Faves and raves by Daniel Cech
Personal stats
AGE: 28
YEARS IN THE CITY: Two
NEIGHBORHOOD: Mission district
OCCUPATION: Administration
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Transplant from Ohio; good food and beer is his passion
FAVORITE ICE CREAM
Bi-Rite Creamery
WHERE: 3692 18th St., at Dolores Street
WHAT: Best ice cream ... ever!
INFO: (415) 626-5600 or www.biritecreamery.com
Whether a cold summer day or a chilly winter night, with flavors like strawberry balsamic vinegar, Earl Grey and honey lavender, you can never go wrong. I know I haven’t yet.
FAVORITE CAFE
Mission Beach Cafe
WHERE: 198 Guerrero St., at 14th Street
WHAT: Blue Bottle coffee and pastries
INFO: (415) 861-0198 or www.missionbeachcafesf.com
When I crave some good coffee and amazing organic pastries, this is the place I go. Lavender cheesecake ... done and done. And it’s great for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.
FAVORITE MUNI METRO TRIP
The N-Judah
WHERE: Caltrain to the ocean
WHAT: Cheap way to see The City
INFO: 311 or www.sfmta.com
This was the train I took to get to my internship my first summer in San Francisco. Cheesy? Perhaps. But it was one great summer, which explains why I love it.
FAVORITE NEIGHBORHOOD
Inner Sunset
WHERE: Ninth Avenue and Irving Street
WHAT: Little shops and a variety of food options
INFO: sanfrancisco.about.com/od/neighborhoodprofiles/p/sunprofile.htm
Whether it’s pizza at Arizmendi Bakery or Thai food at Marnee Thai, this has always been one of the best places to enjoy food and coffee. And it’s only a block from Golden Gate Park!
FAVORITE VIEW OF SF
Potrero Hill
WHERE: 20th and Wisconsin streets
WHAT: Views of The City you’ve seen in all the commercials
INFO: www.potrerohillshop.com
This is one of my favorite views of downtown. Not to mention the virtually vertical hill it sits atop.
FAVORITE CITY ESCAPE
Alamo Square
WHERE: Hayes & Steiner Streets
WHAT: Escaping the city in The City
INFO: www.sanfranciscodays.com/alamo-square
Whenever I need a breather from life, it’s nice to go and listen to my iPod, do some writing or just people or dog watch. To say nothing of the gorgeous “Painted Ladies.”
FAVORITE PLACE TO HANG OUT
Fort Mason
WHERE: Laguna and Bay Streets
WHAT: A former military getaway
INFO: (415) 345-7500 or www.fortmason.org
The City melts away every time I walk onto the grounds. I like to imagine the post is still active and I’m stationed there. It’s relaxing walking the trails and taking in the views of the Bay.
FAVORITE PLACE TO DRINK WINE
The Press Club
WHERE: 20 Yerba Buena Lane, between Mission and Market streets
WHAT: Wine, wine and more wine
INFO: (415) 744-5000 or pressclubsf.com
With a great wine selection and appetizers, I enjoy going with friends before a show at Yerba Buena, or after work. It’s nice to feel like an adult every once in a while.
FAVORITE PUB
The Pilsner Inn
WHERE: 225 Church St., at Market Street
WHAT: Drinks, patio and great bartenders
INFO: (415) 621-7058 or www.pilsnerinn.com
Never too crowded, good drinks and close enough to the Castro without going all the way to Castro Street. It’s everything I look for in a bar.
