THE OLYMPIC CLUB - SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

 THE OLYMPIC CLUB

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

THE OLYMPIC CLUB

599 SKYLINE BLVD

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  94132

415-404-4300

HOURS:  Tuesday thru Sunday 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM

www.olyclub.com

Playing Torrey Pines South, Congressional and Olympic Club in the same year is epic and a lot of things off my bucket list in golf.  There is something about teeing it up at courses that have hosted a U.S. Open.  They are both beautiful and challenging and the home to some of golfs greatest moments.   I am a hacker who just enjoys the scenery and moment.  Playing a great round on one of these courses would be great but I always seem to fall apart.  On this day at Olympic I played an uninspiring round with maybe one Par.  Then came the 18th Hole on the U.S. Open Lake Course.  I nailed a drive down the fairway and then hit a shot that landed me under a tree and in front of bunkers fronting the very small 18th Green.  Hitting three from under the tree and I was depressed.  There was no way I could hit a low shot under the tree and clear these bunkers.  Double Bogey will be great I thought.  I pulled out my 60 Degree Wedge and and just went for it without much thought.  My ball shot off the club low and over the bunker.  I may have yelled out a bad word as I thought that I skulled it twenty yards off the green.  I ran up the hill to see where my ball had landed and found that it was ON THE GREEN!!!!  I was about 30 feet from the Pin with a big downhill putt for Par.  I was euphoric.  Felt like I had won the U.S. Open with that shot and being able to putt for par on the 18th hole at Olympic.  My caddy who was a twenty year old student from Ireland was classic all day.  Young, full of life and a great sense of humor.  Prior to this hole I told him the Caddy Shack line "there will be no money, but when you die you will receive total consciousness - which is nice".  He smiled and said that it was my choice not to tip or something to that effect.  Basically he was nice about it and laughed.  I called him over to my huge smile and told him that I would give him $100 if I hit this putt for par.  If I miss he would pay me $100.  He refused the bet but said we could make the putt.  He lined me up and then walked towards the pin.  He pointed to a spot on the green to the left of the flag stick has he had done all day.  All day I had missed the putts.  I was still laughing about making the shot to the green and my heart was pumping as I stood over my par putt.  Without much hesitation, I pulled back the club and lightly hit the ball so that it could take the natural path downhill towards the pin.  The balled rolled and picked up steam.  It started to break right towards the pin and slowed to what appeared to me to be slow motion.  The ball headed for the cup and oh so slowly dropped in the cup.  I threw my putter in the air and screamed.  The Caddy was in amazement and smiling along with me.  I gave him a fist pump and went straight to my wallet.  Pulled out the $100 bill and handed to him with a smile.  Laughing and cheering to myself like I had just won a Major Championship.  Then I thought of what I paid for the round of golf plus the tip.  Most expensive par of my life.  This was a golf moment I will never forget! 

BLOG AUTHOR IS IN GOLF HEAVEN AT OLYMPIC CLUB

THE OLYMPIC CLUB IN SAN FRANCISCO

CLUB HOUSE AT OLYMPIC CLUB

COULD NOT WAIT TO GET INSIDE AND VIEW GOLF HISTORY

SIMPLE AND ELEGANT RECEPTION 

FLOWERS WERE AMAZING

OLD SCHOOL CHARM AND VERY QUIET 

THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE MORE HISTORY ON THE WALLS HERE LIKE CONGRESSIONAL 

FIRE PLACES WERE LIT ON A SUMMER DAY

FOUND SOME U.S. OPEN HISTORY IN THE DINING ROOM

BEN HOGAN PLAYED SAME HOLE AS ME!

VINTAGE PHOTOS OF THE OCEAN AND LAKE COURSES

GOLFS GREATEST HAVE PLAYED HERE

THE U.S. OPEN PLAYED AT OLYMPIC CLUB

COURSE LAYOUTS LINE THE WALLS OF THE MENS LOCKER ROOM

THE LAKESIDE COURSE

1964 WAS EPIC YEAR FOR OLYMPIC CLUB MEMBERS

OLYMPIC CLUB MENS LOCKER ROOM

LUNCH AND A COCKTAIL BEFORE OUR ROUND

PERHAPS A BLODDY MARY TO START THE DAY

ONE OF THE BEST CLUB HOUSE SANDWICHES EVER!   THIS THING WAS THE BOMB

MY BUDDY LOVED THIS SANDWICH

AFTER LUNCH AND A FEW COCKTAILS WE HIT THE DRIVING RANGE AT OLYMPIC CLUB

THEN WE HIT THE PUTTING GREEN

AND THEN WE HIT THE COURSE

COURSE IS BEAUTIFUL AND GREEN

LONG OPEN FAIRWAYS

LUCKY TO STAY OUT OF THE BUNKERS ON THIS DAY

HIT EM STRAIGHT AND KEEP IT ON THE FAIRWAY

LOOKING UP TO THE CLUB HOUSE

TAKING A PHOTO BREAK ON 9TH HOLE

9TH HOLE AT OLYMPIC LAKE COURSE

9TH HOLE AT OLYMPIC CLUB

CLUBHOUSE AT OLYMPIC CLUB COMING OFF 18TH HOLE

THE HAMBURGER DOG AT OLYMPIC IS FAMOUS WE WERE TOLD

GREAT FRIENDS ON A OVERCAST DAY AT OLYMPIC CLUB - 18TH HOLE TEE BOX

MY TEE SHOT ON 18 WAS IN THE FAIRWAY

18TH GREEN IS TINY COMPARED TO MOST ON COURSE

MY THIRD SHOT WAS UNDER A TREE WITH BUNKERS ON THE LEFT AND ABOVE RIGHT.  GREEN WAS SMALL AND I HAD TO HIT THE BALL LOW - CLEAR THE BUNKERS AND LAND ON GREEN.
I DID IT!!!!!!!

MY PAR PUTT ON 18TH HOLE AT OLYMPIC CLUB.  THE CADDY ON LEFT WALKS TOWARDS ME.  I TELL HIM THAT IF I HIT THIS PUTT I'LL GIVE HIM $100.  IF I MISS HE PAYS ME $100.   HE QUICKLY SAID NO AND THEN LINED ME UP FOR THE PUTT.  HE SHOWED ME THE LINE THAT WAS A FEW INCHES OUT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF PIN.  I HIT THE PUTT AND IT WENT IN!!!!!! PAR ON 18 AT OLYMPIC CLUB LAKE COURSE!!!!!!!  A GOLF MOMENT I WILL NEVER FORGET.  PAID THE GUY $100 TOO.

BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA HOTEL - SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA

121 7TH STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  94103-2835

415-626-0200

415-863-2529 Fax

800-444-5816 Toll Free

http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/US/CA/San-Francisco-hotels/BEST-WESTERN-PLUS-Americania/Hotel-Overview.do?propertyCode=05106

When the room is free I will stay there.  That was the case with the Best Western Plus Americania in San Francisco.  Long story but I got two free nights here.  Arrived late at night to find a very friendly front desk clerk happy to greet us and check us in.  I was hungry and asked if there was a place to eat nearby.  She said that the Burger Joint inside the hotel was closed but there was a Subway on the corner.  I walked down to the Subway and prayed for my life.  Not the kind of place to roam the streets at night.  Don't get me wrong.  This is not the worst area in San Francisco.   There are far much worse.  During the day the streets around the hotel are filled with families, couples and business people heading to and from work.  The Bellman at the front is friendly and courteous and they help to make you feel safe.  Front Desk staff was excellent checking in and out.  The rooms while small were comfortable and clean.  I literally just slept in this room.  Never spent anytime lounging around the place.  Checked the internet and found that this was not a cheap room on the dates I stayed.  Over $250 per night so I am glad it was free.

BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA HOTEL SAN FRANCISCO

ENTRANCE TO BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA

FRONT DESK STAFF WAS GREAT HERE

LOBBY SEATING AREA

ADJOINING CUSTOM BURGER SERVES BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER

LOBBY OF BEST WESTERN PLUS AMERICANIA

COURTYARD

ROOMS ARE CLEAN

IS THIS 60'S OR 70'S?

SMALL DESK AREA WITH PLENTY OF PLUGS FOR ELECTRONICS

IN ROOM COFFEE AND TEA - GOTTA PAY FOR THE WATER

NO FRILLS BUT CLEAN

THEY HAD HOT WATER AND SHAMPOO SO NO COMPLAINTS

GORDON BIERSCH - HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GORDON BIERSCH

HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GORDON BIERSCH

HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GATE 28

HONOLULU, HI  96819

HOURS:  Monday thru Friday 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

                 Saturday and Sunday 6:00 AM - 4:30 PM

www.gordonbiersch.com

Arrived at the Honolulu International Airport and my Hawaiian Airlines flight was on the opposite side of the airport lounge that I like to frequent.  That meant I would have to spend money on a preflight cocktail rather than enjoying the free stuff in the lounge.  Besides finding a Starbucks, there was a Gordon Biersch near Gate 28.  The place was completely filled on this afternoon.  Most people were watching the World Cup Soccer Games while enjoying some food and a beer.  I was quickly greeted by a great waitress who despite the crowds did an excellent job waiting on tables.  Her service was first rate considering the amount of tables she was covering and what seemed to be a late lunch slam.  I ordered up a Marzen brew and was happy to find that it was nice and cold.  I did not have much time and ordered the Churrasco Steak Tacos ($16.99) knowing that these could be made quickly.  I was thinking of who the heck pays $17 for two tacos.  Seems a bit high to me so they better be good.  The tacos arrived quickly and I was surprised to find that they included a dark corn tortilla shell and a flour tortilla.  Two tortillas per taco.  I remember biting into my first taco and thinking that this was really good texture.  Enjoyed having both the hard and soft tortillas.  The meat was moist and had good flavor.  Not a bad taco.  The rice and beans were tasteless and really should have had a sauce or something to impart some flavor.  At $17 this plate should be kicked up a bit.  All in all these were decent tacos.  Would of liked more sauce and maybe some heat.  

CHURRASCO STEAK TACOS

GORDON BIERSCH IS LOCATED NEAR GATE 28 IN HONOLULU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

GORDON BIERSCH MENU AT THE AIRPORT IS SMALL AND DESIGNED TO GET YOU FOOD FAST

GORDON BIERSH HONOLULU AIRPORT MENU

GORDON BIERSCH BREWS

I WENT FOR THE LIGHTER MARZEN BREW

COSTCO PRE-COOKED LOBSTER

DINNER AT HOME

We saw these bright red lobster tails at Costco and grabbed a couple at $9.99 per pound.  The lobsters were around 2 lbs each so each lobster was around $20.  They looked large and meaty.  The guy behind the counter recommended that we simply steam and serve.  We steamed them as directed and then broke into them to find the meat.  The body and claws were huge and the claws were meaty.  The tail however was a bit small.  The flavor of these lobsters was not that great.  A little tough and not sweet.  I was not able to finish the small tail because I did not like the taste.  Even with a little drawn butter they were pretty bland.  Would not recommend these pre-cooked lobsters at $20 each.

LARGE CLAWS AND SMALL TAIL SERVED WITH BRUSSELS SPROUTS WITH GARLIC                          AND PROSCIUTTO,  MASHED POTATOES AND LOCALLY GROWN CORN

LOBSTERS ARE PRE-COOKED 

SIMPLY STEAM THE LOBSTERS TO WARM 

STEAMED LOBSTER READY TO EAT

CAFE SISTINA

CAFE SISTINA

HONOLULU, HAWAII

CAFE SISTINA

1314 S. KING STREET

HONOLULU, HI  96814

808-596-0061

HOURS:  Daily 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

www.cafesistina.com

It has been over 15 years since I have been to Cafe Sistina.  Could not remember my last meal here so we ventured back in search of some fresh pasta and a good Italian meal.  Sorry to say but we found neither.  What I did like was the hand painted artwork on the walls that was painted by the restaurant owner.  We entered the restaurant from the parking garage from the First Interstate Bank Building on King Street.  Parking is a flat rate of $3 in the evening here.  We were greeted quickly and seated at a table that was near the bar and in the vicinity of the kitchen so every plate and waitress ran by us during our meal.  Menus were presented by a nice waitress with very little personality.  She provided the basics, said nothing and seemed a bit rushed.  I asked her if they had any "fresh" pasta and her reply was "no, it comes from a box".  I asked if there were any "specials" and she said "no, we don't do that".  I wanted to ask her for recommendations but given her last answers I really did not care to hear anything else from her.  We ordered an appetizer and asked for a few more minutes to examine the menu.  Fresh warm bread arrived with butter as we mulled over the many menu selections.  No fresh pasta I thought.  Wow..that is why we came to this place.  A friend said they make their pasta homemade and that is what I was craving.  Fresh homemade pasta.  Well, according to our waitress you won't get that here.  The Antipasto Misto ($13.75) arrived and I was a bit surprised that it was basically meats and one type of cheese which was Smoked Gouda.  There was a thinly sliced vegetable terrine on the plate that was a bit burnt on the edges.  The flavor was ok.  I ate one slice and did not want any more.  The Antipasto platter in my opinion was missing something.  Maybe some olives, peppers or something else to compliment the meats.  I ordered the Veal Marsala ($25.50) and asked if it were served with pasta.  The waitress said it came with a small bowl type pasta.  I asked for Linguine and she said no problem.  This was one of the most disconnected pasta dishes of my life.  The Veal Marsala tasted like a flour and butter roux.  Could not taste any Marsala.  Basically thinly sliced pieces of veal with the roux and some mushrooms.  The pasta was overcooked (mushy) and served with a tomato sauce that did not in any way go with the Veal.  It was like two different dishes on one plate.  I actually liked the tomato sauce on the pasta.  Did not finish the Veal.  The heavy roux taste pretty much ruined the dish.  Why they could not integrate a nice Marsala sauce into the pasta is beyond me.  If the chef would have tasted the Marsala sauce I am sure they would not be happy.  Take a bite of the Veal and the pasta with two different sauces and they would know this dish was disconnected.  The Lobster Ravioli ($19.75) was a large plate of pasta that looked pretty good.  There were nice pieces of lobster inside the Ravioli but again the sauce tasted like a roux.  Heavy flour taste that masked anything resembling a sauce.  My wife took a few bites and left the rest on the plate.  The Venison Ragu Papardelle ($21.50) was probably the best dish of the evening and my daughter seemed to love it.  She finished off most of the pasta but left a lot of the Venison on her plate.  The Venison Ragu was good but a bit dry and bland. We ordered two desserts.  The Chocolate Spoon Ala Mode ($10.50) and Spumoni.  The Spumoni was never brought to the table and we did not say anything to our waitress as it did not show up on the bill.  The Chocolate Spoon was delicious.  Tasted like a melted Hershey Bar.  I put back a few glasses of Italian Chianti and admired the paintings on the wall.  Impressed with the paintings but not the food or our waitress.  Probably going to be another 15 years before we go back to Cafe Sistina.  Oh...how I wish this place would have been good as we are looking for that "go to" Italian restaurant in Hawaii.

CAFE SISTINA

ENTRANCE TO CAFE SISTNA FROM PARKING GARAGE

CAFE SISTINA NORTHERN ITALIAN CUISINE

CAFE SISTINA DINING ROOM

CAFE SISTINA WAS BUSY ON THIS EVENING

CAFE SISTINA HAS A SMALL BAR

THE OWNER CAN REALLY PAINT

LOVE THE HAND PAINTED ARTWORK AT CAFE SISTINA

COLOR AND DETAILS ARE AMAZING

LIKE DINING IN AN ITALIAN MUSEUM

SMALL DINING AREA IN BACK

FRESH BAKED AND WARM BREAD WITH BUTTER

PARMESAN CHEESE AND RED CHILI FLAKES ON TABLE

ANTIPASTO MISTO

VEGETABLE TERRINE

LOBSTER RAVIOLI 

VEAL MARSALA

VENISON RAGU WITH PAPARDELLE

THE CHOCOLATE SPOON

A STOP AT THE BATHROOM LEADS TO MORE ART ON THE WALLS

DELIMEX CHICKEN TAQUITOS

DELIMEX CHICKEN TAQUITOS GRANDE
LUNCH AT HOME FROM SAM'S CLUB

Picked up a box with 50 Chicken Taquitos from Sam's Club for cheap.  Thought these would be great for when I was craving Taquitos at Home.  I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and then put four Taquitos on a cookie sheet and baked them for 15 minutes.  The Taquitos came out nice and crunchy but really lacked on chicken flavor.  There was just not enough chicken in the Taquitos to taste the meat.  Mostly tasted the corn tortilla.  I topped the Taquitos with shredded lettuce, cheese and salsa to add some texture, color and flavors.  Toppings were good.  Just wish these little Taquitos had more chicken filling.  Would rather have bought 25 meat filled Taquitos in place of 50 that were mostly air.  Don't know if I would buy these again.

FOUR CHICKEN TAQUITOS TOPPED WITH SHREDDED LETTUCE, CHEESE AND SALSA

DELIMEX CHICKEN TAQUITOS GRANDE FROM SAMS CLUB

GRILLED RIB EYE - DINNER AT HOME

 GRILLED RIB EYE

DINNER AT HOME

Came home to an unexpected steak dinner and loved it.  Turns out Rib Eye Steaks were on sale at a good price so the Wife went for meat over fresh fish.  Simply grilled the Rib Eye with a little salt and pepper plus the Hy's Steakhouse Seasoning Blend.  Broiled the potatoes in the oven with very little oil.  Asparagus was blanched and then finished on the grill.  Entire meal for three was less than $15.

No complaints here.  Great steak dinner for $5 each!