O izakaya Lounge in San Francisco's Japantown neighborhood

Welcome to the Neighborhood, A Series About San Francisco Neighborhoods
About the author. Dianne Admire is the co-owner of San Francisco company Carried Away. Carried Away offers private, custom, experiential tours of San Francisco and the Bay Area for up to 4 people. Dianne and her business partner Vikki Garrod (a.k.a. The Ladies of Carried Away) are known for their insider’s knowledge of the Bay Area, especially San Francisco and Marin. To book one of their sights, food, wine, or shopping outings you can contact them at www.CarriedAwaySF.com.

Save room for a Spruce cocktail in San Francisco's Presidio Heights neighborhood

Remember last month when we took you to one of our fave places to shop in a bunch of different San Francisco neighborhoods? Well this month we’re going to revisit those neighborhoods – but this time with your appetite in mind.  So put down your shopping bags and pull up a seat to enjoy a diverse range of cuisine throughout the city.

Try the o izakaya pork belly in San Francisco's Japantown neighborhood

Japantown Izakaya is having its moment in San Francisco and a good place to get your Izakaya on in Japantown is the O Izakaya Lounge. The Izakaya concept is an import from Japan – a place to get together with your friends to have a few drinks and share some plates of food. O Izakaya’s lounge offers a Cali take on the trend i.e. fresh/organic. And the best part? Happy hour from 5-7, Wednesday-Sunday. Get the pork belly, the omocchi (fried rice balls) and if you like it spicy, the togarashi fries. While there is a long list of wines & cocktails, we encourage you to sample one of the 20+ sakes on the menu.

Try the umami burger in San Francisco's Cow Hollow neighborhood

Cow Hollow It’s hard for people in the San Francisco Bay Area to admit that L.A. has anything to offer us culinarily. But we have to give credit where credit is due – well done, Umami Burger. The most anticipated San Francisco burger spot opening since In-N-Out, Umami Burger opened a few months ago. What’s with the name? Well umami is your “fifth taste”, which can be best described as savoriness. It goes without saying that you should order the namesake burger which has portobello & shitake mushrooms, a parmesan crisp, caramelized onions, roasted tomato and umami ketchup. It’s like umami squared and then squared again. Add the tempura onion rings and you are set.

Try the Tacolicious tuna tostada on Valencia Street in San Francisco's Mission neighborhood

The Mission Mmmm, Tacolicious has opened in the Mission on Valencia Street. We’ve always been fans of the location on Chestnut Street and are so happy to have the Tacolicious option on the South side of town. You might be asking yourself, “does the Mission need another taco spot?” Well if they serve an albacore tuna tostada like Tacolicious does, the answer is yes. Get an order of that to start and then a plate of delicious, fresh, not-your-usual tacos as your main. While you’re there, enjoy the Paul Madonna mural.

Chef Gerard Buulong creates these peasant pies in this San Francisco Noe Valley neighborhood

Noe Valley Peasant Pies is our go-to for a quick, casual, and of course delish snack destination in Noe Valley. Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Gerard Buulong brought this little specialty to San Francisco from Southern France after seeing the fishermen in Sete enjoying this “hand held meal”. We like the Basque Beef and the Chicken Potato pies, but if you’re into sweets Peasant pies has lots of options in that category too. Enjoy your pie and then get on with your shopping!

Presidio Heights No article from the Ladies of Carried Away is complete without a cocktail destination, and here is one the best in a town filled with artisanal/hand-crafted/farm-to-table/you-name-it cocktails: Spruce on Sacramento Street. Those cocktail geniuses behind the bar elevate the cocktail to a new and beautiful level. The Classic Cocktails are great – the House Specialties are even more so. And the setting is just perfect at the end of a day of exploring the city. Arrive when they open for dinner at 5pm so that you can claim your space at the cozy and elegant bar. Hint: ask for the Violet Beauregarde, if she’s on the menu, she’s worth the splurge.

Don’t you love dining in San Francisco? What are your favorite dining spots in San Francisco neighborhoods?

Top and third photos courtesy of O izakaya Lounge. Cocktail photo courtesy of Spruce Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Umami Burger. Photo of tuna tostada courtesy of Tacolicious. Photo of peasant pies courtesy of Peasant Pies Facebook page.

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What better way to end a day at the beach than with a Honolulu happy hour?

Bars with the Best Happy Hour

I love to experience the outdoors and jump at any chance to get my heart rate going while also exploring a new activity. In this regard, it’s safe to say that Hawaii pretty much has my name all over it. Of course, I also love good food and drinks. After a few hours or days running around hiking, biking, swimming and snorkeling, what better way to catch some R&R than with some serious happy hour time? Some of my favorite places are well-situated in the hub of Honolulu, just like many of my top hiking trails and beaches. What more could I ask for?

Enjoy Hawaiian cocktails for a true taste of the islands

Off the Wall Restaurant and Bar, Aiea, Hi

This place has specials every day of the week except Mondays. From one of my favorites, sake, slashed to 50 percent during Happy Hour (4 p.m – 6 p.m.) to fun sparkling cocktails for just $4, Off the Wall appeals to all imbibing styles. Plus, it has cheap, tasty Asian fusion appetizers and several Polynesian cocktails for a true taste of the islands. Contrary to its name, the place is calm and inviting.

Try the pizza and Blue Moon happy hour specials at Hawaii's Sports FanAddicts

Sports FanAddicts Bar & Grill, Honolulu, Hi

As the name implies, this sports bar hosts every game or event on with the added bonus of truly outstanding food and awesome drink specials. The devoted followers come here and rave about the pizza and Blue Moon specials during happy hour, as well as the attentive staff. What’s great about this place is it’s never too crowded, which almost makes me reluctant to share it!

Karaoke and cheap drinks qualifies Wang Chung's for Honolulu Bars with the Best Happy Hours

Wang Chung’s, Honolulu, Hi

Some visitors tout Wang Chung’s as a place for “the most fun you’ll ever have in Honolulu.” With karaoke and cheap drink specials, it’s hard to argue. Songs are free before 8 p.m., many of which are Japanese, and provide the bar with another type of island experience. Fun cocktails like key lime pie drinks and strawberry mojitos make this place a silly but memorable happy hour destination.

Daily drink specials at this happy hour make Hanks Cafe easy on the wallet

Hank’s Café Honolulu, Honolulu, Hi

To be honest, I’m a dive bar kind of person, and Hank’s Cafe serves this need for me perfectly without having to go down the overly saturated route of an Irish pub. Live music most nights, homey décor and a variety of patrons make it extra special and eclectic. Daily drink specials make it easy on the wallet, but happy hour prices bring it even lower. Experience a true game of musical chairs, as most of the patrons are there to hop up on stage at some point and share instruments. The musician’s network makes it a welcoming and ear-pleasing spot to end your day

After an early evening of sipping drinks, watching games or singing Japanese pop tunes, I like to make my way down Honolulu to any of the numerous Waikiki hotels. The lounges and restaurants located within offer up a new direction for cocktails or innovative cuisine. It’s no surprise that Waikiki is one of my favorite places to have just about any style of eating and drinking experience!

What are your favorite things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii?

This post was made possible by Aqua Resorts.

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The Palazzo Vecchio holds plenty of Florence, Italy's history and culture.

Florence – a must see in Italy

My Italian sojourn in October of 2011 included a “mandatory” visit to the city of Florence, or Firenze in la lingua Italiano.  It is the cultural capital of Italy because it is home to many museums and renaissance structures. In fact, it is where the Renaissance actually began.   My family, which included my mother, father, and older brother, traveled, quite comfortably, by train from Venice to Firenze. Train travel in Italy is on-time, clean, and quick.  We traveled 1st class which allowed us a private seating area with reclining seats, internet hook-up, and a spacious table for four.  In a little under 2 hours we were pulling in to the train statzione called Santa Maria Novella.  I love the Italian language.  It just seems so….musical.

The centrally located Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco was in walking distance of the train station and main attractions of Florence, Italy

Hotel location is key in Florence, Italy

Our hotel was within walking distance from the train statzione.  The hotel Il Guelfo Bianco was centrally located in Florence, which was a great plus because, walking or taking a cab, would have been too much of a hassle.  The rooms were typically European; a tiny bathroom with uncomfortable beds, and overpriced. However, it did afford us a great starting point to see the city.  We were there for only two days so location was the key to this visit.

Visit Michelangelo’s statue of David on a visit to Florence, Italy.

A stroll through Florence Flea Market

Our day started with a stroll through a vibrant flea market where “hucksters” hawked everything from scarves to leather jackets.  We did buy some cool looking scarves for only $5 bucks, and it was fun haggling with those guys. Next stop was the epicenter of Florence, the piazza San Giovanni.  Here is where the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore is located.  This is an ornate, huge Catholic Cathedral completed in 1436 and built from green and pink marble bordered by white marble.  It is an imposing and magnificent structure.  It was done in the Gothic style replete with gargoyles, spires, and buttresses – a masterpiece of renaissance architecture.

Allow plenty of time to stroll and take in the grandeur of Florence, Italy's Santa Maria Del Fiore

Piazza della Signoria

From there, it was just a short stroll to another famous piazza, or square, called the Piazza della Signoria.  The piazzas are areas in Italy’s towns and cities where people mingle and share a glass of wine, or a cappuccino while people watching or discussing the day’s events.  It is quite a departure from the hustle and bustle of daily life in America.   Italians seem to savor the day more than we do in the states.  This piazza may be recognized by Jersey Shore fans because it was featured in the opening credits during the season the Jersey Shore cast was visiting Florence. This piazza featured a famous museum called the Uffizi Gallery. We had the distinct pleasure of visiting this museum where we gazed open-mouthed at the works of Leonardo da Vinci (The Adoration of the Magi), Sandro Botticelli (spring and the Birth of Venus), Rembrandt (self portrait) Michelangelo (Don Tordi) as well as others like Giotto, Raphaelo, and Caravaggio.  It is a special treat to actually see the portraits and statuary made famous in books movies and television up close.  There is nothing like it.  In another museum called the Accademia Gallery, one can visit Michelangelo’s famous statue of David.

One of the oldest bridges in Europe, the Ponte Vecchio spans the River Arno in Florence, Italy.

Ponte Vecchio spans Italy’s Arno River

On the second day, we woke early and ate breakfast in the hotel.  As is typical in Italy, most hotels  include breakfast with the room rate.  Breakfast in the hotel saves money and time, even if the fare was just adequate.  In all fairness, the croissants were fresh, warm, and plentiful. After breakfast, we meandered toward another famous attraction called the Ponte Vecchio. This is one of the oldest bridges in Europe.  It spans the River Arno, where we saw spirited boat races, which seem to be a pastime many Florentians enjoy judging by the crowd cheering from the bridge.  The bridge is home to may gold artisans.  we window shopped extensively and marveled at the intricate and creative designs crafted by Italian masters whose families have been working in gold for centuries.  The bridge is rimmed by charming tratorrias and quaint arts and craft shops.  These are endless and one can take literally days to visit all of them.  Each little boutique offers its own special take on what Florence has to offer. My mother wants to go back just to shop.

Happiness and a latte in Florence, Italy

Happiness in Florence, Italy

We returned to the hotel after a rather tasty meal of risotto and pizza at a nearby trattoria.  Sleeping was a challenge, because the bed was like a slab of concrete, and the street noise was incessant.  Did I mention this was all included for the paltry sum of $225 per night?  The price of happiness in Florence, I guess.

Florence was great and remains a “must see” in any visit to Italy! What are your favorite places to visit in Italy?

This is a guest post by Shane McCormick of National RV Parks. Photos courtesy of Shane McCormick. Hotel photo courtesy of their website. In his late 20’s, Shane enjoys travel and offers tips and hints about travel destinations. You many follow Shane on Twitter For all things travel-related, follow travel expert Nancy D. Brown on Twitter.

Florence