the Marketing Babes

   

   Photo by Micah Weiss

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.

I didn't really embrace Union Square until I started working at Personality Hotels. Like most San Franciscans, my loyalty was rooted in own neighborhood - Nob Hill. But as soon as I started spending 5 days a week in Union Square, I had no choice but to embrace my surroundings. 

I spent lunchtime wandering around the square, looking at the menus of nearby restaurants, and occasionally popping into H&M. (Shhh... don't tell my boss). It quickly became my 2nd neighborhood.

To be honest, the expertise I'm most comfortable sharing with you is my cocktail knowledge. Most girls spoil themselves with new shoes, I spoil myself with fancy cocktails. Everyone needs a drink after work, right?

So sit back, wait patiently, and watch your bartender create a work of art at one of my top 5 spots to enjoy an amazing well-crafted cocktail!

1. Local Edition

This sexy space is located underneath Market Street, literally. Inspired by the newspaper business of the 50s, you'll notice printing artifacts and century-old papers are everywhere. I love the heavy velvet drapes, sconce lighting and the retro jazz club feeling it exudes.

2. Bourbon & Branch

Straight out of the 1920s, Bourbon & Branch is the closest Prohibition experience we'll ever have. Just ring the buzzer and use the password "books". You'll be escorted to the secret speakeasy location with floor to ceiling bookcases and of course, superb cocktails. 

3. Tradition 

This is a true melting pot of traditional American bars of the ages. From Tiki to Dive Bar to Speakeasy to English Pub, Tradition is all about the evolution of drinking. I'm partial to the French 75 from the "Grand Hotel" menu.

Two favorites slightly outside of Union Square:

4. Comstock Saloon

If you love a Manhattan as much as I do, this is the place to go. Plus you get to step back in time. Word has it that the saloon has served as a watering hole to San Franciscans since 1907, and it definitely embraces that history. Think bow ties and suspenders. 

5. 1760

If you're exploring my lovely neighborhood of Nob Hill, the best cocktail can be found at 1760. It's a restaurant as well and the food never disappoints, but my regular visits are dedicated to my two favorite cocktails:

Blood Orange-Rosemary. blackstrap. absinthe. rye (pictured above)

Garam Masala-Cardamom. thyme. orange. toasted cardamom. bourbon