As I write, Journey is singing in my head: When the lights go down in the city, and the sun shines on the bay...
Now, you might point out that it has been several weeks since I returned from my vacation with my mom to San Francisco, but I'll let Eddie Money finish that song for me: I wanna go back, and do it all over...
The food, the wine, the weather, the company (no one travels as well as my mother) -- this trip begs to be shared. Last time I showed a picture of my incredible lunch in a quaint little French restaurant just off of Union Square, and I also hinted at more details to come regarding this very interesting combo: my mom, a martini, and a ballroom.
In order to fully appreciate this lovely tale, you'll need the backstory: My mom moved to San Francisco in 1963 from Europe, two weeks after JFK was assassinated. Among her many jobs was that as a secretary at the Bank of California, at a time when women dressed according to season, and men took two-hour martini lunches.
Being with my mom in her city by the bay (and where I was born) was a magical thing indeed, if only I got to catch a glimpse of what her life was like "before baby" - aka: me.
So it was only natural for our first night in the city to be spent at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, on the top floor in the Starlight Room. For old times' sake, my mother opted for a martini. I certainly hadn't inherited her adventurous drinking spirit, because I stuck with my favorite standby: a glass of champagne.
We laughed, we giggled, we shared stories and told tales, and eventually ordered another drink...
Then the band began to play.
And our stomachs began to rumble.
We decided to head downstairs to the famous Scala's restaurant, hoping to find another great meal to fill our bellies. Unfortunately, we found out there was a over an hour wait...oh what's a couple of gals to do?
Head back upstairs to the Starlight Room, of course.
This time we each enjoyed a glass of champagne, and soon the dance floor filled up as the band played "Good Golly Miss Molly" -- I grabbed my mom and we headed out for a spin (It's not exactly easy, however, to lead a woman after too many martinis).
Dinner finally came in the form of mussels (for my mom) and linguine with clams (for me)...plus another drink, this time a glass of red wine.
What I do remember of dinner was absolutely friggin' delicious. I wish I would've taken a picture of the meal, however, since it stands as only a fuzzy memory.
This night could only be topped by a pleasant walk, arm in arm, and uphill, back to our hotel. It took us a little longer to walk the block and a half back, but I'm sure that crooked line if stretched out only proves we got a little more exercise after our decadent evening.
Thank you, Mom, for a night I won't forget (at least the earlier part of it)...I must be the luckiest daughter in the world to enjoy such a peek into my mother's past!
And here's wishing you great memories of food and family on your next vacation!
Suzanna Quintana, Holistic Health Coach & Certified Foodie
www.suzannaquintana.com
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