BECAUSE WE LOVE LUNCH! 

Especially when it’s close by – featuring our Top 5 favorite new-ish lunch spots in and around Union Square.

What We Ordered: The light starter, Prawn & Asparagus Salad (topped with a fava bean pesto accoutrement to-die-for), followed by the Maverick, a rich and stoutey kobe butter burger. Perfect for two. Per Chef’s Request: Emmanuel Eng recommends the Farro "Risotto" paired with the Lost Abbey Red Barn Saison (a San Marcos on-draft beer), or the ever-popular Maverick burger paired with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon – particularly the Terra Valentine Napa 2012. He also loves the Fried Green Tomatoes paired with their 49er Gold Rush cocktail, made with bonded bourbon, lemon, honey syrup, and an SF favorite, Fernet Branca. Perk: Beautiful in-house gastropub, delicious bourbon cocktails, three course prix-fixe business lunch. Fun & snazzy. 

Chef’s Request: A Northern Thai specialty, the Khao Soi Gai includes soft and crispy egg noodles with chicken in a super aromatic (and not-so-spicy) curry broth, topped with pickled mustard greens and spicy chili oil on the side (also available vegetarian w/ veggie broth & Hodo soy tofu). Drink their Pak Pow, aka the Thai Beach Kite: IPA, Appleton Reserve Rum, Allspice Dram, Palm Sugar, Lime, and Nutmeg. Perk: Rumor has it this may be the best new Thai restaurant in the city...

What We Ordered: The traditional, and might I add mouth-watering, Spaetzle had us craving for more, while the gourmet Chicken Salad sealed the deal. Chef’s Orders: "My favorite item for lunch here at Schroeder’s would have to be our bratwurst served with braised sauerkraut, whole grain mustard, bread & butter pickles on an acme soft roll. And nothing goes down better with a brat than a beer! Thanks to our ciceron, Rich Higgins, we have some delicious options in that category. The Maisel Weisse: lightly sweet, bready/malt, highly carbonated, or the Gaffel Kolsch: grassy, slightly bitter, crisp." Perk: Newly vamped menu and interior decor make for a vintage flair to your dining experience. Enjoy deliciously authentic German cuisine with a modern twist. 

We Ordered: Gourmet Chowder to start the meal made for a rich beginning, while the oh-my-gawd-good Oyster Po Boy served as a unique end. Next Time: One can never go wrong with an oyster sampler for a taste test of all the goods, especially when the raw bar is displayed so eloquently in the center of the room. Pair it with a glass of their proprietary white vino for the ultimate finish. Perk: Some of the best views of the waterfront with the freshest fish selection in town, right on SF's historical Embarcadero. Totally worth the wait.

Why: Because who can go wrong with fish tacos and a pitcher of sangria on a summer afternoon? If You Dare: Spice up your work day with a delectably dangerous Tongue Taco. Perk: Right off Market with tons of outdoor seating on a grand patio for some of the best people watching in town. Also, great vegetarian options from tacos to salads to plates full of colorful roasted veggies for our herbivore friends.

This coming week-end San Francisco will be celebrating Saint Patrick's Day with a wide variety of events and parties.

The Irish Spirit is visiting us: get ready for lots of green, lots of beer and lots of fun.

As it is well known Patrick is the Saint patron of Ireland, what you might not know is that he has been celebrated in Europe as early as the 9th and 10th century on March 17th. This day was made an official feast day in the 17th century, which meant  you could break any lent rules you have and feast. At the beginning Saint Patrick’s day was a commemoration of the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.  Originally a religious celebration it as become a secular celebration and an essential part of Irish culture. 

Even though St Patrick's Day is not a legal Holiday in the United States, it is widely celebrated across the country and of course San Francisco has a lot to offer on this week-end, here is a selection of what the city has in store for you:

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

What would be a festival without a joyful parade? This year the parade is scheduled on Saturday, March 16^{th, a} day before Saint Patrick’s Day. 

Rain or shine it will start at 11:30 am, the parade route will begin at 2^nd and Market and go all the way to Civic Center Plaza, next to the City Hall. 

Proudly marching up Market Street will be numbers of groups from the Irish community; schools, cultural groups and of course the Police and Fire department of San Francisco.

This event is free to attend.

Saint Patrick’s Day Irish Festival

If you want to learn a little more about Ireland’s history and enjoy some traditional Irish music and dancing, this is the place.

The Festival will take place at the Joe Allioto Performing Art Plaza (south-east of the City Hall) from 11am to 5pm. Of course you are more than welcome to have a beer and try some Irish food while enjoying the moment. There will be exhibits for the whole family to enjoy, do not hesitate to go with the little ones. This year the festival will honor the Celtic women, one of them, this year’s Grand Marshall: Joanne Hayes-White; SFFD Chief. If you want to avoid crowds, going in the morning is probably a safer option as more and more people are expected to come to celebrate as the day goes by. 

This event is free to attend. 

Saint Patty’s Day Pub Crawl

A Saint Patrick’s day celebration would not be complete without a little bar hoping, so for those more interested in beer tasting than in leprechaun hunting, get a ticket for the 3 Day Pub Crawl. They have events planned for you on the 15^th, 16^th and 17^th of March. You can choose to only attend one day, or for the bravest get the full 3 day pass. Last year the event gathered more than 3000 people so there are a lot of chances that you will make friends and good memories.

3 simple rules: wear green, be 21+ to participate and Do Not Drive. If you are staying with us get in touch with our concierges, they will be more than happy to arrange transportation with our town car company, Delovely Limo. 

Pricing Varies.

For those who just want a Beer 

Of course Pub Crawling is not the only option out there, if you want to keep it simple, why not take a quick walk from any of our hotels and have a beer at John Foley’s Irish Pub, located steps from Hotel Diva, Kensington Park and Hotel Union Square at 243 O'Farell St.

For those who just want to see Green

If you're not a beer fan and dont like large crowds, but still want to feel the green vibe, check out our Perrier Lounge at Hotel Diva. 

We wish you a lot of fun and as the Irish would say “Bíodh deireadh seachtaine maith”*.

*Have a good week-end.