Monday, April 28, 2008

The Coldest Winter I Spent Was a Summer in San Francisco...

Mark Twain never said that, but someone who knows what they are talking about did. As we approach Summer time, the age old question about air conditioning, or our lack there of, keeps coming up. Here is a piece I wrote for the TripAdvisor Inside Pages on the topic. I hope it helps some people make the right decision.

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Air conditioning in San Francisco?
In San Francisco, air conditioning is not present in many of the residences, offices, theaters as well as older, boutique style hotels. According to weather.com, the warmest month on average is September with an average high of 71°F and low of 56°F. San Francisco gets about 15 days per year with a temp over 90°F. (5 times per year, 3 days per time) April can see some of those days, May can see some of those days and September, October and even November can see some of those days. They can also occur during any of the months in between. Typically, there are not more than 3 over 90 degree days in a row. By the 4th day of high temps, the fog gets sucked into the Bay Area and things cool down with the natural air conditioning provided by the ocean. The odds of you selecting one of the "rare" periods of high temps is actually pretty low. Most importantly, even in the heat waves, it always cools down at night. People will find that the lack of A/C is not an issue 99.9% of the time. If air conditioning is important to you, double check the hotel, because not everyone has it. Also, do a search on the TripAdvisor Forum for "air conditioning" and you will see a lot of discussion on this topic.

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Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

New Menu at Luques Restaurant & Bar inside the Chancellor Hotel

Chef Lacy has just introduced his new menu for breakfast and we are very excited. It is receiving great reviews so far.

The Chef's new menu includes a few specialty items, an "Only in San Francisco" section and is highlighted with some of his personal favorites that were traditions in his New Orleans upbringing.

Below are his Praline Pancakes with Banana-Pecan Syrup off his "Traditions" section of the menu and Mao serving the So-Cal Burrito and Omelette Italiano

Here is the new menu:
Specialties
All specialties are served with home fried onion chive potatoes substitute fresh fruit for home fried potatoes add $1.50
Bacon, Avocado and white cheddar Omelette...$9.75
Spinach, Pine nut, feta cheese egg scramble...$9.50
Veggie frittata
opened faced omelette with seasonal mushroom, tomato, onion, spinach, and choice of cheese....$9.50
Pacific north-west scramble
with smoked salmon, organic cream cheese and chives...$9.75
"So Cal" BREAKFAST BURRITO
with two eggs scramble, jack cheese, avocado, pico de gallo, sour cream and choice of applewood smoked bacon, sausage or canadian bacon.. $9.75


OMELETTE ITALIANO
with mild Italian sausage, seasonal mushroom, oven roasted tomato, fresh basil and parmesan cheese $9.75
CHEESE OMELETTE
with choice of jack, white cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, goat or parmesan cheese $8.50
Basics
Classic Eggs Benedict
with home fried potatoes $9.50
2 eggs any style
with home fried potatoes, toast and a choice of Applewood smoked bacon, sausage or canadian bacon $9.00
Corned beef hash and eggs
two eggs any style with corned beef hash and choice of toast $9.50
smoked salmon bagel & cream cheese
$8.00
From the Griddle
Enjoy with Banana or berries for only $1.00 more
House made pancakes...$7.75
SHORT STACK ... $5.00
BELGIAN WAFFLE ...$8.50
BRIOCHE French toast...$8.50

"Chef's Traditions"
Growing up, I was always fascinated by the kitchen and the 'goings on' associated with cooking. Watching my grandmother, Louise, in the kitchen was as inspiration for me, to cook and become a chef. Many traditions and culture from the south are in the food I create. I hope you enjoy a taste that comes from my soul.
Chef Darren Lacy

PRALINE PANCAKES WITH BANANA PECAN SYRUP
buttermilk pancakes with fresh banana and house made pralines $8.50
NEW ORLEANS OMELETTE
with sauteed andoville sausage and piperade finished with pepper jack cheese $9.50
CREOLE BENEDICT
poached eggs on fresh backed buttermilk biscuits and tasso ham topped with roasted tomato hollandaise sauce $10.00

"Only in San Francisco"
SUMMER OF LOVE
Choice of small juice, two eggs any style with bacon, ham or sausage, home fried potatoes, choice of toast, and coffee or tea...$12.00
DO YOUR OWN THING
Choice of small juice, select from any Luques specialties,home fried potatoes, choice of toast, and coffee or tea...$12.25
PROTESTER
A large glass of juice, choice of muffin, toast or pastry, select yogurt, cold cereal or fruit cup, coffee or tea...$7.50
DIVERSITY
Choice of small juice, two eggs any style, two slices of ham, bacon or two sausage links, 1/2 order of French toast or a short stack, and coffee or tea...$13.00


I hope you will come in and give our new menu a try. As a little extra incentive, please print this coupon and enjoy us at a discount.

Friday, April 18, 2008

What's going on in Union Square...

Here is a list off the news letter for what is going on in Union Square for the rest of this month:

Friday, April 18, 20088:30 am - 4:30pmSan Francisco Society of Fine ArtsCome visit Union Square Plaza to view works produced byindependent artists and have an opportunity to interact with them tolearn more about their craft and individual style.
Saturday, April 19, 200810 am - 4 pmPower Ade Pro Challenge
Tuesday, April 22through Thursday, April 24, 2008Private Event
Friday, April 25, 200812 Noon - 1 pmJewels in the SquareBay Area National Dance Week Kick Off EventConga LineJoin us on BANDW's 10th anniversary with the third annual West Coast’s Longest Conga Line in downtown San Francisco. Dancers and non-dancers, students and adults will join our downtown visitors, shoppers and workers on the streets of San Francisco to conga their way in and around Union Square .
This year’s Kick-off Event will include live performances on the Union Square stage with:
• Hot Pink Feathers & Blue Bone Express ( New Orleans inspired Jazz Brass Band)
• Alseny Soumah and Lahydi (dance from Guinea , West Africa )
• Funkanometry (Hip Hop) …and more
This festive opening event highlights the dynamic and growing Bay Area dance com­munity as we start ten days of showcasing over 300 free events—all dance, all free, all week —bring your cameras and friends!
Saturday, April 26, 200810 am - 3pmWorld Tai Chi and Chi Gong Day
Saturday, April 26, 20087:50 pm - 9:50 pmTemple of PoiBring a chair and blanket and join 2 time Best of the Bay Best Dance Studio as they combine forces with PoiGeek to bring you the 3rd annual Fire Dancing Exposition featuring sizzling hot local, national and internationally renown fire artists.
Sunday, April 27, 20082 pm - 4 pmJewels in the SquareLos BolerosLos Boleros is bringing its traditional Salsa sound to Union Square for a summer dance series. Los Boleros will play an array of styles including Traditional Salsa, Cumbia, Merengue, Son and Cha Cha. The live music will be accompanied by a dance class that will teach you the basic steps.
Wednesday, April 30, 200812:30 pm - 1:30 pmJewels in the SquareCurt YagiCurt grew up surrounded by music his entire life and has performed at various clubs in San Francisco including the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, the Herbst Theater and the Red Devil Lounge. A multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, piano) in various bands, Curt decided to take a lead role in music and currently performs with his band throughout the Bay Area. The genre of his music is difficult to pinpoint, but many say his style is something they could envision waking up to on a sunny, Sunday morning. With well thought out lyrics and an open vibe, Curt will take you on a journey through his life experiences and leave you wanting more.
To learn more, be sure to visit
www.curtyagi.com.
Wednesday, April 30, 20086 pm - 8 pmJewels in the SquareDiego’s UmbrellaDiego’s Umbrella is the original Spanish Surf Mexican Gypsy Pirate Pop Band from San Francisco. Together for over seven years, the band creates music that will make you smile, weep, ponder, and dance.

Thursday, April 17, 2008

A Little Known Fact...

April provides some of the best weather in San Francisco. The last week has been perfect example.

Check out our Giant's Package

San Francisco Giants 2008 Package
$225 Mon-Fri $275 Sat-Sun (Peak Rate applies during convention period)
Mention reading the Blog and get 10% OFF.
Click For Giants Schedule.
Seating : Lower Box - Section 129. Row 34 View From Seats.
Deluxe Room with One Queen Bed or Two Twins
Two Tickets to a SF Giants Game
LUQUES Restaurant Food & Beverage Credit (Value $25.00)Complimentary Valet Parking

Call 1-800-428-4748 For Reservations

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Welcome Tina!




We are pleased to welcome a new member of the front desk staff ...Tina


This is her first hotel job and we hope it is the beginning of a long career in the hospitality industry.


If you see her, give her your support and wish her luck.


She is going to love it!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Chancellor Staff Participates in the California Hotel & Lodging Association's Legislative Awareness Summit


On April 2nd, the California Hotel & Lodging Association held its 7th Annual Legislative Awareness Summit in Sacramento. The Summit is held to educate hoteliers on the important legislative issues and what the people in Sacramento are doing that affects the hotel industry.

This was one of the slides that I really thought made the point about the whole event.

The Chancellor Hotel participated in the event and here are some pictures from that day.
Yuko, Rick and Ollie Getting ready for the Legislative Awareness Summit

Rick and Ollie paying close attention to the budget analyst - it wasn't good news

Darla, Ollie and Yuko with the State Police Guard outside Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's office

Left-Everyone in front of the State Capital in Sacramento
Right- The Senate Chambers

The end of a long day in the debriefing room