“Life goes by in the blink of an eye, so be sure to be grateful for the moments of celebration with family and friends that help make your life complete.”
Kyle arranged for a delightful birthday Brunch in honor of our daughter Michelle at Don Pistos on Union and Grant in the North Beach area of the city. Guests included Kyle’s mom, Kim and Al, Cecile and myself, and good friends Kacy and Noel, Julia and Asher, Nicole and Pat and their precious baby Braden. You would never know from the outside that Don Pistos ranks #226 out of 5,825 restaurants in SF. First off, it has no outdoor sign making it one of the best undercover Mexican style food experience in the city.
The dishes were served tapas style. The ingredients in the food servings were fresh and expertly prepared. The guacomole was served in a stone bowl and the tortilla chips with tangy tomatillo salsa were amazingly tasty and light. We had platters of fish tacos that included fresh flounder, arbol and avocado salsa and onion slaw, Cerviche Camarones (Sautéed shrimp, garlic and red onion), Huevos Rancheros, Salmon Ceviche (for me since I’m allergic to shellfish). The flour tortillas were hand made. The bottomless Margaritas and Sangria kept flowing until we told the waiter: “no mas!” The service in the charming brick covered wall dining room was friendly, efficient and memorable. If your looking for a quiet intimate place to eat, this fun, bustling place is not for you. But for a group party it was ideal. For dessert, Kyle brought homemade cannolis recommended by a good friend. Afterwards, Michelle blew out her birthday candle and opened her presents.
After brunch, we headed to the cosmopolitan Buena Vista at Beach and Hyde overlooking the Bay and trolley car turnaround for their world famous Irish Coffee. We were lucky to find a table. It was massively busy and a fabulous place for people watching. The recipe was concocted in the early 1950s by then owner Jack Koeppler, and international travel writer Stanton Delaplane and modeled after the “Irish Coffee” served at Shannon Airport in Ireland using perfect tasting Irish Whiskey.
In a quiet moment of reflection in the midst of the buzz of conversation emanating from the crowd I felt a special moment of gratitude that Michelle and Kyle moved back to California from NYC two years ago and are living happily ever after in San Mateo to the sheer delight of their family and friends. Happy 31st Birthday, Michelle we love you, and "you too" Kyle.❤️
