I had just the perfect day yesterday. Lovely women, lovely weather, lovely shopping and lovely libations.
The above shot is a wee bit misleading since it was at the end of the day (and the photo itself was taken by my sister Kate, using my camera. She is, and always will be, a much better photographer than I could ever hope to be. She’s an overachiever, what can I say?).
We started the day by piling into two cars and heading up to San Francisco. Destination: Yank Sing.
The ride would have been uneventful, if not for the naked clowns. I was not fast enough with my camera so you’ll have to take my word on it. Somewhere in the neighborhood of Embarcadero Center. I do believe it was a protest, of some sort, about Tibet. Where the naked clowns come in, your guess is as good as mine. You just have to love San Francisco.
Let’s move on, shall we? On to the food. There are two Yank Sing locations and we chose the Rincon Center location (easy parking). As soon as you sit down – within SECONDS, you are offered a dish from one of the many carts of dim sum. This is the way it goes – a woman with a cart loaded with delicacies comes by and you can either accept or pass on whatever dishes she had to offer.
More often than not we accepted. We had the more well know pot stickers, steamed pork buns, Peking duck, roasted green beans along with more esoteric dishes of shrimp dumplings, sea bass roll, chicken/mushroom dumpling, honey prawns with walnuts. And a bunch of other dishes that involved pork that I did not eat (or even register, for documentary purposes). After we could barely move they brought a plate of dessert dim sum with a candle in it so I could blow out my birthday candle.
I didn’t even make a wish because I felt like there wasn’t anything else to possibly wish for.
After lunch we waddled back to our cars and headed to Union Square. There is nothing like a bit of proper shopping to invigorate a person, don’t you think? The beauty of Union Square is there is something for EVERYONE. Even if a man was with us – they would find fun stores to go into. Since there were no men we did a lot of makeup shopping. Happy sigh.
(The scene just a few steps outside of Sephora – also known as Mecca or the Mother Ship, to some of us…..)
After shopping and before retrieving our cars, we headed up top of the Grand Hyatt for a drink and a view. And can you even beat the view? I don’t think so.
Really – I can’t even convey how lovely a day it was. Just all kinds of levels of perfectness. Too bad birthdays only come once a year.
Happy Belated Birthday! It sounds like the perfect celebration day!
That sounds like a wonderful day! Good for you!
I’ve only visited San Francisco once and it was such a wonderful, wonderful time that I hesitate to go back because nothing could really top it! Silly, hu? LOL
Happy belated birthday.
God bless.
Terri
I was sitting here yesterday wondering what it would be like to have an April 1st birthday. That is your actual birthday isn’t it? How fun!! Thanks for the heads up on that restaurant. I’ve lived in the Bay Area For 20 years and I don’t know about this place?? The pictures were so beautiful. It sure was a gorgeous day yesterday for sure. Glad you had a fun time in the City. I never get tired of that place and try to never take it for granted. Once again Happy Birthday!!!!
I was sitting here yesterday wondering what it would be like to have an April 1st birthday. That is your actual birthday isn’t it? How fun!! Thanks for the heads up on that restaurant. I’ve lived in the Bay Area For 20 years and I don’t know about this place?? The pictures were so beautiful. It sure was a gorgeous day yesterday for sure. Glad you had a fun time in the City. I never get tired of that place and try to never take it for granted. Once again Happy Birthday!!!!
Sounds like a great day! Glad you had fun!
Your post simply conveys very good memories of my stay in San Francisco, 15 years ago, especially a very good meal at a Chinese restaurant, and the trip to Alcatraz… thanks for telling and showing photos…
We were lucky to share such a special day with you! Happy Happy Birthday!! Can’t wait for Sunday Tapas! Hey, I’m in your crowd scene photo, in my red jacket in back on the right. I was watching the hip hop kids dance.
I can only say AAAHHHHHHH…Thanks for sharing!
It turns out the naked clowns were part of the annual St. Stupid’s Day Parade in the financial district. How silly of us to forget…
Happy Birthday Andrea! What a lovely day!
Oh my gosh Union Square (you know I was born in SF) just perfect xoxoxo Clarice
Oh, you made me SO homesick for the City By the Bay. I attended a small Christian college there many years ago and I’ve always loved The City! My college moved to a larger campus in Northern California and I somehow don’t feel ‘at home’ when I visit the campus. My sweetheart and I need to go back to SF for a visit. Just the two of us! Thanks for the walk down memory lane. ~Adrienne~
Happy Birthday! This place sounds divine. I love pork buns and there is not one place in Sonoma County that has a good one. I am thinking a Saturday morning trip to the Ferry Building and then lunch. Thanks for the tip on this spot.