Faves and raves by Don Kraft (Click the picture to see Don's faves)
Personal stats
AGE: Young enough
YEARS IN THE CITY: 28
NEIGHBORHOOD: Park Presidio
OCCUPATION: Human resources, learning and development
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Works hard and plays hard; trying to help a small part of the world survive; food-wine lover; travel nut; beach and outdoors are always needed
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Farallon
WHERE: 450 Post St., between Mason and Powell streets
WHAT: The perfect seafood restaurant
INFO: (415) 956-6969 or www.farallonrestaurant.com
The kitchen delivers the best seafood dishes around, both small and large plates. The interior of floating jellyfish light fixtures and the painted mosaic dome provides a unique atmosphere. The service is great, too!
FAVORITE PLACE TO SPEND A SUNDAY
Golden Gate Park
WHERE: Bounded by Fulton and Stanyan streets, Lincoln Way and the Great Highway
WHAT: An urban park of 1,017 acres of public grounds
INFO: www.golden-gate-park.com
Golden Gate Park is one of best city parks in the world and a great place to spend a weekend afternoon. Free concerts, buffalos, the beach, the arboretum, Strawberry Hill, Stow Lake, the Conservatory of Flowers, museums; the list goes on of ways to relax and have fun.
FAVORITE VIEW
Twin Peaks
WHERE: Twin Peaks Boulevard
WHAT: Panoramic views of San Francisco
INFO: (415) 831-6328 or sfrecpark.org/documents/twin_peaks.pdf
I always enjoy taking a trip up to the top of Twin Peaks for an incredible view of The City. I love to take out-of-town guests to see the view any time of day or night.
FAVORITE BREAKFAST
Curbside Cafe
WHERE: 2417 California St., at Fillmore Street
WHAT: French-American café restaurant
INFO: (415) 929-9030 or www.sfcurbside.com
Wonderful small French-American restaurant for breakfast, brunch and lunch. The absolutely best French toast anywhere! It’s bourbon-baked and served with maple syrup. Addicting!
FAVORITE MUSEUM
Legion of Honor Fine Art Museum
WHERE: 100 34th Ave., at Clement Street
WHAT: Fine Art Museum
INFO: (415) 750-3600 or legionofhonor.famsf.org
Visiting the Legion of Honor is a nice option of something to do on a foggy or rainy day. Great ancient and European art collections to enjoy as you wander through the beautiful Beaux-Arts building, with awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge.
FAVORITE WEEKEND WORKOUT ACTIVITY
Active Pilates
WHERE: 9 Clement St., at Arguello Street
WHAT: Pilates studio for private or group sessions
INFO: (415) 876-6170 or www.active-pilates.com
One of the few studios to offer gyrotonics and state of the art Pilates in The City. “Come on in ... don’t be shy.”
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET A MARTINI
Martuni’s
WHERE: 4 Valencia St., at Market Street
WHAT: A nice dark piano bar for a great martini
INFO: (415) 241-0205 or www.martunis.ypguides.net
They make the best martinis and the atmosphere is sexy, dark, relaxing and the perfect place to begin an evening. Great jazz piano bar.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BICYCLE RIDE
Ocean Beach
WHERE: Great Highway at Fulton Street
WHAT: Bike trail along Ocean Beach to Lake Merced
INFO: www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/ocean-beach.html
Riding a bike through Golden Gate Park to Ocean Beach and along the bike trail toward Lake Merced is a wonderful way to spend a nice day. Great views, air and exercise! I love to find a spot in the dunes for lunch while watching the waves crashing in.
FAVORITE BURRITO PLACE
Pancho’s Salsa Bar & Grill
WHERE: 3440 Geary Blvd., at Stanyan Street
WHAT: Excellent Mexican restaurant
INFO: (415) 387-8226
Awesome burritos! Close to my casa, so I frequent it often for its reasonably priced and consistently great burritos. The service is quick and the tacos are wonderful!
