Ahhhhh, San Francisco is opening up and I am still here, thank God and the universe.

Being able to socialize again with family and friends is fantastic! I feel like bustin’ loose, bustin’ loose.  Put the music on and let’s do the Electric Slide.  It’s a celebration, I’m so happy!  As grateful as I am to be here to celebrate San Francisco’s reopening, my heart sinks when I think about the innumerable lives lost across our nation due to  COVID-19. I pray for healing, joy, and abundance for all.  Life is precious and I have learned to appreciate all that it is.

Some of my favorite restaurants are gone.

During the Pandemic, many businesses in San Francisco were forced to close and restaurants were hit hard. Some of my favorite restaurants are gone: Tarantino’s, Castanola’s, The Cliff House, Farallons, Hakkasan, Dobbs Ferry, Alfred’s Steakhouse, Harrington’s Grill, The Rotunda at Neiman Marcus, and the Seal Rock Inn Restaurant, just to name a few.

Alfred’s Steakhouse, I was strong-armed!

I have a long history with Alfred’s Steakhouse, it’s where my current partner, Mr. Don, first noticed me. He accused me of strong-arming him in attending a corporate team dinner that I coordinated. Long story short, he actually strong-armed me to agree to be his best mate for life. So, Alfred’s became our preferred steakhouse for reminiscing.  It’s also the first steakhouse that I took my daughter to when she was seven years old, at the old location, above the Broadway tunnel.

Old fav go-to spots.

Tarantino and Castanola’s were two go-to eateries when entertaining out-of-town guests that wanted to experience San Francisco’s wharf, and the Cliff House, at the end of Geary Street and at the edge of the ocean, was a great spot for cocktails and sunsets with spectacular views.  I will forever miss the cheap but delicious breakfast and brunch at the Seal Rock.  And there will be no more dressing up and heading downhill to the most elegant seafood restaurant in town, Farallon; and no more collaboration lunches, cocktails, or dinner parties at stylish Hakkasan.

Perhaps the biggest surprise closure of all the restaurants is the distinguished Rotunda Room.  I have such fond memories starting with the City of Paris Department Store that my uncle took me and my grandmother to shop when I was a little girl. How special the City of Paris was, like a fairytale to a child.  The Rotunda is what was leftover from the old City of Paris building.  The Rotunda restaurant atop the Neiman Marcus luxury store was an elegant and splendid birthday, girlfriend, or couples lunch place with delicious fare.  So beautiful at Christmas time with a grand tree extending from the center of the store’s first floor up to the Rotunda restaurant.  From the restaurant, there’s a lovely view of Union Square’s activities.  The memories for me are endless, from glamorous fashion shows to elegant invitation-only fundraising and charity events.  It will be very interesting to see what comes next in this space, but, rumors have the Rotunda opening up for the holidays.  Let’s keep our fingers crossed …

As regretful as it is to see historic San Francisco restaurant closures, one thing is for certain, San Francisco has survived many a catastrophe to build back tougher, and as a city known for its great food, these restauranteurs will reinvent themselves and/or make way for new and interesting cuisine openings. I look forward to them all.

Continue to be safe and celebrate life in every moment of every day, and with every breath that you take be grateful and happy. Look at each moment with optimism for happiness is now, this moment.

“Happiness, not in another place but this place… not for another hour, but this hour.”   —Walt Whitman

Be Bold and Bloom, be the best you every day in every way no matter what the circumstances are. Be your SuperSelf.