Faves and raves by Fred Wickham
PERSONAL STATS
Age: 68
Years in The City: 34
Neighborhood: North Beach/Russian Hill
Occupation: Blogger for the satire and opinion Web site www.bullseyerooster.com
Self-Description: Generous, outgoing and sociable
FAVORITE CAFE
Peet’s
WHERE: 2197 Fillmore St., between California and Sacramento streets
WHAT: Good gossip and a view — and pigeons!
INFO: (415) 563-9930 or www.peets.com
I go there for the gossip, the view and the pigeons — although I have been [excreted] upon.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Il Pollaio
WHERE: 555 Columbus Ave., between Union and Green streets
WHAT: Soups, house salad and grilled chicken breast to die for
INFO: (415) 362-7727
Great soups, fantastic house salad, and I am still working on a superlative to apply to the grilled chicken breast.
FAVORITE CONTEMPLATIVE SPOT
Allyne Park
WHERE: Northwest corner of Gough and Green streets
WHAT: Well-kept park frequented by regulars
A small, well-kept park occupying the northwest corner of Gough and Green streets, adjacent to the Octagon House. I especially look forward to seeing the piebald Dachsund pup, one of the regulars.
FAVORITE PLACE TO PEOPLE-WATCH
Washington Square Park
WHERE: Union Street and Columbus Avenue
<p>WHAT: Good dog- and flock-watching
I like watching the dogs there, too. And the flocks: both parrots and pigeons.
FAVORITE PLACE TO SEE THEATER
The Marsh
WHERE: 1062 Valencia St., between 22nd and Hill streets
WHAT: The first place to catch many a solo show
INFO: (415) 826-5750 or www.themarsh.org
Well-known as a launching pad for some widely successful solo shows.
FAVORITE LAUNDROMAT
Rita’s Launderette & Cleaners
WHERE: 741 Union St., between August Alley and Powell Street
WHAT: They do your laundry for you
INFO: (415) 397-1046
Not technically a laundromat — they do your laundry for you. Nor is it technically Rita’s — the proprietor is named Mary.
FAVORITE BOOKSTORE
Browser Books
WHERE: 2195 Fillmore St., between California and Sacramento streets
WHAT: A rare nonchain bookstore
INFO: (415) 567-8027
It’s one of the remaining non-chain bookstores, next door to Peet’s. Bus lines cross there. And they let me stow my bag behind the counter while I browse. Oh, that’s why they call it Browser!
FAVORITE SAN FRANCISCO EVENT
The Blue Angels
WHERE: Up in the sky
WHAT: Find a great view and scope out some excellent flying
INFO: www.military.com/fleetweek
The Blue Angels during Fleet Week — viewed from the roof of my apartment.
— Lisa Geduldig
