The Must-Have Happy Hour at Picaro Restaurant

Reaching my mid-twenties, I've become so appreciative of both a good meal, and genuine friendships I've maintained over the years. With a majority of my friends well into their careers, making time for one another to share a good meal together after a long day at work is something I cherish a lot. 

Earlier this week, not only did I get to reunite with Anjuli for a belated-birthday dinner and catch-up, but she also introduced me to Picaro, right on 16th and Valencia. Someone please tell me, why haven't I been to this place sooner?

It's good to note: I was so caught up in enjoying conversation, and I didn't really capture the whole food experience in it's essence. *insert whiny face emoji here*  I did still capture some photos that I'm sure will make you crave this place for your next happy hour.

The Thirst

First off, we need to mention why this place is perfect for an after-work dinner with anyone. Daily Happy Hour from noon-7:00pm. Carafes of Sangria go for $10, and for one glass it's only $2. On Fridays and Saturdays this deal is also offered from 10:00pm to closing. That should already be enough to convince you.

TAPAS

Every table receives complimentary bread paired with their salsa brava sauce. Try not to fill yourself up on the bread before the meal! It's hard to resist.

We picked three plates: Esparragos a la Plancha (Grilled asparagus), Tortilla de Patata (Potato and onion omelet) and Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp). By we, I mean Anjuli picking her favorites since she is a Picaro veteran and has impeccable taste in good food.

Just a few of our delicious picks on the table, featuring the grilled asparagus and salsa brava that didn't make it into pictures of their own.

Tortilla de Patata (Potato and onion omelet). This is one the most popular plates and I can taste why!

Nostalgic note: when I was young, my grandma used to make me potato omelets and this dish reminded me so much of that. 

Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) the shrimp, and the buttery sauce it's smothered in really speaks for itself.

Paella for Two, Please!

The paella plates are meant for at least two people, and being plenty for two people, it included leftovers for the both of us! They are $30, and take about a half hour to be prepared... worth the wait though.

We chose to get the lobster paella, and my mouth is watering thinking about how good it was. We squeezed the lemon wedges all over the plate, and that pretty much did it for me. I was a done deal, and I've been craving it since we went on Tuesday!

Paella de Longosta (Lobster paella) up close and personal... in all it's glory.

Between the easy accessible location, the affordable sangria, the taste of the tapas, and the paella portions, this place is an easy suggestion you can be confident when suggesting where you should eat in the Mission.

Get it from my momma.

"Every child needs one person in their life that is crazy about them." 

...Well, that was her. My mother, mentor, and best friend. A single mother that did everything in her power to give me the world.

Thank you to her for supporting the little girl with wild dreams, even if my dreams are crazy sometimes. She has given me the gift to follow my heart, and the confidence to trust in my passions, and for that I can't thank her enough for allowing me to be free. 

 

This photo diary is dedicated to her, and all the passions and milestones we've shared together over the years.

Every summer, my mom would take me the Presidio for the Aloha Festival. She enrolled me in my first hula class when I was 5-6 years old, and I danced for several years. We have been to Hawaii several times, and she still goes just about every year.

In 2013, my mom came to SFSU, and invited me to attend a documentary showing about the International Hotel demolition in San Francisco. It is a historic story about a building that housed many filipino immigrants, and the fight to prevent it's demolition. It hit close to home for us, because my grandfather called that place home for some time. She is holding a letter he received at that address, and I'm holding a photo of him.

Coincidently, I chose to attend San Francisco State University, the same college she had graduated from in 1990. I am a second generation Gator Alumnae, class of 2014!

Fun fact: my college ring is actually her college ring passed down to me.

I've had Sanrio a part of my life since I practically came out of the womb. To this day, kawaii finds and anything Hello Kitty still bonds us! Not only did we attend the Hello Kitty Con in LA, but also went to the Hello Kitty Supercute Friendship Festival when it toured to the Bay Area.

My mom and I both love stationary, markers and crafty activities of any variety! Most recently, we attended the release of the Laurel Burch coloring book, at FLAX Art and Design. While there, we ate Jelly Beans and colored. She even won a raffle, and came home with a huge tote bag stuffed with Laurel Burch goods. Here we are pictured with Laurel Burch's daughter.

Swing Away at Billy Goat Hill

Shorty, swing my way.

A few weekends back, my adventure friend, Daniel, and I decided to hit up some of the city's best views, aka the instagram jackpot locations. Billy Goat Hill was high on that list, and we lucked out because this time the swing was there! For some odd reason, it's hard to gauge if it's there. It gets taken up and fixed pretty often. I've learned to check the instagram hashtags for the most recent photos to see if it's up.

We people-watched in between snapshots. Each group of people that passed by couldn't resist hopping on for a turn on the swing: families with young children, two college students stopping by to smoke, and saw locals taking their pups on a walk.

It's an easy place to go if you want the city view, but don't want the hike. The location is hidden in the Glen Park neighborhood, and you can park nearby so no need to worry if you aren't wearing comfy shoes.