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Downtown SF is officially back, and Cafe Sebastian might be the culprit. They just opened in the Transamerica Pyramid Center, and it’s giving chill-fancy. If you come during lunch the dishes are lite to keep you on your feet (or just, like, awake in your office chair).

Here's your plan for exploring Cafe Sebastian in Downtown SF and enjoying tasty dishes

Cafe Sebastian | Transamerica Pyramid Center

Visit Cafe Sebastian in San Francisco's FiDi for an upscale, nostalgic lunch or a dinner filled with indulgent dishes and fine wine.

Fine Dining

💪 Pro tips
• If you come through for dinner, order some more indulgent dishes and have a glass of wine. You deserve it. Here’s my reco for what to order:

🥗 Winter green salad
🥪 Ricotta mousse toast (one word: truffle) 
🦪 Honey mussels❗- I’m pretty sure they somehow get a TINY piece of cilantro, jalapeño, and their special green sauce INSIDE of EVERY mussel wtf (also don’t waste a drop of this sauce or I will come for you)
🪤 Cacio Pepe Tortellini
🥩 Short Rib Bourguignon (first time I’ve eaten red meat and not felt like a cow after)
🍨 Pistachio Gelato (was NOT expecting to love this as much as I did)

Cafe Sebastian

I went downtown for the first time in forever last week because I had

that's taking over the Transamerica Pyramid Center.

that I've been avoiding since the pandemic started.

and there were public spaces like this that I didn't

even know could coexist with the chaos of San Francisco.

Cafe Sebastian is the embodiment of this shift.

it has a very distinctive upscale downtown lunchtime crowd vibe,

who's ever actually worked downtown pre-pandemic.

I told my date that I'm constantly in shock

that restaurants keep making food better and better.

The short rib dish felt like it was created

for me because it's basically a short rib salad,

which makes you feel like you haven't stepped out on your diet and won't make

you fall asleep if you still have a half a day of work to conquer.

I only ordered them because my date likes mussels.

and I actually kind of hoarded them all for myself.

Grab your crew and level up your game night with an immersive (and all too real) VR game. You’ll grab dinner first before walking next door to Sandbox VR for your game. 

Next-Level Game Night: VR Style 👾

At Delarosa Downtown in Yerba Buena, you can enjoy cozy Italian dining with shared pizzas and cocktails, perfect before a VR game night next door.

Italian Dinner

✅ Before you go
• Give yourself about 1.5hr to enjoy dinner before your Sandbox VR reservation.
• The restaurant is in the same plaza as Sandbox VR so it’s an easy walk over

💪 Pro tips
• If you can, try to make it for their happy hour (5-6pm). Great deals on cocktails and bites!

Grab Dinner at Delarosa 🍽️

At Sandbox VR in San Francisco's Yerba Buena, strap on VR gear and dive into immersive games like Seekers of the Shard or even a SquidGames experience.

VR Gaming

✅ Before you go
• Book your reservation + selected game in advance. They have multiple locations throughout the Bay too! 
• Get there 15-20 minutes early to check in and get geared up
• Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move around (you will work up a sweat)
• Your reservation includes a copy of your highlights reel too!

💪 Pro tips
• Try playing the Seekers of the Shard, Dragonfire – it was so much fun! Even though it’s a group game, you individually gain points
• There’s also a SquidGames option too which is among their most popular

Go to Sandbox VR 

Sometimes game night calls for leveling it up.

So here's your plan for dinner and an all too real VR game with the crew.

Hit up Delarosa in the Financial District.

and a shared pizza to catch up before the chaos.

and suddenly you're strapping sensors and choosing

We picked a fantasy dragon game and instantly we were dodging fireballs,

and shouting way too many directions at each other.

head back upstairs where you can watch a full highlight reel

Now save this Nudge for the next time your crew needs to level up game night.

Tiya is a modern Indian restaurant in San Francisco’s Marina District, led by chefs Sujan and Pujan Sarkar. Their four-course tasting menu blends bold Indian flavors with California ingredients, featuring inventive dishes like Yogurt Chaat, Lamb Keema, and Coconut Payasam. Cocktails inspired by SF neighborhoods round out the experience.

Here's your plan for a delightful four-course tasting menu at Tiya, with innovative cocktails

Four Course Chef Tasting Menu 🍛🌸

Experience a modern Indian culinary adventure at TIYA in San Francisco’s Marina District with a four-course chef tasting menu and SF-inspired cocktails.

Chef Tasting Menu

✅ Before you go
• Reservations recommended: https://www.tiyasf.com/
• Dietary accommodations: Vegetarian and vegan options are available—inform them of dietary restrictions in advance.
• Plan for 1.5–2 hours: The chef’s menu is paced intentionally, so give yourself time to enjoy it fully.

💪 Pro tips
• Tasting menu only: The experience is centered around a four-course seasonal tasting menu, with optional wine pairing.
• Their neighborhood-inspired cocktails are unique and worth exploring. Try a neighborhood-inspired drink like the Japantown or Castro Valley before your meal.
• For a more immersive experience, request counter seating to watch the kitchen in action.

Dine at TIYA

cocktails inspired by San Francisco neighborhoods,

and a chef's imagination all meet for dinner?

where dinner feels like a fun and flavorful adventure.

which were inspired by San Francisco neighborhoods,

We ordered the chef tasting menu with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.

Our tasting journey began with pani puri with passion

fruit and edible flowers from nearby Hawk Creek Farm,

a playful dish combining cool yogurt mousse,

reminiscent of a beloved street snack elevated.

a rich and earthy course featuring wild morel mushrooms.

Just when we thought the meal had peaked,

chef Pujan made an appearance with dessert,

Then came the decadent chocolate murmura pave.

and imagination of a chef that invites you to taste San Francisco through his eyes.

Escape to the El Dorado Hills for affordable wine tastings and stunning scenic views! 

Here's your plan for a weekend wine country trip: tastings, bocce ball, and pizza

Weekend Trip to Wine Country 

Visit Boeger Winery in Placerville for a charming garden wine tasting, where you can picnic and enjoy standout Zinfandel.

Wine Tasting

✅ Before you go
• Bring items to picnic in their beautiful garden. 

💪 Pro tips
• The Zinfandel was our favorite. 
• Walk-ins welcome. 

Boeger Winery 

Enjoy wine tastings and bocce ball at Fenton Herriott Vineyards, surrounded by stunning vineyard views and offering delicious Barbera paired with charcuterie boards.

✅ Before you go
• Practice those bocce ball skills. 

💪 Pro tips
• Our favorite was the Barbera. 
• Charcuterie boards available for purchase. 

Fenton Herriott Vineyards

At Hwy 50 Brewery in Camino, enjoy a tasting flight of beers, delightful pizzas, and live weekend music in a vibrant atmosphere.

Beer Tasting

💪 Pro tips
• Try a tasting flight to sample all the beers!
• Pizza, salad, and other sides available for purchase. 

Hwy 50 Brewery

Here's your plan for a weekend getaway to wine country.

You're head about 2.5 hours northeast to the El Dorado Hills.

This beautiful region is home to over 70 wineries,

and tastings typically cost around $15 per person,

and our tasting took place right in the middle of their charming garden.

the staff walked us through each wine that was poured,

but the Zinfandalle was a clear standout.

we made our to Fenton Herriott Vineyards,

where we enjoyed their wine and bocce ball courts,

all by taking in the stunning vineyard views.

Their Barbera was definitely our favorite.

some mouthwatering pizza and a refreshing pint.

now all that's left to do is share this plane with your crew and hit the road! 

Studio Sumi in San Francisco’s Inner Richmond offers cozy, beginner-friendly pottery workshops where you can handbuild pieces like mugs, bowls, and spoons. With tea, snacks, and a warm, creative vibe, it’s the perfect spot to slow down and make something meaningful.

Here's your plan for a cozy pottery workshop making a breakfast set at Studio Sumi

MYO Pottery Breakfast Set☕️🥣🥄

At Studio Sumi in San Francisco, partake in a beginner-friendly pottery workshop, crafting personalized mugs, bowls, and spoons. Sip tea, get cozy, and unleash creativity.

Pottery Workshop

✅ Before you go
• Reserve Workshop: https://www.sumiware.com/studio-sumi-workshops
• Wear Clothes You Don’t Mind Getting Messy – Clay gets everywhere (in a fun way). Aprons are often provided, but dress casual just in case.

💪 Pro tips
• Workshops fill up fast, especially weekend and seasonal sessions.
• Give yourself time to settle in, enjoy the tea and snacks, and get comfy before the class starts.
• Bring Ideas or Molds (Optional) – If you want to personalize your pieces (like adding mushroom shapes, textures, or stamps), you’re welcome to bring small molds or inspiration.
• After the class, your pieces will be glazed and fired by the studio. You’ll get an email when they’re ready to be picked up (usually a few weeks later).

Head to Studio Sumi

learning new hobbies like pottery and overall,

tucked into San Francisco's quiet Inner Richmond neighborhood.

Our instructor wasted no time diving into what

we would be creating a full breakfast set,

thoughtful demo showing us the basic hand-building

techniques we need and laying out all the tools and clay we'd be using.

We brought our own mushroom molds from home and it

was really cool pressing them gently into the clay,

sipping tea from Something you made yourself.

Everything felt accessible and low pressure,

We then were instructed on how to make our spoons.

So if you've been craving a creative reset like us and

just want to get your hands messy in the best way,

a few weeks once they're professionally glazed and fired.