You're at work. You're hungry. It's time for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Here are 25 tasty bites to sample when you're in need of a little motivation. Your boss will thank us. 

Acai bowl: Basik Cafe // 1958 Polk St. (Nob Hill), basikacai.com

Cheese flight: Mission Cheese // 736 Valencia St (Mission), missioncheese.net

Mazarine waffle: Mazarine Coffee // 720 Market St. (Financial District), mazarinecoffee.com

(Photo courtesy of Boba Guys)

An iced tea with boba: Boba Guys // 429 Stockton St. (Financial District), bobaguys.com

Earl's nuts: The Social Study // 1795 Geary Blvd. (Fillmore), facebook.com/thesocialstudy

Rice ball: Kissako Tea // 1581 Webster St. (Japantown), sfkissako.com

(Photo via Food52)

Matcha snickerdoodle cookie: Craftsman & Wolves // 749 Valencia St. (Mission), craftsman-wolves.com

Plantain chips: Estrellita's Snacks // 100 Alemany Blvd (Civic Center), estrellitassnackssf.com

(photo by Melia Robinson, via Business Insider) 

Dark Mountain rye toast: The Mill // 739 Divisadero St. (Alamo Square), themillsf.com

Salt & pepper chicken: Purple Kow // 3620 Balboa St. (Outer Richmond), facebook.com/purplekow

(Photo courtesy of Hog Island Oyster Co.) 

An oyster (or two): Hog Island Oyster Co. // 1 Ferry Bldg. 11A (Financial District), hogislandoysters.com

A baked or fried Piroshki: Cinderella Russian Bakery & Cafe // 436 Balboa St. (Inner Richmond), cinderellabakery.com

Wasabi popcorn: Bazaar Cafe // 5927 California St. (Outer Richmond), bazaarcafe.com

(Photo via Groupon) 

Cream puff: Beard Papa // 99 Yuerba Buena Lane (SoMa), beardpapa.com

Salumi cone: Boccalone // 1 Ferry Building Shop 21 (Financial District), boccalone.com

Mocha latte: Nespresso Boutique Bar // 90 Grant Ave. (Financial District), nespresso.com

(Photo via Caviar) 

A selection of bruschetta: Barbacco // 220 California St. (Financial District), barbaccosf.com

Chia pudding parfait: Jane on Fillmore // 2123 Fillmore St. (Pacific Heights), itsjane.com

Hummus bagel: Blue Front Cafe // 1430 Haight St. (Upper Haight), bluefrontcafe.com

(Photo via GrubStreet) 

Hazelnut biscotti + Blue Bottle latte: Tartine // 600 Guerrero St. (Mission), tartinebakery.com

Almond butter and jelly toast: Samovar Tea Lounge // 498 Sanchez St. (Castro), samovartea.com

Homemade kale chips with hazelnut and raisin: The Golden West // 8 Trinity Alley (Financial District), theauwest.com

French custard soft serve: Caffe Ambrosia // 14 Trinity Place (Financial District), 415-362-0538

(Photo via Cyn Eats) 

Chips and guacamole: Tropisueno // 75 Yerba Buena Lane (SoMa), tropisueno.com

Pink Dragon smoothie: Blue Hawaii Acai Cafe // 2 Embarcadero Center (Financial District), bluehawaiisf.com

Gift-giving season has arrived in full force. And while purchasing those items might have been a breeze, getting said gifts into the hands of friends and family can definitely be an ordeal. 

Happily, when it comes to delivering and receiving packages, there are a handful of startups looking to ease the stress of the current mail system through the holidays and beyond.

Doorman

This self-dubbed “on-demand delivery app for online shoppers" acts as a go-between for your packages by having you set their warehouse as the delivery address. Once they get your package, they’ll send you a notification, at which point you pick a time to have it delivered. For a small per-package fee or a monthly subscription for unlimited deliveries, you won’t have to deal with the annoyance of not being home when your packages arrive ever again. // doorman.co

Shyp

Shyp makes it easy to mail packages by having one of their couriers pick up your item in person, box it up, and ship it out for you. If you loathe going to the post office more than anything else (which, let’s face it, who doesn’t?), skip the trip this season. It will only cost you shipping fees plus a five dollar service charge. // shyp.com

Swapbox

This startup works as a package locker, where you can either send out or receive items via their kiosks located in stores throughout the city. Use the touch screen to input information about where your package is going, then simply drop it in and they’ll package it up and send it for you. Alternately, you can use the kiosk to receive packages like a P.O. box—they conveniently send you a PIN code for pickup when your package arrives. Especially for more valuable gifts, this option is a good alternative to your apartment mailroom. // swapbox.com

Barnacle

For gifts where the shape and size would make them a pain (and expensive) to ship, turn to Barnacle. They link you up with a network of drivers already going the route you need, and reserve the front seat or trunk for your item so that you don’t have to struggle with awkward packaging. According to the site, people have used Barnacle to “transport bicycles, musical instruments, care packages, pets, and more,” making it a clear go-to for items on your list that can’t go in a box. // p2ppostal.appspot.com

Roadie

Roadie uses a system of drivers that grab your stuff on the way to their destination, which they liken to “carpooling for cargo.” To ensure your gifts stay safe, they guarantee $500 of coverage for every shipment should anything happen, and you can purchase up to $10,000 of additional coverage. You also get to choose the driver based on previous sender ratings, and there’s real-time tracking in the Roadie app as well as the ability to call your driver at any point while they’re en route. This way, you can simply and securely watch your items get sent stress-free. // roadie.com

Food and sex have always gotten along. It was with this pairing in mind that chef Chris Hubbard launched a meal series unlike any other, where dinner meets live makeout sesh and striptease, and the only rule is no touching below the waist.

Our Gourmet Life aims to reignite the fire between couples with a hedonistic four-course feast where you'll nibble such dishes as escargot and red wine-glazed flat iron steak all while your black-masked server "runs their hands through your hair and gives a slow, gentle massage as you breathe in the aroma from the food." (Depending on who you are, you either just said Ew! aloud, or you've already clicked through to the company's website for a ressie.)

We've all heard about the Blind Cafe and various dinners in the dark. But Chef Hubbard's new concept is a whole other game. While you eat, your servers, both male and female, will dance, kiss, touch, and flirt with each other and you and your date; by the time dessert comes around, pieces of clothing have gone out the door with your savory scraps. You can't touch the servers unless they offer themselves up, but they can touch you...if it's above the waist, it's fair game. Hubbard says it's all about building a safe environment for adults to play in public.

The idea first got fishnet-clad legs back in 2011 when the chef and his wife Beth, a professional dancer, wanted to do something special for a couple of friends. “We put together a sexy dinner. I made lots of food. Beth and some of her friends dressed up like French maids and served the dinner." As you may have guessed, the event was a hit. Another erotic dinner followed, and the rest is history. Six years later, the chef is spicing things up with a new dinner game for couples: He places a red ribbon on the table after dinner and asks you to tie up your partner. The most creative tying wins a prize...

Dinners takes place in an industrial loft in SoMa twice a month. The next dinner is December 19th.  //  Intrigued? Dinners range from $100 to $160 per person. To make a reservation go to ourgourmetlife.com.

In the über-posh world of new San Francisco, vip bon vivants look to see and be seen slipping into members-only clubs and secret party rooms off limits to the madding crowd. Have you received your invitation yet?

Tosca, the legendary North Beach hot spot, was packed on a Thursday night in October. Many hopefuls were vying to get inside the recently revamped venue when Girls star Lena Dunham, along with her entourage, showed up for dinner unannounced. Instead of being turned away, the group was whisked past diners, and even past the famed back room of Tosca. Instead, they ate in the private, eight-person “chef’s lounge” upstairs, which overlooks the kitchen. That’s right, Tosca has a super-exclusive party room. To hold court at this table, you’ve simply got to be cool enough.

“There are those who think we bought Tosca just so I could actually get into the back room,” says new owner Ken Friedman, who admits the rumors “might be true….It was already the coolest place in San Francisco. Part of the reason it was the coolest place in SF is because of the private room. All we needed to do was not fuck it up.”

Since the luxury busses of tech titans first rolled into town, swank, exclusionary spaces have become the new fashion in SF. The recent VIP room boom includes the much-buzzed-about members-only Battery, where select boldface names can rub elbows over fine dining and in the state-of-the-art gym; Marianne’s, the invitation-only back room with a rock ’n’ roll vibe at The Cavalier; and The Gotham Club at AT&T Park, where Giants fans can play billiards and bowl in ambient seclusion before a ball game. The draw of behind-closed-doors access is just what you’d expect: The cool kids want to mingle with a hand-picked set of equally special souls. As The Battery’s founder Michael Birch notes, “All great parties, whether in a venue or a private [space], work because the guest list is curated. Methods of curation differ, but thought goes into who will be there.”

Friedman, a California native who also co-owns The Spotted Pig in New York, scoffs a bit at the sudden saturation of newly minted restricted areas popping up around the city (“Some people get it right, and some people get it wrong”). Touché: Tosca’s inimitable hip factor is thanks to the pioneering efforts of longtime former owner Jeannette Etheredge, who spent decades personally cultivating a coterie of not just any movie stars, artists, politicians, and local characters—if you made it into Tosca’s funky back room, it was because 
Jeannette herself deemed you worthy. Tosca has long been the only space here to rival anything found in New York or London—and for most of us, its VVIP dining room is just as far away.

It might be a stretch to think that Tosca’s crossed-arm refusal of entry has led to a quest among our newly anointed arbiters of culture—techies, society offspring, and the next gen of creatives, filling shoes once worn by the previous generation’s Penns and Coppolas—to find their own top-secret digs. But while Lena Dunham and her ilk reign supreme in North Beach, the rest of us are in need of a place where we can hide/show off in semisecret…and amenities are key.

For those who find The Battery’s Ken Fulk–designed common area too, um, common, the club’s penthouse suite is the private room inside the private club, and it is a prime spot for fancy parties. (Drink one too many? Have a lounge on the Hermès bedding!) Over at The Gotham Club, meanwhile, the $2,500 initation fee (plus annual dues) offers guests a shared connection: a love of our World Series champion home team. But for some, explains club manager Ryann Greenberg, “It’s also a status symbol. AT&T Park is a very public place, and anyone can buy a ticket. Not everyone can join The Gotham Club.” For tony Giants fans, it’s their field of dreams, with a mixed group of fans and a private entrance. “Members don’t have to wait in line to see the game or get their bobblehead,” says Greenberg. “They can even watch Giants batting practice.”

At the end of the day, it’s all about an irresistible bit of swagger: that feeling that you—you!—can go where others can’t. You. Are. Special. And what is the de rigueur way to prove such preeminence? Throw a party and invite your most fabulous (and carefully selected) friends. Membership has its privileges.

WHERE TO PARTY LIKE A BALLER

Your guide to the tastiest foodie happenings going down this week. Bon Appetit! 

Pink Zebra Pop-Up

Starting December 10th, Chef Jesse Koide (formerly of Mission Chinese Food) and bartender Danny Louie (The Alembic) are teaming up for a series of pop-ups at the now shuttered Slow Club. The menu will include favorites from the traveling pop-up Pink Zebra, including ramen carbonara, hurricane popcorn with crispy pig ears, and more.  // $5-$15, December 10th-13th and 17th-20th, 2501 Mariposa St., San Francisco, pinkzebrasf.com

Holiday Beer & Boozy Cakes

Enjoy an impressive selection of special holiday beers at Fat Angel this month paired with special boozy cakes made by Sainte G. Cake Company’s Krista Juracek. Expect ale-spiked ginger cakes topped with spiked, spiced cream cheese frosting as well as a Mocha Mousse made with Jolly Rodger Imperial Coffee Porter by Drake’s Brewing that will leave you drooling. Yum. // 1740 O’Farrell St, San Francisco, fatangelsf.com

Cookies & Jewelry

Heath Ceramics is staying open extra late on Thursday to host delicious tastings and treats from Guittard Chocolate. Expect a night of Guittard's signature chocolates, cookies, and other goodies from the book. Between that, jewelry from Kirsten Muenster, and the endless supply of beautiful ceramics, you’ll be sure to find something for the holidays // December 10, 6-8pm, 2900 18th St, San Francisco, heathceramics.com

Bento Box Workshop

Shibata-san, a master cedar bento box maker from Japan, will be at Rintaro this Thursday to teach his craft. Learn how to make a traditional magewappa box to take home while enjoying snacks and drinks from one of Bon Appetit Magazine’s top ten restaurants in America. // $150, 82 14th St, San Francisco. Email reservations@izakayarintaro.com

Douglas Tompkins, founder of the North Face and Esprit, died on Tuesday after a kayaking accident on General Carrera Lake in southern Chile. He was 72 years old.

Tompkins was boating with five other adventurers when the strong waves on the lake caused the group's kayaks to capsize. His death was confirmed by the Coyhaique Regional Hospital, where Mr. Tompkins was flown with severe hypothermia. No one else was seriously injured.

In the mid-1960s, Tompkins founded the North Face as a small ski and backpacking shop in North Beach with the mantra, “Never Stop Exploring.” A lifelong outdoorsman, Tompkins later pursued his passion for nature and conservationism. 

"Doug was a passionate advocate for the environment," said The North Face in a statement. "His legacy of conservation will help ensure that there are outdoor spaces to be explored for generations to come."

When you hit a wall this holiday season, instead of turning into the Grinch, use these easy hacks to save your Yuletide joy.

1. Save Money By Using PayPal 

Ready to save money? PayPal’s Holiday Hub features a number of stores that are running deals all season long when you pay with PayPal. Even better? PayPal provides customer protections for your holiday shopping (because peace of mind is so hard to come by this month).Customers can activate Return Shipping’s on Us, and PayPal will cover up to $30 of the return shipping costs for up to four returns until 1/31/16. But that's not all: PayPal also offers Purchase Protection, which gives customers up to 180 days to request a refund, and Pay After Delivery, allowing shoppers to check out now, but can keep the money in their account for up to 14 days. 

2. Utilize Free Shipping Day! 

Last minute and forgetful shoppers — this one goes out to you. On December 18th, multiple retailers will participate in offering free shipping on all orders — with no minimum and a guaranteed delivery by Christmas Eve. In the past, 600+ retailers, from Walmart to Target to Forever 21 attached themselves to this budding holiday, and more are sure to get in on it this year.

3. Let the Recipient Choose the Color/ Size They Want

Not sure what to get some of the people on your list? Browse hand curated top-selling collections from leading brands and retailers on www.loopgift.com and choose a gift they’re guaranteed to love. This e-gifting site is a new shopping experience where you’re able to combine the thoughtfulness of a chosen gift, the flexibility of a gift card and convenience of shopping online at your favorite retailers. The idea is that you choose a gift, but the gift recipient has the flexibility to determine size, color, style or even a different gift type altogether. No hassle of returns and exchanges if what you picked isn’t quite right. You just need to know the gift recipient’s email address, no need to look up physical shipping addresses. So. Easy. 

4. Get Alerted When Prices Drop 

Did you know about this helpful Pinterest feature? You start by pinning the products you've been eyeing to a secret board, then, turn on your price drop notifications in the settings page of your profile and wait for the e-mail alerts to roll in as holiday sales start to launch. Pinterest will notify you anytime one of your products has dropped in price, saving you all the money. 

5. Save Time, Shop on the Go

Commuting can take a lot of time out of your daily routine, why not use it to check things off your “to do” list? Seems like a no brainer, correct? First of all, save time on the process and download the new SF Muni app. Launched last month, the brand new app allows you to conveniently and securely buy your Muni ticket and pay your fare all within your mobile phone. The app, available on the App Store and Google Play, is built by GlobeSherpa on top of PayPal’s Braintree platform and offers PayPal as a payment option. Now that you have your ticket taken care of, use your commute to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list. Browsing for gifts has never been more accessible, and paying via PayPal One Touch™ can make checkout more convenient than ever, eliminating the need for you to type in usernames and passwords.

Jessica Alba’s a fan. Film studios and design bloggers adore it. Founded in 2013 by fashion industry veteran Anna Brockway and her entrepreneur husband Gregg, Chairish was born from years of frustration moving from house to house and leaving behind a growing pile of beautiful but ill-suited vintage furniture.

“We needed different pieces for different homes and it became a huge and expensive problem,” she remembers. Her solution? Masterminding a beautifully curated site that makes buying and selling vintage furniture easy, cheap, and fun.

“I fundamentally believe that vintage is cooler,” says the high-octane mother of four. “It has so much more character, plus it’s better for the environment!” 

(Photo by Rus Anson, via lonny.com) 

At Chairish, a team of design pros vets hundreds of new listings every day, manages the bidding process and handles delivery logistics. Brockway personally responds to customer queries. The hugely popular e-commerce site is rigorous about quality but serious about being pretention-free. From its San Francisco roots, it has since expanded to 48 states, and hosts wildly popular live Instagram sales at legendary flea markets around the country.

Brockway’s own Cow Hollow home is a white, spare haven—the perfect backdrop for experimenting with a range of styles and moods. “Buying furniture should be as flexible as buying clothes,” she says. With Chairish, frazzled movers and spirited design lovers alike can take their pick and keep it too.  //  chairish.com

Vegans, rejoice! The days of going to a non-vegan burger restaurant only to be served a microwaved Gardenburger between two buns are now over! 

VeganBurg, the Bay Area's first fast-casual, vegan burger joint, is opening in the Haight on December 12th. 

Starting this weekend you'll find VeganBurg, which hails from Singapore, on the corner of the Haights's two most famous cross-streets slinging tasty beef alternatives such as Smoky BBQ (a thick patty of succulent mushrooms slathered in sweet smoky BBQ sauce) and Mustang Relish (robust wholemeal bun, crispy patty with splatters of fat-free mustard). For sides, just try to choose between tofu-dogs, seaweed-sprinkled fries, and handmade spinach pops. 

Following in the eco-friendly pasth of Amy’s Drive Thru in Rohnert Park, VeganBurg boasts a 100% plant-based menu, and its ingredients are not only nutritional, but pretty damn delicious. 

// VeganBurg: 1466 Haight Street, San Francisco, veganburg.com

With the undefeated Warriors headed to San Francisco in a couple years and even the A's trying to "pull a Niners" and move to Silicon Valley, it's about time the city of Oakland got some good sports-related news. 

The Oakland Raiders, who are considering moving to Southern California lured by a new stadium in Carson, may remain in the East Bay after all if the Town can push through a plan for the NFL to act as the developer on a new stadium.

Mayor Libby Schaaf said last month that she was seeking ways to keep the Raiders local, but, the city would not subsidize construction of a new stadium. Under the proposed plan, the NFL would provide security for ground lease payments as well as revenue to pay off stadium bonds, while also joining as a partner on the new "Coliseum City," which would include office space, housing, retail and hospitality.

Previous plans to keep the Raiders in Oakland included loans of $200M - $250M from the NFL and similar investment from the Raiders franchise toward a stadium, which could cost around $900M total. According to Schaaf, adding development at the site would help to draw in additional investors ... but the NFL has historically been against larger projects that could slow stadium construction.

The city of Oakland has until December 28th, a deadline set by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, to put together a plan, and the Raiders can choose to file for relocation on January 4th.

The cities of San Diego (Chargers) and St. Louis (Rams) are also fighting to keep their NFL teams this month. 

This holiday season, why head home when you can spend your vacation time in a yurt, nest, lighthouse, or rustic cabin? 

Treebones

If you’re going to stay in a yurt for Christmas, you might as well do so in one of Treebones’ glamorous cabins, stocked with plush beds and Ping-Pong tables. For those that don’t want to forsake the traditional holiday meal, Treebones cooks up a family-style feast using ingredients from their onsite organic garden. More adventurous campers can choose to spend the night in one of Treebones’ human nests, made out of life-size branches. Waking up to the expansive Big Sur views of the Pacific is a pretty great alternative to Black Friday shopping. // 71895 Highway 1 Big Sur; treebonesresort.com

Pigeon Point Lighthouse Hostel

When’s the last time you stayed in a hostel with a hot tub overlooking the Pacific? The Pescadero Pigeon Point Lighthouse isn’t your typical backpacker’s hostel; you can choose between private or dorm rooms in four separate houses next to the 115-foot Pigeon Point lighthouse on a coastal cliff just 50 miles south of San Francisco. Forsake the traditional tidings for nearby tide pooling, whale watching, or guided history tours of the grounds. Check in with the staff before your visit for the latest schedule of events. // 210 Pigeon Point Rd, Pescadero; norcalhostels.org/pigeon

Steep Ravine Cabins

What better place to feel thankful than a beachfront cabin? Try out the Steep Ravine Cabins near the sleepy coastal town of Stinson Beach in Marin County. After a visit to the beach and tidal hot springs that border the nine coastal cabins, throw some logs on the wood-burning fireplace and enjoy a holiday with less frills. No stove and no kitchen means less holiday cleanup! // 801 Panoramic Highway, Mill Valley; reserveamerica.com/steep-ravinem 

West Point Inn

Hike or bike to the middle of Mt. Tam for a holiday stay at West Point Inn. Holiday cheer abounds in the main dining room of the inn, which is decorated with a Christmas tree and woodsy décor. Choose from five different rustic cabin options or stay in one of the seven rooms on the second floor of in the inn. Hit one of the several trails out the front door or sit back and watch the fog roll in over the hills of Tam from the deck. // 100 Old Railroad Grade Fire Road, Mill Valley; westpointinn.com

Calpine Fire Lookout

Really want to get away this season? Drive right up to your own private hilltop fire lookout in Tahoe National Forest. This retired lookout was in service for fire spotting in the Sierras until 1975, but is now set up for public reservations for up to four people with two twin beds inside. Featuring campfire rings outside and a small stove with communal kitchen appliances inside, you’re more than situated to cook up a holiday feast. Snowing? No problem. The lookout can be accessed by skis or snowshoes in the winter. Peace, quiet, and Sierra sunsets are guaranteed from the glass windows of the lookout or outside on the wraparound observation deck. // reserveamerica.org/calpine-lookout

Ever wonder how Santa survives the holiday season? He's got a little secret: a tasty list of off-menu holiday beverages at Bay Area bars. Lucky for us, Santa's secret list has been leaked. You won't find these drinks on the menu, but if you ask for them by name, the bartender will know what to do.

The Grinch at Mosto

Inspired by everyone's favorite holiday villain, this red-and-green cocktail is made with Espolón Anejo tequila, Green Chartreuse, lemon, pineapple gum and a salted hibiscus rim. // 741 Valencia St., facebook.com/mosto

Winter's Kiss at 1760

The perfect balance of sweet and bitter, this drink is made with Cynar 70 Proof, Appleton Estate 12-year rum, dry vermouth, Crème de Menthe, chocolate, and orange bitters. // 1760 Polk St., 1760sf.com

Añogo at Elixir

This legendary eggnog cocktail created by H. Joseph Ehrmann is made with house-aged Suerte Añejo tequila, house-made eggnog, and a hand-torched orange peel. // 3200 16th St., elixirsf.com

Ho Ho Amaro at Locanda

Made with Braulio Riserva, Carpano Antica, grapefruit, lemon, and pineapple gum, this amari-based libation is just what you'd expect from an old world Italian cocktail. // 557 Valencia St., locandasf.com

Denogginizer at Scoma's

A different take on the eggnog cocktail, the Denogginizer is made with Bainbridge organic vanilla vodka, dark Creme de Cacao, Godiva white chocolate liqueur, and eggnog. // Pier 47 Al Scoma Way, scomas.com

Holiday Jamaica Old Fashioned at Forgery

If you're dreaming of an island holiday rather than a white Christmas, try this tropical Old Fashioned made with Appleton Estate Signature rum, Wray & Nephew rum, Orange Curacao, and orgeat-infused with holiday spices. // 1525 Mission St., forgerysf.com

Elf on a Shelf at Hopscotch

This Elf on a Shelf is for adults only, made with Armagnac brandy, rye whisky, Genepy, Carpano Antica vermouth, and mint. // 1915 San Pablo Ave., Oakland, hopscotchoakland.com

Holiday Pillow Mint at BIX

This festive concoction is made with SKYY vodka, Frangelico, peppermint, and espresso liqueur. // 56 Gold St., bixrestaurant.com

Spiced Apple Cider at spoonbar

Sonoma County shoppers can warm up from the inside with this hot toddy made wit house spiced rum, hot apple cider, and caramel whipped cream. // 219 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg, spoonbar.com

Winter Wondermint at Parada

If you find yourself shopping in Walnut Creek, pop in to Parada for this digestif cocktail made with Cynar, Frangelico, artisan peppermint schnapps, and a mint leaf garnish. // 7001 Sunne Lane, Walnut Creek, paradakitchen.com

Send drinking suggestions to renee@grassrootspr.com.

We can't get enough of those scientific studies that prove the health benefits of drinking wine. Of course, even the most solid of liquid diets is best when paired with exercise. Here's how to do both at basically the same time at California wineries.

Brut Camp at Domaine Carneros

Even the name sounds energizing, doesn't it? This rigorous outdoor boot camp–style workout promises to pump that body for an hour thanks to a personal trainer who will work you over a circuit course with ball slams, rope work, squats, and sprints along the chateau’s grand staircase and terraces and into its organic vineyards and gardens. Recover with a tasting of sparkling wines paired with seasonal super foods ($175, by appointment only). For something less intense but equally uplifting, Vinyasa in the Vineyard is a one-hour “Shavasana to sparkling wine” ($125).  //  1240 Duhig Road, Napa, 800-716-2788, domainecarneros.com.

Work up a sweat at Brut Camp, held on the terrace at Domaine Carneros. If that vista isn't motivation enough, just think about that sparkling wine tasting afterward.

Pilates and Pinot at Vineyard 29

Get those endorphins going with the new hour-long pilates and barre program on Vineyard 29's veranda or in the peaceful wine cellar. Afterward, recharge with a custom-crafted green juice before embarking upon a winery tour, tasting, and lunch. If it seems pricey ($2,900 for groups up to 10, by appointment), consider that the ticket also includes a mixed case of CRU sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and cabernet sauvignon to take home.  //  2929 Hwy. 29, Saint Helena, 707-963-9292, vineyard29.com.

Body Flows at Mayacamas Ranch

Yoga instructor, massage therapist, and wellness coach Sally Mitchell, founder of Body Flows, stages yearround fitness getaways throughout Sonoma and Napa, as well as classes and day tours at select wineries. Sign up for her Winter Wonderland Retreat (December 11 through 13) to indulge in multiple yoga classes, group hikes, and spa meals at Mayacamas Ranch, where you'll also have a comfy hotel room and plenty of hot tub time and wine tasting.  // Mayacamas Ranch, 3975 Mountain Home Ranch Rd (Calistoga), 707-942-5127, mayacamasranch.com

Yoga at Comstock Wines

If it's a gentle start to the day you seek, sign up for a yoga class, led by Mari and Chris Coppinger from 2up Yoga, in the estate vineyards at Comstock. Post-workout, sip sauvignon blanc with your continental breakfast on the patio. Classes are 20 people ($25 each), and are offered every other Sunday from 9:30 to 11 am.  //  1290 Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, 707-723-3011, comstockwines.com.

Q.Digital founder Scott Gatz—publisher of Gay Cities, The Bilerico Project, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and more—has amassed a stunning LGBTQ audience with 7.5 million readers monthly.

Chicago native Scott Gatz has a knack for turning his passions into jobs.  The avid news junkie’s first gigs were as a television producer for NBC, Good Morning America, and the Lifetime channel.  A sidetrack to Reuters led him into tech, which then led him to Yahoo! where he advocated for personalizing user experiences across a slew of products, culminating in what we now know as My Yahoo!

After his 10-year stint in Sunnyvale, he went on his own to create GayCities, a website dedicated to LGBT travelers, pushing for a digital experience when most travel information was still found in print guidebooks—and the content for the gay traveler was sparse at best. GayCities quickly grew to become the number-one LGBT travel site with user reviews and images for more than 230 cities around the world.

“For me, everything is about making connections and having a conversation,” says Gatz. “I don’t want to broadcast, I want to engage, bringing people to places, brands and stories to people as part of a digital nation.” 

In September of this year, Gatz announced a major expansion and rebranding of what has become the largest queer media company in the U.S.: His new Q.Digital rolls up multiple and disparate LGBT sites, including his original baby GayCities, beneath a single umbrella. Q.Digital will now publish Queerty, a popular and snarky gay news and pop culture site; the Bilerico Project, a wonky collection of queer bloggers; Dragaholic (all things drag); and LGBTQ Nation, a far more serious news site than its siblings. By combining them together, Q.Digital is able to cross-pollinate content across sites to provide a focused platform for sponsors and advertisers seeking to reach an interested gay audience.

And it’s working brilliantly. With Gatz’s strong sense of story and deep understanding of search and site design, the company now reaches 7.5 million readers each month, all with an in-house staff of only 10 people. “In a world in which everyone is different,” Gatz says, “we seek commonality.”

When the Castro resident isn’t running his empire, he spends time with his husband and their 7-year-old son traveling and exploring the Bay Area.  //  q.digital

In a city filled with tourists, it makes sense that some of San Francisco's hottest restaurants would reside inside hotels. Here are a few of our favorites that have everything but the turndown service. 

Kin Khao at Parc 55

Located on the bottom floor of Union Square’s Parc 55, this authentic Thai restaurant is a hidden gem in the sea of big-box stores, dives, and chain restaurants. When Coi's Daniel Patterson took the Vice Munchies crew to this Cyril Magnin Street eatery on his night out, the small restaurant earned some overdue notoreity. The vibe is young and casual, with the ambiance and service both sort of whatever; but menu, curated by Bangkok native proprietress Pim Techamuanvivit, bursts with style, originality, flavor, and heat. The braised beef cheek, in Massamam curry and coconut milk, is pretty much the best thing we've eaten ever.  //  Kin Khao, 55 Cyril Magnin St. (Union Square), kinkhao.com

(Photo: Ashley Batz)

Plaj at the Inn at the Opera

Chef/owner Roberth Sundell's Swedish meatballs are to 7x7 editors what bacon is to the hipster set—on our Big Eat 2015 list, we could eat those balls with everything. Plaj fuses California ingredients with traditional Scandinavian recipes for a menu that feels at once familiar and unusual. Other popular dishes might include herring, elk, and gravlax, but the menu changes daily based on seasonal ingredients at the local farmers market.  //  Plaj, 333 Fulton St, (Hayes Valley), plajrestaurant.com

The Cavalier at Hotel Zetta

SF's serious foodies don't only know the names of restaurateurs Anna Weinberg, James Nicholas, and chef Jennifer Puccio—they keep them on speed dial. In 2013, the Big Night Restaurant Group, also behind the ever-popular Marlowe and Park Tavern, worked with design star Ken Fulk to put a posh Brit veneer on the restaurant inside the new Hotel Zetta. The Cavalier opened with three stars from Michael Bauer and has earned a James Beard nom for Best New Restaurant in America. The team that does it all literally does it all here—serving elevated London-style fare from breakfast to brunch to lunch to cocktails to dinner to room service. Don't miss the Scotch eggs, fish and chips, and a decadent shepherd’s pie.  //  The Cavalier, 360 Jessie St. (SoMa), thecavaliersf.com

Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen at Serrano Hotel

Don’t dismiss this gastropub just because of its proximity to Union Square. The hip lounge and sports bar saw a mix-up last year that brought more locals than tourists to the Serrano Hotel. With a great happy hour, oversized flat screens, and an eclectic menu from executive chef Adam Steudle, it’s become an easy choice for shoppers and FiDi techies alike.  //  Jasper's, 401 Taylor St, (Tenderloin), jasperscornertap.com

Campton Place at Campton Place Hotel

Absolutely beautiful food is on order at Campton Place, where a variety of kitchen visionaries have been steering it to success since the 1980s. Now under the toque of chef Srijith Gopinathan, Campton's exquisite California-Indian cuisine has garnered a Michelin star every year for the past six; this year, the restaurant celebrated a coveted second star. Indulge in the spice-poached lobster with coastal curry sauce, a spin on traditional Indian street food with a hint of San Francisco fog.  //  Campton Place, 340 Stockton St, (Union Square), camptonplacesf.com

Chambers Eat + Drink at Phoenix Hotel

Chambers Eat + Drink is the well known hot spot inside the storied Phoenix Hotel, famous for its pool parties and all manner of rock-and-roll bad behavior. We like Chambers for its swank design, interesting cocktails, and elevated bar food; everyone else likes it for the selfie opportunities provided by the lighted “Be Amazing” sign in the lounge. At brunch, you can't go wrong with a Hangover Hash with dry-aged short rib pastrami.  //  Chambers, 601 Eddy St, S (Tenderloin), chambers-sf.com

Tonga Room at Fairmont San Francisco

The kitschy Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar has been a local icon since it starting slinging tropical cocktails back in 1945, making the Fairmont a favorite destination for locals looking for a kooky party atmo. While the hotel itself just drips with formality, the Polynesian-inspired restaurant serves its claim-to-fame cocktail in a plastic coconut. Even Anthony Bourdain likes it: “Hotel whore that I am, I’m fond of the Fairmont Hotel on Nob Hill. Big. Old. Built in 1907, with lots of history and character. Most importantly, a tiki bar in the cellar.”  //  Tonga Room, 950 Mason St. (Nob Hill), San Francisco, tongaroom.com

Ame Restaurant at St. Regis

When husband-wife team Hiro Sone and Lissa Doumani first opened Ame back in 2006, the culinary community was a little perplexed by their twist on Asian meets Western fare. But it didn’t take long to catch on—Ame (sister to Napa Valley’s Terra) has earned accolades everywhere from Zagat to Michelin. Michael Bauer called the sake-marinated Alaskan black cod “stunning.”  //  Ame, 689 Mission St (SoMa), amerestaurant.com

Fill up your thermos with some (Irish) coffee, pack an umbrella, and hit up one of these epic lookout spots this weekend. 

1. Grand View Park or “Turtle Hill”

To the seasoned San Franciscan, there is no finer view in the Bay Area than that from San Francisco's front porch, Turtle Hill or "Grand View Park". If the North American continent / plate is a ship, then Grand View Park is the prow giving epic, vast views up and down the California coast and of Golden Gate Park, the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge and Downtown. Sunset here is simply breathtaking at all times of year. Learn more.

2. Tank Hill

Looking for a cool, under-the-radar spot that’s perfect for picnics, chilling out, and chasing the sunset? Look no further than Tank Hill. This little gem of a mini-park is 650 feet high and tucked away in Cole Valley. It’s so small that many maps of San Francisco don’t even include it. Learn more.

3. Twin Peaks

Yes, of course Twin Peaks makes this list. When you're there, be sure to catch a sunset, as it is absolutely breathtaking. If you are in luck, Karl the Fog will roll in like a tidal wave of fog engulfing everything. Learn more.

4. Corona Heights Park

Corona Heights Park is located north of the Castro and South of Buena Vista Park. The peak of the hill is windy, but it offers an unobstructed panoramic view of the city from downtown to Twin Peaks. It is perfect for taking panoramic pictures of San Francisco at night. Learn more. 

5. Mount Davidson

Mount Davidson Park is located in the southwestern part of the city nestled between Diamond Heights and Portola Dr. The climb isn't too difficult, but to reach the top of the 928 ft summit, you should wear closed-toed shoes and be ready for some loose gravel or mud if it's been raining. Learn more.

Are you a wine lover always eager to discover new grapes or a beginner mixologist who wants to know more about spirits? This holiday season, treat yourself to one of these Bay Area-based wine and spirit subscriptions, and never have to leave your house for more booze again. 

Saloonbox

Subscripion cocktail kit Saloonbox teaches you how to prepare the perfect Bloody Marry or Old Fashioned right in your kitchen. Each month, Saloonbox delivers a box containing two recipes with step-by-step instructions and all the ingredients you need to recreate the cocktails at home. All you have to do is call over a couple of friends. // $38 per month, saloonbox.com

Winestyr

Based in Sonoma County, Winestyr ships the best selection of small production wines from the over 7,000 wineries in the United States right to your door. The start-up is the brainchild of Bob Wilson, a Certified Specialist of Wine (C.S.W.) with more than ten years of wine industry experience. Every month you can pick from 3 to 6 bottles of red, white, rose, or bubbles. Local options include varietals from Soberanes Vineyard, Tallulah Wine, and McFadden Vineyard in Mendocino County.  // $75 per shipment, winestyr.com

Vinebox

For nights spent with Netflix, call Vinebox. The start-up offers a monthly subscription of wine by the glass for $35. Yup, gone are the days of drinking whole bottles. Each Vinebox box contains three tasting vials of wine (100ml each) do you can decide what you like. The wines come from world-renowned European vineyards, including ones in France, Spain and Italy. In addition to the high-selection, Vineboc has also found a way to preserve the quality of the grapes despite the open bottle: their patented rebottling technology maintains and protects the taste of the wine, allowing no oxygen to be introduced to the wine. // $35 per box, getvinebox.com

Flaviar

For spirits lovers who are always looking for something new to drink, Flaviar is the best choice. Every month, the start-up creates a tasting box for whiskey, scotch, vodka, or bourbon for its members. The box contains three premium flavors, which are selected by experts and professionals from a database of over 15,000 spirits. The cost of the membership for the first month is $19, the second month is $25. This December, the focus is cognac. // Starts at $19, flaviar.com

Minibar

Lindsey Andrews and Lara Crystal, friends and ex-classmates with a strong passion for cocktails, wine, and beer have combined their business skills with their love for drinking into Minibar. The start up is based in New York but it has an office in San Francisco. Through the app (iOS and Android) you can order a bottle of whiskey, vodka, Zinfandel, or Heineken from local liquor stores and have it at home in less than an hour. Users and local vendors are connected based on their zip codes, so you can also know which are the most popular bottles in your neighborhood. Price is per the bottle. // minibardelivery.com

Kim K welcomes her second child, a new battle in the "War on Christmas," and more amazing news from the past week.

Uber Launches in Tahoe, SFist

Solving a slightly complicated issue involving the state line, Uber has announced it will officially be launching in the Lake Tahoe area, north and south, before the new year. The news comes as local ski fanatics are gearing up for what's supposed to be an especially good ski season after at least three bad ones. As the Associated Press reports via the Reno Gazette-Journal, the company only recently struck an agreement with the state of Nevada to operate on that side of the state line, something they had not been able to do previously which would have made it difficult in both the areas of South and North Lake, where passengers potential destinations could fall on either side of the state line. Under the new rules, drivers will be able to drop off fares on either side of the line, but must only pick up fares in their own state of origin.

Greenhouse Gas Emission Levels Down This Year, Washington Post

Emissions of man-made greenhouse gases appear to have declined slightly in 2015, scientists said Monday, reflecting what experts say is an encouraging, though likely temporary, pause in the steady rise in pollutants blamed for climate change. The projected dip of 0.6 percent over 2014 levels, if confirmed, marks the first decline in heat-trapping pollutants in a year when the world economy was not in recession, a new analysis shows. Scientists say the drop is tangible evidence of changing behavior as more countries invest in renewable energy such as solar and wind power.

Welcome to the World, Baby West, NBC News

The wait is over. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have named their second child Saint West. Saint was born on Saturday, weighing 8 pounds and 1 ounce, according to Kardashian's website, where the mega-celebrity couple announced the name of their new baby boy. Kardashian also announced the arrival of the child on her website, saying "Mother and son are doing well." West and Kardashian famously named their daughter North two years ago. Over the summer, rumors flew that the couple was planning to stick with the direction theme and name their son Easton. A source quickly shot down that rumor to E! News.

‘Holiday’ Tree or ‘Christmas Tree’?ABC News

A New Jersey tree lighting is adding to the list of Christmas controversies this holiday season. The Borough of Roselle Park held a council meeting on Thursday where it was decided that the annual tree lighting will now be called a “Christmas” tree lighting instead of a “holiday” tree lighting, Mayor Carl Hokanson told ABC News today. “I want to call it a Christmas tree lighting, which it is,” Hokanson said. “It is a Christmas tree. It’s not a bush, it’s not a pear tree, it’s a Christmas tree.” Although the majority voted to change the name, Councilwoman Charlene Storey did not agree with the decision and walked out of the meeting, Storey told ABC News today.

Fox News Anchors Suspended for Profanity, CNN Money

Two Fox News commentators were suspended on Monday for using profanities while criticizing President Obama on Monday. Ralph Peters, a Fox News "strategic analyst," called the president a "total pu---" who "doesn't want to hurt our enemies." A couple of hours later Stacey Dash, a Fox contributor, said the president "didn't give a sh--" about Sunday night's terrorism speech. "Earlier today, Fox contributors Lt. Col. Ralph Peters and Stacey Dash made comments on different programs that were completely inappropriate and unacceptable for our air," Fox senior executive vice president Bill Shine said. "Fox Business Network and Fox News Channel do not condone the use of such language, and have suspended both Peters and Dash for two weeks," he said.

This year, shop local. 

Locally Made Treasures for Those Who Love SF

Perfect Presents for Weekend Warriors

Chic Local Accessories for Fashion Mavens

Cool Gadgets for Techies and First Adopters 

Tasty Tidbits for the Foodie in Your Life

 Rad Gifts Under $50