Sunday, May 10, 2026

SFO - To Eat 09May26 (House of Prime Rib)

San Francisco - To Stay
San Francisco - To Do
San Francisco - To Eat

SFO - To Eat
@ABBATRAVELS
House of Prime Rib


*Explore the grounds. Each room gives a slightly different vibe.*
Click here for ABBA location of the House of Prime Rib
A place that I've been meaning to come for a long time. Walk-ins are possible. The whole party needs to be there and for big groups, its best to arrive at doors open! We got in with a party of five on a Saturday.

Either try really early or for small groups/individuals it would be dining at the bar. 

*Bar dining*
ABBATip:
- The House of Prime Rib Cut is just the right thickness but its a heavy indulgent meal for most guys. This would be the perfect order for two ladies to share. Sharing comes at an additional USD10. Ask the servers what's the expected serving size for each of the cuts.
Ordered On:
09May26
The English Cut USD68.86 (about 350g) and King Henry VIII Cut (about 480g) to share with additional USD10 charge. 
*Salad is included. You only have to choose between baked potatoes or mash.*

*You can order to share at an additional USD10. Comes with your own portion of sides.*
Food 4/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Value 3.5/5
Total Fed 5 very well 

USD90 and USD110 (shared) after tips and taxes. 
Finally able to try this amazing meal. The au jus with the meat hit the right spot with the condiments. Meat off the bones were the sweetest and the balanced well with the included sides. Mixed reviews on the creamed spinach but everything worked well together. The salad was more about the show than anything else.

Better than Lawry's and reminiscent of prime rib enjoyed at Stinking Rose. A great meal with all the ambience and can understand why this is a much beloved establishment. House of Prime Rib, must try!

You maybe interested in the Stinking Rose, another one of the long standing, popular establishment. 
Stinking Rose (SFO) - known for their garlic appetizer and awesome garlic ice-cream (must try even just for this). Their prime rib though good has unfortunately undergone shrinkflation. .
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SFO - To Do 09May26 (Alamo Square Painted Ladies, St Dominic's Catholic Church)

San Francisco - To Do
San Francisco - To Eat

SFO - To Do
@ABBATRAVELS
Sunset at the Alamo Square
Alamo Square 
(Painted Ladies)


*Views from Alamo Square*
The classic Painted ladies is a small strip that's picturesque and used for many TV films,  and opening credits of Full House and movies like Mrs .Doubtfire (Click here for full write up of day trip visiting house where the film was filmed.)
Its an alright park to visit. Really just for the iconic view of those few houses and that's about it. If you're liking the trees in the area, a hike to Lands end would be better. 

St Dominic's Catholic Church
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Monday, April 27, 2026

Paris - To Do 26Apr26 (Palace De La Concorde, Golden hour at Jardin des Tuileries & Lourve, Musée de l'Orangerie, La Madeleine)

Paris - To Do
Paris - To Eat

Palace De La Concorde
During the French Revolution, the square was the main execution site, where figures like King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were executed. 

*Straight view down of the famous Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe.*
Luxor Obelisk: At the center stands a 3,000-year-old Egyptian obelisk from the Luxor Temple, making it one of the oldest monuments in Paris.

*The North fountain stands near where the guillotine once stood.*
The two matching fountains differ in theme, the north one represents France’s rivers and inland life while the south one symbolizes the seas and maritime trade. 
Bonus: Nice free outdoor photography.
Click here for Palace De La Concorde

Golden hours at
Jardin des Tuileries & Lourve
(For vibes and photos)


The Jardin des Tuileries once stood beside the Tuileries Palace, which was destroyed during the Paris Commune. After the French Revolution, the gardens became a public park and is like an open museum displaying sculptures. 
*Loads of joggers in the early morning*
*All about catching the vibes and enjoying the space.*
Photo opportunities are plenty with low crowds around the Golden Hour walking toward the Louvre.


Musée de l'Orangerie

ABBATiP:
- Not necessary for pre purchase. Arrival at doors open, but the ticket booth only opens at 0915hrs. Earliest time slot is 0900hrs.
Originally built to shelter orange trees in winter for the Tuileries gardens, the Musée de l’Orangerie later transformed into a serene art space—now best known for Monet’s immersive Water Lilies.
The main star, Monet with two full rooms to boot!
(Most famously known for lilies by Claude Monet 1840-1926
Founder of Impressionism, light and feeling moments rather than detail.)


The place is best enjoyed in silence, but its sheer popularity and everyone taking shots, it does loose that magical intention. However, its still absolutely mesmerizing to get up close to see and 'feel' these pieces. 

MoMA in NYC also has a piece of Water Lilies by Claude Monet.

Lower Floors featuring other famous French Artist




Henri Rousseau
*The works of Henri Rousseau (1844-1910). Self-taught, famous for dreamlike
 jungle scenes with bold colors and flat. Simple style but later admired by modern artist.*


Henri Matisse
*The earlier works of Henri Matisse (1869-1954). Famous for color and emotion over realism.*
Overall a small compact museum with Monet the main attraction and the lower levels featuring other famous French greats. There's free wifi on-site and a cafe. 

You maybe interested in purchasing the package which include Musee d'Orsay which homes a huge variety and genres of amazing art. Really liked his one and what it had to offer.
Here are some other Art related museums which really stood out and can't be missed.

La Madeleine
(Mary Magdalene)
(Not your typical church but to represent a Roman Temple)


Originally, Napoleon Bonaparte intended it to be a “Temple of Glory” for his army, not a church. After his fall, it was turned into a Catholic church, which gives it a pretty unusual backstory compared to other Paris churches.
You maybe interested to check out Musee de L'Armee where Napoleon's Tomb is located.




*Beautiful and powerful sculptures.*
*The church is dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, which represents repentance, faithful discipleship, and the hope of new life through the Resurrection. The main statue depicted, shows Mary being carried up to heaven by angels. This dramatic marble group was created by the sculptor Carlo Marochetti, and it represents her in a moment of spiritual “ascent” or glorification rather than her earthly life.*

*Surprising and enjoyable medley at the end of mass to be enjoyed by all*

*Doors opens up to the Palace De La Concorde*
Not your usual catholic church, with a beautiful center piece and stunning sculptures along the walls.

You may also be interested in this hidden gym of a temple across the river. The Chapel of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal (Click for full write up), where the Virgin Mary was said to have appeared to Saint Catherine Laboure in 1830, giving her the design of the medal worn by millions of Catholics. Highly recommended.
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