16 Editor’s Note 34 A&E 24 Calendar Reynolds Rap: Michael Snyder: December Events: Our special Be a holiday angel 3 Christmas celluloid 22 holiday calendar features concerts and benefits and more, with every- Food & Wine Travel thing from Paula Poundstone to Fab Five: Classic Weekend Traveler: reindeer and many ways to ring Dungeness crab A winter getaway in in the New Year at the end of dishes 16 Squaw Valley 34 the month. 24 WWW.MARINATIMES.COM CELEBratinG OUR 29TH YEAR VOLUME 29 ISSUE 12 DECEMBER 2013 2013 in review Boating billionaires, grumbling grassroots, and a crime-fighting tyke by john zipperer itself known on commercial and already when January 2013 rolled residential fronts. Residents of around, but much of the first half hen 2012 was one of the richest cities on the of the year was taken up by com- coming to a face of the planet started com- plaints about how it had under- close, you might plaining about costs of all kinds. performed, scandals and on-bay not have been And just when we were ready tragedy, and just who would end Wable to predict what was going to slap our heads in disgust, a up footing the bill for the leftover to happen in 2013. But you 5-year-old reminded us how to costs. When the finals finally got would have been safe if you make magic. underway at the end of sum- expected the new year’s events In short, it was a year that mer, even some locals who would to unravel according to San highlighted all that is stereo- rather move to Kansas than root Francisco Code. typical and irritating about San for a bunch of billionaires racing As we near the end of 2013, Francisco, as well as all that ships on the bay found them- a lot of events made our city’s is inspiring, and that makes selves caught up in the drama headlines and occupied our you proud to call the city by of the super-fast and super- conversations with friends and the bay home. Let’s revisit dangerous boats and the come- neighbors. We learned about 2013 before we break out the back of the century by Oracle’s one of the biggest sports in Champagne for 2014. team. That it all happened on the the world, and it wasn’t soc- America’s Cup: One of the old- Marina District’s front door — cer. Aaron Peskin reminded us est competitive sporting events or front dock — made it all the Pint-sized Batman Miles Scott, aka Batkid, brought a grim-faced he hadn’t gone gentle into that in the world had been under- more interesting. determination to battling evil in San Francisco and saved the day in good night. NIMBYism made way in various stages for a while 2013, continued on 4 more ways than one PHOTO: MAKE-A-WISH GREATER BAY AREA/PAULSAKUMA.COM @nite Bellingham by the Bay Tales of Christmas past Polka dots for Christmas by bruce bellingham the streets of San Francisco. Polka dots are an undy- Or perhaps it’s just me. I ing, capricious beauty. They t occurred to me see all sorts of things this remind me of the old fam- the other day how time of year — real or not ily photos and my mother many things from the real. “This is what I call in her polka-dot dresses, Ipast always seem to come White Toyota Syndrome,” just like the famous movie back. Mostly bad things — observed Keven Guillory, stars of the World War II T.B. ...yellow fever ... Tom with whom I worked at era — Ginger Rogers ... DeLay. Some things remain KQED radio all those years Betty Grable ... Alice Faye. incurable. But it’s not all ago. “That’s when you buy Just like the songs from that bad. I’ve noticed how polka a white Toyota, then all you time, such as, “When the dots are back in style. They notice are white Toyotas on Lights Come on All Over ARTWORK: S.F. ARTIST NIDHI CHANANI AT WWW.EVERYDAYLOVEART.COM seem to be everywhere on the roads.” BELLINGHAM, continued on 6 Have a cool yule in the city Dishing ’Tis the season by maryann lorusso sightings — don’t stick holiday shopping season around long after the holi- kicks off Dec. 7 with the Bûche de Noël: s the holidays days. So we should enjoy 23rd Annual Union Street blow into town, these ephemeral goodies Fantasy of Lights on Union 19th century French holiday so does the frantic while they’re here. Same and Fillmore streets, a fun cake makes a comeback Aholiday rush, starting right goes for the festive night- event that includes arts and after Halloween and not life that sweeps through crafts, caroling and a Santa by susan dyer reynolds ending until the last pieces San Francisco in December. visit. By now, both Union Chocolate hazelnut Bûche de Noël at B. Patisserie PHOTO: LEXI MARINE of confetti have been swept Here are some of the more and Chestnut streets are he ceremonial burning of a from the floor on New fun and festive ways to aglow with lights, meters log on winter solstice (the year’s a sweet reminder that the warmth of Year’s Day. It’s certain that enjoy your month. along Union are transformed darkest day) or, for Christians, the summer sun would return soon. in January, we’ll look back into giant candy canes, and Ton Christmas Eve, is an ancient French As the 19th century ended, however, and wonder: Where did EVERYWHERE YOU GO … validated parking and late tradition purported to date back to compact cast-iron stoves replaced the December go? Where did It’s beginning to look a shopping hours (most stores Viking times. The log was gargantuan grand fireplaces capable of holding the the year go? lot like the holidays. The won’t close until 9 p.m. on and aged in a way that allowed it to Yule log, and the tradition burned out. Many of the season’s trees are up in Union Square weekends) sweeten any visit; burn through the 12 days of Christmas Always known for their innovation, most memorable treats — and Ghirardelli Square, and additional details are avail- (Dec. 24 through Jan. 6). Often rubbed French pastry chefs developed a cake from eggnog to mistletoe, retailers are making every able at unionstreetsf.com. with spices of the season, the “Yule called bûche de Noël, which translates elf-themed parties to Santa effort to lure you in. The @NITE, continued on 22 log” aroma wafted through the home, DISHING, continued on 17 WWW.MARINATIMES.COM THE MARINA TIMES DECEMBER 2013 1 Contents TOP TEN STEAKS IN AMERICA Osso Steakhouse — 1177 California Street, San Francisco, CA In This Issue Bobo’s — 1450 Lombard, San Francisco, CA 18 38 Peter Luger Steakhouse — 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY Bern’s Steakhouse — 1208 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL CUT — 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA Emeril’s Delmonico — 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV Mario Batali’s Carnevino — 3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 22 Chicago Cut — 300 North LaSalle, Chicago, IL The Precinct — 311 Delta Avenue, Cincinnati, OH Elway’s Cherry Creek — 2500 East First Avenue, Denver, CO Editor’s Note Arts & Entertainment Reynolds Rap Watching and reading Susan Dyer Reynolds offers some ways to Michael Snyder shares his favor- bring the holiday spirit alive for others. 3 ite Christmas films, Sharon Anderson reviews the Hotel Chelsea photography book, plus the Marina’s best sellers. 22 News Change and controversy Calendar Ernest Beyl calls for clarity in a North Beach December events battle, plus News Briefs reports on a new We’ve collected all of the holiday goings- scam, Nike’s popularity, Crissy redevelopment on to keep you entertained and stuffed snags, a Central Subway lawsuit, and a new throughout the month. 24 TEP hearing. 4 At Home Community The holiday home S.F. on the move Thalia Farshchian has party survival ideas, Supervisor Mark Farrell remembers a year Liz Farrell shares tips for getting the perfect of achievements, plus Police Blotter. 8 holiday family portrait, and Julia Strzesieski helps you survive snowy driving. 26 Street Beat PHOTOS: MISHA BRUK Real Estate Sizzling seasonal streets John Zipperer highlights the Union Street Renting, buying, and selling holiday extravaganza, and Ernest Beyl offers John Zipperer gives an overview of S.F. up his unique North Beach gift ideas. 10 real estate in 2013; Stephanie Saunders Osso Steakhouse Ahlberg unwraps holiday homes; the UpFront Mystery Housebuyer discusses unrealistic f you haven’t The stylish Art Empire Steak Building expectations; and Carole Isaacs offers tips A soldier’s last drink for winning in this market. 29 been to Osso Deco-inspired design Cut. It’s the juiciest, Ernest Beyl heads to the Top of the Mark. 12 Steakhouse yet, provides an elegant most perfectly mar- Travel Imake a reserva- yet relaxed ambiance. bled beef that has ever Business & Finance Squaw Valley tion today! There The New York Steak been set before you. All a-Twitter Garrick Ramirez finds a world-class win- ter playground. 34 is so much to love is dry-aged 4-6 weeks “It’s osso good!” Alan Silverman returns to reveal the Twitter empire has no clothes, and Susan about the place — for a flavor that is Dyer Reynolds calls a bubble in 140 char- Pets great atmosphere, nothing short of a rev- Valet Parking acters or less. 14 The gift that barks great food, great elation. For the truly Food & Wine Susan Dyer Reynolds looks at BarkBox, wine, great cocktails hearty, try the three- 1177 California at Jones the perfect gift for dog lovers, plus Skylar Dining and dishing Grey meets Jazzy’s best friend, Blue.