New in town
WORK • Wednesday Routine
STEPHANIE FELS • founder • Blue Cove Preserves
Neighborhood you live in: Potrero Hill
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I usually have a cup of tea (Earl Grey or green) and do some yoga, which helps me start the day with a clear mind. Then I'll hop on a bike and head to a coworking space in Downtown San Francisco. I'll either pack my lunch or grab one at various places Downtown — I love going to the Ferry Building. During the day, I might meet with friends for coffee to hear about the latest developments in the tech industry (I had a 15-year career in tech prior to starting Blue Cove).
What’s on the agenda for today?
A few things: I'm coordinating a trip to Portland for the Good Food Awards, as I'm a finalist this year, and it’ll be an opportunity to meet with potential wholesale clients/buyers. I'm also working on advancing two significant opportunities, one of which is a five-star hotel in Sonoma County, the other, a retail opportunity with a large luxury retailer in NYC. I also need to do a social media update, since I'm creating all my content as a solopreneur.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Yes! I'm going to Zuni Cafe tomorrow night for dinner. I may go to another landmark, Foreign Cinema, for brunch this weekend. I moved to San Francisco only three months ago, so I'm hitting the top places.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I recently hiked a trail in Muir Beach with a group of friends. Afterwards, we stopped at the Pelican Inn for a refreshing drink and some food. Another fun activity: a miso making class from an award-winning Japanese chef (Mariko Grady), who makes various types of miso for Michelin-star restaurants in the Bay Area, like Lazy Bear in the Mission.
Any weekend getaways?
We go to Tahoe at least two or three times during the winter to ski, and it's a summer destination for us, too. It's a stunning place. South of San Francisco, there are beautiful spots I've visited, including Half Moon Bay, Big Sur, and Carmel.
What was your last great vacation?
I just spent a week in Ecuador visiting my family. The country is one of the most biodiverse in the world, between its mountainous region of the Andes, the tropical coast, and the Amazon rainforest. And did I mention, Ecuador has 80+ volcanoes, and a dozen of them are active? I also love going to markets and seeing endless types of exotic fruits, and having a few local dishes like locro (a potato-based soup that is a traditional dish across Ecuador, Peru, Chile and other Latin American countries). Other typical dishes include shrimp ceviche, humitas, llapingachos, mote pillo, bolones de verde... I'll let the curious travelers among you look those up.