San Francisco: Black Cat; restaurant review

San Francisco

Black Cat  

400 Eddy St./Leavenworth St., The Tenderloin, (415) 358-1999.

This two-level supper club has a black womb of a cocktail bar upstairs, where the menu offers an unusual cinnamony Voodoo Magic mescal drink in a gorgeous multi-colored glass as well as a must-try Asian-style Jazu-Kissa sake drink in a cone-shaped glass nested in ice.  It does seem that the drinks at Black Cat change frequently, making it hard sometimes to even catch their name.  The popcorn appetizer is the best ever, and the hard boiled eggs perhaps the creepiest ever--they are topped with popped rice that resembles maggots.

After, you can head downstairs for swanky live jazz, another cocktail, and/or an optional prix fixe dinner as well.  Think low lights and a sultry, romantic vibe.

upstairs bar at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

cocktail menu at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

Voodoo Magic cocktail at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

Jazu-Kissa cocktail at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

popcorn appetizer at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

hard boiled egg appetizer at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

jazz cellar at the Black Cat in San Francisco, California

 

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: Tenderloin Museum; things to do

San Francisco

Tenderloin Museum  

398 Eddy St./Leavenworth St., The Tenderloin.

exhibit in Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, California

Find out all about this misunderstood neighborhood with a visit to this vibrant little museum.  One photo display at the Tenderloin Museum depicts the days when jazz greats frequented the area and includes the recording studio history of the 1960s, while another photo display tells the LGBTQ history that includes the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot.  A gallery in the front lobby, which changes regularly, recently displayed “The Shoots” exhibition featuring images from the filming in this area of the movie “Life is Fare.”  Time your visit so you can take a daytime historical walking tour, which is only $5 more after the admission fee, or a Night Moves tour that includes museum admission and a live jazz show at the Black Cat.

exhibit in Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, California

The Shoots temporary exhibit in Tenderloin Museum in San Francisco, California

people's comments about their visit to the Tenderloin Museum
in San Francisco, California

more Tenderloin tours:

Tenderloin Walking Tours  

This tour reveals the true nature of this much maligned, often avoided, and almost always overlooked neighborhood.

First Thursday Art Walks

Numerous theaters--Alcazar Theatre, EXIT Theater, Golden Gate Theatre, Orpheum Theatre, The Warfield--and art galleries are also found in The Tenderloin.

Way more attractions in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2019 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: Hotel Spero + Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen; hotel review + restaurant review

San Francisco

Hotel Spero  

405 Taylor St./O-Farrell St., 3 blks. from Union Square, (866) 934-5978, (415) 885-2500.  236 rooms; 17 stories.  Fitness room.  Restaurant.  Valet parking.  Pets ok.

Located near the theater district, this 1920s Spanish Colonial-style building is on the National Register of Historic Places in San Francisco.  It has an ornate, architecturally interesting lobby with tall ceilings and original features that include white marble floors, hand-painted wood ceiling beams, and a magnificent brick fireplace.  The decor throughout Hotel Spero is stylish and comfortable.  Guests pick a custom room fragrance from four scents displayed in the lobby (I like white tea & fig).  Guest rooms offer large opening windows that provide plenty of natural light and air, and some doors are graced with a hand-painted swan or bull.  Guests are invited to leave any new or gently used unwanted items in their room to be donated through the hotel’s Giving Rack program, and a $5 donation is made to the San Francisco SPCA for every pet that stays at the hotel.

lobby of Hotel Spero in San Francisco, California

magnificent brick fireplace in lobby of Hotel Spero in San Francisco, California

swan painted on guest room door at Hotel Spero in San Francisco, California

guest room at Hotel Spero in San Francisco, California

Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen 

At Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen you can watch sports on the flat-screen TVs in the front bar area, or hide away in big booths with big windows in the back.  Breakfast is the meal of choice, with a brunch menu offered even at lunch.  You can get a breakfast egg burger, a classic eggs Benedict (or upgrade it to smoked salmon or crab), or a healthier mushroom-spinach egg white frittata.   More typical lunch items include a grilled Pacific shrimp chopped salad with cilantro-lime vinaigrette, an oven-roasted turkey sandwich, and The Impossible Burger.  Handcrafted cocktails and locally brewed beers are available as well as several mocktails--how about a strawberry-basil fizz?  This spot makes a quick before- or after-theatre stop.

brunch item at Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen at Hotel Spero
in San Francisco, California

chopped shrimp salad at Jasper’s Corner Tap and Kitchen at Hotel Spero
in San Francisco, California

 

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers