San Francisco is invited to the 2004 Fillmore Springtime Stroll. Beginning Saturday, May 1st at 12 noon and ending Sunday, May 2nd at 6pm, Pacific Heights' unique shopping destination will be blooming with spring colors, balloons and delectable delights.

Whether you live in San Francisco or are traveling into the city this weekend, we recommend you make a stop at the many "Places of Taste" this neighborhood has to offer.

Wine, dine, define, unwind, align, sublime!

Wine and Dine...

Wine and dine on appetizer pairings from 2-6pm at Florio and Fresca.

Florio will be serving Sparkling Rosé, Bishop Peaks Syrah and Heron Merlot along with radishes, sundried bruschetta and a few Florio signature dishes.

Fresca's Executive Chef & Owner, Jose Calvo-Perez will be serving a variety of appetizer-size dishes. In addition to red and white wine sangria, Fresca Restaurant invites you to come in for a taste of:

Causa Rolls...Chilled Yukon potato rolls filled with Albacore tuna salad with light aioli dressing

Paella Valenciana...Saffron rice with chicken. Peruvian salchicha, clams, mussels, scallops and shrimp

Lomo Saltado...Sirloin steak strips wok-fried with onions, tomatoes, garlic, french fries and soy sauce

Bemuse your tongue with bits of Baklava at La Mediterranee.

Saturday and Sunday festivities serve as precursor to La Mediterranee's 25th anniversary celebration which is planned for Tuesday, May 11th.

Don't forget to take home a bottle of vino from Vino Incorporated on Sacramento.

Define...

Define all the places you'd like to go in the world by buying a travel guide at Browser Books.

Define the features of your face at Kiehl's or Aneu, one of the best shops and one of the best services on the block.

Define your style for floral designs, Italian jewelry or beautiful interiors at Fleur't on Sacramento between Fillmore and Steiner.

Unwind...

Unwind your body by treating yourself to a massage or yoga class at International Orange.

Then stop by Toujours Lingerie to indulge in a new Pluto nightgown or lingerie for yourself or your mom -- afterall, Mother's Day is Sunday, May 9th.

Don't leave before you get a taste of The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra live on Fillmore.

Align...

Align or straighten your hair at Renaissance Salon on Sacramento at the corner of Steiner, at di Pietro Todd Salon on Fillmore between Sacramento and Clay, or at Twenty Four Twelve on Fillmore near Washington.

Sublime...

Stop into Thomas Reynolds Gallery on Pine at Fillmore tomorrow from noon to 6pm for a taste of May Flowers by Peggi Kroll Roberts.

Splurge on the many treats Fillmore has to offer from Jackson Street to Geary Boulevard and adjacent streets, especially Sutter, Pine, California and Sacramento.

One of the adjacent streets worth exploring is Sutter between Steiner and Pierce. Timeless Treasures is worth the walk, in part because of their present Spring sale.

Proprietor Joan O'Connor has created a 50% off table full of dishes, wine glasses and jewelry boxes. All her mirrors are 30% off. You can save 40% on her movie marquee letters. And if you're in the market for furniture or a chandelier, Timeless Treasures has some beautiful pieces -- many of which are marked down until next Monday.

This year's two day celebration is sponsored by the Fillmore Street Merchants Association. Just look for the balloons, and you'll know you have arrived!

Inspire & Be Inspired.

~Jennifer King

Emporio Rulli II Caffe at Union Square

Where do you take out-of-town guests for a relaxed breakfast on a Sunday morning when the sun is shining in San Francisco?

Emporio Rulli II Caffe in the center of Union Square - directly across from Tiffany's.

The menu is not extensive but a ham and egg sandwich on a freshly-bake croissant is more than satisfactory. Add a bowl of fresh fruit, along with the "scene and be seen" crowd strolling by; there's no better place to take in the sights and sounds of San Francisco while soaking up a great conversation along with the Sunday edition of The San Francisco Chronicle and New York Times.

The sound of Italian opera adds to the ambiance as you sit under an umbrella sipping one of the best latte's in town.

Tiffany's opens at noon on Sunday, so there is plenty of time to stroll through the outdoor art gallery in the center of the square before exploring the luxury retailer.

Some of the more affordable items at Tiffany's: a sterling-silver key ring for $76, a bud vase for $65, a Tiffany Portfolio watch for women or an Executive T-clip sterling silver fountain pen for $225, a brass Tiffany Portfolio world travel alarm clock for $200 or a Tiffany DELFT pitcher for $80.

Of course, you can still find the $1.3 million engagement ring, the $445,000 diamond necklace, the $447,500 strand of Tahitian pearls that will be presented in the signature Tiffany blue box.

In 1961, Audrey Hepburn helped immortalize the company in the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Click on "Buy Products Related To This Story" below to purchase the Breakfast at Tiffany's DVD, the entire Audrey Hepburn DVD Collection (Roman Holiday / Sabrina / Breakfast at Tiffany's), the book by Truman Capote, or Tiffany Desk Treasures: A Collector's Guide Including a Catalogue Raisonne of Tiffany Studios & Tiffany Furnaces Desk Accessories

Gary & Jeannie Rulli

We encourage you to enjoy Breakfast at Emporio Rulli's either in Union Square across from Tiffany's or at their newly opened cafe in the Marina on Chestnut Street called Emporio Rulli Gran Caffe.