Around Town: San Francisco and Carmel

Name: August 1 Five, august1five.com

Address: 524 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco

Date visited: 11/09/16

Their words: This November, modern Indian restaurant August 1 Five (commemorating the date of India’s independence from British rule) has opened in the heart of San Francisco’s Civic Center neighborhood. Focusing on seasonal offerings inspired by the regional cuisines of northern and central India, the menu will break away from stereotypes, namely the omnipresent Indian curry. Replacing standards like tikka masala and butter chicken will be modern interpretations of Indian food as a cuisine of infinite variety, complex with regional spices and distinct offerings ripe for discovery by a Stateside audience. Owner Hetal Shah is working with interior designer Craige Walters to create a refined yet inviting atmosphere.

Kasia’s thoughts: Finally, a place to go eat before seeing shows at the Orpheum theater. Large wraparound bar with a wide selection of drinks including what is essentially a boozy mango lassi (the J.R.D. Tata Sour with vodka, lemon, violette, mango) — yes, please. Small bites range from Bori shrimp (rice, panko, egg and cranberry chutney), butternut squash samosas and deconstructed dahi chaat with yogurt tamarind, cilantro-mint chutney and chickpea vermicelli. Decor is swanky and features deep turquoise and gold tones, a mix of tables and booths for more privacy. Open for lunch, happy hour and dinner.

 


Name: New Balance

Address: 856 Market Street, San Francisco

Date: 11/10/16

Their words: Our goal is to help you achieve yours. At New Balance, our job is to aid athletes in their pursuit of excellence, whether that means helping professional athletes set records and win medals, or propelling everyday athletes to achieve a new PR, run their first 5K or just to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. Our products are the perfect blend of function and fashion, giving you the performance technology you need and the style you want. Our associates around the world bring these goals to life with their high-level skills and creativity. While we offer the best product on the market, we’re also equally committed to giving back. So while we look to succeed, we believe in ensuring others have the same opportunity.

Kasia’s thoughts: Across the street from adidas (taking over the old Puma space) the new New Balance store has fitness gear for the whole family and isn’t as overwhelming as the Nike store. Visitors make a dramatic entrance under an enormous lit up arch where they can shop women’s (1st floor), kids on the second, and men’s on the third floor. The establishment is bright with shoes, pants, backpacks and plenty of Lycra lining the walls and on display tables throughout.


Name: The Hideaway, hideawaycarmel.com

Address: Junipero St & 8th Ave, Carmel-By-The-Sea

Date visited: 11/12/16

Their words: PlumpJack Group newly re-imagined boutique inn in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California is an getaway ideal for unwinding after a day spent touring the art galleries, discovering local fare and feeling the sand between your toes. Get cozy under luxurious 250-thread count linens, down comforters and pillows atop plush beds by Denver Mattress Company, the doctor’s choice for support and comfort. Guestrooms and suites feature in-room amenities available to guests to use and for purchase, including robes, wine by PlumpJack, boxed water, flip flops, and more. All guests receive complimentary breakfast and evening wine hour with cheese and antipasti.

Kasia’s thoughts: Having just the right amount of buffer from the main drag of shops and restaurants on Ocean Avenue, the Hideaway in Carmel lives up to its name and then some. Located on the corner of 8th Avenue and Junipero Street, this newly renovated inn is a quick walk from the beach and entertainment options, but with all the cozy accommodations you’ll be tempted to stay put. My guest room featured a massive bed (hello, bed island), a fireplace and the fixture of any hip hotel in 2016: a hanging barn door. Behind said barn door was a modern bathroom, plush robes and finer toiletries. These factors combined with the evening wine and cheese time and cookie turndown made having a cave day and night at the Hideaway a true pleasure.

 


Kasia Pawlowska

Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.