Lefty O'Douls I can’t believe I haven’t posted since November. I still have meals to write about from last year . . . During Hannukah we went down to Union Square with B and R to experience the lighting of the giant menorah. This is a prime example of how much I’ve changed since having children. Before I had kids I wouldn’t be caught dead driving down to Union Square to celebrate Hannukah. I’ve completely changed my philosophy about life. Instead of saying no to everything I say yes to almost anything—thinking that I never know when the universe will conspire to send me something amazing and I want to be there when it does. It can be exhausting to constantly push myself to do things that may be boring or uncomfortable but most of the time I’m glad I left my house in the pursuit of the rewards of sponteneity.

It was pretty cold as the sun went down. Victor was bundled but I felt bad to have the tiny one outside in December. The menorah lighting is sponsored by Chabad and had that chaotic feeling that I always associate with Lubavichers. They are always tripping over their feet to please G-d. There was a competing event that evening—flame-throwers and dancers were scheduled at what seemed to be the same time. The rabbi in charge had to do some negotiating with the performers to make sure that the candle lighting would go on as scheduled. Vida was entranced by the flame-throwers until it seemed like it would never end and she wandered away. Because she had recently started Hebrew school she was really into anything Jewish and even went and introduced herself to the Rabbi. He was very gracious and inquired as to what she was doing as far as Jewish education.

When the flame-throwers were finally finishing up the rabbi brilliantly had them symbolically pass the flame to him in true San Francisco fashion where the strange meets the stranger. Holding little candles in foil we lit them off of anyone who could keep a flame going in the increasingly bitter wind. Finally we said the barucha and they lit the giant menorah. We were more than ready to get out of the cold so we made our way to Lefty O’Douls. I had always heard of this classic San Francisco restaurant but really had no idea what it was about. As it turns out, it’s a sports inspired hofbrau and bar. They food is served cafeteria style with men behind the counter serving making sandwiches or plating up the daily special. Vida quickly decided on turkey and mashed potatoes while I ordered a French dip sandwich. You could order two sides so I got macaroni salad and some mixed vegetables. I was so hungry I inhaled the roast beef sandwich but it was delicious. When I was a kid I ordered French dip sandwiches in almost every restaurant we went to for a period of time. Vida was happy with her turkey but more interested in wandering around looking at the memorabilia on the walls. We left full and exhausted to go home and light our own Hanukah candles and open presents.

Restaurant Total: 243  ¶ 10:02 PM