Archive for September 2007

Living in San Francisco, it seems to be practically sinful to patronize any restaurant that isn’t the only one of its kind – surely there are enough independent, privately owned eateries that you never need to go to a chain, but occasionally, one rises above the rest and makes it worthwhile. Pasta Pomodoro is one such place.

With locations throughout the City, Pasta Pomodoro takes the best of both worlds – chain and independent – and fuses them together for a consistently tasty, affordable, and accessible experience. While any restaurant in San Francisco will have a waiting list on a weekend night or at lunch on any given afternoon, the time spent at this establishment is reasonable regardless of the time or day. The servers will gladly bring you a glass of wine to enjoy indoors or out while you wait, and once you’re seated, they present warm focaccia bread to nibble while you browse the menu.

Unlike chains that span the entire United States and beyond, Pasta Pomodoro boasts authentic Italian meals with a great array of sauces, proteins, and vegetables. Whole wheat pasta is available for substitution in many of their dishes, and there is truly something to satisfy every palate among their main courses. While the menu isn’t overwhelming in size, each dish sounds so delicious that it’s difficult to choose, so every trip results in trying something new, none of which has ever disappointed. The Penne Portobello and Gemelli have even rated encore performances – definitely worth trying if you’re having the same trouble in making your decision.

While the seating arrangements could be more roomy, and it’s probably not the best locale for a romantic date due to the family friendly atmosphere, it’s a perfect spot for many occasions: a quick lunch with a friend, a dinner with the parental units, or a glass of wine and appetizer spread for happy hour with your colleagues. The food is consistent, the service reliable, and the price always fair. Sure, it’s a chain, but occasionally, a chain’s success is due to the fact that they’ve really learned how to do things up right. Pasta Pomodoro hits the mark, and I’ll gladly break the rules of restaurant patronization propriety to enjoy what they’ve got to offer.

Whether you’re a belly dancer, a makeup artist, a burlesque performer or just a glamorous girl in need of something sparkly and new, the best place to find an array of festive fripperies is MultiKulti on Valencia.

A few months ago, I had a group of girlfriends visiting, some from as far away as Maine, some who live as close as the Castro. We were having a Girls’ High Holiday, and one of the lovelies brought gifts of glitter and false eyelashes for everyone – courtesy of MultiKulti. I hadn’t yet been, and she went on to rave about the fabulous things you could find in cubbies and corners of this magical store. I made her promise to take me to this wonderland of accessories the next time we hung out in the City, and she was more than happy to oblige.

Though the store hours are listed as 12-7 daily, I’ve been there twice when it was closer to 8:00 p.m. than to 7, and the store has still been bustling with customers. Even at the late hour, the owner has a kind smile for everyone, and is happy to help you find something that is perfect for your mood, be it grumpy or goofy. From the colorfully painted rice bowls in the front display to the sterling silver jewelry in glass cases, the glitter-laden hairpieces to the astounding array of fishnets and tights, there is absolutely something here for every girly girl around. Did I mention that they carry NYX cosmetics? It’s a small selection, but perhaps the only place I know in SF that does, so make sure you add it to your list of makeup musts.

But wait; don’t think for one minute that this means there’s nothing for the less feminine among us! Also to be discovered if one looks just a bit more carefully are argyle suspenders and lanyards covered in Jolly Rogers. They’ve got cigarette and business card cases bearing face cards in spades and luggage locks with skulls for keys. It’s the home of any number of motley curios, ranging from the slightly strange to the truly bizarre.

MultiKulti is a great place to while away half an hour or so while you wait for your table at one of the nearby restaurants, or the perfect spot to get the inspiration or finishing touches for your costume for that upcoming party. Don’t be shy – get the glitter, go for the giant earrings, and find those false lashes – you’re entitled to an all-out glam-out, and this shop will not only make it possible, but make it a whole lot of fun.

Finally, there's a place in San Francisco that caters to the need of those of us who have come of age in the era of serious multi-tasking – Brainwash Café and Laundromat.

This may not seem to be a novel idea to you at first, but that could be because you haven't experienced it for yourself. Sure, there are Laundromat combo places everywhere – laundry and fast food, laundry and video games, laundry and…tanning? But you can't usually find really excellent food, cheap beer, and even live entertainment alongside your triple loader. That's where Brainwash comes into play.

I first learned about Brainwash through my fax machine at work. Every afternoon, we get their daily specials via fax, and while there are days where it arrives a little later than most people have lunch, it's usually sitting on the machine well before I've started thinking about my afternoon meal. And this list isn't your standard café fare – we're talking about homemade soups (corn chowder every day, with a second rotating soup), an eclectic mix of green salads, and a variety of burgers, available cooked to order, that get my vote every time. If you're an early riser, they also serve breakfast from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and I've heard a rumor that, before ten o'clock, they serve up a breakfast burrito the size of your forearm for just a few bucks. The entire menu is similarly priced, with excellent ingredients and plenty of variety with no single meal costing more than $9.00.

Now for the entertainment portion of the show – the Brainwash calendar of events is jam packed with musicians, comedians, open mic nights, and more. Many of the events are recurring, so if one strikes your fancy, you can count on that to keep you going while you do your weekly wash. If you're there earlier in the day and either need to work while your duds are tumbling, or you want to check out the latest PlanJam blog, there's free WiFi and plenty of table space and seating between the laundry side and the café.

Finally, if doing laundry just isn't your thing no matter how many appealing reasons there are to hang out at Brainwash, their wash and fold service is only $0.99 a pound with a ten pound minimum. Just make sure you grab a meal to go – even if they didn't do your laundry for you, the food would be worth stopping by.

I'm a big fan of the "don't blink or you'll miss it" sorts of places – shops, restaurants, coffee houses, art galleries – any variety of place where, were it more noticeable, I'd have a hard time getting in and out with my sanity intact. San Francisco is full of such out of the way nooks and crannies; right in the heart of the busiest neighborhoods, you can find these tiny places only by either knowing that they're there, or entering each door on a street, hoping you aren't busting into someone's home uninvited.

One such place is Castro Cheesery, located at 427 Castro. With just room enough for two or three people to stand side by side, and a street side window that's obstructed by shelving, this storefront may well be one of the easiest places to miss, particularly amid the brightly colored signage of Castro's surrounding businesses. You'll want to make sure you find this covert operation, though; particularly if you live in the neighborhood and need caffeine to jump start your day, or if you're visiting the Castro and could use a midday pick-me-up.

Despite its name, Castro Cheesery sees more customers for coffee than for cheeses, though their selection there is admirable and well priced. Signs around the shop categorize both coffee and cheese by type, strength, and location of origin, and the family members who staff the cheesery are knowledgeable, friendly, and efficient. You can get freshly ground or whole bean coffee by the pound, or have a drink made for you in moments. Grab a package of madelines or one of many flavors of biscotti, and your morning (or afternoon) is off to a running start. The prices are lower by far than those at chain coffee shops, and that combined with the knowledge that you're supporting an independent business is usually more than enough to make it worthwhile for any local SFer.

I've tried several of the standard coffee drinks here, and have yet to be disappointed. Their dark roasts in particular are robust and not as acidic as those I've found elsewhere, and the additions to the sweet beverages temper the coffee just enough without overwhelming the brew. If you're looking to get your fill of great coffee without emptying your wallet, be sure you don't miss this spot.

I can pass hours at a time at just about any bookstore, and the number of independent shops here in San Francisco has kept me thoroughly elated for months. Though I'll visit any bookstore, any time, and never walk out empty-handed, when I'm truly on the hunt, I nearly always make my way to Phoenix Books in Noe Valley. With sister stores Dog Eared Books and Red Hill Books, these three make up the most comprehensive selection of new and used books I've found so far.

Approaching the store, I always get sidetracked by the carts of books on the sidewalk. From under-rated to over-loved, the books here are cut to ridiculously low prices, and I can always find at least one treasure among the more laughable titles. From there, content with the knowledge that I've got at least one new book to take home, I head inside for a more luxurious browse through their wares.

I have a book shopping method. I always head to the furthest back, most hidden section, and work my way forward, one shelf at a time. By the time I reach the front of the store, my arms are nearly always laden with science fiction, cookbooks, writings about writing, and at least one title from the new release overstock table. Setting them, and my adult brain, aside, I crouch onto the diminutive wooden chair provided in the nook of children's and young adult titles, mindful of any small patrons who may think it strange to see a twenty-something woman curling up in "their" section. I begin running my finger across the spines of books I know practically by heart. I nod in satisfaction to see The Chronicles of Narnia in their original order, am excited to find a brand new hard cover copy of the Velveteen Rabbit, and send a word of thanks to the recently deceased Madeline L'Engle as I leaf through the familiar pages of A Wrinkle In Time. It is here that I conclude my shopping, my pile of books greatly increased, and head to the counter and the friendly smiles of the Phoenix staff. They ring me up, and though I know I've found some great steals, this is one of the only places that my surprise at the total is due to the amount being lower than I'd expected!

Whether you are on a feverish hunt for a particular title, in need of some inspiration, or you want to reconnect with your childhood through a story that brings you back on the first page, start your search at Phoenix; there's a good chance it will come to a successful end there, every time.

Everyone knows that Haight St. is one of the most jam-packed shopping locales in San Francisco. What everyone DOESN'T know is that, tucked into a narrow storefront devoid of an awning or other blatant announcement of its presence, is one of the greatest finds for a handbag-aholic or connoisseur of funky accessories – Stuf, at 1612 Haight.

It's not a shop you go to when you've got your four best girlfriends in town; the shop is positively crammed full of merchandise in every available crevice, including the full wall of cubby holes where many of their handbags, totes, and attaché cases live. There are glass display cases in the center of the shop, allowing for single-file browsing along either side and in between. They make good use of the space, with shallow shelves, hanging items from walls and fixtures, and a small walk-in closet type of space towards the back dedicated to sale bags.

Their jewelry and other accessories run the gamut of styles, from inexpensive, brightly colored plastic dangling earrings, to jewel bedecked cigarette cases and compacts. They feature necklaces in a variety of lengths, many with the rockabilly and flash tattoo style themes of swallows, cherries, and the like. In a place of prominence are earrings made from the scales of a fish that is indigenous to a certain part of Peru; the story is on a small card in the store, and while it may not sound like an attractive material for jewelry, it's one you need to see to truly appreciate. Also packed into this tiny store are scarves, belts, and rings – the more you dig, the more treasures you'll unearth during your visit.

As for their main offering, I've never been one to ooh and aah over purses – I have had a few cute clutches that served their purpose and found themselves relegated to the depths of my closet shortly thereafter; I've attempted to carry a shoulder bag to avoid lumpy pocket syndrome and free up my hands (for ease of browsing while shopping, of course!) and more often than not found myself frantically trying to remember where I left the damned thing. Maybe it's a coming of age, or maybe – and more likely, I think – it's all about the bag. Finding one that I couldn't bear to let out of my sight, or off of my arm, took many years of searching… But when I did, it was at Stuf, and it was only after a good hour of deliberation that I was even able to decide between several styles that fit my needs and wants perfectly.

So when you head to the Haight, go ahead and pop into the stores that shout their wares from neon signs and sandwich boards, outlandish window displays and towering awnings, but make sure to keep your eyes open for this little shop that packs a big accessory punch; if you've got a taste towards the eccentric, or a hankering for a new handbag, you'll be glad you did.

Meatloaf and macaroni and cheese? They said they wanted to go to a really nice restaurant. Are you sure about this? "Just trust me." With a completely unconcerned smile, my partner whisked me out the door and propelled me towards the car.

My friends had come from the East Coast to visit me here in San Francisco. Their week in town had nearly ended, and as a thank you for housing them while they were here, they insisted on taking us out for a wonderful dinner. At the time, I had only lived in the City for a few months, and as any transplant who works for a living can tell you, there aren't too many meals that cost more than ten dollars happening at first; San Francisco may be a foodie's wonderland, but the cost of living sure comes as a shock for a girl from Portland, Maine. So of course, I turned to my partner for a recommendation for a fancy dinner; as an eleven-year resident, and a hedonist like myself, she knows where to get the best in anything and everything around San Francisco. Her selection? The Blue Plate Restaurant.

The few tables in Blue Plate are occupied when we arrive, which is no wonder; its seating capacity is limited and intimate, but we don't mind waiting on the back patio. We are led to a table in the garden, where our host pays us exquisite attention despite the fact that we are the only people seated outside. Our wines arrive, and we are apologized to repeatedly for the wait; it seems the people inside are lingering over dessert. No worries, we assure the staff, but we are treated to an appetizer of Gnocchi in a garlic cream sauce for our trouble. The sauce is perfectly balanced, the Gnocchi perfectly cooked, and before we know it, we're being ushered to our table.

At my partner's insistence, we order the meatloaf and the macaroni and cheese to share. All I can think of are the meatloaves and macaroni and cheeses I've seen thus far, and for the life of me, I can't imagine any of it arriving on a plate at an upscale San Francisco restaurant. When the Blue Plate meals arrive, however, it all makes sense.

The portion of meatloaf is enormous, and it's pretty. Have you ever seen pretty meatloaf? No? I'm telling you, it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. The greens and potatoes round off the meal brilliantly, and with every bite, I can imagine the look on my face – caught somewhere between, "Are you kidding me?" and "Can we eat this every night? Please?" The macaroni and cheese is as far from the boxed stuff as you can possibly dream; served in an earthenware bowl, you know that they just finished melting the drunken goat cheese on the pasta and spread the breadcrumbs over the top only seconds before it hit your table. My friends were every bit as impressed with their meals as I was with mine, and my partner was able to wear an "I told you so" smirk all night long.

The portion of meatloaf is enormous, and it's pretty. Have you ever seen pretty meatloaf? No? I'm telling you, it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. The greens and potatoes round off the meal brilliantly, and with every bite, I can imagine the look on my face – caught somewhere between, "Are you kidding me?" and "Can we eat this every night? Please?" The macaroni and cheese is as far from the boxed stuff as you can possibly dream; served in an earthenware bowl, you know that they just finished melting the drunken goat cheese on the pasta and spread the breadcrumbs over the top only seconds before it hit your table. My friends were every bit as impressed with their meals as I was with mine, and my partner was able to wear an "I told you so" smirk all night long.

San Francisco is known for its broad scope and variety, particularly when it comes to food. It may be that you've tried Thai at ten different places so far and haven't yet found one that really delivers the "wow" factor. It may be that you want authentic Thai, but don't know which places you can trust to serve up the real deal. It may be that you're just looking for something new, and Thai seems to be all the rage these days. No matter what your reason, make sure your first Thai stop is the King of Thai Noodle House.

King of Thai has several locations throughout the City; while I've patronized one or two of the others, the 346 Clement Street location is nearest to home, so it's the one I stop by most often. The wait staff is always kind and attentive, even though the dining room is generally bustling with a young, noisy crowd. Despite this, takeout is nearly always ready for me within fifteen minutes of placing my order. They're open late, till 2:30 a.m. daily, and I've never yet seen an hour at which the dining room is less than half full, but I've also never waited more than ten minutes for a table. Given typical wait times for restaurants in San Francisco, I'd say they're doing something right, wouldn't you?

If you have never had Thai before, almost anyone will recommend you start off with Pad Thai, a traditional noodle dish in a lime juice based sauce, accompanied by stir fried egg, carrot, and sprouts, and topped with raw sprouts, crushed peanuts, and fresh scallions. It's how I started, and it's still the dish I fall back on when I can't make up my mind. I've recently, thanks to King of Thai, added Pad See Iew to my Thai repertoire; this dish of wide, flat noodles with vegetables in a sweet brown sauce is another wonderful introduction to Thai cuisine, but is flavorful and unique enough to satisfy the accustomed palate.

My favorite item at King of Thai, however, is the Tom Kha Gai, a spicy chicken soup with mushrooms, coconut milk, and lemongrass, to which a pint of rice noodles can be added, turning this soup into a hearty meal that totals a mere $7.50. Walk into this place with ten bucks cash (which is the only tender they're set up to take, so hit the ATM before you head in), and walk out with a sack full of great food. How much easier can it get?

Nearly every meal at King of Thai is between $6.25 and $6.75, and no one item on the menu is more than $7.95. The cooks and wait staff are willing to do whatever is within their power to accommodate your wants and needs, and rarely is there a price tag attached to adjustments to a meal. Perhaps that's part of the original premise established by the king of Thai himself, Mr. Toy. From their menu, "… His primary goal is for patrons to arrive expecting good things, leave after having enjoyed a great meal, tell others, and look forward to enjoying yet another joyous and tasty adventure." Well, they've certainly achieved that goal with me, and I hope you'll follow my lead straight to the King of Thai for what I know will be a "joyous and tasty adventure" you'll want to turn around and share, as well.

It's Sunday night. The fog rolled in early, the store I run closed late, and I know I didn't take anything out of the freezer for dinner. As a result of many previous occasions much like this one, the car practically steers itself towards comfort food and friendly faces – it's a Tommy's Joynt night.

Tommy's Joynt offers a variety of dinner plates, sandwiches, and daily specials, all available for enjoying in-house or for take-out. While the selection for vegetarians is limited, the carnivores out there, myself included, will struggle with the decision between main courses. While everything I've tried at Tommy's has been excellent, and enough food for two full meals, the old standby has always been the Meatballs and Spaghetti. Comfort food at its finest, this dinner delivers hearty meatballs, buttery pasta, and crusty dinner rolls for only $6.25. If you're looking for a little more variety on your plate, try a dinner platter with freshly roasted meats carved right when you order, dressed up with two large side dishes, for $7.95.

The first time you go to Tommy's, it's a good idea to be armed with a few key bits of information. First, it's cafeteria style dining, complete with checkered tablecloths, and the line starts right inside the door. If you want a chance to check things out before it's time to order, make your way past the line and observe from the dining area. The old-fashioned signs behind the cooks feature the menu's offerings, but no, those aren't outdated prices – you really are getting a full plate of home cooked goodness for well under ten bucks. Which brings me to the second point: Tommy's is a cash-only establishment, so make sure you hit an ATM before dinner or are prepared to use the one they have in the restaurant.

Next, while Tommy's isn't full-service wait staff, you will need to either flag down a server or head to the bar for any beverage with your meal besides water, which they keep full and ice cold, with cups alongside the pitchers at the end of the food line. Finally, the folks at Tommy's have been doing this for a lot of years – 60, to be exact – and they've got this down to a science. So unless you're sitting at the bar, prepare to be whisked through the process at breakneck speed. Unlike standard fast food, however, you'll receive a smile and a genuine greeting from every person you encounter, from the hostess to the line cooks; this family business is one that makes you feel like one of their own.

In addition to the home style cooking, Tommy's Joynt boasts a bar with an amazing array of beers from around the world – one patron says that "If they don't have the beer at Tommy's, good luck finding it in San Francisco at all," – as well as an unmatched list of specialty coffee beverages. Head over to http://www.tommysjoynt.com where you can check out photos of the restaurant, bar, and cooks' line, browse the food and drink menus, and learn a little about Tommy's Joynt's history. Then the next time "What's for dinner?" has you stumped, make your way to Geary and Van Ness for food, people, and an atmosphere that will make it seem as though there's only one answer that makes sense – Tommy's Joynt, of course!