fairmont dallas Mail If you aren t sure what your address will be in the United States, mail can be sent to you, in

WEST COAST BASQUE This casual spot on the outskirts of North Beach is an exciting recent fairmont dallas addition. Chef Gerald Hirigoyen, once chef/partner at longtime favorite Fringale, goes it alone in the comfy room with a wood beam lined ceiling, oak floors, and soft sconce lighting. The large plates are best shared. My personal favorites are crabmeat coddled in a paper-thin crepe accompanied by a sweet and sassy mango-and-red-pepper salsa; a bright and

447 Bush St. (at Grant St.), San Francisco, CA 94108. & 800/956-4322 or 415/956-3232. Fax 415/956-0399. www.alisahotel.com. 51 units, 26 with private bathroom. $69 $119 double with bathroom; $49 $69 double without bathroom. Rates include continental breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V. Nearby parking $20. Cable car: Powell- Hyde and Powell-Mason fairmont dallas lines. Bus: All Market St. buses. Amenities: 24-hr. concierge; fax and copy services. In room: TV, 2-line direct-dial telephone with dataport and voice mail, small fridge and microwave in some rooms, hair dryer, iron and board, wireless Internet.

Value In a quiet North Beach neighborhood and within walking distance of Fisherman s Wharf, this small European-style pensione is one of the best budget hotels in San Francisco. The rooms are small and bathrooms are shared, but all is forgiven when it comes time to pay the bill. Rooms are decorated in a cozy country style with brass and iron beds, armoires, and wicker furnishings; most have ceiling fans. The shared fairmont dallas bathrooms, each immaculately clean, feature tubs and brass pull-chain toilets with oak tanks and brass fixtures. If the penthouse is available, book it: You won t find a more romantic place to stay in San Francisco for so little money. (It s got its own bathroom, TV, fridge, and patio.) 2237 Mason St. (at Chestnut St.), San Francisco, CA 94133. & 800/352-REMO or 415/776-8688. Fax 415/776-2811. www.sanremohotel.com. 62 units, 61 with shared bathroom. $55 $95 double; $155 $175 penthouse suite. AE, DC, MC, V. Self-parking $10 $14. Cable car: Powell-Mason line. Streetcar: F. Bus: 10, 15, 30, or 47. Amenities: Access to nearby health fairmont dallas club; self-service laundry; TV room. In room: Ceiling fan.

Mail If you aren t sure what your address will be in the United fairmont dallas States, mail can be sent to you, in your name, c/o General Delivery at the main post office of the city or region where you expect to be. (Call & 800/ 275-8777 for information on the nearest post office.) The addressee must pick up mail in person and must produce proof of identity (a driver s license or passport, for example). Most post offices will hold your mail for up to 1 month and are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturday from 9am to 3pm.