A Perfect French Day in San Francisco
Mar 27th, 2003, 10:06 AM
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A Perfect French Day in San Francisco
I need a France fix! I want to spend the day feeling like I am in Paris. I have been to some of the small French restaurants in SF but how about stores and activities? A fav music place? From beginning to end, let's plan it! (Yes, I posted this on the US board as well but thought you all might have some ideas).
Mar 27th, 2003, 10:50 AM
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Rhonda,<BR><BR>Have you been to the Left Bank? There is one in Menlo Park and one in Larkspur. The owner is from Lyon and the food is wonderful. It's the only place I've been able to find my beloved Salade Lyonnaise.<BR><BR>Have you been to Sur La Table? They have culinary events and cooking classes. The SF store is temporarily closed for retrofitting but there is a store in Berkeley.
Mar 27th, 2003, 12:46 PM
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Well, you can no longer find a smoky little bar or cafe in SF, but....<BR><BR>For atmosphere and maybe music, depending on who's playing, possibly Cafe du Nord?<BR><BR>For a casual meal or just a drink: Cafe Claude (actually used to have jazz some evenings - check), Cafe Bastille, or Ti Couz.<BR><BR>For a more upscale meal: Clementine, Le Charm, Bisou, Chapeau! or Plouf.<BR><BR>For shopping: a stop by Sephora or L'Occitane for soaps/lotions, etc.<BR><BR>A visit to the Palace of the Legion of Honor. Check for arthouse screenings of a French film, or rent one.<BR><BR>Have you considered joining the Alliance Francais? A friend took language lessons there, I think, and they apparently have cultural events: http://www.afsf.com/
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Mar 27th, 2003, 06:11 PM
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Ronda...<BR><BR>The restaurant to go to in SF is the Jeanne d'Arc in the Cornell Hotel de France...www.cornellhotel.com<BR><BR>Don't be put off by the fact that a four course dinner costs $29.25. Every dish is beautifully prepared, and the atmosphere is special. You go down in the basement and it is like entering another world.<BR><BR>As to the Left Bank, I live in Menlo Park, and can tell you that the resto is a local joke. Maybe the one in larkspur is better.
Mar 27th, 2003, 10:08 PM
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Thank you for all the great ideas! <BR><BR>I am going to take my girlfriend up there who has not set foot off the continent. Start at Grace Cathedral (looks like Notre Dame)on Nob Hill. I'll just take her to Paris without leaving home. <BR><BR>Have always want to go to Palace of Legion of Honor so now I must. <BR><BR>Restaurant ideas are great and I will have to check them ALL out. <BR><BR>There is a little coffee shop on or near Bush and Powell that also sells French newspapers, magazines, and books (I think it is next door to Le Central) that is kind of fun. <BR><BR>Isn't that Belden Lane cute? I haven't been there at night yet but I bet it has lots of atmosphere at night. <BR><BR>
Mar 28th, 2003, 06:19 AM
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Ronda: You won't regret your visit to the Legion of Honor. Some excellent Rodin's there, and if you go soon you will also enjoy a bit of Poland. We went last Saturday to see "Leonardo DaVinci and the Splendors of Poland." Enjoyed it very much.
Mar 28th, 2003, 06:24 AM
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Anyone who is a Rodin fan in the SF Bay Area should go to the Cantor art museum on the Stanford University campus. The Rodin sculpture garden features The Gates of Hell & a dozen other major works. Inside there are even more, including hand studies. Plus it's always free, and the museum's cafe is nice too.
Mar 28th, 2003, 02:53 PM
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I would agree with an earlier poster that parts of polk are very french feeling. If you start around Polk and Broadway and head towards the bay, you will find expensive, but cute little shops, cafes..some french, i pass them on the way to the Alahambra Gorilla Fitness...past the Alahambra there are a couple little shops, one owned by a cute french man. though i THINK he may be gay..so don't get your hopes up ladies. 
There's a NEST store on Polk that's so cute..and another on Fillmore by the Clay. <BR>
There's a NEST store on Polk that's so cute..and another on Fillmore by the Clay. <BR>
Apr 7th, 2003, 10:42 AM
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There's a fairly strong French contingent here in SF. You could start by visiting Alliance Francais on Bush near Polk St. They have listings of French cultural activites and regularly show films etc.<BR>Then wander down to Bush and Grant St. (a long stroll!) across from Chinatown and go into the cafe/newstand on the corner; they have loads of French magazines and newspapers, and there's always a French contingent it seems.<BR>Another block or so down, and peer into Claude Alley for Cafe Claude for a tasty lunch. Staying on Bush st. walk down another block or two to Belden (also an alley) and if it's really nice evening, sit outside and have dinner at one of the charming little French restaurants/bistros in this block!<BR>There are other areas where you can find the French presence in SF-countless excellent restaurants from the outrageously expensive: French Laundry; to the very modest: Le Charm-but if you want a day and one street, you can eat well, and take in several items on this itinerary.<BR>You could also head out to The Palace of the Legion of Honor, a lovely museum on a bluff overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and downtown, it has a nice collection and killer views.
