All stories about "San Francisco"

It's summer, and in San Francisco, if summer falls on a weekend, we like to get out and enjoy the weather. Sharpening your flirting chops on the cutie over in the corner isn't so bad either, so we have compiled this nifty little sampling of excellent places in which to take advantage of both the summer weather and the summer lovin'. And if all goes well, you can transition from flirting into one of our suggested SF make-out spots.

In San Francisco, where everyone seems to be a vegan/plastic bag-hating hippie, there are still vices that other San Franciscans hold dear: our alcohol and our smoking. Despite smoking regulations and the annoyed looks smokers catch while trying to get their fix, we're holding strong to our convictions and looking for bars that support our habit. Even more reviled than cigarette smokers are those that smoke cigars -- and while technically you can smoke anywhere cigarettes are welcome, it's becoming harder and harder to find places that welcome the sweet smell of stogies. Here are the best places to take your cigar and light up -- with the least amount of glares, anyway.

Everyday on Gridskipper we give you a new map. Some are new, some are fetched from our archive, newly updated. Happy Gridskipping. Nothing converts otherwise civilized gwailo into ravening gluttony-obsessed oinkers than dim sum. Or maybe that's just me. San Francisco has one of the largest Asian populations on the West Coast, and with that comes excellent pho, superlative lumpia, and of course, dim sum. My intrepid group of investigators sacrificed their time to accompany me to these hallowed havens of gustatory glee. Dim sum, for those not in the know, involves sitting down in the middle of a crowded dining room surrounded by ladies with little carts. When the cart comes around, you giggle and point at things that look interesting. Chao siu bai, siu mai, har gow -- one's knowledge of various aspects of Chinese languages expands immeasurably. Traditionally good for large groups and weekend brunch, dim sum tends toward the cheap side for a meal that's big enough to kill a yak. Make sure you don't show up too late, as most places stop serving with the carts at 11 a.m. or noon.

The SF Chronicle is reporting that, by 2010, Alcatraz may be reborn as a hotel. While the prison as hotel trend is nothing new that’s not to say the news is any less shocking. Guess it makes more sense than Da Vid’s Global Peace Center… [Hotelchatter]

Fred Segal Green, Los Angeles. (photo: L.A. Times)

Boston
• Orinoco: South End Venezuelan restaurant opens a new location in Brookline Village.

Chicago
• Angels & Mariachis: A two-story taqueria and "rock cantina" opened on Monday in the East Village.
• Veerasway: New restaurant in the Warehouse District offers Indian small plates by chef Angela Lee.
• Zed 451: New River North restaurant served global fare made with seasonal market products.

Rebar, Chicago.

Boston
• Leokadia: A new South End shop carries exclusive shoe collections, jewelry and accessories.
• Scampo: Local culinary star Lydia Shire opens a fine-dining Italian restaurant inside the Liberty Hotel.

Social, Cofresi.

Boston
• Atelier: A new Back Bay salon has just three coveted seats for haircuts with stylist Dean Mellen.

Yesterday's Olympic torch run -- the only one slated to takes place in the states after a slew of other U.S. cities canceled their celebrations -- had suspense, mystery and intrigue, along with an undercurrent of potential danger. Thousands of protesters supporting a free Tibet, as well as those celebrating China's upcoming Olympics, gathered along the 6-mile route scheduled to host the torch run. But, little did they know, the San Francisco police (and their Chinese "thug" cohorts) had something else in store. . . . (photo)