Faves and raves by Marjan Kani (Click on the picture to see Marjan’s faves!)
Personal stats
AGE: 44
YEARS IN THE CITY: Four
NEIGHBORHOOD: Outer Richmond
OCCUPATION: Business owner, accounting and tax services.
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Always open to explore new life adventures; moved to San Francisco over a cup of coffee with a friend; started her tax business and got nicknamed the “tax therapist”; recently enrolled in culinary school to live out a life passion
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Acquerello
WHERE: 1722 Sacramento St., between Polk Street and Van Ness Avenue
WHAT: Fine dining with exceptional food
INFO: (415) 567-5432 or www.acquerello.com
Thoroughly delightful: one of the best places I’ve ever eaten at. The food is scrumptious and the service is impeccable. You may need to take out a second mortgage on the house, but it is well worth it! A great place for a special occasion.
FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD
North Beach
WHERE: Union Street and Columbus Avenue
WHAT: Great ethnic neighborhood
INFO: northbeachchamber.com
North Beach is definitely my favorite neighborhood in S.F. It’s clean, fun, full of life, quaint, cozy, walkable and beautiful. It’s the first neighborhood I lived in when I moved to The City.
FAVORITE BEACH
China Beach
WHERE: Sea Cliff Avenue
WHAT: Hidden gem in the Sea Cliff area
INFO: www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/china-beach.html
There is a hidden gem of a beach right in the Sea Cliff neighborhood, with a majestic view of the Golden Gate Bridge. It’s just steps away from where I live, so it’s a great place to go to freshen my mind.
FAVORITE BAKERY/CAFE
Tartine Bakery
WHERE: 600 Guerrero St., between 18th and 19th streets
WHAT: Delectable treats
INFO: (415) 487-2600 or www.tartinebakery.com
This place is a bit overpriced, but it’s worth it! The line is usually out the door and parking is epic, but I will do anything to get my hands on almond croissants: crispy on the outside and heavenly moist on the inside, and the almond paste is so decadent!
FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACE
Dottie’s True Blue Cafe
WHERE: 522 Jones St., between Geary and O’Farrell streets
WHAT: Breakfast in The City for city folk
INFO: (415) 885-2767
Don’t be alarmed by the long line that awaits you. The food is incredible and mixed with the vibe and decor, it’s a must-try place in San Francisco. Have the jalapeño cornbread; it’s out-of-this-world good.
FAVORITE VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Glide Memorial Church
WHERE: 330 Ellis St., at Taylor Street
WHAT: Great place to volunteer and serve the community
INFO: (415) 674-6000 or www.glide.org
Glide serves more than 1 million individual meals a year to the poor and homeless. In addition, they have many programs including a mentoring program for children, a job training program for youth and many others. I volunteer serving food and tutoring kids after school.
FAVORITE HIKING TRAIL
Lands End
WHERE: Point Lobos and 48th avenues
WHAT: Hiking trail with spectacular views
INFO: (415) 561-4323 or www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/lands-end.html
I love Sunday morning hikes on the 1½-mile trail, with its amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay and beaches. You hit some mind-blowing lookout points and come across hidden steps that lead you to a beach with the most romantic scenery.
FAVORITE DONUTS
Dynamo Donuts
WHERE: 2760 24th St., near Potrero Avenue
WHAT: Doughnuts to die for
INFO: (415) 920-1978 or www.dynamodonut.com
A great twist on a classic. My favorite is the maple-glazed bacon apple doughnut: surprisingly, it works. Beware that the doughnuts range from $2 to $3 each, so they’re not cheap.
FAVORITE FARMERS MARKET
Castro Farmers Market
WHERE: Noe and Market streets
WHEN: 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesdays from March to December
INFO: www.pcfma.com
Cute, small farmers market with a great variety of vendors to shop from: produce, fruits, baked goods, honey, sauerkraut, meats and much more. Organic selection is primo and less expensive then the Ferry Building.
