Zona Rosa on Haight Street in San Francisco is a colorful joint that makes a mean veggie taco, but if I’m really in the mood for killer Mexican, I head over to the outer Mission’s La Taqueria, where authenticity is the name of the game, right down to the vibrant murals on the walls. That authenticity is what gives me qualms about trying to serve Mexican food at a dinner party. I can’t pretend to be from Mexico, and the Mexican food you buy out is always so good and so cheap that it seems pointless to make it at home. Of course, sticking with authentic Mexican means no tempeh, which means no mixing up the proteins for vegetarian guests. To remedy that, try the recipe below, which may not get much play south of the border, but is great for a festive night entertaining at home.

The Joie de Vivre chain of hotels is really flexing its social media muscles by working the hell out of Twitter, Facebook and cell phones. Take note, hospitality industry. On "Mobile Mondays," you can send out a text to 888999 with the subject "JdV" and bang! you can opt in to sweet offers for the next seven days valid at JdV hotels in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and Sacramento. You might get a coupon for free cocktails or discounted spa treatments.

Check out charming San Francisco as it was in 1958. Jeff Altman, a film colorist at a local Chicago production house, inherited a bunch of 16mm Kodachrome film shot in the late 50s by his grandparents, and has set about restoring and sharing them. You can watch people run for the trolley, see a (now) classic car make its way down Lombard Street, and check out handsome Grandpa smoking his cigar in the wind by the bridge.

Carrying some grade-A sticky icky with you? It's time to start booking flights in and out of the Oakland International Airport. Holding the distinction of being the only airport that allows for medical marijuana to be transported through the terminals and on their planes, Oakland stands alone in its acceptance of pot. The policy is clearly stated in a three-page document quietly pushed through and enacted last February by the Alameda County Sheriff's Office. It states that if deputies determine someone is a qualified patient or primary caregiver as defined by California law and has eight ounces or less of weed, he or she can keep it and board the plane.

Take the Picture - There seems to be a never-ending plethora of artists dabbling in the at times indulgent art of self-portraiture these days, but few ever rise to the fierce degree of established and still relevant talents like Cindy Sherman or Robert Mapplethorpe. Photographer Gregory Moon is that rare exception, and though his work is way different from the aforementioned art greats, he adds his own singular touch to his work, which veers from the ultra-sexual to the uber-sexy. Constantly revealing and evolving, he shows absolutely no fear in expressing his unique vision of himself and gives pause to those seeking only an unhealthy dose of counterfeit astonishment.

● Absinthe (Hayes Valley) - While they’re only available at brunch, Absinthe’s deviled eggs are anything but traditional breakfast fare. Looking deceptively familiar with a dollop of egg yolk swirled into perfectly hard boiled whites, Top Chef alumna Jamie Lauren belies expectations by topping the potluck favorite with salty smoked trout, and as if that weren’t enough, a sprinkling of another kind of egg -- osetra caviar.
● The Alembic (The Haight) - Known for its cocktails, Alembic divides its drink menu into “old school” classics and “new school” elixirs like the Strawberry Alarm Clock, which marries strawberry puree with whiskey, vermouth, and a dash of Tabasco. Libations like these require bold but not overpowering bar bites to accentuate the flavors of the fresh ingredients, and an order of pickled quail eggs fits the bill. These gorgeous pink orbs of briny lusciousness are smooth and rich, with the perfect amount of salty punch to whet your palate for another drink.

36 skaters played a street game of Tetris last week, careening down the hills of San Francisco with blinking Tetris-shaped puzzle pieces strapped to their body. Put this one under cool, random things that happen when people have a lot of time on their hands.

Contigo is a tapas joint in the heart of Noe Valley, right off of 24th Street. Their Catalan-inspired dishes are prepared with organic produce and fresh dairy. Not only are the ingredients sustainable, the restaurant itself is an eco-maniac’s dream, constructed from reused materials (the walls in the dining room are made from century-old salvaged redwood trees, and the water glasses come from recycled wine bottles.) I love the ambiance, which combines the feel of a lively Barcelona tapas bar with that of a friendly neighborhood spot. Contigo works just as well for a mellow Friday evening sipping wine at the quaint bar as it does for a late start to a wild and crazy night on the town (in typical Spanish fashion). The restaurant serves some mean regional delicacies from Catalonia, but it’s their berenjenas with salmorejo that caught my attention.

● Mission Beach Café (Mission) - A favorite among hip neighborhood lushes for post-booze-fest brunches. Pretty young things, some still clad in their PJs, searching for comfort in decadent biscuits and gravy, Prather Ranch beef brisket hash, and of course pomegranate grapefruit Mimosas.
● Home (The Castro) - Bloody Mary preferences say a lot about a person. Do you take yours spicy or mild? With celery or olives?? Home’s Build Your Own Bloody Mary bar, which includes all of the standard accoutrement plus wasabi and a whole bevy of hot sauces, allows you to express your individuality while downing oversized omelets and crunchy cornflake French toast.
● Zazie (Cole Valley) - To compensate for the indelicacies of last night’s festivities, atmosphere of subtle French refinement can help you regain your sense of dignity. Shade your sensitive eyes under an umbrella in this small Cole Valley bistro’s back garden and sip on a cranberry or mango juice mimosa, forgetting last night ever happened.

In the space-starved peninsular metropolis of San Francisco, parking spots are highly coveted. If you've ever had to park your car (or your rental) at a hotel, you know that overnight parking runs about $45 a night. If you go for a public lot, it's not unheard of to be charged $24 for two hours. If you end up trying your luck on the street, the multitude of parking regulations and street cleanings almost ensure a parking ticket when you return to your car. What to do? A website called GottaPark is trying to solve this modern day vehicle dilemma.