Faves and raves by Nate Valentine
Personal stats
AGE: 32
YEARS IN CITY: 10
NEIGHBORHOOD: Cole Valley
OCCUPATION: Co-owner of Vintage 415, a culture marketing firm that operates two restaurants, two nightclubs and a clothing boutique
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Living the San Francisco dream
FAVORITE CHEAP EATS
Rosamunde Sausage Grill
WHERE: 545 Haight St. (between Fillmore and Steiner streets)
WHAT: Lunch on Burger Tuesdays, the only day of the week Rosamunde serves burgers
INFO: (415) 437-6851
“You have to get there early because the burgers sell out. The best thing to do is to get a burger or sausage, then head next door to Toronado and eat it with a beer.”
FAVORITE COCKTAIL
Umami
WHERE: 2909 Webster St. (between Union and Filbert streets)
WHAT: The Faded Crane: seasonal citrus fruit muddled with orange bitters and mixed with Ketel One Vodka and a splash of soda
INFO: (415) 346-3431 or www.umamisf.com
“Umami is one of our restaurants, but this really is my favorite cocktail in town. It’s the grown-up version of vodka and orange juice. Plus, our bartender, Eric, doesn’t even drink, and he creates the most incredible cocktails through the sense of smell.”
FAVORITE MOVIE THEATER
Sundance Kabuki Cinema
WHERE: 1881 Post St. (at Fillmore Street)
WHAT: Dinner and a movie
INFO: (415) 346-3243 or www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html
“I respect their philosophy as a venue for independent films, and I love that you can get food and wine right at your seats.”
FAVORITE BAR BITES
Boulevard
WHERE: 1 Mission St. (at Steuart Street)
WHAT: Anything made by chef de cuisine Ravi Kapur
INFO: (415) 543-6084 or www.boulevardrestaurant.com
“Ravi is gangster. It’s amazing to watch him cook. I went there for a birthday dinner and sat at the bar with my mom and just had the most incredible meal.”
FAVORITE PRIVATE ROOM
Farina
WHERE: 3560 18th St. (between Valencia and Guerrero streets)
WHAT: Drinks in the upstairs dining room
INFO: (415) 565-0360 or www.farinafoods.com
“The private room at Farina is the perfect place for birthday cocktails and appetizers. It’s not only a gorgeous restaurant, but you get access to an outdoor patio.”
FAVORITE LATE-NIGHT SNACK
Osha Thai
WHERE: 696 Geary St. (at Leavenworth Street)
WHAT: Fried wontons made with pork, shrimp and vegetables and served with sweet and sour sauce
INFO: (415) 673-2368 or www.oshathai.com
“I love the wontons, but I try to stay away from them because they’re so addictive. Everything at Osha is just really good drunk food.”
FAVORITE DATE SPOT
Slow Club
WHERE: 2501 Mariposa St. (at Hampshire Street)
WHAT: A relaxed dinner at the Mission standby
INFO: (415) 241-9390 or www.slowclub.com
“I actually think the best dates are being out with friends in a more social setting, but Slow Club is kind of out of the way and has a great atmosphere. It’s really comfortable and chill.”
FAVORITE LIVE MUSIC VENUE
Greek Theatre
WHERE: UC Berkeley
WHAT: Outdoor concerts
INFO: www.berkeley.edu
“I actually graduated from high school at the Greek Theatre. It’s everything you’d want in a music venue: It’s outdoors and everyone who works there is really nice.”
FAVORITE HANGOVER CURE
Foreign Cinema
WHERE: 2534 Mission St. between 21st and 22nd streets
WHAT: Brunch outside on the restaurant’s open patio
INFO: (415) 648-7600 or www.foreigncinema.com
“My fiancée, Kelly, and I order Champagne, some oysters and their homemade Pop Tarts, and we’re good to go.”
