Valentine’s Day is upon us, and that means romance is in the air. Romance means trysts, assignations, and dates — especially on the foremost holiday for lovers. And dates o... Read More
If a city can be considered the sum total of its citizens, I prefer to give the eccentrics a higher number value than the more ordinary residents. And both San Francisco and Los An... Read More
A new year dawns, and for me that brings the requisite reflection on the events of the previous year. In the case of this column, that would mean the highs and lows in cinema durin... Read More
Quite a few restaurants — from glitzy to shabby and anywhere in between — have rich histories, usually involving famous patrons, a memorable event, or a unique vibe. And, as yo... Read More
It’s that most wonderful time of the year — if you’re a department store Santa, a pine tree salesperson, or a child of privilege. For the rest of us, Christmas (and any other... Read More
The spate of 3D movies continues. Over the past year, I’ve seen a lot, for better or worse. A few are enhanced by the effect, others are not. In three recent instances, I fou... Read More
Having the benefit of two home bases where I’m happy to live and work, I’m always surprised by my random bouts of homesickness. I should be grateful for the variety. I ... Read More
Cult TV. Sounds a little sinister, but it’s fairly harmless, other than the problems associated with any obsession. People find an under-the-radar television show they embrac... Read More
Frills and extravagance can be enchanting in the right circumstance, but they’re unnecessary when it comes to telling a good story. So it’s understandable and gratifyin... Read More
I had a dream the other night, and in it, I was at the original Oritalia on Fillmore Street in the mid-1990s when chef Bruce Hill was in charge of the restaurant’s innovative... Read More
The streams are flowing, though that isn’t necessarily a good thing. Streaming music services, now joined in the marketplace by Apple Music (from the people who brought you i... Read More
There’s something about August that evokes lazy days by the sea — even for those of us who are land-locked. Maybe it’s because this month, above all others, is when w... Read More
‘THE THIRD MAN’ In an era of widescreen 3D blockbusters and IMAX mega-theaters, some will disdain the idea of going to the local multiplex to watch an old black and whi... Read More
There’s a 1979 song by the English art-punk band Gang of Four entitled, “At Home He’s a Tourist.” I frequently feel that way, regardless of what city might ... Read More
I don’t know about you, but I find it incredibly comforting whenever I walk into my favorite cafe, and the barista only has to see me to begin brewing up my “usual.R... Read More