Posted: June 16th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Dessert & Coffee, Evening, Italian, Mission, Sunday Brunch, Wine Bar | Tags: 18th Street, authentic, Bavarian cake, brioche, California, Cocktails, coffee, Cuisine, date spots, dessert, Dessert & Coffee, Dinner, drinks, Farina, Italian, Mission, modern, pannacotta, Paolo Laboa, Pasta, Patio, pesto, pizza, poached eggs, rustic, San Francisco, Sunday Brunch, Wine | No Comments »
3560 18th Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 565-0360
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One of my favorite restaurants in the Mission for its sleek and modern design, Farina’s ambiance is so inviting it just exudes cool. The curved curtain of glass that wraps around the frontage is beautiful yet functional, able to slide fully open to allow the breeze to circulate through. Skylights help keep the space bright with natural light, while the comfortable designer furniture helps to define the setting.
Chef Paolo Laboa relies on seasonal and fresh ingredients to bring out the best from his rustic yet elegant dishes influenced from his upbringing in Liguria, Italy. Freshly prepared pastas with their signature Genovese Pesto is a popular favorite here, as well as their Neapolitan pizzas. With so many delicious choices, it’s always fun to sample a bit of everything, just leave room for some of their amazing desserts. |Farina|
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Thurs: 5:30pm-10pm
Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Sun: 9am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Posted: March 29th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Bakery, Daytime Eats, Ice Cream, Mission | Tags: 18th Street, brownies, cakes, California, cookies, dessert, Dolores Park, Dolores Street, Ice Cream, Mission, Organic, Pie, Ritual Coffee, San Francisco, sundaes, sustainable | 2 Comments »
3692 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 626-5600
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Freshly re-opened after renovating, the Bi-Rite Creamery is a Mission district destination for delicious ice cream made with local and sustainable ingredients. Using only organic milk, cream and eggs sourced from |Straus Family Creamery|, just 45 miles away near Tomales Bay, the finished product is well worth the premium in price. Ice cream from here rarely contains more than 5 natural ingredients, it’s just honest and wholesome ice cream.
Patrons love this place for their unique flavors like Honey Lavender, Salted Caramel, Ginger, and Orange Cardamom. More conventional flavors like the coffee toffee, made with local |Ritual Coffee|, or the Rocky Road with house-made marshmallows and chocolate covered almonds are definitely worth trying. The menu also features decadent sundaes, various ice cream cakes, seasonal fruit pies, and freshly baked brownies and cookies.
Just kitty-corner from |Dolores Park|, a sunny day relaxing on the hillside would not be complete without stopping here first. |Bi-Rite Creamery|
Posted: March 4th, 2010 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Bakery, Daytime Eats, Dessert & Coffee, Evening, Mission | Tags: Bakery, bread, Breakfast, cafe, cakes, California, coffee, Comfort Food, cookies, dessert, Dessert & Coffee, Dinner, Guerrero Street, macarons, Mission, pastries, San Francisco, sandwiches | 2 Comments »
600 Guerrero Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 487-2600
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Perched on a corner in the Mission, no sign or awning to give away its location, one could easily drive past without noticing they’ve missed one of the best bakeries in the city. Luckily, the constant line of patrons pouring out the door of Tartine Bakery helps draw the eye, and by constant I mean, rain or shine, expect to see some sort of line. While I was waiting in line to order, I couldn’t help but appreciate the dated decor that’s changed very little since the sixties, exuding a sorta hipster charm that has come to define the Mission district for some.
This is one of my favorite places for buttery/flakey croissants, amazing morning buns, scones, and freshly baked loaves of French bread. I love their macarons, which make a nice gift if you can manage not to eat them first. The chocolate souffle cake is extremely rich and should advisably be consumed with one of their oversized lattes, which are served in a bowl. For those looking for something savory, try one of their pressed sandwiches or the croque-monsieur. |Tartine Bakery|
Open 7 days a week:
Mon: 8am-7pm
Tues-Wed: 7:30am-7pm
Thurs-Fri: 7:30am-8pm
Sat: 8am-8pm
Sun: 9am-8pm
Posted: October 21st, 2009 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Comfort Food, Daytime Eats, Dessert & Coffee, Mission | Tags: 24th Street, Breakfast, California, Cheap eats, Dessert & Coffee, Donuts, Four Barrel Coffee, Mission, Organic, San Francisco | No Comments »
2760 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 920-1978
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Deep within the Mission, far from its more likely surroundings of chic boutiques and trendy restaurants located further up 24th Street; Dynamo Donut & Coffee is a charming little shop that’s gaining a loyal following for their unique and unconventional donut varieties. Visible mostly by it’s bright yellow paint and green awning, Dynamo’s retro styling and quaint walk-up counter feels like a trip back to 1950s Americana.
Prepared in small batches using local organic ingredients, Dynamo serves up a rotation of 7-10 types of donuts made fresh daily. Some of the flavors include Maple-Glazed Bacon Apple, Caramel del Sel, Spiced Chocolate, Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Star Anise, and Lemon Thyme. While it could be quite the journey just to get here, Dynamo is a great destination for those looking to start their morning off right with a crisp morning paper, fluffy donut, and hot cup of Four Barrel Coffee. Donuts are priced between $2-$3.50; current varieties prepared that day can be found on |Dynamo’s Twitter Page|. |Dynamo Donut & Coffee|Four Barrel Coffee|
Hours of Operation:
Mon: Closed
Tues-Sat: 7am-5pm
Sun: 9am-4pm
Posted: July 8th, 2009 | Author: jklesure | Filed under: Daytime Eats, Evening, Mexican, Mission, San Francisco | Tags: authentic, Breakfast, burritos, California, Cheap eats, Dinner, Lunch, Mexican, Mission, San Francisco, tacos, taqueria | 1 Comment »
2889 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA, 94110
(415) 285-7117
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While nearly every district in the city has its own decent Taqueria, it’s no surprise that when I am craving delicious Mexican food, a trip to the Mission is always in order. Though there are plenty of noteworthy places that serve good tacos and burritos in the Mission, La Taqueria is always worth a mention. I love this place for their steak tacos, garnished with beans, salsa, sour cream and a heaping scoop of guacamole. This place is pretty authentic with meat choices like beef tongue and cabeza, though I tend to stick to the more standard meats like carne asada or the barbecued pork. Refreshments include ice cold cervezas, sodas, and house made cantaloupe, mango, and strawberry agua frescas.
Plenty of impassioned purists tout La Taqueria’s no-rice menu as more authentic and superior compared to other Taquerias, but when that craving also calls for a little Spanish rice with your burrito, La Cumbre on Valencia is a good bet.
Hours of Operation:
Mon-Sat: 11am-9pm
Sun: 11am-8pm
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