There’s a gazillion ways to do the holidays, but everyone has their favorite. One of mine is an annual ugly sweater party hosted by the lovely Robles family. The event features Mexican staples served to ugly-Christmas-sweater adorned guests. The centerpiece of the evening is a big steamy pot of menudo soup — a Mexican holiday … More Ugly Sweater Fiesta
Something wonderful is happening in San Jose. The city that’s been in a creative dryspell is finally getting some action. Sterile walls are transforming into colorful murals, art installations keep popping up in front of city hall, and creative community-centered events are filling up the city calendar. Even though San Jose has long had artists … More Eastside Street Food Hub
Cows, oysters, and the Pacific Coast. If San Francisco isn’t sufficiently foggy there’s a foggier place near by — this place is Point Reyes National Seashore. The Point Reyes peninsula, which is home to a National Park, is less than an hour north of San Francisco. It’s home to the infamous Point Reyes blue cheese, … More Point Reyes
The last South First Friday of the year did not disappoint. The monthly, artsy event brought plenty of thoughtful art and excellent music to San Jose’s South First Street. After having a couple of stiff drinks in the cozy heated patio of The Continental, we wandered across the street to the first stop on the … More South First Friday
The SoFA fest has come back to South First Street once again, and people are thrilled to have a little more culture in their not so culturally endowed South Bay lives. Unlike your typical art and wine festivals, which are very prevalent in these parts, SoFA is more popular with young creatives and has more of a … More SoFA
When Karl, the San Francisco fog, finally subsides, the summer is usually over. But fear not! This is San Francisco and things work a bit differently here. When most of California is getting ready for the cool days of fall, the City by the Bay is getting ready for summer. Just when all the hippies … More Sunny days San Francisco
The Fish Market Restaurant on Blossom Hill Road is an establishment known for its excellent seafood and accommodating staff. Because of it’s old school charm and sophisticated menu, the restaurant tends to attract a conservative crowd as well as foodies and seafood aficionados. Currently, due to an anonymous report submitted to the authorities, the restaurant … More the hands that feed
Saturday nights in San Jose can be spent at the Ritz, watching cool bands like The Adicts, or participating in a bar crawl like the Beer Walk in Japan Town hosted by local businesses such as the legendary Jack’s Bar and Lounge as well as some places you wouldn’t expect like Japantown Dental. Instead, this … More the weekend
If you ever go to Los Gatos, San Jose’s poshest sub-city, make sure that you have a designated driver or enough money on your card for an Uber. The town is absolutely beautiful and as a result absolutely overflowing with pretentious house wives and some of the South Bay’s elite. As a result, drinking in … More The Black Watch
Peaceful afternoons outdoors are timelessly delightful. This Sunday afternoon, I returned to the grounds of the South Bay’s lovely Villa Montalvo. One of my favorite parts of the villa’s grounds is the spectacular garden that is home to classic statues in the midst of beautiful landscape design. There, old-world mediteranean classic is juxtaposed with modern southwestern … More A Walk in the Park
Penned by Alina K. A. 