San Francisco has become a hipster mecca in
recent years. Pretentious, overpriced bistros now
outnumber the cheap healthfood restaurants often
associated with this former bastion of 1960's
peace, love and understanding. But fear not: In
some of the lesstouristy neighborhoods, a bit of
the old San Fran remains.
A hungry explorer can escape the area's wealthy
computer geeks and rollerblading advertising rats
and get good food in a cool environment — and you
don't have to own stock in a Silicon Valley
startup to pay for it.
The predominatelyMexican Mission district (named
for the stunning Mission Dolores) is more famous
for its burritos than for its architecture.
Almost any taqueria you find in the Mission will
be delicious and cheap. If you like your tacos
with a side order of cool, check out La Rondalla
on Valencia. This technicolor hacienda combines
great food and excellent bebidas with some of the
best estrellawatching (that's "starwatching"
for you gringos) in San Francisco. Locals Chris
Isaak and Kurt Hammett of Metallica are regulars.
For those visiting the Mission who don't have an
iron stomach, try Ti Couz, an authentic Moroccan
creperie on 16th Street where the traditional
French crepes, onion soup and pear cider are
worth the unavoidable wait. The crowd is cool,
the drinks are interesting, the crepes are made
fresh before your hungry eyes — and it's truly
inexpensive. Jaywalk across the street to the
Roxie Cinema after dinner for an edgy indie or a
nostalgic rerelease.
Still hungry after your super burrito and your
burresucre crepe? Delve deeper into the Mission
district for ice cream at Mitchell's on San Jose
Avenue. Don't let the line that stretches out the
door discourage you — it moves quickly and 40
plus flavors await. The fresh tropical fruit
sorbets will kick start your taste buds.
If you're a crazed alien who hates burritos,
crepes and ice cream, or if you're yearning to
retrace the footsteps of Beat poet Allen Ginsburg
while enjoying the best Italian food in the west,
head to North Beach, San Francisco's version of
Little Italy. Among dozens of trattorias you'll
find Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store, a veritable
San Fran landmark. The Cigar Store is not a cigar
store at all. It's a tiny bar and restaurant with
a fantastic peoplewatching location and an even
better eggplant parmagiana sandwich.
Japanese culture has strongly influenced the
city's culinary offerings in recent years. For a
renegade twist on sushi, try Blowfish. Hidden in
the warehousepacked district called Potrero
Hill, Blowfish combines the freshest fish in the
city with a healthy dose of Japanese animation
and pulsing electronica. Add a sake from their
extensive list and an order of asparagus tempura
maki, and you'll be in sensory overload — the
good kind.
After a long night of sake and maki, when you
wake up yearning for a good ol' American
breakfast, head straight to Kate's Kitchen.
Located in the Lower Haight, a transitional
neighborhood, Kate's Kitchen is all about big
food. Try the cornmeal pancakes with yogurt,
granola, fresh fruit and honey — then get ready
to go back to bed.
