San Francisco is known for its seafood and while there are many restaurants offering creatures of the sea, the one that consistently wins our vote (for food, not service) is a bit old school: Scoma’s. The sourdough bread and real butter are reason enough to scavenge for parking in Fisherman’s Wharf. When you go, you simply must demand a table with a Bay view. It will make your lobster newburg, topped with melted provolone cheese, or lobster thermidor, topped with hollandaise sauce, taste that much better. If you like your fish with real tartar sauce, not fancy schmancy fixings, this is your place.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, hotspot, restaurant

Marie discovered Angel Fire Water in the fridge of one of her most health-conscious friends, and upon sipping the stuff she felt unusually purified and hydrated. The potion originates in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, home to pure, uncontaminated aquifers. A 12-step process yields super oxygenated, structured alkaline water that’s beneficial to your system. It’s believed to be so much purer than other bottled H20. Cheers to that!

Technorati Tags: beverage, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, water

Ain’t life sweet in the city? The Candy Store has us believing so. It’s located in San Francisco’s Russian Hill, just off Polk Street. Here you’ll find a selection of licorice laces, sours, gummies, French caramels, gumballs, licorice and chocolates to make your eyes wide like saucers. The best part? The boutique carries hard-to-find items that make us nostalgic for days of yore, plus products from new artisan confectioners.

Technorati Tags: candies, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, hotspot, Sweets

Grapes you probably devour by the bottle (every night, even?). However, if you’re not getting your daily serving of prunes (an equally important fruit group that gets the digestive tract moving), turn to Prunes in Armagnac by Les Parisiennes France. Okay, so it’s really brandied fruit in liquor (with a hint of sugar), but a prune is a prune. Put a heaping spoonful on top of vanilla ice cream and we suspect you’ll be feeling quite “regular” in no time.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, ingredients

Bakers at Sweet Elise have searched the globe in pursuit of the finest recipes, which is why the pound cakes here are so special (the ingredients are the same ones that Europeans are so famous for). Our favorites? The signature Lemon Lavender and Poppy Seed with culinary lavender and lemon sugar glaze, and classic French Vanilla (dusted with confectioner’s sugar). Pair the latter with one of Sweet Elise’s dessert toppings such as butter rum, chocolate mint, chocolate fudge, cherry almond, old-fashioned caramel, key lime, chocolate hazelnut, lemon cream or brandied blackberry.

Technorati Tags: cake, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, Sweets

Neophytes and connoisseurs love Nectar Wine Lounge, and with good reason. Solo sippers can cozy up on the stools at the glass bar, while first dates can get to know each other at the intimate dining tables. The well-priced wine list is surprisingly eclectic. Such nectars are paired with small plates like grilled asparagus wrapped in extra-thick, smoky prosciutto with Parmesan. Bring a big group so you can order a taste of everything.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, gourmet, hotspot, restaurant, wine

Hip, hip hoorah! We just got news that Marmalade Café is opening a Santa Barbara location this October. If you live in the area, expect to develop an addiction to the classic French toast topped with fresh fruit or the buttermilk, blueberry or seven grain almond granola pancakes. For now, familiarize yourself with the fare (and celebrity diners) by taking a jaunt to the existing Malibu location, which is by far our fave. Say “hi” to Marmalade regular Courtney Cox for us, will you?

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, hotspot, restaurant

Calling all cupcake junkies. Chicago-based Cupcakes launched in the summer of 2005 with one noble mission: To create the best cupcake in all the land using only the finest ingredients. Flavors include Banana Nutella Cheesecake, Blueberry Buckle sprinkled with streusel, and premium Ginger Saffron with ginger butter cream (for more options hit the Web). Each one is hand-baked in small batches then hand-frosted with its own unique garnish. Bakers will customize a batch to suit your wildest whims, and if that means cupcakes for your pooch, so be it. The bakery serves up all-natural dogcakes that are crunchy and chock full of healthy whole grains, fresh herbs, and carob.

Technorati Tags: cake, Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, gourmet, Sweets

The Grand Cru wine funnel from Danish Rosendahl offers the wine plenty of time during decantation and it is able to aerate thoroughly on its way down into the carafe. The loose sieve collects tartar or cork soil and is easy to clean.

Technorati Tags: accessories, Charles & Marie, contraptions, wine

Argentine steak house El Raigón specializes in Estancia-style beef, which is cooked in house on a charcoal grill. But it’s the pollo con limo (grilled chicken with lemon), fish of the day, and pastas (like wild mushroom and leek risotto) that leave us wanting for more. The dishes are influenced by Argentina’s Italian and Spanish roots and the emphasis is on locally grown beef, lamb, fish, organic produce, flavorful sauces and fabulous desserts.

Technorati Tags: Charles & Marie, Epicurean delight, food, hotspot, restaurant