Hitchin a ride

Side Car

Stick your hand out in San Francisco and it may become a tad tired.  No you are not competing to get the world record for keeping your arm out, but trying to hail a taxi.  Twenty minutes pass and nada.  Well low and behold if you have a smart phone (you do this is San Francisco) download the app Side Car.  Side Car is your answer to a taxi drought.  It is a community based service where prescreened, approved drivers use their own vehicles to drive you from point A to point B for a price significantly cheaper than taxis. 

So what you do is tell Side Car where you are, and where you are going.  It will then tell you the average community price and the closest driver.  When a driver accepts your route a picture of said driver and their vehicle will pop up.  Additionally, it will tell you how far away your ride is.  Gone are the days of sticking your hand out and in are the days when you know you can go back and grab a bottle of wine before your ride comes (true story).  When you arrive at your location, you pay through your phone and rate the driver.  The driver rates you as well.  How else will someone agree to pick you up next time, or you choose that driver if they don’t have stellar reviews.  If you pay the community average and are not a bumbling idiot you will get your four stars.

Skeptical?  So was I, but I just returned from San Fran and used Side Car the whole trip.  After dining with a friend who lived in town she suggested used Side Car to go get ice cream.  Since I was with a group, I agreed and the rest is history.  After our fabulous driver got us there safely I downloaded the app.  Because my friend recommended me, I got $10, and so did she.  Talk about incentive, especially since the average ride is around $10.  For the rest of the trip before heading to dinner we would tell Side Car where we were going.  In less than 10 minutes our clean, safe ride was there.  As I took my last Side Car ride to the airport I longingly hope for the day where Nashville is the next city they choose to start service. 

Adding a Pill of Flavor to Your Day

Before the skies decided to open on Tuesday with a summer thunder storm, I was supposed to be in downward dog participating the the record breaking yoga class on Central Park's Great Lawn. This great, huge event was organized by the people of Flavor Pill. Delivered daily, Flavor Pill will fill you in on all the cultural events happening around your city. They facilitate bringing the culturally savvy together. Their editors scour and comb through what your city is offering and tells you which ones you should participate in. This means everything from the obscure, to the underground, and your in the face main stream. Currently broadcasting events in New York, Chicago, LA, San Fran and across the pond in London, you can find the flavor in your city. Obviously they are expanding. There are free events, ones that cost pennies, and ones that should be for special occasions. However, there is no reason why you should not participate. For those like me trying to be more well rounded a little culture in our life is a good thing. Sometimes we meet people who want to talk about things other than which celeb is in rehab and where to find a maxi dress for under 50 bucks.

image via Laura Skwarek

Head of the Class Dining

You love to eat out, but with this recession it seems like you can build a sculpture out of all those empty Chef Boyardee cans that have accumulated. Back in the day your sink rarely saw a dish, and your fridge constantly kept a bottle of ketchup cold for the occasional use. Well its about time you ventured outside for a meal. Take full advantage of this weather and sip a glass at a sidewalk cafe. You deserve it, but you do not deserve to pay full price. No one ever should. This is when you move to the front of the classroom and check out what is on Black Board Eats. All you need to do is sign up for the free email and the exclusive, handpicked dining deals at the hot spots and hidden gems start rolling in. In addition to the exclusives they highlight the offers and deals that restaurants are independently offering. Coverage runs the gamut from the pricey special occasion locals to the no-frills take a break from the Boyardee joints. Blackboard does the dirty work; they test the waters so you don't have to sort through every review ever written to decide if its good. They tried and they think you should buy. Now as the email reaches your inbox you have a whole 24 hours to buy into this deal, its similar to Groupon's concept. When you get to the dining establishment mention the code to the host, and enjoy your meal, the company you are with, and the extra money you have padding your wallet. Bon Appetite

image via Black Board Eats

Flow With It

Its the first of the month, no longer the first of the year. That is why you are probably reading this on your couch as Jake breaks another girls heart on The Bachelor instead of working up a sweat on the elliptical. So starting back on the cardio may cause some cardiac arrest so take it easy with a little more zen. In San Fran you can head to Urban Flow, to begin your life long yoga practice. This is a donation based business, aka pay what you can afford to experience excellent health benefits. The suggested amount is 10 to 20 dollars. Your donations then create community outreach programs serve the less fortunate. All classes are taught by certified instructors in Vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa is flow based yoga where each movement melds into each other. The room is not warm, not a heat box like some of those other yoga joints, your body needs to be warm to get into those poses. Appropriate music accompanies the class to settle your mind and focus on your poses. Remember to bring your own mat and towel, it keeps germs to a minimum. Look at the schedule, see which one fits in your life, and soon enough you will be able to wrap your leg around your torso.

Yum Yum Tacos

So you started the New Year off to a great start, and then it hit you. That craving for Mexican food. And we are not talking about Fajitas without the tortilla. We are talking cheese, beef, beans, the works aka Tacos. Its a hard habit to kick. If you indulge sporadically its an okay treat. So head to Don Pistos, in San Fransisco to feed that addiction. Like how all Mexican joints should be, this place has both a take out section or an informal dining room. Changing with the seasons the menu will offer the freshest ingredients. With various taco options, it is hard to choose one variety, but with prices so small order them all for the table. Or the Tortas sound divine, such as the carnitas. How bad could it actually be. So head over to the North Beach section of town, order a cerveza and first warm up with tortilla soup before devouring Mexican delights.

Pizza Makes Everyone Happy

So happy hour at your fave bar just ended, but your happy time has just begun. In an effort to keep the party going you want to find a place that keeps it up on a budget. Just opened in Oakland, Marzano, has a happy hour that starts, not ends at 10 pm. For a whole 2 hours, you can refresh with $5 beers, $6 specially cocktails and sustain with $10 pizzas. Jonesing for something healthy (well balancing out all the beer)? Salads are the same 6 bucks as well. This happens every night. Amazing! So you know every night when your wallet is tight you can still have a good time. Grab your coworkers, friends, bum on the street and move onto here after all the other drink specials end. Or if you are an investment banker, this is when your happy hour starts, since you crunch numbers for hours on end.

He Looks Good In That Shirt!

So the man (well really boy) in your life is looking a little shabby these days. Honestly his t-shirts has more holes than a good block of swiss cheese. And not to mention those jeans! Hello, painter's pants are reserved for painters. So head over to Self Edge Denim before the months end to get your man dressed appropriately for this century. Located at 714 Valencia St, at the corner of 18th Street in San Fran, you can style you and your compadres in the latest in luxury denim. Want the experience, but are nowhere near a cable car stop? Don't worry, they sell their goods online for all to enjoy.
Help your guy pick out a pair of Dry Bones jeans, the fabulous Japanese Denim line, that can only be found in a handful of places this far west. Once you have got the bottoms covered, help complete the look with a t-shirt or other top to make him look like he knows how to dress. Great news, Urban Daddy is helping you out. Mention them when you are in the store, and you can receive a free t-shirt or 40% off another top. Start with one outfit, and your boy will mature into a well-dressed gentleman.

Play Ball

Now that The Biggest Loser is over and Helen was crowned the winner (I am still mad), your Tuesday nights have freed up. What better way to fill that void with non other than a trip to the ball park. Do you really think I am going to throw that kind of cash down for a Tuesday night. Baseball games have gotten so expensive lately. Well if you are in San Francisco this Tuesday, May 26th, head over and root your team on for $10. The Giants are hosting the Atlanta Braves; go see who turns out victorious. Purchase your tickets online and enter code CANDY at checkout. If you could careless about the game, go for the peanuts and crackerjacks. You don't have to clean the shells off the floor.

Chomp on This

Since everyone has rediscovered how to use the stove in these hard economic times, restaurants are having trouble warming thier seats. So in an attempt to keep patrons interested, many dining hot spots across the country are offering deals to whet ones appetite. See where you can get some grub for a little less than the usual asking price. Daily Candy has scored some great deals for you to check out.

Los Angeles: I know my NYers are thinking cupcakes when they hear Magnolia, but this LA spot is known more for their baked macaroni and cheese rather than the red velvet cake. Now until May 5th enjoy 20% off your bill. Reservation required and make sure to mention this offer when booking. Make sure to present the Daily Candy Deal when it comes time to pay. This offer is valid only for parties of six or less at dinner until May 5th. Magnolia Downtown, 825 West Ninth Street, at Figueroa Street, Downtown 213-362-0880; Magnolia Hollywood, 6266½ Sunset Boulevard, between Vine Street and Argyle Avenue, Hollywood 323-467-0660.
San Fransisco: I am sure you have something to toast, a promotion, engagement, the warm spring air. So why don't you do it at The Ambassador where you will recieve 50% off all bottles of Champagne and appetizers. To redeem, mention DailyCandy in-store until May 5th. 673 Geary Street, at Leavenworth Street 415-563-8192
Chicago: Sometimes you just want to enjoy the fresh air with a couple of drinks and some tapas with good friends. Grab your girls and head over to Tapas Valencia for sangriatinis and tasty small plates. Get $15 off a bill of $40 or more when you present the Daily Candy email until May 5th. 1530 South State Street, between 15th and 16th Streets 312-842-4444

Free Cookies

Anthony's Cookies is celebrating their Grand Opening by dolling out free cookies this Saturday. Stop by 1417 Valencia St from 1-3 to enjoy some baked goodness. Options range from the good ole classics like Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter or think outside the box and go for the Whole Wheat Walnut Oatmeal. Anthony’s Cookies has raised the standard for gourmet cookies through their detailed preparation. Using only natural ingredients that have not been processed they are able to serve original flavors, that are fresh, soft, and aesthetically pleasing. Head over to the new location to see what all the fuss is about.

Stop Wineing

Your wine celler is looking drab. Have you drank it all to deal with all the money you lost in the stock market? We know you don't have the same amount of cash to re-stock the cellar since your GE is stock is worth as much as last night's trash. In San Francisco, you can replenish your stock at Biondivino with a little help of a promotion they are running. Mention "UrbanDaddy" and you'll get 15 percent off any bottle of wine. There is no limit to how many you can purchase. So get a red, white, rose, and champagne. Save the champagne to celebrate when the stock market makes a significant gain. Located at 1415 Green St (Polk is the cross street), stop buy during the week until 11 PM or Sunday's until 9 PM