>with</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> art lovers. The exhibition occupies Galleries 9, 10, 11 and 12. By </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>nature</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> of habit, I went to the Gallery on my right which is Gallery 12. </i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><b>Gallery 12</b> contains Klimt's portraitures and landscape paintings.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175290424/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 12"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 12" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4631/39175290424_e77d59b53e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here are my favorites in this Gallery.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986583895/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Ria Munk III"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Ria Munk III" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4747/38986583895_454963bd4f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Portrait of Ria Munk III</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1917 (unfinished)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175288644/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Balg Feathered Hat"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Balg Feathered Hat" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4649/39175288644_502933a2b8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Black Feathered Hat</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1910 </span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175289934/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Lady"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Lady" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4631/39175289934_a012f34281_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Portrait of a Lady</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1917</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986584105/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Johanna Staude"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Johanna Staude" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4628/38986584105_c4445f9c65_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Portrait of Johanna Staude</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1917 (unfinished)</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986584235/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Pine Forest I"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Pine Forest I" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4654/38986584235_77acf98d54_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pine Forest I</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1901</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175290804/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Farmhouse Upper Austria"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Farmhouse Upper Austria" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4721/39175290804_63cbe9843e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Farmhouse in Upper Austria</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1911</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>This is the crowd in <b>Gallery 10</b>. When I came in the museum, I noticed right away that Gallery 10 was more crowded even though it looks like the biggest room among the exhibition rooms. It didn't occur to me right away that this is where the painting called The Virgin might be displayed. This room contained Klimt's later works, including my favorite The Virgin.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39853363902/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 10"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 10" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4669/39853363902_b181db61db_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here are my favorites.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175290234/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Panel 10 11 Beethoven Frieze"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Panel 10 11 Beethoven Frieze" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4756/39175290234_cb082697e1_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Replica of Panel 10 and 11 from Beethove Frieze</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1984 (copy)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Casein paint, chalk,graphite,plaster and various appliquƩ materials</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986583415/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor The Virgin"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor The Virgin" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4678/38986583415_0b728a5e8c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The Virgin</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1913</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on Canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175291244/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Baby The Baby"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Baby The Baby" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4670/39175291244_98a0b67ecc_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Farmhouse in Upper Austria</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1917</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil and tempera on Canvas</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>From Gallery 10, I walked toward the left at the back and found the smaller <b>Gallery 9</b> which contained Klimt's erotic sketches.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39853364072/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 9 Erotic sketches"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Gallery 9 Erotic sketches" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4622/39853364072_3b2c410bbf_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">From Gallery 9, I got to <b>Gallery 8 </b>which contains Klimt's works from his early days and the Viennese Secession.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986583315/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Two Girls Oleander Bush"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Two Girls Oleander Bush" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4608/38986583315_04357ff654_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Two Girls with an Oleander Bush</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1890/1892</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175289654/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Sonja Knips"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Portrait Sonja Knips" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4718/39175289654_0a0a6793cf_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Portrait of Sonja Knips</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1898</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oil on canvas</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/26012498298/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Viennese Secession"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Viennese Secession" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4770/26012498298_13169ae4af_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Poster for the first exhibition of the Viennese Secession</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1898</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Color Lithograph on Paper</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Adjacent to the Galleries 8 and 12 are tiny hallways leading to the main lobby. Be very slow to walk because these areas also contained sketches and studies by Gustav Klimt. </i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175291004/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Bust Child Standing Woman"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Bust Child Standing Woman" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4655/39175291004_169c37d830_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bust of a Child</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(study for the painting Love)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1895</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pencil on Paper</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Frontally Viewed Standing Woman</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(study for the painting Judith II)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1908</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pencil on Paper</span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38986584535/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor Girl Bucket Dress"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor Girl Bucket Dress" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4716/38986584535_67a75862cd_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Girl with Bucket Dress</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(study for the painting The Virgin)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Gustav Klimt</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">1911-1912</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Pencil on Paper</span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I feel very fortunate to have seen this exhibition and see a glimpse of Klimt's great works.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39175289164/in/dateposted-public/" title="Klimt - Legion of Honor sign"><img alt="Klimt - Legion of Honor sign" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4610/39175289164_be7f2fff2f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-11652693365534282102018-01-22T22:13:00.000-08:002018-06-07T22:25:52.675-07:00Coffee in the City - Caffe Trieste<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24979015017/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="SCaffe Trieste - Sign bw"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4651/24979015017_1d6c2a9647_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Whenever we are in the neighborhood, we always try to drop by Caffe Trieste hoping that it won't be too crowded. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We walked by it after our tasty dinner at Sotto Mare and we found an available table and decided to stay. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It is one of our favorite cafes in North Beach.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>After our wonderful dinner at Sotto Mare, we started craving for coffee to wash down the savory seafood taste of cioppino. We decided to walk to Caffe Trieste to check out the scene. It was late in the evening and we had just waited for almost an hour at Sotto Mare and we didn't want to wait again for coffee. </i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24979014787/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - Street view"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Street view" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4614/24979014787_937508bd43_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Thankfully, there were available tables inside. As if the mood during the day isn't relaxed enough, the scene is definitely even more relaxed at night. Someone was playing and singing soothing flamenco music inside. Mijo ordered a decaf latte while I decided to get a small Americano.</i></div>
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28070477039/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - Crowd"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Crowd" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4672/28070477039_4b29d933c3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The sight of this mural is never tiring. This scene instantly made me feel like I was somewhere in Italy.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28070476889/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - Mural"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Mural" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4706/28070476889_9d88e12d2b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I've been to Caffe Trieste many times during the day and it is interesting that I hardly noticed this wall during those visits. If it is not the large crowd, there is live music inside the cafe and these are probably the reasons why I never really focused on this wall.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39817425882/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - Wall display"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Wall display" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4722/39817425882_fcc229f5f3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">We paired our coffees with alfajores and pecan pie.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24979015447/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - Alfajores"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - Alfajores" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4745/24979015447_0a0e5c822f_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo and I were in the neighborhood during the North Beach Festival in 2017 and I just want to share this picture of Caffe Trieste from the outside.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28070476819/in/dateposted-public/" title="Caffe Trieste - North Beach Festival"><img alt="Caffe Trieste - North Beach Festival" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4743/28070476819_5671961253_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">We've also enjoyed a bag of their Italian roast coffee some years back. Very good and very strong coffee.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">We truly love this place! Caffe Trieste's flagship cafe is located on Vallejo and Grant Sts. in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-24690203120962685372018-01-21T22:24:00.001-08:002018-01-21T22:26:40.700-08:00Cioppino in the City - Sotto Mare <i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39798452372/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Sotto Mare - Bib bw"><img alt="Sotto Mare - Bib bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4744/39798452372_bb7cb69cf4_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The cold winter weather has Mijo and I craving for something soupy and tasty. This craving had us searching for a place that serves cioppino.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We found one and it is a good one. Sotto Mare whets our cioppino appetite and we've been back again and maybe more visits there in the future.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo and I found out about Sotto Mare last holiday season. We got there late, around 8pm on a Thursday, but there was still a long line of people waiting. Our thought was, it must be good. We put our name in the list, got the pager and we waited. We waited about 45 minutes. The story ended well because we loved the food and it was worth the wait. But we did make a mental note that we'll try to come back early before dinner or in the afternoon.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We came back again last week </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>and</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> we did go there in the afternoon before 4pm. We sat right away at the bar. Our plan had worked!</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/28051664409/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sotto Mare - Front afternoon"><img alt="Sotto Mare - Front afternoon" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4765/28051664409_acfe54fcf0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here's what a bar seating looks like. The restaurant is small and gave me a first impression of a homey neighborhood restaurant which is a good thing.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">We told them about our order and we were given this bib a few minutes later.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39798452712/in/dateposted-public/" title="Sotto Mare - Bib"><img alt="Sotto Mare - Bib" height="218" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4648/39798452712_cd8082af00_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">While waiting, I noticed the wall displays are frames and frames of all what seem like pictures of famous people that had visited the restaurant </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>through</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> the years. The people I don't recognize I assume are </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>family</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> members and good friends.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Seating by the bar, we had a view of a very busy kitchen. Orders would come in and food would come out. It looks like they have a very efficient system going on there. I could hear oysters being chucked, crab shells cracking, and the clinking of the dishes are so loud I am surprised that there not one broke while were there.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I don't really know what was their house wine. It tasted like Zinfandel (or Primitivo in Italian) but I suspect their choice of house wine varietal changes every night or every week. I liked it. They also gave us a complimentary bread and butter, olive oil and vinaigrette.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">We also ordered these West Coast oysters. Very fresh and creamy!</i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Finally, our cioppino arrived. It looked like a lot. It has parts of a Dungeness crab, squid, shrimps, fish, clams, mussels, etc. I suspect they put what ever is the catch of the day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I don't really know the history of cioppino but who ever put this stew together for the first time is a </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>genius. All the flavors of the seafood with tomatoes and herbs and spices. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We sat there for a long time trying to finish the serving.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Perfect for a cold night! Another thing I noticed is that they perfectly cracked the crab shells that neither Mijo nor I needed to ask for shell cracker.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Dunking bread into the stew to get all the tasty goodness is not frowned at.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We will definitely be back for the third time, hopefully, soon! Sotto Mare is located on Green St. in San Francisco's Little Italy.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>~rl</i></span></div>
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-33496932740200212002018-01-16T23:04:00.001-08:002018-01-16T23:04:36.900-08:00Wine tasting in Napa Valley - Taste of Beringer Tour at Beringer Vineyards<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38810906675/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Beringer Vineyards - Sign bw"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4630/38810906675_a8c5b047c9_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>My good friend from high school Lizz and her hubby Rieks were in town from Singapore. They are both wine enthusiasts so we thought of taking them to Napa Valley for a tour.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>We decided to go to the more popular destinations in Napa Valley for their introduction to California wines. Beringer Vineyards did not disappoint.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>I've been to Beringer for a wine tasting before during the peak time for tourism and this place was packed. Cars and bus loads of visitors probably from around the world come here to site see and wine taste. This time of the year, the scene is quite the opposite. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">It is winter and the grounds of Beringer is ours to enjoy. We had arranged a Taste of Beringer tour.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Our wine educator's name is Jesus, yep that's his name, and he welcomed us with this 2015 Chardonnay called Luminus from their Oak Knoll District. It was crisp and refreshing with some hints of pineapple. He mentioned the history of Beringer, the prohibition years, and how Beringer has become one of the wine institutions in the valley and a Napa Valley landmark.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>He then walked us in front of the Hudson House, the residence of Jacob Beringer, founding partner of the Beringer Brothers Winery.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>We then walked some more toward the Rhine House where we would sit down for the Taste of Beringer. The Rhine House was a copy of the Beringer family's home in Germany.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We walked around the courtyard toward a table for our next wine.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We tasted their 2015 Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast. Tasty Pinot Noir with hints of cherry and plum.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">We then walked to their herb garden where we smelled different aromas - woody, citrus, fruity, etc.</i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Our wine educator then ushered us inside the Rhine House into a room with a long table beautifully set up with lots of plates, wine glasses, wine bottles and some food.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The wine selection includes their 2015 Luminous Chardonnay.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Their 2015 Private Reserve Chardonnay was paired with squash soup with lemongrass. The pairing brought out the creaminess of the Chardonnay. Their 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon was paired with a crispy wonton topped with </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>shitake mushroom. The full body of the cab went so well with the savory dish. </i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38810906015/in/dateposted-public/" title="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting glasses pairings"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting glasses pairings" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4659/38810906015_73fae761f6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Lastly, their 2014 Nightingale dessert wine was paired with creme filled profiteroles. I don't really like sweet wines but that one was very good and precious. It was a perfect pairing.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38810905705/in/dateposted-public/" title="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting glasses"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting glasses" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4764/38810905705_c5bcb15c67_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>We finished the pairing with the table looking like it was untouched. Thank you Jesus for the wine education.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38810908345/in/dateposted-public/" title="Beringer Vineyards - Dining table afterward"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Dining table afterward" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4713/38810908345_9f0a2dfa08_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Here are more pictures of the lobby inside the Rhine House.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39708742481/in/dateposted-public/" title="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting lobby"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Tasting lobby" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4712/39708742481_d01a7df821_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They even sent us a postcard! Thanks so much Beringer!</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38810907165/in/dateposted-public/" title="Beringer Vineyards - Postcard"><img alt="Beringer Vineyards - Postcard" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4752/38810907165_10ce8a75b2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>~rl</i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-56350733331579085322017-12-22T22:53:00.000-08:002017-12-26T20:26:41.494-08:00Christmas in the City - Holiday displays around San Francisco<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39204481222/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree day bw"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Union Square Holiday Tree day bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4733/39204481222_41ebbb0051_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It is truly the best time of the year. The city is all decked up again this year. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I've compiled photos of holiday displays around the city.</i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Holidays to you all!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We decided not to travel this month and we are staying put. I had always enjoyed the Holidays as a child because of the gifts and food. Now as an adult, I look always look forward to the Yuletide season and enjoy the holiday displays around the city.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Union Square is the mother of all Christmas displays in the city, in my opinion. Mijo and I would sit on one corner of the square with hot cocoa to warm us while getting immersed in the wonderful Christmas energy. Everyone is giddy, smiling, and giggling. This view can be seen from the balcony of the Cheesecake Factory on the top floor of Macy's.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">Here's another view of Union Square from Powell St.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here's the view of the Holiday Tree during the day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Who wouldn't want to shop if the store looked festive as Macy's? </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Do you agree?</i></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The ice </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>skating</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> rink is also another great attraction in Union Square during this time of the year.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25366995808/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Union Square Skatin Rink day"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Union Square Skatin Rink day" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4593/25366995808_2b0c324a67_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The scene at Union is not just a feast for the eyes, it is also for the hearing. The carolers take me to winter wonderland. </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Fa la la la la, la la la la.</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> </i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">Another store that has amazing Christmas displays is Neiman Marcus </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>which is also in Union Square.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39204346312/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Neimann Marcus doors"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Neimann Marcus doors" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4598/39204346312_a0f59c4aab_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Here's the view from Stockton St. The glass f</i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>aƧade allows the Christmas Tree to be seen from the outside.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39323682501/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Neiman Marcus Stockton St"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Neiman Marcus Stockton St" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4638/39323682501_a18f4102e5_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The tree is beautiful set in the middle of the lobby under the stained glass ceiling. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Speaking of Stockton St, the city has closed portions of the street from motorists and turned it into a pedestrian mall that is covered with green turf. The area is called Winterwalk. Food, drinks and entertainment while you shop.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38358244255/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk stage"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk stage" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4633/38358244255_b907560dcb_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38358244845/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe liquor flow"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe liquor flow" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/38358244845_54d31a5bbe_t.jpg" width="100" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38358245255/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe crowd"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Winterwalk Mistletoe crowd" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4642/38358245255_00953c0e79_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Across from Union Square inside the </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>lobby</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> of the St. Francis Hotel is festive with two edible holiday castles as its focal points. The handcrafted castles were created by Pasty Chef Jean Francois Houdre and his team.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This one is called the Sugar Castle.</i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24371271897/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Sugar Castle details"><img alt="Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Sugar Castle details" height="160" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4687/24371271897_ff2884c178_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This one is called the Enchanted </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Castle</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">.</i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24371272547/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Enchanted Castle ginger bread details"><img alt="Christmas in SF - St. Francis Hotel Enchanted Castle ginger bread details" height="160" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4636/24371272547_c291cc44c9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Up the hill from Union Square on California St, another hotel has another edible holiday display. This is actually one of my favorite holiday destinations in the city. It is the Gingerbread house at the Fairmont Hotel. The aroma of gingerbread and candies fill the air inside the lobby of the hotel.</i></span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24371439297/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house inside"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Fairmont Hotel Gingerbread house inside" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4638/24371439297_3a37d1f726_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The house is dotted with signs saying "Please do not eat".</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here's the holiday display at the Cityhall.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Another thing I love about holiday in the city is that the holiday music is everywhere. Just hearing a simple saxophone playing Let it Snow, </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Let</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"> it Snow puts my in my holiday mood.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I took this photo on the corner of Ellis and Powell Sts. </i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">This is probably one of the best giant wreaths I've ever seen. I love the seemingly random placements of the ornaments. I took this one at the Embarcadero Center.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A short walk from Union Square is the San Francisco Center mall. </i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Go up to the 4th floor to an area called Under the Dome and you'll see what I call the Inverted Christmas tree.</i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/25368158538/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Under The Dome view from under"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Under The Dome view from under" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4737/25368158538_c9daa7b414_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">A few steps from Union Square, another favorite holiday tree is on California St. between Kearny and New Montgomery Streets.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39323647761/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - California St Tree plaza"><img alt="Christmas in SF - California St Tree plaza" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4592/39323647761_f887e073c1_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39323647751/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - California St Tree stairs"><img alt="Christmas in SF - California St Tree stairs" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4646/39323647751_9a9805965d_t.jpg" width="100" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39323647721/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - California St Tree"><img alt="Christmas in SF - California St Tree" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4647/39323647721_2f0f7d766f_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>These Giant Christmas ornaments are on display at 101 California.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39245404401/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decors"><img alt="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decors" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/39245404401_2ffced0b00_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39245386881/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decor"><img alt="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant decor" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4738/39245386881_b007879d4b_t.jpg" width="100" /></a> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39245386191/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant ornaments"><img alt="Christmas in SF - 101 California giant ornaments" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4739/39245386191_f7aa779543_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Mijo and I enjoy a hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square while walking around and enjoying the holiday displays and lights around the plaza.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24383313927/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square hot chocolates"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square hot chocolates" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4635/24383313927_867d76812c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Here's the Christmas Tree at Ghirardelli Square.</i></span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/24383314497/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square Holiday tree"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square Holiday tree" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4693/24383314497_0fae3e1b83_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27470332249/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square courtyard"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Ghirardelli Square courtyard" height="67" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4684/27470332249_6f9a1afb12_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Market St is also dressed up for the holidays. Holiday lights bring warmth and joy from the Ferry Building all the way to Castro St.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39245692021/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Market street"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Market street" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4640/39245692021_a57d125fa3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Pier 39 is also a great place to check out during the holidays while enjoying a hot clam chowder or tomato bisque.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39255402871/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Pier 39"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Pier 39" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4595/39255402871_28a9164f76_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The streets around the area are also festive.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The bakers at Boudin Bakery and their giant wreath.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/27480126439/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf Boudin Bakery"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf Boudin Bakery" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4598/27480126439_1a4d148afa_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The Fisherman's Wharf sign is also lit up.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/39255403351/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Fishermans Wharf" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4729/39255403351_2e08cece66_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The Christmas tree on Castro and 18th streets is also a pretty sight during the holidays.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38547528334/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Castro St"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Castro St" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4596/38547528334_62ce8eb537_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Here's the scene at the Ferry Building this time of the year.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Christmas won't be complete in the city without some Filipino parol on display. This one was at a Filipino pop up event in SOMA.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38446914705/in/dateposted-public/" title="Christmas in SF - Filipino parol SOMA Pilipinas"><img alt="Christmas in SF - Filipino parol SOMA Pilipinas" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4688/38446914705_ac72e33cbc_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>~rl</i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-8620315925730622962017-12-05T19:47:00.000-08:002017-12-05T19:47:35.275-08:00Landmark in the City - Golden Gate Bridge views<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38832873022/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point bw"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4549/38832873022_73122d5bda_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>There are two seasons in San Francisco where the sky is fog-less and the views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay are unobstructed.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The past weekend didn't disappoint. Breathtaking views. It is one of my all time favorite views!</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The day started out clear and fog less. There are days when it would be fog-free on the side of the city where live but a low lying fog would be sitting around the northern part of the city. So clear skies doesn't mean that the Golden Gate Bridge views would be unobstructed. We drove to the Bridge anyway and played local tourists.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38863373971/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge on span"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge on span" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4522/38863373971_a245eaee35_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>We got lucky because it was clear and the tourist season is also over so the area is not inundated with out oft owners and bus loads of tourists. Not that I have anything against tourists. In fact, we welcome tourists. We just avoid them whenever we can. ha! Our first destination was <b>Point Vista </b>on the northern part of the span.</i></span><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38863373201/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Vista Point"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Vista Point" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4581/38863373201_7815a5f858_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Afterward, we decided to walk toward the northern tower. This was the first time I noticed that people drop coins on the side ridges of the the Bridge. I am guessing the way most people throw coins into fountains. Different types of coins from different parts of the world.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38832874542/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge coins"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge coins" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4585/38832874542_7737a6abe2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Afterward, Mijo and I drove to the <b>Marin Headlands</b> where a different view of the Bridge and the San Francisco Bay awaits. You've probably seen this view on tv, from many film, postcards, online pictures, etc. We lingered here for a while. We even hiked a little on the other side of the area where the jagged Pacific Coast meets the ocean. The views are equally stunning!</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38863373421/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Marin Headlands"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Marin Headlands" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4567/38863373421_b2e85b7ddf_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>From the Marin Headlands, we drove to the <b>Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point</b>. </i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38863373701/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point trail"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point trail" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4541/38863373701_8d8d7af5da_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The afternoon sun created dramatic colors and made the Bridge's color look more intense which contrasted the blue waters and brown topography.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38832874012/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point hike"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point hike" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4564/38832874012_594c08b782_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>San Francisco downtown seems so small compared to the Bridge from this angle.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38832873272/in/dateposted-public/" title="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point"><img alt="Golden Gate Bridge - Golden Gate Bridge Vista Point" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4516/38832873272_9c18579ca7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The nature surrounding the city sort of mutes the traffic on the Bridge. I could hear the horns from leaving cruise ships. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>This is one of the many reasons why I am so thankful that I live in SF.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>~rl</i></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-75885959189712626582017-11-12T21:42:00.001-08:002017-11-12T21:54:07.033-08:00Musical in the City - Aladdin<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38378701151/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Aladdin - Poster bw"><img alt="Aladdin - Poster bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4550/38378701151_eccd4ecbcd_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Aladdin is based on one of my favorite fairy tales when I was a child and Disney turned it into a movie when I was a teenager and then it turned into a Broadway show a couple of years ago. This is why I was very excited when I heard Aladdin The Musical was coming to San Francisco.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>It didn't disappoint. It is one of my all time favorite Broadway shows!</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: start;">I got a text from Mijo asking me if he could interest me in seeing Aladdin that evening. I said yes. The show just premiered the night before so it was only going to be the show's second night that evening. I was super excited that I even left the office early so I can go home and drop off my work bag and laptop and maybe change outfit.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38378704661/in/dateposted-public/" title="Aladdin - Market St crowd"><img alt="Aladdin - Market St crowd" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/38378704661_58ee792e31_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Lots of people were waiting by Market St. when Mijo and I got to Orpheum Theatre. Seeing the crowd this way added more energy and excitement into my already enthusiastic state.</i></span></div>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38378704181/in/dateposted-public/" title="Aladdin - Market St Poster"><img alt="Aladdin - Market St Poster" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4562/38378704181_1db1cf0e7c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Inside, there was an area for photo-op with a golden lamp and Aladdin poster. The people line up seemed like they didn't mind the long queue. I finally found a bunch of people who are more excited to see the show than I am, I thought to myself.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I got the following tidbits from the show's program which I found very educational and gave me an idea how lavish and creative the production truly is - there are 111 moving lights and 173 conventional lights, 38 tons of flying scenery, 342 in 26 different shops worked on the costumes, 2039 different fabric and trims used in the costumes from different countries, 337 costumes and 161 custom made shoes, 102 costume changes taking place in less than 1 minute, 8644 Swarovski rhinestones on each man's gold finale costume and Jasmine's wedding dress weighs 32 pounds because of the crystal beading. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Whew! </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Those information made me feel like taking a peek into the ins and out of the production. I can just imagine the design process put into each and every step of the production. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The explosive scenes that followed were just pure energy and entertainment. The singing and acting and dialogues were superb. I also noticed that the actors and actresses were working really hard because I could see the actors sweating after a couple of scenes. How they can sing and sound as pure as bell even after physically challenging scenes I do not understand.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/38378703721/in/dateposted-public/" title="Aladdin - Merchandise"><img alt="Aladdin - Merchandise" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4535/38378703721_1f7edd155d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Everyone was fantastic! Kudos to Anthony Murphy as Genie, Jonathan Weir as Jafar, Reggie De Leon as Iago, Adam Jacobs as Aladdin and Isabelle McCalla as Jasmine, Zach Bencal as Babkak, Philippe Arroyo as Omar, Mike Longo as Kassim, JC Montgomery as Sultan, and the entire ensemble and cast and crew. You guys were all amazing!</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/26603186879/in/dateposted-public/" title="Aladdin - Orpheum Theatre Market St"><img alt="Aladdin - Orpheum Theatre Market St" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4528/26603186879_6c94ca35dc_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I don't want to give everything away but watch out for the scene "Friend Like Me". Of course, everyone was waiting for the scene "A Whole New World" and it did not disappoint.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Just like in fairy tales, the story must end. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Mijo and I stepped out of the Orpheum Theatre into the Civic Center BART station happy and entertained. </i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Aladdin is playing through January 7, 2018 at the Orpheum Theatre.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>~rl</i></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-8088180880249927772017-10-19T22:34:00.001-07:002017-10-19T22:34:53.159-07:00Creamery in the City - Smitten Creamery<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272570404/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Sign"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Sign" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4401/36272570404_e21bc9c3f3_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo and I recently found an innovative and good ice cream place with an urban vibe. We started going to Smitten Ice </i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Cream on Valencia St.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Summer may be over but this place is definitely one of our go to ice cream places near the neighborhood.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Valencia Street in the Mission District is continually evolving. Every time we walk around the neighborhood, old stores close and new ones open. We recently found Smitten and we had gone there a few times this summer.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295279593/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Store front"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Store front" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4433/36295279593_7095a6ec1e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">The ice cream is hand made to order. This is why the flavors available each day, or maybe week are select and not plenty. The ice cream is hand made by the use of liquid nitrogen to freeze the cream in no time.</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272570084/in/dateposted-public/" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal;" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Days flavors"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Days flavors" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/36272570084_391f490608_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">The store is urban chic, open space and wood floors and walls. The first thing you'll notice is the aroma of freshly baked sugar cones dominates the entire store as you step in.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295279793/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Queue"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Queue" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4335/36295279793_5d8e89eecb_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">They have six ice cream making stations so you can see how the ice creams are made. Vapors come out of the stations reminiscent of chemistry laboratory days in high school. </i>I find it fun to watch how the ice cream is made and they make it fast!</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272570944/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Made to order"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Made to order" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/36272570944_47fc57e1be_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>They have lots of seating areas inside and with the view of the ice cream making stations. </i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295280353/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Made to order Sweet Corn"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Made to order Sweet Corn" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4383/36295280353_c6c00f551d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">During the day, lots of natural light. Spacious area to hangout in.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272571334/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Dining area"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Dining area" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4373/36272571334_eefe020bf3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Mijo sampled this mascarpone a with strawberry sauce as topping. Creamy and fruity combination.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295279963/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Mascarpone Strawberry"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Mascarpone Strawberry" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4413/36295279963_fa8f92daf9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">I tried their salted caramel with toasted almonds as toppings on a sugar bowl. Delicious!</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295280673/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Brown Suger cinnamon toasted almonds"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Brown Suger cinnamon toasted almonds" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4435/36295280673_5660bb2f79_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Next time, Mijo tried their plain vanilla with strawberry toppings. This is classic pairing.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272569894/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Sweet Corn"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Sweet Corn" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4338/36272569894_01048a68f2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">They also have a nice parklet outside on the street for an al fresco experience.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36272570664/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Parklet"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Parklet" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4382/36272570664_5483ccdedd_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">Next, Mijo sample their Vietnamese coffee flavor. It was definitely a winner.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37135199053/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Vietnamese Coffee munchkin"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Vietnamese Coffee munchkin" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4513/37135199053_1a6f053462_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>I sampled their Earl Grey. It was the first time I ever had an Earl Grey ice cream and I like it. It grows on you.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37773619542/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Earl Grey sugar bowl"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Earl Grey sugar bowl" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4456/37773619542_a07b08feb6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>We went their one time in the evening. The crowd is as lively as during the day.</i></span><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37773619602/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Smitten Creamery - Evening crowd"><img alt="Smitten Creamery - Evening crowd" height="213" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4452/37773619602_b4fa85b4ec_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Even though summer is over, I think Mijo and I will continue to visit this place whenever we are in the neighborhood.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-14267520322112408882017-10-04T22:42:00.000-07:002017-10-20T22:59:22.617-07:00Cafe south of the City - Mint and Honey in San Carlos<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36295833233/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Sign bw"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4340/36295833233_6328129534_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I went for a volunteer job at Habitat For Humanity in San Carlos and decided to go to Mint and Honey afterward.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I rarely venture out of the City for cafes. Mint and Honey was a great find in San Carlos. Quiet nook, friendly service and they serve good coffee. I'd go there again.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">I needed some picking up after a busy volunteer job at Habitat For Humanity in San Carlos, south of San Francisco. I narrowed down my choice and the one that I decided to go to was Mint and Honey.</i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Cute store front with big signs for coffee and tea.</i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967101351/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Street"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Street" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36967101351_9a87510329_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">On a weekday early in the afternoon, there were a lot of people chilling inside. The interior is as cute at the outside seating area. There was a line when I got there but it went fast. They have outside seating as well as inside.</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967102041/in/dateposted-public/" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal;" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Crowd"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Crowd" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4362/36967102041_7a26ae8029_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967101661/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Outside seating"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Outside seating" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/36967101661_a7d2c85c1a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They have French macarons and baked goodies by the counter but I didn't ask if they bake their goods in the premises.</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967101811/in/dateposted-public/" style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-style: normal;" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Goodies"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Goodies" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4348/36967101811_2023e3a414_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">They also have samples by the counter. These almond cookie samples were good. </i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967101501/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Samples"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Samples" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4332/36967101501_930cee1e28_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;">I noticed they have great table scape with flowers and plants as accessories. I love it.</i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967102381/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Condiments"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Condiments" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/36967102381_a050fac9b9_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">They serve coffee from Sightglass Coffee and tea from Art of Tea.</i><br />
<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">I decided to get an americano and a couple of French macarons. </i><br />
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36967102611/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Mint and Honey - Coffee and Macarons"><img alt="Mint and Honey - Coffee and Macarons" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4409/36967102611_d3867404c2_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I had an enjoyable and relaxing time there. I'd go there again when I'm in San Carlos one of these days. </i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">~rl</i><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-42745161754037435472017-10-03T20:51:00.001-07:002017-10-03T20:53:16.049-07:00Race in the City - JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36937943922/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Sign"><img alt="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Sign" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4428/36937943922_2487c2ba0d_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Thanks to my employer, I was able to join and run the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge with my colleagues at work. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>This year, the route is longer a little over 3.5 miles and I still beat my record from 2014, 2015, and 2016 and I still had time to take pictures of the picturesque route.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">I took the Muni to get to the Race area near AT&T Park. In the Muni, I rode with other runners from other companies judging from the uniforms they were wearing.</i><br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36966859231/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Mission Bay"><img alt="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Mission Bay" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4375/36966859231_de1499d4e7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">It was still an hour away from the official start of the race but race participants are already coming in.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36937946292/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Ball park"><img alt="JPMC Corporate Challenge 17 - Ball park" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4387/36937946292_a8d4e01a41_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">There was a party vibe in the race area. Some companies have designated booths. I met up with my colleagues and had our group picture taken afterwards. There were snacks like energy drink and bananas and water provided for us. Thanks guys!</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Like the previous years, we were split by our bib colors. Red for the serious runners, Green for advanced runners and blue for beginner runners. I was wearing a blue bib but I ran with the Green bib folks.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">There was high energy while we were all waiting for our start. Lots of Salesforce runners.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">We run starting from the AT&T Park area toward the Bay Bridge on Embarcadero St.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Here a view of the Financial District from Pier 30.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">I think the half a mile was added in Pier 30 because this year we had to run around the Pier and back unlike last year where we only had to run the length of it.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Here's the view of the other side of the Bay Bridge where the Bay Lights is seen. This was during our 2 mile mark.</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">I must have lost 2 to 3 minutes of running time from taking the pictures. But I love the views and wouldn't mind losing a few minutes. Nevertheless, I still beat my previous running records. I even had a faster pace that my pace at the SF Marathon 5k run. </i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I had another fun run this year. I can't wait for next year's run.</i></span><br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-9487362896408221472017-09-05T21:37:00.001-07:002017-09-05T21:37:02.967-07:00Musical in the City - Something Rotten<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36249630153/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Something Rotten - SHN booklet bw"><img alt="Something Rotten - SHN booklet bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36249630153_61d5b7f1b3_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Mijo and I took our friend Dinah's advice to see the musical Something Rotten. After a long time of not seeing a musical, we were so happy that Something Rotten did not fail to entertain.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We absolutely enjoyed seeing it and totally recommend it to anyone to go see it.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">We got lucky and got tickets on the last minute on a Thursday evening.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36249632253/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Something Rotten - Boxoffice"><img alt="Something Rotten - Boxoffice" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4379/36249632253_c2daf08da6_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: left;">[</span><a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/musical" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">read more of my Broadway show blogs here</a><span style="text-align: left;">]</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Since we got the tickets two hours before the show, we had time to go get snacks. The nearby Gyro King is a good place to get sustenance.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I saw this view of the Orpheum Theatre from a Muni bus shed and I loved the view from there. I've never seen the front of the theatre from that vantage point.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The opening was not as explosive compared to the other shows. I later realized that the show was building up and it was very effective. It kept us entertained the whole time. I love how the main characters Nick Bottom played by Rob McClure and Nigel Bottom played by Josh Grisetti took me out of my seat and into the stages and theatres of Elizabethan England. The costumes and props were how I imagined the Renaissance.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37057103425/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Something Rotten - SHN booklet"><img alt="Something Rotten - SHN booklet" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/37057103425_a0535bf797_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Because of Nick Bottom's hunger for success and a name that is at least as good as The Bard's, he did things that would get him where he wants to be no matter the cost. With the help of someone who can see the future Nostradamus played by Blake Hammond, he pieced together a musical performance where the scenes are taken from the timeless musicals hundreds of years into the future. The result is like a Frankenstein of a musical. It is hilarious. It was a hot mess. Like what my friend Dinah says, fans of Broadway musicals can totally relate. </i></span></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We loved the production numbers, the tap dancing, the rap singing with tap dancing, the rock star Shakespeare played by Adam Pascal and the minstrel played by Nick Rashad Burroughs and the rest of the cast and crews. You guys did a great job!</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Something Rotten is playing at the Orpheum Theatre through September 10, 2017.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37057104595/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Something Rotten - Evening shot"><img alt="Something Rotten - Evening shot" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4396/37057104595_65f10b1617_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>~rl</i></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-26324129298490919232017-09-04T21:28:00.000-07:002017-09-04T21:33:36.148-07:00Filipino Film in the City - The New Filipino Cinema at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37036255825/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="New Filipino Cinema - Program and tickets bw"><img alt="New Filipino Cinema - Program and tickets bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4409/37036255825_001c5ed7b3_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For the 3rd time in a row, Mijo and I saw several Filipino film at the New Filipino Cinema at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">As always, it does not disappoint. We love the carefully curated line up of film. We can't wait for next year's selections.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>The New Filipino Cinema 2017 ran from August 17, 2017 through September 3, 2017 at YBCA's screening room. Unfortunately, I'm blogging this right after the last weekend of its screenings.</i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"> The selection of film was curated by Philbert Ortiz Dy and Joel Shepard. Thank you guys for this year's selection. We totally loved it!</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/37036255665/in/dateposted-public/" title="New Filipino Cinema - Yerba Buena Center for the Arts night"><img alt="New Filipino Cinema - Yerba Buena Center for the Arts night" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4431/37036255665_7037ef7720_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We saw five out of the thirteen films they were screening and we loved all five that we saw. Great acting! The first film we saw was our favorite among this year's batch entitled Apocalypse Child directed by Mario Cornejo. The film is set in the town of Baler, which is east of the island of Luzon, is a popular surfing destination and a production location of the movie Apocalypse Now. The story revolves around Ford who is a surf instructor and a rumored love child of one of the casts of the movie Apocalypse Now. We also saw Sunday Beauty Queen directed by Baby Ruth Villarama. She was present during one of the screenings of the film for a Q&A session. We also liked Ma' Rosa directed by Brillante Mendoza, Bliss by Jerrold Tarog and Mercury is Mine by Jason Paul Laxamana. The movie Seklusyon by Erik Matti was also in the list but we already saw this movie in Manila in December during the Metro Manila Film Festival.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>During one of the Curator Talks, they mentioned another Filipino movie entitled Kita Kita was being screened at local Cinemark Theaters. Mijo and I saw it too and loved it! That was a bonus!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>I'm already excited and looking forward to next year's line up. </i></span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Thank you YBCA for supporting and highlighting Filipino film!</i></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">~rl</i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-71805588469515214582017-09-03T20:15:00.003-07:002017-09-03T20:15:58.456-07:00Wine Tasting in Sonoma - Gary Farrell Vineyards and Winery<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36816284776/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Sign bw"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/36816284776_84e6791e4e_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>For our last wine tasting that day, Mijo, B and B and I went to Gary Farrell Winery. We hadn't had a lot of Pinot Noir tastings that day so it was great to finally tasting some.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Great service, great location with tasty Pinot Noir. I enjoyed tasting at Gary Farrell.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>The drive up to the winery was pretty and relaxing. Oak trees dot the property. There were lots of nice cars parked in the lot. </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>As we stepped into the winery, we were checked in by the concierge and walked us to a table inside the tasting room. The room is more like a open hall with high beamed ceilings, lots of natural lighting and several dining tables and chairs. The place is beautiful and chic. It kind of sets the mood for tasting wines. There were already groups of people seated around a few tables when we got there a little after 2pm.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36816284446/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Tasting room"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Tasting room" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4333/36816284446_b8a86dca7b_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36864136971/in/dateposted-public/" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Terrace view"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Terrace view" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/36864136971_7b0ee30d73_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36864136681/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Terrace"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Terrace" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4353/36864136681_913430e5f3_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[<a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/wine%20tasting" target="_blank">read more of my Wine Tasting blogs here</a>]</span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Gary Farrell Winery offers several wine tasting options. Our friend Bob had made the reservation for their Elevation Tasting which is a tasting of their Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. We were met by our friendly host (sorry I forgot his name) and gave us an overview of the tasting and the vineyards around the Russian River Valley. We started with their 2013 Chardonnay West Side Farm and then the 2014 Chardonnay Olivet Lane Vineyard. Both are good crisp and refreshing Chardonnay. And then we tasted their 2014 Pinot Noir Hallberg Vineyard-Dijon Clones and their 2014 Pinot Noir McDonal Mountain Vineyard. These two are my favorites. Our host threw in two extras to find out what we think of the next wines. We tasted their 2015 Pinot Noir Rochioli Vineyard and their 2014 Zinfandel Grist Vineyard. Both are delicious wines as well.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36816283956/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Pour"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Pour" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4436/36816283956_7e972fcd10_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36864138171/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Chardonnays"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Chardonnays" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/36864138171_a2d3bf2ee3_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36816285076/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinots"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinots" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4336/36816285076_051946eba1_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36816285386/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinot and Zin"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinot and Zin" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36816285386_5cbf2c1353_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>In the end, Mijo and I decided to get our unanimous favorite - their 2014 Pinot Noir McDonald Mountain Vineyard. These two are great pairings to our home cooked meals in the coming months. I'll write an Everyday Wine blog about it as soon as we open them and pair them with our meals.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36864137831/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinot Noirs McDonald Mountain"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - Pinot Noirs McDonald Mountain" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/36864137831_d30798e77a_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>As a bonus, here's a view of the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36864137661/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Gary Farrell Winery - RRV"><img alt="Gary Farrell Winery - RRV" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4333/36864137661_37a59d1355_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Gary Farrell Vineyard is located on Westside Rd in Healdsburg in Sonoma County.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-66279046537208563742017-08-26T11:56:00.004-07:002017-08-26T11:59:25.702-07:00Desserts in Sonoma - Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822633835/in/dateposted-public" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Street view bw"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Street view bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4388/36822633835_be3c5f65ea_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>After our lunch at Barndiva, we walked around the corner and found Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pie. We were craving for something sweet so it was a lucky that we chanced upon this ice cream and pie place.</i></span><br />
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">It was a great addition to our day trip to Sonoma Wine Country.</i><br />
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were lots of people sitting outside the cafe so we thought that is a good sign that the place maybe a good place. Inside was a line to the counter so I had time to do my musings and take pictures. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They have their goals written down in our of their wall displays and reading this made me part of the whole experience. It is like a conversation between me and Noble Folk. </span></i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822637805/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Crowd"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Crowd" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4386/36822637805_75a9f1eab3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822634905/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - More goodies"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - More goodies" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/36822634905_638d18b722_t.jpg" width="100" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822635385/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Goodies"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Goodies" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4442/36822635385_066de6be44_t.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Look at these beautifully handmade and scratch made pies and ice creams from traditional recipes.</span></i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822634355/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Pies"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Pies" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/36822634355_4693238f92_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36822635095/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Ice Cream"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Ice Cream" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/36822635095_cfb54f2d3c_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Since we were still full from our lunch, Bob, Mijo and I decided to get their affogato and Bren decided to get their Thai ice cream. They tasted fresh. I noticed they serve Four Barrel Coffee.</span></i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36651932202/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Affogatto and Thai ice cream"><img alt="Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies - Affogatto and Thai ice cream" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4423/36651932202_acee0c3a3d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Noble Folk Ice Cream and Pies is located at the Healdsburg Plaza in Sonoma County.</span></i></div>
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<i style="text-align: start;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">~rl</span></i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-91624006077024390742017-08-23T22:08:00.001-07:002017-08-23T22:08:47.723-07:00Lunch in Sonoma - Barndiva<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599379912/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Barndiva - Sign bw"><img alt="Barndiva - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4343/36599379912_b426fb5eba_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>As for our break from wine tasting in Sonoma, we went to Barndiva located in Healdsburg Plaza. The food was good combined with the relaxed atmosphere and great location.</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Going there was a good addition to our Sonoma day trip.</i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>After tasting wine at Simi Winery, we were in need of proper sustenance. Our friend Bob had called ahead for a table for four at Barndiva. None of us have been there before so I didn't know what to expect in terms of food and what the ambience is like.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Healdsburg Plaza was bursting with people during the middle of week. </i><i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">For a Wednesday, parking was not easy to find. Barndiva is housed in this barn like building. Rustic on the outside but chic on the inside. Spacious with lots of natural light.</span></i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599380602/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Driveway"><img alt="Barndiva - Driveway" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4384/36599380602_e5b735e3e3_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599381282/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Center St"><img alt="Barndiva - Center St" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4407/36599381282_5559d7e2bb_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599381112/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Dining Room"><img alt="Barndiva - Dining Room" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4416/36599381112_7358817f71_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">This amazing bar greeted us when we got in. It was just unfortunate that I did not get to try a single libation from the bar because I already reached my alcohol quota that morning.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599381512/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Bar"><img alt="Barndiva - Bar" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4410/36599381512_23024583d8_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">Their menu is simple and not overwhelming at all. I chose their Cuban sandwich which consists of roasted Niman Ranch pork shoulder, gruyere, tomato, pepperoncini relish, beets and frites. It was good and it was a lot of food. I could only finish one sandwich. The veggie and fruit garnish complimented the sandwich.</span></i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599379582/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - The Cuban Sandwich"><img alt="Barndiva - The Cuban Sandwich" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4372/36599379582_46dc1ae96d_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Mijo and Bren ordered the Yellowfin Tuna Focaccia </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>sandwich. I had a bite of this sandwich and it was good. I was expecting the tuna to be seared and not as tuna salad style but it worked as a tuna salad sandwich this way.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599379292/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Yellowfin Tuna Focacia"><img alt="Barndiva - Yellowfin Tuna Focacia" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/36599379292_59d5988fcf_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Bob ordered their Crispy Duck Confit which came with lettuce salad, warm goat cheese </i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>croquettes and kale caesar. I tried the croquettes and it was delicious!</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599380142/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Duck confit"><img alt="Barndiva - Duck confit" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4397/36599380142_46a85e333e_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>In addition to the delicious lunch and great relaxed atmosphere, these wall wire art displays add a cute barn like art pieces in the dining area.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36599379522/in/dateposted-public/" title="Barndiva - Wall wire art"><img alt="Barndiva - Wall wire art" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4406/36599379522_f1b7349ecf_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>Barndiva is on Center St. in Healdsburg Plaza in Sonoma County, California.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;"><i>~rl</i></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10003779.post-62605544104546991402017-08-21T21:29:00.000-07:002017-08-21T21:34:19.747-07:00Wine Tasting in Sonoma - Back at Rodney Strong Vineyards<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36331349360/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Sign bw"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Sign bw" border="0" height="125" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4408/36331349360_9a5a0e64e6_n.jpg" style="float: left; height: 160px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a></span></i><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>We went back to Rodney Strong Vineyards to wine taste. We were here for the first time four years ago and we loved it. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Same great wines, same friendly and attentive service. We love Rodney Strong Vineyards.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We went to Rodney Strong after our wonderful tasting at Jordan. </span></i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Our friend Bob is a wine club member at Rodney Strong Vineyards and as a member he gets complimentary tastings for him and including me and Mijo.</i><br />
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<span style="color: #444444;"><a href="https://rolandito.blogspot.com/search/label/wine%20tasting" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[read my other Wine Tasting blogs here]</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Before going in, we had time to check out the vineyard outside to admire the ripening grapes hanging on the vine. It was a thing of beauty. Pretty soon these grapes will be harvested and crushed and saved in barrels to age and then bottled for oenophiles to enjoy. Looking at these grapes reminded me that wines are really a produce and not something made out of a recipe to make it taste the same each year. This is one of the reasons I love wines.</i></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36331350280/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Bunch of grapes"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Bunch of grapes" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4442/36331350280_712fc72c56_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36557249222/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Happy vines"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Happy vines" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4340/36557249222_66689e20c5_t.jpg" width="100" /></a> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36331349710/in/dateposted-public/" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Fish friendly farming"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Fish friendly farming" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4365/36331349710_6e6b42b0dd_t.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">Now for the wine tasting...</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36331348530/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Tasting room door"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Tasting room door" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4338/36331348530_e266680277_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">We got there around 11:30ish on a Wednesday but the tasting room was busy already. Bob chose the Reserve and Single Vineyards tasting . </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">These are all great wines. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">We skipped the Chardonnay from the tasting. </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">The tasting included their 2014 Reserve Chardonnay Russian River Valley, 2014 Reserve Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, 2013 Reserve Malbec Sonoma County, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, 2013 Symmetry Red Meritage Alexander Valley, 2013 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, </i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36557249472/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Tasting room"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Tasting room" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4424/36557249472_d3447240c0_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36331348120/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Wine shelf"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Wine shelf" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4421/36331348120_a6b0bbaaf2_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36680475596/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Breadsticks"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Breadsticks" height="68" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4405/36680475596_0eee40c3ce_t.jpg" width="100" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">2013 Alexander's Crown Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley,</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36680476896/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - 2013 Alexanders Crown Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - 2013 Alexanders Crown Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4392/36680476896_a08ddbc2ee_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">and 2013 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36680475796/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - 2013 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - 2013 Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4360/36680475796_ef414e8345_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">It was difficult to make a decision which wines to take home with us because they are great wines. We even had to ask for an extra pour just to make sure which ones we truly love. In the end, we ended up taking a bottle of their </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">2014 Reserve Pinot Noir Russian River Valley</i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"> and </i><i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">2013 Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley.</i></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rluistro/36557249032/in/dateposted-public/" target="_blank" title="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Wines to take home"><img alt="Rodney Strong Vineyards - Wines to take home" height="216" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36557249032_114f2fb2a7_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Rodney Strong has become one of our favorite wines and favorite place to taste wines. We'll definitely be back.</i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #444444; font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: start;">~rl</i></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">Balitang SF (c 1996-2018)</div>Roland L.http://www.blogger.com/profile/16350405322725915269noreply@blogger.com0