Connect with us

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco’s Culinary Revival: Two Restaurants Expand Despite Downtown Challenges

Published

on

San Francisco’s Culinary Revival: Two Restaurants Expand Despite Downtown Challenges


Amid concerns over the exodus of businesses from downtown San Francisco, a beacon of hope shines through as two restaurants announce expansion plans, defying the prevailing narrative of decline. China Live and Boichik Bagels, two culinary establishments with burgeoning popularity, are set to cater to the city’s lunch crowd, signaling a vibrant resurgence in the local food scene. This move comes at a time when the city’s business landscape is desperately in need of a revitalization boost.

Defying the Odds: China Live’s Lunchtime Leap

China Live, a staple in San Francisco’s dining scene, has decided to extend its operations into the lunch hour from Monday through Friday, responding to the persistent requests from the downtown workforce. George Chen, the founder of China Live, noted the positive reception to their dinner service and the growing demand for lunch options from professionals in the area. This expansion is not just a response to local demand but a stance of optimism about the future of San Francisco, especially with the rise of AI technologies heralding new business opportunities. San Francisco’s efforts to rejuvenate the downtown area play a crucial role in this narrative, providing a backdrop of gradual recovery and adaptation.

Boichik Bagels: Bringing a Taste of New York to San Francisco

Boichik Bagels, initially a Berkeley sensation acclaimed by The New York Times for surpassing New York’s iconic bagels, is expanding into San Francisco with three new locations. Emily Winston, the founder, expressed her excitement about joining the city’s culinary landscape, especially in the Financial District, which has struggled to regain its pre-pandemic vibrancy. Winston views her expansion as contributing to the downtown area’s rebirth, enticing workers back to the office with the allure of freshly baked bagels. This move represents more than just a business opportunity; it’s a commitment to being part of San Francisco’s recovery and revival.

Advertisement

A Culinary Renaissance Amid Urban Recovery

These expansions come at a pivotal time for San Francisco, as the city grapples with revitalizing its downtown core. The challenges of vandalism, addiction, and street behavior have marred the city’s image, leading to a heated debate among local business owners and officials on the best path forward. While efforts like the Powell Street Promenade Refresh aim to rejuvenate the area, businesses like China Live and Boichik Bagels are taking proactive steps to breathe life back into the city’s streets, one meal at a time. Their success could herald a wider culinary renaissance, contributing significantly to the urban recovery process.

As San Francisco navigates its post-pandemic recovery, the expansion of China Live and Boichik Bagels into the downtown area serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and resilience within the city. Their ventures not only cater to the immediate demands of the local workforce but also embody the broader ambitions of revitalizing San Francisco’s urban core. This movement towards renewal, marked by culinary excellence and entrepreneurial optimism, could very well pave the way for a reimagined and revitalized downtown San Francisco, enticing both tourists and locals alike back to its streets.





Source link

Advertisement

San Francisco, CA

Animal control locates mountain lion in San Francisco

Published

on

Animal control locates mountain lion in San Francisco


A young mountain lion that was spotted Monday night in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood has been located, city officials said.

Around 6:20 a.m. Tuesday, city officials said San Francisco Animal Care and Control found the mountain lion and that they are working with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to manage the situation. No injuries were reported.

A biologist is on their way to the scene, with the plan to tranquilize the animal and move it to a suitable location, officials said.

The mountain lion was first reported Monday night after being seen near Octavia Street and Pacific Avenue, according to an alert from the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management.

Advertisement

Animal Care and Control officials said experts believe the animal is about a year old. It had also been seen earlier Monday morning near Lafayette Park, just a few blocks from the later sighting.

City officials said the mountain lion was likely lost and may have been trying to move south out of the city.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Unified educators nearing final days for vote on whether to strike

Published

on

San Francisco Unified educators nearing final days for vote on whether to strike


After months of back and forth between educators and the San Francisco school district, Georgie Gibbs is ready to strike. 

“But every year we have to figure out what staffing we’re going to have at our school, and every year there’s less money to staff our site, and that’s hard,” Gibbs said.

Gibbs is an elementary school teacher and a member of the United Educators of San Francisco, a union for school staff. Since March, they’ve requested higher wages, stable health insurance, and more support for special education teachers.

“At our site, we have special day classes which are self-contained, special education classrooms, and those, one of our classrooms has not had a full-time teacher for a whole entire year in three years,” Gibbs said.  

Advertisement

In their latest offer in January, the district proposed the following three-year stabilization plan.

The district proposed a path to fully funded family health benefits, a 6 percent raise over three years, along with addressing staffing shortages for special education. The union rejected it.

  • Identifying a fiscal pathway for the District to fully fund family health benefits
  • 6% raise over three years (2% each year for next three years)
  • Salary rate augmentations for hard-to-staff special education paraeducators
  • Solutions to address special education workload with a focused pilot program

Union president Cassandra Curiel says members are casting their final round of votes for a strike. 

“The district hasn’t changed their position since May of 2025. That is an untenable condition for us to be in,” Curiel said. 
If both groups don’t come to an agreement, the union’s more than 6,000 members will strike for the first time in nearly 50 years. 

“Being in our schools is the place we want to be, but working for San Francisco Unified can be complicated at best,” Curiel said. 

Officials say the district is planning for more budget cuts in the next school year, which plays a role in negotiations.

Advertisement

A spokesperson for the district wrote:

“We know many of you are closely following the ongoing negotiations between our district and United Educators of San Francisco (UESF). 

We are disappointed to share that we did not reach an agreement with UESF after today’s fact-finding session (part of the formal bargaining process). SFUSD remains committed to negotiating in good faith with our labor partners and to reaching an agreement that honors our educators while also balancing the need to be fiscally responsible.

Our goal is to have a stable district. We want to reach an agreement that supports our valued educators. However, we must also be able to afford the agreement long-term so that we can continue serving students now and in the future.”

Havah Kelley told CBS News Bay Area that her son, who has a learning disability, was transferred outside of the district because there aren’t enough special needs teachers. 

“Especially since COVID, the high teacher turnover, the shortages, and just a myriad of other reasons, he was not getting the services that he needed,” Kelley said. 

Advertisement

That experience makes her feel a strike is necessary, but she knows there would be real-life consequences.

“It would be ideal if we could avoid a strike. That’s a definite, and I’m not going to say otherwise,” Kelly said. “Any type of disruption, for our kids, we have almost immediate regression.” 

Union members are holding their final vote to authorize a strike. If the majority votes yes, it is likely SFUSD educators will strike for the first time since 1979. The last day to vote is Jan. 28.



Source link

Continue Reading

San Francisco, CA

The 14 Best San Francisco Hotels

Published

on

The 14 Best San Francisco Hotels


When the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks kick off Super Bowl LX on February 8, football fans’ eyes will be fixed on Levi’s Stadium. While the action takes place on the turf in Santa Clara, the real pre- and post-game celebrations will happen more than 40 miles away in San Francisco.

Whether you are flying in to catch the big game or are planning a getaway to coincide with the Super Bowl’s 60th anniversary festivities, finding the right home base is a key play for the weekend.

To discover the best hotels in San Francisco, Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and stayed multiple nights at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. The remaining 30% comes from the quality and condition of the facilities. FTG does not require a business relationship from the properties it rates, and it does not earn a commission if you book one of the following hotels.

Advertisement

Five-Star Hotels in San Francisco

The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay

Sitting atop a dramatic bluff, The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay gives you a beautiful coastal setting, verdant golf courses, ocean-view dining and impeccably warm service about 20 miles south of San Francisco International Airport.

With a robust calendar of outdoor activities (golf, guided hikes) and indoor pursuits (baking classes, a Four-Star spa), any time is a great time for a romantic getaway at The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. See more.

The St. Regis San Francisco

Since opening in 2005, The St. Regis San Francisco has been refining the concept of luxury, retaining the detail-oriented service focus and continuing its legacy of timeless elegance.

Get a taste of the hotel’s sophisticated vibe during Tini Tuesday at the legendary St. Regis Bar. Guests are invited to craft their perfect martini, set to a soundtrack of live jazz provided by Conservatory students. See more.

Advertisement

Four-Star Hotels in San Francisco

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco

San Francisco does not experience four distinct seasons — it’s pretty mild no matter when you visit. Likewise, Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco provides posh lodgings all year long.

If you want to sightsee by day and live in luxury by night, it’s hard to beat this property sitting just minutes from Union Square, Chinatown and other city attractions. See more.

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto

Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley at East Palo Alto is ideally situated for both business and relaxation. Step into the intimate lobby, and you’ll notice it feels smart and modern with a lush color scheme, digital art and an inviting, cozy vibe.

Advertisement

The hotel makes the most of its Northern California location by regularly pairing Napa Valley’s top wine producers with seasonal four-course menus at signature eatery, Quattro. See more.

Hotel Nikko San Francisco

The ultra-modern Hotel Nikko San Francisco is in downtown San Francisco, just blocks from Union Square. The luxury address has a sleek, modern design style. Asian touches throughout, including a stream of flowing water greeting guests in the lobby, help create an initial Zen atmosphere.

For a true Bay Area introduction, be sure to visit Kanpai Lounge for a new cocktail program inspired by the city’s landmarks and neighborhoods. Explore The Mission features tequila, G.E. Massenez bird’s-eye chili liqueur, lime and hibiscus mango while Coit Tower consists of rye whiskey, Fernet-Branca, pineapple gomme and ginger beer. See more.

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco

Even the most blasé traveler will be impressed by this stately mansion atop Nob Hill. Built in 1909 as the headquarters of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco has maintained its palatial polish, preserving its neoclassical façade while offering a renovated modern-classic haven inside.

And even more than a 100 years later, there are still new things to celebrate: The Lounge was included on Forbes Travel Guide’s inaugural list of Star Bars. See more.

Taj Campton Place

Taj Campton Place fits into the rolling cityscape of San Francisco and is just one block away from Union Square. The prime location allows convenient access to the city’s many art galleries and museums, and the 110-room boutique hotel offers a quaint respite from the busy city.

A recent renovation breathed new life into the hotel’s beloved dining outlets. Campton Bar + Bistro infuses American bistro-style cuisine with Indian flair. Meanwhile, Bombay Brasserie, led by chef Thomas George, serves Indian cuisine with a French accent. See more.

Advertisement

Forbes Travel Guide Recommended Hotels in San Francisco

The Clement Palo Alto

The all-inclusive hotel of the future, where everything is customized to your individual preference and a personal chef and concierge come standard, has arrived with The Clement Palo Alto.

The hotel strives to be a home away from home and invites you to think of the shared spaces — a living room, library and kitchen — as your own. Here, you won’t ever have to lift a finger — unless it’s to pick up a fork while you’re eating at the Dining Room. See more.

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero

Walking into the intimate lobby of Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero is like entering a sleek sanctuary. The bustle of downtown fades away in the quiet round room filled with white marble, bright lighting and a pleasant aroma.

Advertisement

Friendly staff members stand ready to check you in, help with your luggage or anything else you may need. This includes providing curated city guides that offer insider recommendations for self-guided tasting tours of the Ferry Building, tailored shopping suggestions and a map illustrated by artist Tanu Vasu that highlights the best local spots. See more.

Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights

Everything about Hotel Drisco Pacific Heights, from the understated elegance of its Edwardian heritage to the spacious bathrooms with heated floors, is chic, sophisticated and comfortable.

Daily rituals like the evening wine reception (local pours are paired with elevated light bites) accentuate the former boarding house’s welcoming warmth. See more.

JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square

JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square is a colorful and urbane hotel just steps from San Francisco’s bustling Financial District, the Embarcadero and other popular stops.

But beyond its ideal location, the property delivers top cuisine (Level III Restaurant), creative cocktails (Level III Bar) and a sleek space to work on your cardio (a state-of-the-art fitness center).

Omni San Francisco Hotel

In the busy Financial District, Omni San Francisco Hotel feels like a throwback to a simpler, grander time. The cheerful doorman smiles warmly and helps you with your things. The front desk attendant graciously meets you at the bottom of the glamorous wrought-iron staircase. It’s all so beautiful and calming that even the most harried person will feel relaxed. See more.

Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, San Francisco

When you walk up the stairs at downtown’s Palace Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, the first thing you’ll notice are the elaborate wrought-iron doors with ornate hand-painted gold details.

Just beyond those touches is something even more breathtaking: the hotel’s Garden Court. A grand ballroom with marble columns, glass ceilings and chandeliers that date to the late 1800s, the Garden Court is the hotel’s energetic hub. Such grand surroundings provide the ideal backdrop for the Saturday tea, served for the last century.

For a memorable dinner, visit the wood-paneled Pied Piper (named for the famous Maxfield Parrish mural behind the bar) for seasonal, California dishes and exceptional drinks. See more.

San Francisco Proper Hotel

The flagship property of the Proper brand, San Francisco Proper Hotel showcases celebrity interior designer Kelly Wearstler’s sophisticated style. The hotel resides in a historic flatiron building that dates to 1904, and its Old World charm is juxtaposed with sleek, modern accents.

Advertisement

The trendy atmosphere of the hotel extends beyond the guest rooms to its two dining venues. Villon, which is also designed by Wearstler, serves contemporary California cuisine for breakfast, lunch and weekend brunch. Meanwhile, the atmospheric rooftop lounge, Charmaine’s, offers small plates, bubbles and bold cocktails. See more.

MORE FROM FORBES

Forbes12 Marathons Worth Traveling For In 2026ForbesForbes Travel Guide’s Top Destinations For 2026ForbesForbes Travel Guide’s Most Anticipated Hotel Openings Of 2026Forbes20 Stunning Luxury Hotels That Define Art Deco Glamour



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending