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The Art of Tasting Chocolate
Come within 3 or 4 feet of the infectious Karletta Moniz and you're sure to
contract a case of chocolate fever. Moniz is better known as a local chef, of culinarymuse.com notoriety. In January
of this year she decided to increase and multiply the number of local chocoholics, and her campaign is successfully
spreading addiction. The site aims to educate and entertain, broadening the boundaries
of America's Hershey-heavy palate. Learn more about wine and scotch pairings, discover edible art, and, for the true
cocoa connoisseur, sign up for chocolate tasting classes, sure either to cure or to severely aggravate the most intense cravings.
www.theartoftastingchocolate.com
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Amelie
Doe-eyed Audrey Tautou may not be a regular, but French-loving locals and seekers of Franco- finery are all here looking for a pour. The French-focused wine list features several selections of great stuff by the glass, plus soju cocktails, 10 specialty beers and a light small-plates menu. Desserts too. Try the Raviole du Royans, homemade pasta made with gruyere and the Chocolate Tarte for dessert. And you can't go wrong with $10 wine flights. It can get a little crowded on the weekends.
NOB HILL 1754 Polk nr Washington
(415) 292.6916
www.ameliesf.com
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GOOD VIBRATIONS TODO readers receive 10% off next purchase.
MISSION 603 Valencia @ 17th St (415) 522.5460
RUSSIAN HILL 1620 Polk nr Sacramento (415) 345.0400
www.goodvibes.com
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ON FOOT: Get off your back to get back on your back
So you just spent a bundle on the holidays, but that crazy little thing called love is pulling on the purse strings—again. TODO respects the urge NOT to splurge, but we also defer to the consequences of failing to buy a gift for your mate. Avoid solitude. Here is a selection of stores to keep your shopping options open, and your datebook filled:
Beginner
New York Apparel
UPPER HAIGHT 1772 Haight @ Shrader
(415) 786.8076
www.nyapparel.com
Good Vibrations
MISSION 603 Valencia @ 17th St
(415) 522.5460
RUSSIAN HILL 1620 Polk @ Pine
(415) 345.0400
www.goodvibes.com
Intermediate
Agent Provocateur
UNION SQUARE 54 Geary @ Kearny
(415) 421.0229
www.agentprovocateur.com
Felicity's Fetiche
NOB HILL 1214 Sutter nr Polk
(415) 474.7874
www.designsbybo.com/Felicitys_Fetiche
Advanced
Mister S Leather
SOMA 385 8th St @ Harrison
(415) 863.7764
www.mr-s-leather.com
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ONLINE: Etsy
For those of you not yet familiar with this little online gem: trumpets please, time to make a formal introduction.
Etsy brings over 30,000 vendors to you from across the world— individual artists, not mass retailers. It's an
intuitive user interface with sophisticated search tools (yes, all that jargon), that allows buyers to find everything
from affordable art to one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. And options are refreshed daily. For Valentine's Day, the site
includes "Gifts for boys or boyish girls" and "Gifts for girls or girlish boys."
www.etsy.com
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THE BLUES JEAN BAR TODO Readers receive 10% off next purchase.
COW HOLLOW 1827 Union @ Octavia (415) 346.4280 www.thebluesjeanbar.com
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MUSEUM OF CRAFT AND FOLK ART TODO Readers receive 10% off next purchase at Museum Store.
SOMA 51 Yerba Buena @ Mission (415) 227.4888 www.mocfa.org
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What not to miss in February
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Ongoing February Events
18th Annual Valentine's Day Woo at the Zoo www.sfzoo.org
How We First Met www.howwefirstmet.com
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SF on the WWW | Weekend Sherpa
Weekend Sherpa is a free weekly e-mail newsletter that shares insider leads to the best outdoor adventures in Northern California. Each installment offers something new and different. Try hiking unspoiled territory in the Marin Headlands or biking through incredible terrain. Every Thursday, find tons of great outdoorsy ideas in your inbox, just in time for the weekend. For a taste, try the following romantic recommendations from the Weekend Sherpa himself:
- » Hike 45 minutes from Rock Springs parking lot to the West Point Inn. Once there, enjoy some wine and cheese and the views of the Pacific and San Francisco.
- » Walk along the recently refurbished Land's End Trail. Follow it up with a Hot Toddy at the Cliff House.
- » Bring a thermos of your favorite quaffable up to Jack Early Park. Once up on Telegraph Hill, you climb the stairs all the way up to two benches. Panoramic views from bridge to bridge.
www.weekendsherpa.com
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Meet February's TODO Reader of the Month
Bombshell Betty, Burlesque Dancer and Teacher
Show and Tell:
What's Your View of SF?
March's Disaster Issue is next. Send us your disaster stories and photos and we'll publish our favorites.
Email info@todomonthly.com
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Let's say you're into exhibitionism (big stretch). Where are your three favorite places to indulge?
Yes, you could say I'm into that! Aside from my classes and performances, my favorite places to dress up or undress are: Tuesday Night Jump at the Verdi Club in Potrero Hill, Chez Badunka Dunk at the Cat Club in SOMA, and Pajama Sundays at the Red Door Café at California and Larkin.
This must be a busy time of year for you, with cupid on the hunt. What do you do to relax?
I like to unwind at Osento Women's Spa on Valencia. I love to catch movies at the Lumiere Theatre, the Castro Theater, and the Parkway Speakeasy Theater in Oakland. For fun, independent live theater, I go to the Darkroom Theater on Mission at 19th. The folks there are so much fun!
Favorite place(s) to buy performance-worthy lingerie?
Costume Party has some great vintage lingerie, and you can get all sorts of fun things for shows and parties at Costumes on Haight. I buy my stockings, gloves and other accessories at New York Apparel on Haight Street. Shopping there is always a good time.
We need a seduction fix. Where can we learn the art of burlesque?
San Francisco and other locations around the Bay Area, and I also now offer "Burlesquercise!" on DVD! I am currently teaching classes at the Jon Sims Center for the Arts and at Shotwell Studios in San Francisco. For current class schedules and for more information, go to www.bombshellbetty.net.
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Download our all-purpose Valentine's Day card. Just download, print, cut, fold, check off your message, and give!
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