Each year Dine About Town offers an opportunity to eat at San Francisco’s best restaurants for less. This year DAT returns January 15th, and runs through the 31st. Diners may select from more than 100 Bay Area restaurants, each offering prix-fixe lunches for $21.95 and/or dinners for $34.95, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Dates and times of participation vary by restaurant. A la carte menus will also be available. New restaurants in the program include Catch; Ducca; E Tutto Qua; Eagle Café; Hana Zen Yakitori and Sushi Bar; Jeanty at Jack’s; Kuleto’s Italian Restaurant; Level III; Luce; Medjool; Sozai Restaurant and Sake Lounge; and ThirstyBear Brewing Company. Reservations can be made online through OpenTable.

On my wish list of places to stay is the fabulous-looking new Cavallo Point Lodge, tucked in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito. Housed in a former military base from the early part of the century known as Fort Baker, this luxury hotel boasts stunning views of the bridge and the bay. There’s a full service spa, a dining room with a Michelin-starred chef, and beautifully appointed rooms with period architectural details. Looks like just the sort of getaway to satisfy the epicure, outdoors person, and hedonist all at once.

Photo courtesy of Cavallo Point Lodge

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been a little obsessed with cupcakes lately. Blame it on my mini cake-loving three-year-old or the cupcake craving gals in Sex and the City—whatever the cause, I’m thrilled to report that San Francisco turns out some of the best cupcakes I’ve ever tasted.

Sometimes you just need a cupcake, especially in San Francisco. Climbing hills and running to catch cable cars (hey, even locals take ‘em!) cry out for nourishment of the cream-filled variety.

I've sampled the Mostess cupcake at the Noe Valley Bakery, the Red Velvet version at Baked, and the marshmallow-topped affair at Miette. All of these treats are sure to satisfy even the most craven cupcake craving.

Photo courtesy of Noe Valley Bakery

Noe Valley Bakery
4073 24th Street. (at Castro)
415-550-1405
Open Monday – Friday 7am-7pm; Saturday-Sunday 7am-6pm

Baked
142 18th Street. (at Connecticut)
415-826-9455
Open Monday-Wednesday 7:30 am-3pm; Thursday 7:30 am- 8pm; Friday-Saturday 7:30 am-8pm

Miette
Ferry Building Farmers Market, shop 10
Embarcadero and Market Streets
415-837-0300
Open Sunday-Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 9am-6pm

Harvest season is a terrific time to visit the bustling Ferry Building Farmers Market. This indoor-outdoor bazaar bursts with the Bay Area’s finest foods, from fancy chocolates to flavored olive oils. Fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and breads are sold under outdoor pavilions. Grab-and-go meals and snacks are available for purchase all day; restaurants serve lunch and dinner overlooking the stunning San Francisco Bay.

The Harvest Festival kicks off with an organic wine and beer tasting featuring local producers and sample snacks, followed by a benefit auction. Throughout the weekend, special events and demonstrations include apple pressing, butter churning, and specialty food tastings.

If you’re traveling with kids, there will be plenty of fun to keep the little ones occupied, including a barnyard petting zoo, face painting, and spinning and weaving demonstrations.

Photo courtesy of CUESA

Details:

Ferry Building Farmers Market Harvest Festival
October 23rd-25th
Embarcadero and Market Streets
The Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture