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Siren Call
By day a stretch of chic boutiques, by night a singles scene, the Marina’s Main Street never stays the same for long.
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by Cassie Gaeto
posted on August 23, 2007
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| Neighborhood turnover is a given in SF, but only the hottest of the hot spots survive for long on the prime real estate that is Chestnut Street. Alongside such anchors as iconic coffee shop the Grove and the historic Presidio Theater, the crowds are still squeezing into two-year-old Mamacita and three-year old A16, while all around them new shops and eateries pop up like a game of Whac-a-Mole. In the past year alone, Vintage 415’s boutique, Dylan, took up residence where Kuhlman once stood, Cozmo’s became Circa, Bare Escentuals became Y&I Clothing Boutique, Bombay Curry House became Ashoka, Spanish tapas joint Laïola replaced Pizza My Heart and, to top it off, Apple plans to open a new store where Walgreens now stands. Bottom line: Even those who complain about the Marina’s lily-white, post-college vibe can’t seem to resist the lure of Chestnut for long. |
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LEFT: Kara’s is the icing on the cupcake; RIGHT: Pouring it on at California wine merchant; photography by Stefanie Michejda
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| fashion |
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The last surviving SF location of Red Dot specializes in feminine, affordable dresses by Miss Me, Mixie and French Connection, as well as trendy tops and Tano bags. Don’t miss the sale racks upstairs. Everyone’s entitled to a little Retail Therapy. Check this discount-designer shop on Wednesdays to see what new items have made their way onto the floor—could be Marc Jacobs, could be DVF—or on Fridays to see what’s just been marked down. Last year, bright-and-flirty Y&I Clothing Boutique opened at the corner of Chestnut and Steiner. The idea is that you can get an entire outfit for $300—starting with Joe’s Jeans at $158 and Little Miss Sunshine T-shirts for $32. The tiny shop called Dress is actually stocked to the gills with jeans by the likes of Citizens of Humanity, Rock & Republic, 7 For All Mankind and 1921. Also check out the coin necklaces and stunning stone pieces by local jewelry brands Azul and Anngi Lyn. Dylan recently left the higher altitudes of Russian Hill to become the only co-ed clothing store on the Chestnut stretch. Expect, as usual, dozens of high-end and smaller local designers—especially Alexander Wang. You can two-step on out of Two Skirts in Tory Burch snakeskin flats, or with one of the many cocktail dresses and tote purses. The carefully curated selection of men’s and women’s styles at Smash Shoes includes such rare finds as Duccio del Duca and luxe offerings from Sergio Rossi, plus Puma and Converse sneakers. At San Francisco Optics, you can fill your prescription in designer specs by Chanel and Gucci. And the shop can create the same book-smart look in novelty frames, so you represent style alongside your 20/20 vision.
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TOP: Earrings by (left) Chameleon and Lucid (right) at Y&I
BOTTOM: Hanging out at Two Skirts (from left): a Tibi coat, a Vera Wang camisole and Cynthia Steffe top.
photography by Stefanie Michejda
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| food |
| Tapas, Spanish-style charcuterie and an exclusively Spanish wine list are on the bill at the new neighborhood hangout Laïola. Albariños, Tempranillos and more can be ordered in 1/3-bottle-sized carafinas, an excellent value, and in keeping with the laid-back atmo, no reservations are taken. At Mamacita, we recommend the chunky guacamole, fierce margaritas and booking ahead, as the weekend wait for a table can can clock in at 90 minutes. Lettüs Cafe Organic prides itself on local and organic ingredients; the vegan-friendly menu does include several chicken and fish items, but the Lettüs garden burger—an earthy patty of lentils, mushrooms, beets, cashews and bulgur wheat—has captured the hearts of both herbivores and carnivores. We love the Emporio Rulli Caffè on Union Square for its coffee and Italian pastries, but Emporio Rulli Gran Caffè on Chestnut takes the concept to a whole new level with its Euro charm, frescoed ceiling and outdoor tables. Stop in on Tuesdays, when exec chef Angelo Auriana jets up from L.A. to produce a $50 prix-fixe dinner. Local chain Squat and Gobble opened its fifth location on Chestnut last year: Expect the usual crepes, omelets and salads in the spacious dining room—or out on the back patio that’s coming soon. Sushi fave Ace Wasabi doles out loud music and raw fish equally. Our pick? The Three Amigos Roll, with tuna, yellowtail, eel, cucumber and avocado, all topped with wasabi tobiko. What used to be Cozmo’s has morphed into the sultry restaurant and lounge Circa, which serves classic American food with a twist; think lobster-and-white-truffle mac-and-cheese. Sunday brunches are a chance to enjoy bottomless mimosas for $9. Formerly Bombay Curry House, the new Ashoka is still owned by the same folks, and still the Marina’s only Indian eatery. And if all this change and trendiness annoy, then kick it old-school at E’Angelo with checkered tablecloths and homemade pastas smothered in traditional sauces. |
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LEFT: Lettüs’ veggie burger is even a hit with carnivores.
MIDDLE: Foccacia bread at Emporio Rulli.
RIGHT: When not in Rome, head to Emporio Rulli instead.
photography by Stefanie Michejda
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"THIS IS COMPLETELY FEEDING INTO STEREOTYPES,
but it's true: Most people on Chestnut look, dress and act the same. "
——Marina resident Ella Keeven
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| miscellany |
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The fastidious pink interior and displays of mini-cakes at Kara’s Cupcakes are what we imagine the pastry case in heaven must look (and smell) like. Try the best-selling Chocolate Velvet, a chocolate cupcake with a bittersweet chocolate buttercream icing, or the Meyer Lemony Lemon: vanilla cake with lemon filling and lemon buttercream icing. California Wine Merchant carries more than 500 labels, including such hard-to-find vintages as a 2005 O’Connor Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2000 Grace Family Cab. Mondays are tasting nights, showcasing a different vineyard eachweek; $15 gets you five tastes and a chance to chat with the vineyard rep. Sophisticated Nectar Wine Lounge is where the Marina gets its buzz on with an extensive menu of small plates, 40 wines by the glass and a cushy modern interior. If you like photography on your walls but don’t know where to start, try Photograph. The shop features the work of local shooters, and will matte and frame your own prints as well. Catering to the new parent, Giggle offers an assortment of high-end baby goods: Graco car seats, Baby Björn carriers and Tripp Trapp high chairs. After all, why all these stylish clothes and nightspots, if not to end up pushing a stroller?
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Think of Photograph as a one-stop framing shop gone upscale; photography by Stefanie Michejda
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|
| Neighborhood turnover is a given in SF, but only the hottest of the hot spots survive for long on the prime real estate that is Chestnut Street. Alongside such anchors as iconic coffee shop the Grove and the historic Presidio Theater, the crowds are still squeezing into two-year-old Mamacita and three-year old A16, while all around them new shops and eateries pop up like a game of Whac-a-Mole. In the past year alone, Vintage 415’s boutique, Dylan, took up residence where Kuhlman once stood, Cozmo’s became Circa, Bare Escentuals became Y&I Clothing Boutique, Bombay Curry House became Ashoka, Spanish tapas joint Laïola replaced Pizza My Heart and, to top it off, Apple plans to open a new store where Walgreens now stands. Bottom line: Even those who complain about the Marina’s lily-white, post-college vibe can’t seem to resist the lure of Chestnut for long. |
|
|
|
LEFT: Kara’s is the icing on the cupcake; RIGHT: Pouring it on at California wine merchant; photography by Stefanie Michejda
|
| fashion |
|
|
The last surviving SF location of Red Dot specializes in feminine, affordable dresses by Miss Me, Mixie and French Connection, as well as trendy tops and Tano bags. Don’t miss the sale racks upstairs. Everyone’s entitled to a little Retail Therapy. Check this discount-designer shop on Wednesdays to see what new items have made their way onto the floor—could be Marc Jacobs, could be DVF—or on Fridays to see what’s just been marked down. Last year, bright-and-flirty Y&I Clothing Boutique opened at the corner of Chestnut and Steiner. The idea is that you can get an entire outfit for $300—starting with Joe’s Jeans at $158 and Little Miss Sunshine T-shirts for $32. The tiny shop called Dress is actually stocked to the gills with jeans by the likes of Citizens of Humanity, Rock & Republic, 7 For All Mankind and 1921. Also check out the coin necklaces and stunning stone pieces by local jewelry brands Azul and Anngi Lyn. Dylan recently left the higher altitudes of Russian Hill to become the only co-ed clothing store on the Chestnut stretch. Expect, as usual, dozens of high-end and smaller local designers—especially Alexander Wang. You can two-step on out of Two Skirts in Tory Burch snakeskin flats, or with one of the many cocktail dresses and tote purses. The carefully curated selection of men’s and women’s styles at Smash Shoes includes such rare finds as Duccio del Duca and luxe offerings from Sergio Rossi, plus Puma and Converse sneakers. At San Francisco Optics, you can fill your prescription in designer specs by Chanel and Gucci. And the shop can create the same book-smart look in novelty frames, so you represent style alongside your 20/20 vision.
|
TOP: Earrings by (left) Chameleon and Lucid (right) at Y&I
BOTTOM: Hanging out at Two Skirts (from left): a Tibi coat, a Vera Wang camisole and Cynthia Steffe top.
photography by Stefanie Michejda
|
|
|
| food |
| Tapas, Spanish-style charcuterie and an exclusively Spanish wine list are on the bill at the new neighborhood hangout Laïola. Albariños, Tempranillos and more can be ordered in 1/3-bottle-sized carafinas, an excellent value, and in keeping with the laid-back atmo, no reservations are taken. At Mamacita, we recommend the chunky guacamole, fierce margaritas and booking ahead, as the weekend wait for a table can can clock in at 90 minutes. Lettüs Cafe Organic prides itself on local and organic ingredients; the vegan-friendly menu does include several chicken and fish items, but the Lettüs garden burger—an earthy patty of lentils, mushrooms, beets, cashews and bulgur wheat—has captured the hearts of both herbivores and carnivores. We love the Emporio Rulli Caffè on Union Square for its coffee and Italian pastries, but Emporio Rulli Gran Caffè on Chestnut takes the concept to a whole new level with its Euro charm, frescoed ceiling and outdoor tables. Stop in on Tuesdays, when exec chef Angelo Auriana jets up from L.A. to produce a $50 prix-fixe dinner. Local chain Squat and Gobble opened its fifth location on Chestnut last year: Expect the usual crepes, omelets and salads in the spacious dining room—or out on the back patio that’s coming soon. Sushi fave Ace Wasabi doles out loud music and raw fish equally. Our pick? The Three Amigos Roll, with tuna, yellowtail, eel, cucumber and avocado, all topped with wasabi tobiko. What used to be Cozmo’s has morphed into the sultry restaurant and lounge Circa, which serves classic American food with a twist; think lobster-and-white-truffle mac-and-cheese. Sunday brunches are a chance to enjoy bottomless mimosas for $9. Formerly Bombay Curry House, the new Ashoka is still owned by the same folks, and still the Marina’s only Indian eatery. And if all this change and trendiness annoy, then kick it old-school at E’Angelo with checkered tablecloths and homemade pastas smothered in traditional sauces. |
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|
|
|
LEFT: Lettüs’ veggie burger is even a hit with carnivores.
MIDDLE: Foccacia bread at Emporio Rulli.
RIGHT: When not in Rome, head to Emporio Rulli instead.
photography by Stefanie Michejda
|
|
|
"THIS IS COMPLETELY FEEDING INTO STEREOTYPES,
but it's true: Most people on Chestnut look, dress and act the same. "
——Marina resident Ella Keeven
|
| miscellany |
|
The fastidious pink interior and displays of mini-cakes at Kara’s Cupcakes are what we imagine the pastry case in heaven must look (and smell) like. Try the best-selling Chocolate Velvet, a chocolate cupcake with a bittersweet chocolate buttercream icing, or the Meyer Lemony Lemon: vanilla cake with lemon filling and lemon buttercream icing. California Wine Merchant carries more than 500 labels, including such hard-to-find vintages as a 2005 O’Connor Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2000 Grace Family Cab. Mondays are tasting nights, showcasing a different vineyard eachweek; $15 gets you five tastes and a chance to chat with the vineyard rep. Sophisticated Nectar Wine Lounge is where the Marina gets its buzz on with an extensive menu of small plates, 40 wines by the glass and a cushy modern interior. If you like photography on your walls but don’t know where to start, try Photograph. The shop features the work of local shooters, and will matte and frame your own prints as well. Catering to the new parent, Giggle offers an assortment of high-end baby goods: Graco car seats, Baby Björn carriers and Tripp Trapp high chairs. After all, why all these stylish clothes and nightspots, if not to end up pushing a stroller?
|
|
Think of Photograph as a one-stop framing shop gone upscale; photography by Stefanie Michejda
|
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