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

San Francisco Chronicle:

Chapeau is one of those hidden restaurants that give immeasurable depth to the Bay Area dining scene. Though modest in appearance, it turns out food that can compete with the more elaborate "destination'' places.

The storefront space and close-together tables make Chapeau look like any of a dozen places scattered all over the urban landscape, but the food and wine offered here are often a cut above.

Owner Philippe Gardelle took over the kitchen several months ago after employing chefs including Richard Reddington, who has gone on to stardom at Auberge du Soleil in the Napa Valley. Gardelle has a classic style of cooking; it's not innovative, but it's solid.

The wine service competes with the like of Gary Danko. The sommelier cares for the wines as if they were his newborn babies. He even brings a glass to the table and tastes before he pours each bottle. No wonder people feel mesmerized by the experience.

We've always enjoyed dining at Chapeau; it's a warm, intimate restaurant with great food and wine. What more do you need?

-Tim