Faves and raves by Juliana Gallin
Personal stats
AGE: 43
YEARS IN THE CITY: 43
NEIGHBORHOOD: Richmond district
OCCUPATION: Graphic designer (www.julianagallin.com), co-producer of the Comedy Talks speakers’ series (www.comedytalks.com) and co-author of the forthcoming “The Lazy Gourmet” cookbook (www.twolazygourmets.com)
SELF-DESCRIPTION: When she’s finally forced to turn off the “Jersey Shore” marathon and leave the house, she finds that there are wonderful things to do in the bright outdoors
FAVORITE PLACE TO STAR GAZE
Lands End (Point Lobos)
WHERE: Parking lot at the end of El Camino del Mar
WHAT: Monthly star parties; dress warm
INFO: www.sfaa-astronomy.org/clubarchive/directions-pointlobos.php
The San Francisco Amateur Astronomers hold monthly star parties out at beautiful Lands End. Dress warm, watch the sun set over the ocean, listen to an astronomy lecture, and look through fancy telescopes.
FAVORITE CHEAP EATS RESTAURANT
Haig’s
WHERE: 642 Clement St., at Eighth Ave.
WHAT: Homemade dolmas, fresh feta, incomparable hummus and more
INFO: (415) 752-6283 oe www.haigsdelicacies.com
They carry Mediterranean, Indian and British imports (spotted dick in a can!) as well as homemade dolmas, fresh feta and incomparable hummus. But they also offer a menu of eat-in delights like falafel, lahmajoun and Armenian sausage sandwiches. Perfect for breakfast, if you’re not totally egg-focused.
FAVORITE PLACE FOR AN EATING ADVENTURE
New May Wah supermarket
WHERE: 707-719 Clement St., at Eighth Ave.
WHAT: Asian mega-market spanning half a city block
INFO: (415) 221-9826
This Asian mega-market boasts an entire aisle dedicated to dried fungi and seaweed alone. I love picking up stuff I’ve never seen before — dragon fruit, salted snow cabbage, gogi leaves, dried mystery fish — and experimenting. Don’t forget a little tub of sweet black rice with tarot and coconut for dessert.
FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP TO LOITER
Bazaar Café
WHERE: 5927 California St., at 21st Avenue
WHAT: Cozy, back garden, great food, free music and other events most nights
INFO: (415) 831-5620 or www.bazaarcafe.com
Tucked away on a mostly residential middle-Richmond street, this mom-and-pop treasure offers a cozy atmosphere, tranquil back garden, great food, friendly regulars, and free music and other events almost every night. They’re famous for their chicken curry, but the Japanese rice soup with smoked salmon is heaven.
FAVORITE PLACE TO SEE AN OUTDOOR MOVIE
Film in the Fog
WHERE: SF Presidio, Moraga and Arguello avenues
WHAT: Campy sci-fi features; bring a picnic dinner and Snuggie
INFO: (415) 561-5000 or www.sffs.org
I love the S.F. Film Society’s annual Film in the Fog series. Pack an insanely indulgent picnic dinner, bring your low-backed beach chairs and extreme weather gear, and enjoy a campy sci-fi (usually) feature. The best part is when you snuggle into your sub-zero sleeping bag, and imagine everyone else being jealous of your coziness and forethought.
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY CHEESE
Cheese Boutique
WHERE: 1298 12th Ave., at Irving Street
WHAT: Sample it all, especially the Primadonna aged gouda
INFO: (415) 566-3155 or www.cheeseboutique.webs.com
Trader Joe’s and Safeway are fine for my standard daily cheese needs, but when I want to try something special, I visit the Cheese Boutique. The staff is gracious, knowledgeable, patient with questions and generous with sample tastes. They also sell sandwiches and a delectable selection of gourmet specialty foods. Try the Primadonna aged gouda. Try everything.
