1) You can't trust everything you read on Yelp
Ben had three things planned out on the first night of Janelle and his weekend trip to San Francisco. The hotel was booked, dinner planned, and post-dinner bar selected for late night potent potables. All of which he found on Yelp. For those who don't know, Yelp is an online urban guide that displays opinions of past visitors using a zero to five star rating system. Using this guide, Ben booked a recently renovated room at the Grant Plaza Hotel (3.2 stars) located at the gates of Chinatown, planned dinner at Tony's Pizza Napoletana (4 stars) which boasted "the world's best pizza" along with countless other pizza awards and drinks at the Bamboo Hut (3.5 stars), a lively tropical themed bar with a great music playlist and fruity beverages.
What we encountered was a hotel room with two ratty twin beds that smelt of sewage and looked as if it hadn't been renovated since its construction in 1983. A Tony's pizza that had good pizza but likely not even the best in the city, let alone the world, as well as expensive beers which we needed to drink away hotel room sorrows. And a Bamboo Hut that was disappointing because of its small size and lack of patrons. I must say I had fun at the Bamboo Hut as we were able to share a spacious booth, some delicious scorpion bowls, and a few good tunes. After drinking away the disappointment and their spite towards Yelp, Ben and Janelle ended up leaving their bags in the hotel and spending the night at our house. They would give the Sauvé Hubbard B&B 4.5 stars.
2) Hanging with Ben and Janelle makes for a pretty fun weekend
This is something most of you already knew but last weekend confirmed it. Though the first night did not go as planned, sometimes audibles (Omaha Omaha!) are more exciting than the original play, the remainder of the weekend continued to be fun and merry. After spending Valentine's Day apart, we took a party bus to Napa Valley on Saturday. Located about 30 minutes North of San Francisco, Napa Valley is famous for its rolling hills, large vineyards, and impressive wineries. I myself enjoy a nice white but, with the elaborate selection at each stop on the tour, found myself indulging in a full spectrum of wines as well as bread sticks, green olives, and olive oils. It made for a splendid Saturday and an activity I look forward to repeating in the future. We spent the evening back at their new hotel which had an amazing view of the bay and a great location near the famous Fisherman's Wharf.
After stops at a few must-see San Francisco landmarks on Sunday is was back to San Diego for Ben and Janelle. Shannon and I were delighted they chose to spend their Valentine's Day weekend in San Francisco. We hope to see them both again soon!
Here are some pictures from the memorable weekend!
Bamboo Hut
Ben took his too early
Working on the old girl, "there's you're problem"
Alcatraz and a big boat from Ben and Janelle's hotel
Overview of the weekend
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