Mission Mission

Some tech company was thinking of moving to Daly City but then the employees revolted or something and it was big news. So, in a guest post for Valleywag, Daly City resident Bob Calhoun explains why Daly City is cool:

Daly City IS the dumping ground for things banned, or at least greatly curtailed, within San Francisco’s rarefied borders. Big box stores, used car lots and every fast-food chain you can think of will meet you in Daly City as you cross the San Mateo county line going southbound on Mission Street. Daly City boasts not just one Home Depot, but two Home Depots. And if that isn’t enough, there are also two Targets (if you count the one in nearby Colma)—one on either side of Highway 280. How’s that for convenience?

Now you can look at all of this seeming suburban blight and call my town a pit, but let me tell you about the tree in front of my single-family home. Every so often, a city truck towing a water tank drives up to that tree and waters it. Sometimes the city workers prune the tree as well. And you know why Daly City can afford to take such good care of these trees that line the sidewalks in front of her “ticky-tacky” houses (as Malvina Reynolds put it in the snobbiest folk hit of all time)? Because people from San Francisco take their Ubers and Zipcars up here and buy crap at our big box stores. That’s why. And we also have some pretty good libraries, parks and rec centers as a result of this exodus of sales tax revenue out of San Francisco.

Oremus mentions the Cow Palace, saying it “plays periodic host to rodeos and gun shows.” While this is true, he forgets to mention that the Moo House is also the place where Evel Knievel punched out some Hells Angels before jumping over a row of muscle cars, and The Who had to pull some guy out of the audience to play drums because Keith Moon had passed out. While the monster truck pulls and the annual Dickens Faire may only echo Daly City’s former glory, you can bet that nothing this cool will ever happen again in San Francisco. All you’re going to get there are yacht races, Oracle World, and several other monuments to Larry Ellison’s sad male ego that have a way of wasting tax payer money and tying up traffic.

Cool! Let’s rock:

Also, Daly City has In-N-Out.

Read on for more.

[Photo by Waymarking]

Seems like a valid question…

This Sunday night, San Francisco’s own Diana Gameros will be opening for Argentine singer-songwriter Sofia Rei at The Addition (formerly Yoshi’s SF, located at 1330 Fillmore St). These two extremely talented Latin vocalists on one night is going to be such a treat for lovers of beautiful songwriting, passionate vocals and intricate arrangements that blend everything from jazz to folk to traditional Latin music. Originally from Juarez, Mexico, Diana Gameros delightfully mixes her musical heritage with a fresh, whimsical indie infusion, that’s just so darn beautiful to listen to. Gameros also just received the 2014 Emerging Leader Award from the Chicana/Latina Foundation for her music and activism. She is truly an artist worth supporting.

You can listen to Diana’s full length album, Eterno Retorno, on her bandcamp.

So come on out, here are the details:

Show: Sofia Rei plus Diana Gameros

When: Sunday, Nov 16, 7pm (doors at 6pm)

Where: The Addition, 1330 Fillmore St., SF (formerly Yoshi’s SF)

Get Tickets: HERE!

Here’s the deal:

Anchor Brewing Company’s Zymaster No. 6: Saaremaa Island Ale is inspired by Anchor Brewmaster Mark Carpenter’s journey to this Estonian island in the Baltic Sea. Inhabited for over 8,000 years, Saaremaa has been occupied by Germany, Denmark, Sweden, czarist Russia, and the Soviet Union. Its culture is a rich and fascinating melting pot. Yet few outside of Estonia have ever experienced its uniquely native beers. Mark enjoyed them so much that he not only brought back his memories of Saaremaa but some brewer’s yeast, as well. Inspired by Mark’s Estonian beer journey, Anchor’s Zymaster No. 6 takes you on a journey to Saaremaa by way of San Francisco.

“My wife and I were traveling through the Saaremaa Island countryside and we stopped at a bar,” said Anchor Brewmaster Mark Carpenter. “I asked for a local draught beer and the unfiltered brew I was served was completely unique. It was the native yeast that intrigued me and ultimately become the inspiration for Zymaster No. 6. After returning to San Francisco, the Estonian yeast was isolated and cultured becoming the cornerstone of our pale ale which is complimented by the medium bitterness from Northern Brewer, a favorite hop here at Anchor. The result is a one-of-a-kind brew that transports me back to that countryside bar. We hope you’ll enjoy this beer journey, as well.” [link]

I had it the other day at the Tradesman and it was pretty interesting (and paired well with the burger with peanut butter and cheese). Had no idea of its Estonian origins until I thought to look it up just now. Cool story, Anchor!

It’s horchata + Hennessy, what more do you need to know? Could there possibly be a more baller drink?

Available at La Rondalla. (Also available, the thing where you get a mini Corona tipped into your marg. Margaveza aka beergarita. Not too shabby.)

[via Andrew Dalton on Instagram]

Katie was out of town, so I got to go with Brittany to SHN’s Chicago tour. I’m a big fan of musicals, and I think more people would be if they gave them a chance. Chicago is a great entry point, with its relentless energy, dark humor, sexy style and classic Fosse pizazz. This cast was great and the show was a whole lot of fun. If you really need another nudge, Seinfeld‘s J. Peterman (John O’Hurley) has awesome personality as Billy Flynn, and of course, Bianca Marroquin is amazing as Roxie. Here’s Brittany’s report:

[via SHN]

Thanks to the 2002 film version of the Broadway classic Chicago most people have an idea where they stand when it comes to this play. Since Broadway touring casts tend to be pretty uniformly great, we thought rather than do a normal Drama Talk & Drinks review of the show, we’d go backstage and give you some insights into why you might want to see this current production in particular, now open at SHN’s Orpheum Theater until November 16th.

After a quick backstage tour, we sat down with Christophe Caballero, swing and understudy for Mary Sunshine, and Adam Pellegrine, who plays Harry, Martin Harrison, and is part of the ensemble, to talk about what it’s like to perform in SF and what’s special about this current production of Chicago. Skip to the end if you want our quick and dirty assessment of the show, but Adam and Christophe had some fun things to say.

Brittany: What’s it like to perform for a San Francisco audience?

(more…)

Niiice!

[via Jay Beaman]

Outdoor SF, tonight at Folsom Street Foundry, might be something you wanna attend:

We’re going to once again bring together the coolest outdoor brands in San Francisco for a meet and greet with the founders, followed by influential live speakers and some awesome music. The bar will be stocked, the dance floor will be ready, and all we’re missing is you.

Join us on 11/12 at 6pm at one our favorite new venues in SF, the Folsom Foundry. We’ve got you covered with craft beer from Ft. Point Beer and mouthwatering food from Luke’s Local. Show your support of local San Francisco, outdoor and lifestyle brands, by enjoying killer local music and free swag. All proceeds from the event go to Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation and their mission to crowd-source adventurers to gather environmental data.

[...]

Speaker:
Greg Treinish: National Geographic Adventurer of the Year

Music:
Galen Ash
One Grass, Two Grass, Red Grass, Bluegrass

Folsom Street Foundry is a great place for a party, and Fort Point is making some amaaaazing beers. Get tickets (which include a beer and a raffle ticket) here.

Local historian Ticklefight posted this today. Don’t know quite what to say, but this “Turk & Hyde” microhood of old sure looks like a fun place to party. [link]

When I heard the news I figured the vandalism and protests had finally taken their toll, but the official narrative seems to be that the business never really took off in the first place (despite great reviews in the Chronicle). Here’s the announcement:

On November 29, Local’s Corner will serve its last dinner.

When we opened in April of 2012, we never thought we would be writing this sentence just two-and-a-half years later. On opening, the food was beautiful and unique, impeccably sourced, and the fullest representation of local seafood in the city. The space felt charming and warm. We felt sure of our vision and its execution.

When we received our San Francisco Chronicle glowing, three-star review, we felt certain we’d be around for awhile. Yet diners did not come. Then came more accolades—San Francisco Chronicles Top 10 New Restaurants and Top 100 Restaurants two years in a row, Rising Star Chef, and others. All held the promise of success. Yet it never translated into a busy restaurant.

Before ACCE and vandalism, we were not in good shape. Certainly, neither helped. Though its impact was less financial than emotional. More than the sting, it was the cumulative wear.

We considered a pivot and shift, to reopen with a different restaurant. Though recently, as we weighed next steps, we bore significant departures of kitchen management, including Timmy, Chef de Cuisine of Local’s Corner, who will be headed to Seattle.

The operational challenge of hiring, emotional loss of losing key staff, and cumulative financial losses made an easy conclusion of a hard decision.

Thankfully, with Local Mission Eatery, Local Mission Market, and Local Cellar in their best shape, most of the Local’s Corner staff will stay within the Local family.

We are heartened to continue our relationships with the fish purveyors, farmers, winemakers, and brewers at our other businesses. Our unique partnership with Kenny of Two X Sea and Joe of Water 2 Table will find a deeper way into the Eatery and Market.

We hope to find a passionate operator to inherit the space and share delicious food with the neighborhood (and Yaron, who lives across the street). The space will be available for private events and pop-ups.

Over these next three weeks, please join us at Local’s Corner. We hope all who loved their meals will return for their last taste and all of those who have waited will get their first taste.

Sooo, what should replace it?

[via Inside Scoop]

[Photo by Jess Kelso]