San Francisco Hotel Blog

Top 5 Union Square Sweet Treats

Posted by Megan Brandt on Mon, Dec 02, 2013 @ 01:14 PM

Union Square Sweet Treats

Something about this time of year makes us crave sweets more than usual. Maybe it's our way of prepping for the holiday season and all the indulgence that seems to come along with it. Or maybe it's just because our San Francisco Personality Hotels are located (dangerously) close to some of the best spots to treat that sweet tooth. Even if you're not a sweets person, chances are someone you're shopping for this holiday season is!

1. Tout Sweet Patisserie

You just can't go wrong with anything at Tout Sweet. Owner and Top Chef Desserts winner, Yigit Pura has perfected the French macaron and, well, all of the other sweet and savory treats they offer. And with an upscale, European feel and plenty of seating, you’d never know you were on the third floor of Macy’s. 170 O’Farrell Street, Macy’s Union Square

2. Fiona's Sweetshoppe

Hard candy, soft candy, chewy candy, toffeed candy, chocolate candy - that pretty sums up this little treasure trove that specializes in treats from the UK. And the petite shop has all the charm of an old English Sweetshoppe. 214 Sutter Street

3. Cafe Madeleine

Think Starbucks alternative, but with a twist. Breakfast and lunch is available but the cakes, pastries, and coffee drinks are what we come for. There is limited seating, but the line moves fast. 43 O'Farrell Street

4. Leonidas Chocolates

If you love Belgian chocolate, definitely stop by Leonidas. Their spacious shop on the ground level of the Crocker Galleria is the perfect place to indulge and grab a gift for your favorite chocoholic. 50 Post St

5. Ghirardelli Chocolate

A San Francisco staple and an absolute must, Ghirardelli has been getting it right since 1852. Our personal favorite is the hot fudge sundae but hey, nothing disappoints here. Multiple locations - 42 Stockton Street; Westfield San Francisco Centre - Concourse Level

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Tags: #SF #sanfrancisco #sanfran, Union Square, shopping, #chocolate, dessert

Save Me, San Francisco

Posted by Megan Brandt on Thu, Sep 19, 2013 @ 09:43 AM

When we adopted Family House into our hearts, we never looked back. It was an obvious partnership for us. Like us, their goal is to provide a home away from home. But unlike us, they provide this comfort to families of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses while being treated at the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital.

Family House Collage

Falling in love with their mission and undeniable spirit was easy. And soon we found out that it was easy for a lot of people - like the rock band Train and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. When we heard they were creating products specifically for the benefit of Family House, our newest package "Save Me, San Francisco" just fell into place.

Chocolate and wine have never come together better. Satisfying in taste and fulfulling in heart, this package will have you savoring the fact that you're helping others who really need it.

A bottle of "Save Me, San Francisco" Pinot Noir released by the Grammy-wining band Train
2 Limited Edition "Save me, San Francisco" Ghirardelli Chocolate bars
$10 from each package purchased will be donated to Family House
Late Check out

Click here for additional details.

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Tags: packages, wine, san francisco, #chocolate, Ghirardelli, Family House

San Francisco's Divine Gift

Posted by Angelique Rivas-Day on Wed, Jan 02, 2013 @ 03:08 PM

Sometimes I wonder if chocolate has magical capabilities, if it is a potion that can cure all ills, a tonic to heal all broken hearts, or a remedy to make the bitter days a little sweeter. Twenty five hundred years ago in the Mayan civilization, chocolate was thought to be a divine gift; isn’t that a lovely sentiment? I dare say that chocolate is not treated with half the respect as it once was!

When first moving to San Francisco I searched in vain for a place where I could indulge my chocolate fantasies while staying within the limits of my vegan diet. For those out there who scoff at the thought of vegan confections, let me tell you, it can be done and done well. And when it is, it is positively delightful! After much research (which left me in a chocolate coma) I have been able to put together my favorite vegan treats in San Francisco.

On days when one would like something chocolatey and fluffy I would recommend Pebbles Donuts, located in the San Francisco Ferry Building. These are a must for all donut lovers, the batter is made fresh daily and has the added ingredient of care for the body and planet. My favorite is the Mexican hot chocolate donut, each bite makes me positively weak at the knees, soft and delicious and did I mention 100% organic? These donuts will be appreciated by any true chocolate lover whether they are a vegan not. The more I searched in San Francisco the more I was charmed to find vegan chocolatey treasures around every corner. Just a few doors down from the Kensington Park Hotel in Union Square, is a lovely café called La Taza. I went in expecting to get a latte and to my surprise discovered that they made vegan cookies! I chose a chocolate cookie with white chocolate chips, it is quite possible that that was the highlight of my day, the cookie was chewy and rich something that is difficult to achieve in vegan baked goods. And on the occasion that one is looking for a more upscale vegan experience the place to go would be Millennium, an entirely vegan restaurant located on Geary Street. You can go for the entrée but make sure you stay for dessert! From their bourbon and black salt molten chocolate cake to their chocolate almond midnight, the desserts will remind you of the first time you fell in love with chocolate and make you forget that what you are eating is vegan.

San Francisco is home to my new favorite chocolate treats that have confirmed that chocolate truly is a divine gift!

Cafe La Taza exterior