I know my past expenditures in SF, Chicago and NYC are a mere trickle in the gestalt scheme of universal matters, and my cessation of those expenditure will hardly be missed (for many of the beneficiaries of my choosing no longer exist ... wonder why?), but I quit going because each city has let its own government ruin things for tourists like me.

I spent time and money in these cities in their Golden era. Many of the attractions of significance in the past are gone, but the root cause of my departure lies in the drastic change in the essential character of these venues.

Alas, gone are world-class attractions:

Laurent's, Bull & Bear, the old cafe atop SFA, and Garvin's in NYC



Chez Paul an Erie and Rush in Chicago


Pizzeria Uno at Wabash & Ohio in Chicago became too "commercial"


Mocca On Maiden Lane and Gaylord India Restaurant in Ghirardelli Square, SF



I am equally content to explore and patronize other venues, including Palm Beach Breakers, Lexington, Asheville Inn on Biltmore Estate, Sandestin/Miramar/30-A, St Simons/Sea Island, BroAdmoor, Charlotte, Annapolis, Evanston, etc., where sanity still prevails over stupidity.