Mission Mission

Goodbye Levi's signage

It was only here for a few months, but in that short amount of time it managed to garner all sorts of polarizing opinions regarding its legitimacy and goals.  It also played host to a bunch of neat events, from rock shows and hands-on print screening sessions to talks by noted designers such as Stefan Sagmeister.

So, now that it’s moving to NYC and another Charles Phan restaurant is on the way to take its spot on Valencia, how do you feel about the Levi’s Workshop in retrospect?  Still convinced it was some nefarious plot by a huge business entity to infiltrate our “culture”?  Or were you impressed that a company like Levi’s would take the time to engage the locals?

Please tell us about your experiences there, whether they were good or bad, so the next multinational corporation with indie aspirations won’t make the same perceived missteps.  Most importantly, did anyone manage to create some cool shit there?  Please share!

Previously:

What Do You Think About the Levi’s Workshop on Valencia?

Inside the Levi’s Workshop

A Saturday at the Levi’s Pop-Up

We finally managed to track down the actual photographer from last Friday’s Gaga-fest and had a chance to chat and set the story straight.  Everyone, please meet Claire, the Rosamunde-employee-turned-paparazzi, whom we last observed being a real scooter hero.  I’m just going to do my best paraphrasing what she told me, so let me get out of your way here real quick.

“It was Wednesday at about 1:30pm.  There were only two people or so eating in the restaurant when Lady Gaga came in accompanied by three Secret Service style bodyguards and her boyfriend Luc Karl (of drunkdiet.com) while another bodyguard waited in a car.  They had been driving up from San Jose after playing a show there Monday and had six hours to kill in San Francisco before they continued on to Portland for a show on Thursday night.

Gaga had been harboring a craving for Mexican food, so the couple made a quick stop in the Mission because they had heard it was the place to be for burritos.  However, the pop superstar saw the word “Sausage” on the Rosamunde sign and thought it was soooo funny that they just had to stop in.  Despite his belief that beer is the new chocolate cake and is bad for his abs, Luc nonetheless ordered a Unibroue Blanche De Chambly while Gaga settled for a nondescript white wine [pictured--the Zinfandel perhaps?  Also, this unfortunately means that Lady Gaga did not in fact stick a Rosamunde sausage in her mouth as previously believed].

After I served them, the couple chilled out with their drinks for a bit while messing with their phones.  At one point, Gaga asked me how to spell “Diarrhea,” presumably for her Twitter or Facebook or something.  As I spelled it out for her, she noticed my jewelry and asked me where I got it.  I told her I made it all myself (I have a degree in Metalsmithing) and she got excited and said she wanted me to make her a necklace for the MTV Music Awards.  After a few OMG’s I realized I didn’t have any other samples with me, but she told me not to worry and to just stop by Waterbar (where she was having dinner later that evening) after I finished my shift to drop some off.

Anyway, my coworkers still didn’t quite believe that it was really her, and my buddy Goose (the other guy in the picture) who was hanging out at the time was completely oblivious.  He asked her, “So, uh, do you have a band or something.”  “Oh, so is it your band, or are you just in the band?”  “Really, what’s it called?”  Gaga was surprised but amused, and just said, “Lady Gaga,” causing Goose to do a double take and stammer an apology or something.

She ended up hanging in the nearly empty Rosamunde for around 2 hours, just chatting away with me and some of my coworkers.  It was a pretty awesome experience–she’s a rad lady!  Her bodyguards kept reminding her that she had reservations at Waterbar at 7pm, but Lady Gaga was determined to get a real Mission burrito before she left San Francisco, so she asked us where she could find the best one.  We all agreed that she should check out El Farolito, which was of course located just kitty-corner to our spot.  With that, Gaga bade farewell, headed across the street with Luc and her bodyguards, and probably shoved an Al Pastor Super into her face about 15 minutes later.

Of course, I ended up having to work a double shift and by the time I made it all the way down to the Embarcadero, they were gone.  So if you see this, Lady Gaga, roll over to clairehummeldesign.com [the site isn't functional until next week, but here's the Facebook link in the meantime] and make me famous!!!”

Previously:

Lady Gaga Causing a Scene at Rosamunde

Just in case you’re like me and Banksy Fever™ still wasn’t enough for you to get out and see Exit Through the Gift Shop, it’s playing at the Roxie through Thursday. Showtimes are at 8:30pm.

I happened upon a photo this morning that threatened to turn the whole Mission upside-down.  Geographic cues indicated that it was taken merely down the street on Valencia, so I just had to investigate, questionable grammar aside.

First, a little back story:  I’ve been searching for a dependable Vietnamese sandwich spot in the Mission for quite a while now, but to no avail.  My interest was especially piqued by the whole street cart movement that started last summer, but the hours of the mobile banh mi vendors were just a little too irregular for my taste.  Which brings us to today . . .

The mystery spot in question predictably turned out to be Thanh Tam II, the other Vietnamese restaurant.  You know, the one you go to on those rare days when the wait for Sunflower looks to be over 30 minutes.  The host gave me the choice of chicken, beef, or pork, but informed me the price would be $5.50 rather than $5.  Nonetheless, I ordered a pork to go and headed back home.

The sandwich was amply packed with a generous assortment of carrots, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapenos, and onions (but no daikon).  Also absent was any sort of pate lining, which would have deftly complimented the well-marinated, tangy pork cuts.  Instead, only mayonnaise coated the bun, which was a perfectly flaky roll similar to those used by the Saigon ladies.  Size-wise, the sandwich looked to be about the same as its Tenderloin counterpart, although it didn’t feel quite as hefty.

To be fair, it was their first day serving banh mi, so they still have some time to work out the kinks.  I do see a lot of potential, however.  All in all, it’s definitely nice to finally have a go-to Vietnamese sandwich alternative here in the Mission, even if we have to pay an extra $2 convenience fee.

[Initial Photo by pagedesign]

Previously:

Inside the Banh Mi Cart Test Kitchen

Banh Mi by Mai

Last Tuesday’s record-breaking hot weather forced many Mission residents to find their own way to deal with the heat, whether it was ironically complaining about how hot it was despite complaining about how cold it was the previous week, or seeking refuge in Dolores Park only to have the party broken up by police.

A few enterprising residents instead decided to take matters into their own hands and held their own Crooklyn-style water party courtesy of a neighborhood fire hydrant.  Luckily, our pal Elizabeth was on the scene and managed to capture the fun!  Why couldn’t the hipsters think of this?

(Thanks Elizabeth!)

While minding our own business at Dolores Park this weekend, we were accosted by a Burner-esque fellow who wanted to perform some magic tricks.  When no one in the surrounding area objected, he proceeded with his act. 

The first trick, in the above video, was obviously a (pretty bad) joke, but the next one actually produced some mystical intrigue.  How does he do it?

Slightly impressed, we decided to contribute a dollar to his Burning Man fund.  We also hipped him to the pre-Playa burners you can see the background practicing for this weekend by wearing furry boas and top hats so he could reside with his own kind.  I also told him how I feel about Burning Man:

The best time to find a girlfriend in San Francisco, because anyone who’s here, well, isn’t there!

Previously:

Grilled Cheese Vanagon:  Burning Man or Bust

The results are in and the Mission has a motto!  Paul D came up with the winning entry which managed to secure roughly one-third of the total votes.  Coming in second was “We All Think We Were Here First,” courtesy of Cranky Old Mission Guy, with “The Hipster Hamptons” by cassadie ranking third.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to vote!  Now, what do you think Paul D should win for coining this delightful moniker?

[Photo by Art Siegel]

Armand Emamdjomeh, with recently minted diploma in hand, is throwing a party! His photos are part of Lightbox SF‘s debut of 200 Yards at Heart (Valencia and 24th) Wednesday (tonight) at 7-11 pm.

A photography project focusing on San Francisco neighborhoods 200 yards at a time.

The premise:

200 yards is a photography experiment conceived of and presented by Lightbox SF.

First we find a venue, maybe a wine bar, office lobby, or traditional gallery. Then we put out a call to photographers to explore a 200 yard radius from the venue’s location and take pictures of whatever catches their eye. Each photographer then selects their best photos, up to 10, and submits them for possible inclusion in a photo exhibit held at the originally selected center point.

The idea behind the project is to expose local photographers, the little details that make each block of San Francisco unique, as well as the merchants that give each neighborhood its character.

Behold the 218 vara circle of interest:

Approach the semi-permeable hipster membrane this evening, if you dare!

We received so many excellent ideas for a Mission Motto last week that we can’t possibly possess the audacity necessary to decide which one embraces our neighborhood most fittingly.  So, we’re going to leave it up to you!

Voting closes at midnight on Sunday, and the winner will be announced next Monday.  What will the winner get?  Well, there’ll be a vote for that, naturally!

[polldaddy poll=3628914]

[Photo by Emmanuelle via SFist]

Hey, this doesn’t look normal.  Wait a minute, holy shit there’s a fire in Caledonia Alley at 16th St.  SFFD has responded en masse and are dealing with the situation.  Stay posted for updates and in the meantime stay out of the fucking way! And also pray for Esta Noche.