Sip on some hot cider and start your holiday shopping, hit a concert while you’re bowling, or sail with spectacular views.
Tag Archives: union square
Rosa Mexicano Gives Mexican a Stylish Makeover
A New York institution since 1984, Rosa Mexicano turns wimpy tacos into bold, flavorful Flautas de Pollo, making South of the Border food upscale and gourmet cuisine. Starting the tableside guacamole service trend that has exploded across America, Rosa Mexicano is the end all, be all to authentic, modern Mexican cuisine that only New York can make seriously trendy and stylish.
Rosa Mexicano is best known for its signature pomegranate margaritas, but seasoned diners (and drinkers!) know to go for a fresh cocktail made from 
any of the 100 tequilas stocked behind the bar. One such favorite is the Paloma: a tequila and grapefruit soda cocktail.
The impressive interiors of New York’s two newest Rosa Mexicano outposts (Lincoln Center and Union Square) were designed by David Rockwell and feature electric-blue tiled water walls. But for that old-school Mexicana, all three of its NYC restaurants feature the award-winning tableside prepared guacamole that is not to be missed. In fact, it should be ordered before even cracking open the menu. It is made in the traditional lava-rock mortar and is well worth the $14 price tag. The rest of the menu is a journey into new territory of elevated, elegant Mexican dining from the Filete con Hongos (Filet Mignon with Wild Mushrooms) to the Jaiba Enchiladas (Jumbo Lump Crab Enchiladas).
Insider’s Tip: Make reservations early for a prime-time table. All three Manhattan locations get crowded and waiting for a table at the bar is not really an option due to the popular reputation of those pomegranate margaritas.
French Charm in the Heart of Union Square at Petit Auberge
Luxury, exceptional customer service and convenience don’t have to come from a big corporate hotel. Look past the over-starched bellhops and stay at Union Square’s Petit Auberge, ranked one of the top 75 hotels in the US by Conde Naste Traveler.
Like a French B&B you might discover 
down a back alley in Paris, Petit Auberge’s tucked away, downtown location is convenient for all the sightseeing San Francisco has to offer all while acting as a peaceful escape from the high-traffic city scene. Anyone who’s ever gone out for a day of sightseeing in San Francisco knows that it’s also like spending a full day with Jillian Michaels; the hills and excitement will surely leave you exhausted, and you’ll look forward to the crackling fire, wine and hors d’evoures that await you back at Petit Auberge.
Even honeymooners searching for joie de vivre can find it in the hotel’s luxury Petit Suite with a private entrance and deck, hand-painted French king bed, and champagne and chocolates. In the morning, enjoy a fully stocked gourmet breakfast, and out the beveled glass French doors are only two blocks from Chinatown, Union Square shopping and the Nob Hill cable cars.
Chic France Meets Exotic Vietnam Nights at Le Colonial
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For San Francisco’s diverse crowd, there’s nothing better than a nightclub that fuses culture as well as it mixes drinks. At Le Colonial in Union Square, romantic France meets 
exotic Vietnam. As evenings go in this city, rarely sticking to the conventional, you’ll fall in love even as you enter from an alley that sparkles with fairy lights and soft neon signs. Relax in the palm and glass-canopied veranda while you wait for your party, or head inside to the downstairs lounge and order yourself an Emerald Buddha: Ciroc Vodka, House Lemongrass sour, and Barritt’s ginger beer on the rocks.
Le Colonial presents local DJ’s on Friday nights and the very popular Lotus Party on Saturdays. Spinning remixes from every generation until 2am with a “for the classy and chic only” dress code, there are no excuse to be a wallflower.
Contemporary and Cool at Parc 55 Hotel
Sometimes all you want is a convenient and comfortable place to stay. At the Parc 55 Hotel off Union Square, you’ll get all you need: central location, friendly service, modern style, and an uncluttered room with a view.
With its downtown location, Parc 55 is perfect for business and vacation travelers. You don’t have to walk far to experience the best of San Francisco: take a stroll to the Museum of Modern Art o
r Yerba Buena Gardens, enjoy downtown’s fashionable night scene, attend a function at the Moscone Convention Center or ride a cable car– just a block away.
Within the hotel, there is plenty of business space with 15 board-style meeting rooms. You can also invite your friends up to the 31st floor club lounge for your birthday soiree or plan your wedding reception in the 5,610 square-foot grand ballroom.
At the end of the day, you’ll be pleased to enter a room that doesn’t overload your senses with stale air conditioning and dated floral prints. Each of the hotel’s 1,010 rooms are the model of contemporary sophistication, having recently celebrated a $30 million renovation.
Parc 55 is so confident with their new look, they’ve hosted a 55-hour party in Union Square and even outfitted every room with a 36” plasma TV – show offs!
San Francisco From the Stars at The Starlight Room
You don’t need a time machine to party in 1930’s glam style, just take the elevator to the top floor at the Starlight Room. Priding himself with more style and attention to detail as other nightclub owners, socialite Harry Denton has done the classic penthouse lounge justice.
With a glittery panorama of downtown, including Union Square’s designer shops and the Bay Bridg
e, the Starlight Room is a place to relax and enjoy the view. While the bar offers many ‘Million Dollar Cocktails’ such as the $200 Angels Share snifter of cognac, and 20 yr. old Tawny Port with walnut liqueur and Chartreuse, they also offer a drink called ‘The Recession’”– PBR in a brown paper bag for $4.
If you’ve done your research and made VIP reservations, a plush booth for six awaits you with your bottle of choice, where cocktails are mixed and served right at your table.
Expect to see it all at the Starlight room, from club-hopping 20-somethings and performing drag queens to convention-going doctors and lawyers. Everyone comes here because of the sophistication of the scene, and to dance amongst the stars.
It’s Location, Location at Sir Francis Drake Hotel
Looking for classic downtown digs with an offbeat San Francisco vibe? The Sir Francis Drake Hotel in Union Square offers luxury lounges, romantic suites, and spectacular views of the city, complete with the famous Beefeater doorman to welcome your stay. Even if you’re not here to lodge, most everyone loves stopping to pose with the most photographed man in the city.
Location is the draw of this hotel with the clang of San Francisco’s historic cable cars at the front door and shops like Tiffany & Co. and Hermes just around the corner. The Financial District and Moscone Center are also within walking distance if you’re in town on business.
Should you choose to stay in for the evening, The Drake boasts two of the most popular venues in the city. Enjoy a fine Italian/French candlelit dinner at Scala’s Bistro on the main floor, with a menu created by Bravo’s Top Chef Jen Biesty. Then sip cocktails with San Francisco’s most famous socialite Harry Denton in The Starlight Room, a 1930’s glam lounge on top of the hotel. It’s a sparkly, starry view from the top floor of the hotel, and you’ll thank yourself for booking your stay here.
See the Cells of Alcatraz on this Double Decker Combo Tour
The Double Decker and Alcatraz Combo Tour is a 5-in-1 packing providing you with the experience to see San Francisco’s best sights. It includes a fully narrated tour of the Golden Gate loop, including the bridge, views of the city’s skyline, the mansions of Pacific Heights, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Downtown, you’ll see Union Square, cr
ooked Lombard Street, and even the largest Chinatown outside of Asia, all atop a double-decker bus.
You’ll want to get tickets a few weeks in advance so that you don’t miss the cellblocks of Alcatraz, “The Rock,” which was the home of Al Capone and other infamous mobsters. Featuring interviews with inmates and guards who actually lived there before the prison closed in 1968, Alcatraz is all the rage.
This is a hop-on, hop-off tour allows guests to shop and eat along the way. The Japanese Tea Gardens or Postcard Row is where the most famous of San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies” can be viewed- and, if you’re a Full House fan, you may recognize the sights from the show’s credits. For night owls, there’s even a special night loop.
One trip on the Double Decker and Alcatraz Combo Tour and you will have officially conquered San Francisco- well, kind of.