Around San Francisco: Bye Bye Bay Meadows

Bay Meadows race track outside San Francisco ended its season the other day. The place where Seabiscuit raced into the history books seventy years ago is being replaced with condominiums and office buildings.

The decline of horse racing in the United States has put the race track suit on the endangered species list. Loud tweeds, checked shirts and suede shoes are in their element around day time horse racing in the same way that a dinner jacket seems natural in the front row at a boxing match. And, lacking a venue, they also disappear.

That's progress.

Around San Francisco: Oh My

The decline of the west, or rather mens' evening dress, was there for all to see at San Francisco Ballet’s New Works Festival recently. We should be thankful that mothers continue to teach their daughters how to wear clothes. Certainly some fathers forgot to teach their sons about the proper length of a pair of trousers.

Photographs are courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography. © Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

Around San Francisco: Le Club

San Francisco's Nob Hill has a new club, fittingly called Le Club, at 1250 Jones. It's a comfortable but not very large space: poker lounge, bar, small (36 seat) dining room and a billiard room. The size constraints are probably good as there's no parking. On the other hand, customers can bring their dogs.


The opening brought out some men in suits but a larger group in jeans and open necked shirts. Not a single velvet jacket to add a bit of ton. The concept of evening clothes, any kind of evening clothes, could stand to be re-introduced here. In my opinion, martinis and jeans just don't go together.


Le Club has potential if owners Todd Traina and Gina Milano (above) can inspire the male customers to step it up a couple of notches.

Photographs are courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography. © Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.