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| "Wish you were here", broadcasting from the gorgeous Penthouse! |
But first, some interesting and insightful tips in the following questionnaire to our show guests. Enjoy the show as they expound on their intriguing stories.
When you have a day off in the city, what do you like to
do?
T.K. I love
to just go to the Saturday market, have coffee, see friends and walk the pier
area!! Such a great walking city.
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| Fort Baker, home to Cavallo Point Lodge, The Lodge at Golden Gate |
C.B. Day off? What is that? All kidding aside, being
relatively new to this city I have been primarily searching for the perfect
place to settle my beautiful little family. You can rest assured that we will
be spending the majority of time in the great outdoors. Ask my son and there
will be hockey involved somehow. We could be on the ice in a game, playing
street hockey, mini sticks in the house or on the Wii. When the “game” is over,
it will be centered on a meal, whether picnic style, trying a new place or
stumbling upon a neighborhood classic.
Where do you like to take guests or family for a big
night out in the city?
T.K. Jazz
or show in town – Sausalito on a clear day/evening provides spectacular views
back to the city…after of course, crossing the GG Bridge…
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| Hubert Keller at Fleur de Lys |
C.B. Depends on
who is coming to town… However everyone wants to come to The Fairmont San
Francisco. I am not joking. They have heard so much about it and not from me….
My Mother used to watch Hotel and by default, my brothers and I did too…The
History, the location & the views are second to none…Have you seen the Fairmont
Suite?
Not just because I am The Executive Chef, but I really
believe a trip to San Francisco is not complete without an experience in the
Tonga & Hurricane bar. I used to come here every time I was I the city
before I lived here…it is so much fun. You don’t believe me? Ask Anthony
Bourdain or watch his show the Layover when he visits San Francisco with Chef
Chris Cosentino. Parental discretion is advised…
And for a relaxed meal?
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| Slanted Door |
T.W. Wayfare Tavern,Tyler Florence's restaurant here in the City.
C.B. Give me
another couple months and I will be able to give you some great suggestions. I
have heard about a few and I am anxious to try them myself, not just myself but
with my wife of course…
A visitor only has one day in the city. What would you
suggest they do?
T.K. Open bus tour – for
sure. Great Museums (DeYoung, etc.) – Japanese Garden.
C.B. My first suggestion would be that they call
their boss and ask for a few more days off. You can’t see this wonderful city
in one day!
Chinatown for sure, you won’t find that experience
anywhere else. It is authentic and it is incredible. I love it…if the one Day
was a Saturday. I would suggest the Ferry Building for the market. It can’t be
beat. Although Fisherman’s Wharf is a “little” touristy I would say it is a
must to see. Alcatraz as well, but that would eat up the majority of your day.
North Beach… Yum! Do you find it weird
that everywhere I suggest they go is food related?
What is your favorite weekend away?
T.K. Getting on my Harley
Davidson with my wife, Barbara, going to Tomales Bay for oysters and then
driving up the coast! - going south along the coast to Half Moon Bay and a stop
at Alice’s Restaurant is always a good time as well.
T.W. I
love the Mendocino Coast, but exploring the Wine Country is always wonderful
too.
C.B. Looking forward to wine country…
So many great places to eat. The views are spectacular and the wine is pretty darn good as well.
International destination?
T.K. Thailand is a definite
‘must’!
T.W.
Places I lived before, such as Tokyo (5 years), Paris (2 years) or London (3
years). I like to go back to the "old neighborhoods" and see the
places I used to frequent.
C.B. For me, it
is a toss up. London or the Caribbean…London is a world class city just like San
Francisco. The Caribbean as well - we lived there for almost four years in St.
Thomas and Grand Cayman. There are so many fun things and great places to see
and explore while you are there. The local foods are rustic but so good! From
one island to the next you can feel like you are in another world..
Most memorable food and wine experience?
Most memorable food and wine experience?
T.K. Would have to be Santéat the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa - - does not get better!
T.W. Restaurant Horcher
in Madrid
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| Horcher Restaurant Madrid |
C.B. Wow,
narrowing this down will be very difficult. Charlie Trotters in Chicago was
amazing. His tasting menu was amazing. I still have the wine label at home
somewhere…Blue by Eric Ripert in Grand Cayman was right up there. Another tasting
menu with a few extra "Cheffie" courses put in there as well.
We have been known to have a few great meals at our house
as well. You will have to ask my family and friends. That is another great
thing about the business, a lot of my friends are Chefs and Wine guys… There is
no doubt that when we are together that there will be more than a few memories
created. Heck, we may have forgotten some of those memories with all that wine…
What is your favorite feature of the Fairmont San
Francisco?
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| A concert in the Venetian room |
T.W. The
fact that although it is a classic place, we still are innovators (first hotel
in the USA with Concierge service, first to have the internet at the Concierge
desk, etc.)
C.B. Mmmm, Not
fair! You are sitting in one of them right now. The Penthouse is spectacular,
The Lobby so grand, the only time it is better is at Christmas when we have our
two storey Gingerbread house. The Cirque Room is treasured. The Roof top garden
is beautiful and unique. The Venetian Room still takes my breath away when I
walk inside. You really have to stop and think who was walked through those
doors. Whether they were on stage or simply here as a guest to enjoy the show…Our
Grand ballroom is the best in town. Did I mention The Tonga Room?
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| The Iconic Tonga Room |
“Select, lead, train and recognize,” is Klein’s mantra
and personal mission statement toward providing exceptional guest service.
Klein focuses on the customer and finds creative ways to satisfy guests’ needs
while prioritizing colleague training to ensure that staff continues to provide
uncompromising levels of service. Two years ago, Mayor Newsom presented a
“Certificate of Honor” for his tireless public service and philanthropic
contributions. During daily interaction with staffers at all levels, he constantly
inspires colleagues to provide exceptional guest service. Klein brings the same
intense level of engagement to his charitable endeavors. In 2012, Klein led an
unprecedented city-wide crusade that united San Francisco hoteliers in a
“Million Dollar Mission” (MDM) benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Enlisting colleagues’ specialized skills and corporate support, this
groundbreaking campaign raised funds for financial, education and social
services for those affected by blood cancer. Tom’s hard work on this campaign
positively affected not only the Hospitality Industry, but the community as a
whole. In 2012, Klein was honored with CH&LA’s GM of the Year Award and in
2013 he received the Hotel Council of San Francisco’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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| Tom Klein and Tom Wolfe on the Penthouse Deck |
America’s First Concierge
When Tom Wolfe first arrived at The Fairmont San
Francisco in 1973, the Concierge did not
yet exist in the United States. Wolfe, who trained as a Concierge in Europe, was fortunate to have worked with legendary Concierges in London and Paris, whose lineage went right back to Caesar Ritz. Upon his arrival, Wolfe saw a great opportunity to take this revered European tradition, inject it with an American 'can do' spirit, and implemented the concept to The Fairmont San Francisco. And so The Fairmont became the first hotel in the United States to offer this unique service to its guests. In 1978, Wolfe founded the US chapter of the international organization of hotel lobby concierges,Les Clefs d’Or (the Golden Keys Society), which at the time was recognized as the 19th member section of this international guild of professionals. Now, as Concierge service proliferates - at department stores, health spas, and even pet shops - the meaning still resonates – personalized, caring service provided by a local contact with the guests' interests at heart. The Fairmont San Francisco continues this noble tradition, and looks forward to assisting guests with any and all requests. The hotel’s Concierge Desk is staffed with skilled professionals who are eager and delighted to attend to every request and ensure a memorable stay.
yet exist in the United States. Wolfe, who trained as a Concierge in Europe, was fortunate to have worked with legendary Concierges in London and Paris, whose lineage went right back to Caesar Ritz. Upon his arrival, Wolfe saw a great opportunity to take this revered European tradition, inject it with an American 'can do' spirit, and implemented the concept to The Fairmont San Francisco. And so The Fairmont became the first hotel in the United States to offer this unique service to its guests. In 1978, Wolfe founded the US chapter of the international organization of hotel lobby concierges,Les Clefs d’Or (the Golden Keys Society), which at the time was recognized as the 19th member section of this international guild of professionals. Now, as Concierge service proliferates - at department stores, health spas, and even pet shops - the meaning still resonates – personalized, caring service provided by a local contact with the guests' interests at heart. The Fairmont San Francisco continues this noble tradition, and looks forward to assisting guests with any and all requests. The hotel’s Concierge Desk is staffed with skilled professionals who are eager and delighted to attend to every request and ensure a memorable stay.
Chad Blunston
Executive Chef-The Fairmont San Francisco
The Fairmont San Francisco’s Executive Chef Chad Blunston
leads the hotel’s culinary
team, creating authentically local, seasonal cuisine
with a contemporary spin. Chef Blunston brings more than 20 years of
progressive culinary experience to his role, beginning his career training on
the East Coast of Canada in 1991. Before joining The Fairmont San Francisco, Chef
Blunston celebrated the culinary richness of Southern California as Executive
Chef at The Fairmont Newport Beach. Having introduced six rooftop honey
beehives to that property in 2010, he now continues his work with the “liquid
gold” from The Fairmont San Francisco’s own rooftop apiary atop
its 1,000-square-foot Culinary Garden.
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| Chad Blunston with his rooftop aviary |
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