Faves and raves by Laurent Detoc (Click the picture to see Laurent's faves)
Personal stats
AGE: 44
YEARS IN THE CITY: 17
NEIGHBORHOOD: Telegraph Hill
OCCUPATION: Works at Ubisoft, bringing the best software entertainment experiences to a screen near you
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Passionate and committed, has been working at Ubisoft for 20 years and married for 15, can be stubborn, which is a personality trait from Brittany (the region of France where he is from)
FAVORITE PLACE TO GO WINDSURFING
Crissy Field at East Beach
WHERE: 1199 East Beach, Presidio
WHAT: Scenic, magical and a good swell
INFO: (415) 561-7690 or www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/crissy-field.html
Outside the wind blows 20 knots most days during the six-month season, and we even get good swell by the Golden Bridge towers. This spot is so scenic; it’s magical every time.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Chaya Brasserie
WHERE: 132 The Embarcadero
WHAT: Perigueux sauce to salivate over
INFO: (415) 777-8688 or www.thechaya.com
The Perigueux sauce that accompanies the filet mignon makes me salivate as I type.
FAVORITE PLACE TO FLY A KITE
Marina Green
WHERE: Marina Green Drive, between Fort Mason, Scott Street, Marina Boulevard and San Francisco Bay
WHAT: It’s a bit of a show
INFO: (415) 831-2700
Driving along this beautiful grassy field many times, I thought it was cool to watch the kites. A lot of cars drive by, so it is a bit of a show. We’ve been honked at when my 50-pound kid tried to fly while pulled up by a 2-square- meter kite. (His mom knows I was holding a leash to the kite!)
FAVORITE PLACE TO SEE A CONCERT
Café du Nord
WHERE: 2174 Market St., between 15th and Church streets
WHAT: Personal feel, loaded with history
INFO: (415) 861-5016 or www.cafedunord.com
Good music yet small enough to feel personal. The place is charged with history too. There is something about walking downstairs and going underground that puts me in a rock ’n’ roll mood.
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET A DRINK
The Saloon
WHERE: 1232 Grant Ave., at Broadway
WHAT: Great place to show American blues to foreign guests
INFO: (415) 989-7666
It bleeds American flavor for my foreign guests. Besides, I love blues and theirs is always good. Last but not least, I can walk home since blues and Jack Daniels tend to go well together.
FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT FRENCH FOOD
South Park Café
WHERE: 108 S. Park St., South Park
WHAT: Try the mussels or the croque-monsieur
INFO: (415) 495-7275 or www.southparkcafesf.com
It’s two minutes from my office — perfect for a lunch date. The mussels or the croque-monsieur with salad coupled with some Acme bread, butter and perfect fries hit the spot every time.
FAVORITE KIDS SWIMMING PLACE
Golden Gateway Tennis & Swim Club
WHERE: 370 Drumm St., between Washington and Jackson streets
WHAT: Clean and not busy
INFO: (415) 616-8800 or www.ggtsc.com
The premises and the pool are perfectly clean, and the kids’ pool is not busy. The club has tennis courts, a nice grass lawn, a jacuzzi.
FAVORITE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
Lycee Francais La Perouse
WHERE: 755 Ashbury St., between Waller and Frederick streets
WHAT: The real thing
INFO: (415) 661-5232
This is the real French school. Our kids go there. The Lycee follows the French curriculum so at the end of high school, students can apply to U.S. and French universities.
FAVORITE JUDO CLASSES FOR KIDS
San Francisco Judo Institute
WHERE: 2530 Taraval St., between 35th and 36th avenues
WHAT: All levels, impressive teachers
INFO: (415) 661-3436 or www.sfji.org
The class is open to all levels and ages. The instructors are really very serious as they teach students about hard work, respect and techniques. Outside of class they’re always incredibly welcoming.
