Farina, The Mission District

Farina, The Mission DistrictThere's a lot to like about this restaurant — the gorgeous interior, delicious foccacia, excellent wine list, homemade pastas. But you know what I love about this restaurant? The desserts.

Farina's focus is Ligurian cuisine. While there are plenty of meat options on the menu, I would stick with the pastas. In particular: Anything with the fresh pesto sauce. But just be sure to save room for the deep-fried sweet milk and panna cotta. The former comes to the table looking like a pair of sugar-coated donuts. But inside, is a smooth and creamy pudding. And the panna cotta is the prettiest panna cotta I've ever seen! And with its strawberry glaze on top, tasted so good, too.

Although the restaurant was plenty busy during my recent visit, the service was still great. Farina is extremely loud, so I'm amazed any of the servers can correctly hear their orders!

Farina
3560 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 565-0360

The Curiosity Shoppe, Mission District

The Curiosity Shoppe, Mission DistrictWe love online shopping, but adorable stores like The Curiosity Shoppe make us want to step away from the computer and run out with credit card in hand. Owners Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom launched the store as an e-commerce site last year and, earlier this month, they went brick-and-mortar on us.

The couple managed to transform an old veterinarian's office into a space filled with great artwork and housewares. Be sure to pay close attention to the fixtures throughout. They, along with their talented friends, designed and assembled everything themselves.

Oh, don't let the small amount of square footage here fool you: There's plenty to keep you busy browsing and buying for hours. You'll be glad you left the house.

The Curiosity Shoppe
855 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA. 94110
(415) 839-6404

Barneys, Union Square

Barneys, Union SquareFinally! San Francisco is now home to Barneys — a must-visit every time I'm in New York City. But now I don't have to fly thousands of mile to see what's new at the Co-Op.

The Union Square location is the old FAO Schwarz. Remember that building? It's not super-big, but it's better than nothing. On the fourth floor is where you'll find labels like Diane Von Furstenberg, Madison Marcus, Demylee, Marc by Marc Jacobs ... the list of swoon-worthy designers goes on and on.

Oh, and shoes are on the second floor, which is more like a mezzanine than an entire floor. If you wear at least a size 36, you're in for a real treat. (Luckily, ladies with petite feet like myself still have Nordstrom!)

So the next time you're shopping downtown, be sure to add this to the list of places to drop by. And, if you want one of those black cotton Co-Op bags, you probably have to ask — but, from what I witnessed during opening weekend, the Barneys staff will be happy to oblige.

Barneys
77 O'Farrell Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
(415) 268-3500

Salt, Los Gatos

Salt, Los GatosOn a stroll through downtown Los Gatos last week, I was shocked to see how many charming new shops had recently opened. The most surprising was Salt, a cool women's boutique that resembles something you might find on Union or Fillmore Streets in San Francisco — not in the suburbs.

Salt has only been open for about a month now, but already, the inventory is impressive. I was immediately drawn into the shop by the Charlotte Ronson print tops. Graham & Spencer, T Luxury, Mimi & Coco and Jenny Han are also carried here.

So if you live in the Peninsula or South Bay, you no longer have to drive all the way up to San Francisco for your next big-date or girls-night-out outfit. With the money you save on gas, you can pick up a necklace at Salt to complete your new look.

Salt
78 West Main Street
Los Altos, CA
(408) 395-0800

Egg & Urban Mercantile, Cole Valley

Egg & Urban Mercantile, Cole ValleyParking in Cole Valley is tough. Really tough. But it's worth it in order to pay a visit to wonderful shops like Egg & Urban Mercantile. (Public transportation takes you practically to their door as well.)

This is the perfect place to go when you're trying to find a gift for hard-to-shop-for friends. (And don't we all have a few of those?) We love how they mix in goods from local artists (like Kevin Harris and Whitney Smith) with cool products from other small manufacturers (like Bay Area-based Roost).

Egg & Urban Mercantile even has a fantastic selection of letterpress cards, so you can pick up everything you need in one trip.

Egg & Urban Mercantile
85 Carl Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 643-MERC or (415) 564-2248

Sports Basement, Potrero Hill

Sports Basement, Potrero HillNo matter how many times this store moves around or where its current lease takes it, sports enthusiasts will follow. Originally located near AT&T Park (or whatever they're calling the Giants' ballpark these days!), the sports emporium moved to Potrero when rents got to high in their old neighborhood. Now, they've crossed over to the other side of Potrero Avenue and landed in the old Hamm Brewery. An enormous mural at the store's entrance, next to the bicycle parking, is an homage to the building's history.

In this brand-new location, Sports Basement has lots more square footage so it no longer feels cramp. Previously, they had just too much merchandise crammed into too small an area. Now, with several levels, you can browse more easily for whatever it is you're looking for — including bicycling, running, fitness, hiking, camping, swimming and skiing gear. And there's even free parking, so you don't have to fight for a spot out on the street.

Sports Basement
1590 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 575-3000

610 Mason Street (at Crissy Field in the Presidio)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 437-0100

1177 Kern Avenue
Sunnyvale, CA
(408) 732-0300

Bar Bambino, The Mission

"There's a cute place called Bar Bambino in the Mission. It's in a not-so-nice neighborhood, but the interior makes you forget all that." So that was the email from a friend of mine, making the pitch for us try this two-month-old cafe and wine bar — conveniently located just one block from the 16th Street BART station.

She was definitely right about the decor; it's a gorgeous spot. At the front of the restaurant is a communal table with a cool glass-bottle chandelier above it. Parallel to the bar seating is a handful of small tables. Go down the hallway and you'll come to another haven within this haven: an outdoor patio, perfect for weekend brunches.

On a recent visit, my dining companions and I ordered: the salumi plate (a must!), grilled asparagus, sausage panini, pork shoulder (slow braised in milk with sage and lemon — yum!), and boiled fresh sausage with lentils. Everything was delicious.

Somehow, we managed to squeeze in a little dessert as well: a platter of cookies (the cranberry/chocolate biscotti was my favorite) and the olive oil cake with grilled peaches. Good stuff.

I came into Bar Bambino not really expecting much, but I was totally impressed by the place. It has the trifecta going for it: excellent ambiance, food and service. Our water glasses were never empty (they carbonate their only sparkling water here!) and the entire staff was always so friendly.

Bar Bambino definitely warrants a repeat visit. Maybe next time I'll bump into you at the communal table?

Bar Bambino
2931 16th Street
San Francisco, CA
(415) 738-VINO (0444)

Bakesale Betty, Oakland

Bakesale Betty, OaklandIf this place had been around back when I lived in Oakland, I might never had moved away! When you walk through the bakery's doors, you may be tempted to order one of every freshly baked item available. And this woudn't be a bad idea, because everything is yummy here — especially the banana bread.

What makes the banana bread so superior? The honey and, perhaps more importantly, the cinnamon crumb topping (it's not just for coffeecake anymore!). You may think you can't possibly eat an entire loaf, but you can. It's that good.

My husband, a big scone fan, loves their seasonal options. And the lemon bars are deliciously tart. Oh! And the sticky date pudding, and the brownies ... I could go on and on here. But really, get yourself to Betty's and sample the treats for yourself. Just don't try to visit the bakery on a Sunday or Monday (they're closed both days). On Sundays, you can find Betty's represented at the Temescal Farmers' Market in Oakland, as well as the Walnut Creek Farmers' Market.

Bakesale Betty
5098 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, CA
(510) 985-1213

The Slanted Door, Embarcadero

This entry is long overdue — because The Slanted Door is an oldie but goodie. Despite being around for over a decade, the place still manages to be a scene. As soon as the doors open for dinner, there's a line at the hostess stand and plenty of people at the bar/lounge waiting for a chance for a table.

And these people — as well as those of us who plan ahead and book a reservation — will be well-rewarded. Even though I've dined here dozens of times, there's always something fresh/new on the menu that impresses me. During my most recent visit, I loved the manila clams and the abalone appetizers.

And perhaps the restaurant's most popular dish, the shaking beef, is a must-order. The lamb rack is also delicious. And the claypot chicken and caramelized shrimp remind me of my mom's Vietnamese cooking, so I recommend these entrees as well. (Psst ... There are a good number of tasty, veggie options if you're not big on meat.)

With everything served family-style, that means you get to sample plenty of dishes. But do save room for dessert. I usually favor the ice cream or sorbet trios; they were recently offering mint, ginger and chocolate scoops of ice cream and peach, mango and strawberry sorbets. If you do fill up on other menu items, you can still order a pot of Blue Bottle coffee or — my personal preference — a Vietnamese iced coffee. Then sit back and enjoy the view of the bay, with the sailboats and ferries passing by.

The Slanted Door
1 Ferry Building, #3
San Francisco, CA 94111
(415) 861-8032

Romi, Palo Alto

I recently returned from a trip to NYC and was missing all of those wonderful boutiques out there.

Then, along came Romi.

I discovered this fantastic shop in downtown Palo Alto — a few blocks from the main drag of University Avenue. Step inside and, after perusing the racks and stacks of designer clothing, you'll forget you're in the suburbs. (It's just as cute as some of the shops I encountered in NYC's Soho and Meatpacking districts.)

I tried on several items, and walked out with a simple yet stylish Susana Monaco dress. Other labels carried here: Alice & Olivia, Nanette Lepore, Lauren Moffatt, Rebecca Taylor and T-Bags. You'll also find premium denim by the likes of Citizens of Humanity, J Brand and Aristocrat.

The staff was super-friendly. And if I wasn't in such a hurry, I could've spent at least an hour going through all of the merchandise at Romi.

Psst: Although the store in Palo Alto has been around for over a year, they recently opened a location in San Francisco as well.

Romi
624 Emerson Street
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 322-7664

2512 Sacramento Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 922-7664

Eden & Eden, Financial District

edenandedenOkay, I have a new favorite store. And I'm almost afraid to share it with you, because shop-owner Rachel Eden doesn't really maintain any backstock. So, if you see a dress in your size, you need to snap it up because it's probably the only one available — not just in this store, in the entire western half of the U.S.

Eden & Eden carries a lot of European labels that you can't find anywhere else around here. So it's perfect for those of us who enjoy walking around in our Ivana Helsinki dress, knowing that every other girl on the street covets but can't have it.

In addition to adorable new and vintage clothing, the store offers a well-edited selection of housewares. There's a range of prices — including Lovely Home tea towels and doily placemats that are under $20, as well as vintage floral wall ornaments that are $100-200. Bigger furnishings are more expensive.

Even if you can't afford to spend half a month's rent on a floor lamp, maybe you can take home a brightly colored chain necklace for $52? You just have to beat me to the store and buy it before I do.

Eden & Eden
560 Jackson Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 983-0490

Rose and Radish, Hayes Valley

Rose and Radish, Hayes ValleyOnce upon a time, Rose and Radish was a shop devoted entirely to floral arrangements. But we are so glad that owner Cate Kellison decided to expand the storefront, creating a gallery-like space for modern pieces.

Rose and Radish stocks lamps, tabletop accessories, adorable knick-knacks such as little animal bobbleheads, and even large-scale furniture (I love the ventless fireplace and Blu Dot tables). But even when I'm not in the buying mood, I like to pop in and check out the displays here. The photo above shows the store all decked out for the "Urban" exhibit.

Don't forget to check out the lovely letterpressed cards by the front door. They're the perfect finishing touch to a gift or bouqet of flowers picked up at Rose and Radish.

Rose and Radish
460 Gough Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 864-4988

Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop, Dolores Park

biriteHopefully, the cold and rain are behind us now ... at least for a little while. Not that bad weather would stop me from dropping in for a couple of scoops at Bi-Rite Creamery & Bakeshop.

Brought to you by the folks behind the popular Bi-Rite Market (just across the street), the creamery specializes in small-batch, artisanal ice creams, sorbets and baked goods. In addition to a cone (or bowl), you can order up an ice-cream sandwich (mmmm ... ginger snap cookies with pumpkin ice cream), sundaes, popsicles, banana splits, brownies, ice-cream pies and cakes, cookies and even cupcakes.

With flavors like Double Ginger, Chai-Spiced Milk Chocolate and Honey Lavender, there simply is no substitute for this place when an ice-cream craving hits you. My favorites: Roasted Banana and Salted Caramel. Since Bi-Rite uses seasonal ingredients, the menu does change — but don't worry, it'll never disappoint.

Tip: The creamery is closed on Wednesdays.

Bi-Rite Creamery
3692 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 626-5600

O Chame, Berkeley

ochameOn a rainy or blustery day — as we had this weekend — there are few things that can beat a delicious, steaming bowl of udon noodles from O Chame. I have ordered udon from dozens of restaurant menus, in the Bay Area and in Japan, and as far as I'm concerned, this is as good as it gets.

From the moment I walked into O Chame for a recent lunch stop, I felt relaxed. The warm terra cotta walls and dimly lit dining room has a peaceful vibe to it. There's a large communal table at the entrance, as well as booths and several smaller tables; in total, about 40 seats.

While there are quite a few good starters to choose from (I love the tuna sashimi), you may want to save your appetite for the udon — which is really the main attraction here. I can't resist the version with smoked trout, mustard greens and enoki mushrooms. The pork tenderloin is also fantastic. (You can replace the silky udon noodles with soba, but I wouldn't.)

Service is friendly and efficient — which was perfect for my visit, as I had to get back on Interstate 80 and continue my drive home. But my meal at O Chame proved good for my belly as well as my soul.

O Chame
1830 Fourth Street
Berkeley, CA
(510) 841-8783

Peace Industry, Hayes Valley

Peace Industries, Hayes ValleyAfter repeated trips to Iran, husband and wife team Melina and Dodd Raissnia developed an interest in hand-made felt rugs. In 2005, they opened a rug shop in San Francisco — offering modern yet organic designs. The name? It's rooted in the couple's previous work, which involved making peace flags.

Any of Peace Industry's designs can be custom made with the colors of your choosing, and the size that fits your needs. At $35-45 per square foot, the rugs can add up to a bit of an investment. But the store has a fantastic policy that allows customers to take a rug home on loan for a few days. Try it out, make sure you like it before you commit to buying it.

Oh, and chances are good that after you feel the felt under your feet, you won't just like it — you'll love it.

Peace Industry
535 Octavia Boulevard
San Francisco, CA
(415) 255-9940

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