And you know what? I fell in love with La Mediterranee all over again.

The popular little eatery offers friendly and fast service, as well as affordable and delicious fare. I am a sucker for the fillo dishes here (mmm … meat tart!). And if you’ve got any vegetarian pals, this is the place to take them; the offerings are tasty and extensive.

On a street filled with fancy-schmancy boutiques and other businesses, La Mediterranee is a warm and cozy respite. Yes, it’s a small space where tables are often tight, but that just adds to the charm. As does the mint tea, which is refilled for free.

La Mediterranee
2210 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-2956

It was already past nine o’clock, so the store was already closed for the day. But the next day, I made the trip back and was rewarded with so much Japanese goodness!

Daiso is a Japanese dollar-store that opened its first U.S. shop in the Seattle area about a year ago. The Daly City outpost is the first of several slated for the Bay Area. Most of the goods in the 12,000-square feet store are priced at about $1.50. And there is plenty to choose from: kitchenware, office supplies, gardening tools, organization items … Really, I don’t have the space or time to list it all here!

Go and see for yourself. Bring the spare change from your couch. Empty a piggy bank. You won’t need much more than that for a full-on shopping spree here.

Daiso
146 Serramonte Center
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 992-7462

Here’s a little background info: In 1948, Edith Heath — an industrial designer and potter — founded her own ceramics studio. She specialized in tableware and tiles, eventually making her way into museums and stores across the country. Even after half a century in business, all of the pottery is still made by skilled artisans in Sausalito, using the methods that Edith herself developed (she passed away in December 2005).

About three years ago, Robin Petravic and Catherine Bailey purchased the company. The husband-and-wife team brought some of Edith’s old designs out of retirement and have managed to maintain her high level of quality as well as her wonderfully simple aesthetic.

The factory tour takes about 30-45 minutes and covers the entire building. You can get up close and personal here; there are no red lines that you aren’t allowed to cross.

Any pieces that aren’t quite up to snuff are considered “seconds,” and you can purchase them at the factory. The tour ends in the overstock tile room — which is filled with firsts and seconds. The factory store also offers plenty of tableware, as well as books and textiles (like Lotta Jansdotter aprons).

Since the tours take place at 11am, you may arrive in Sausalito a little hungry. No problem. The staff puts out some tea and light snacks. Go ahead and test out that tea cup before you decide to purchase it!

Heath Factory
400 Gate Five Road
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 332-3732

Open daily, 10am-5pm
Tours, Sat-Sun, 11am
(Call ahead for tour reservations)

Cliff’s inventory is so impressive, they had to open up an Annex right next door. This is where you’ll find more interior-design-ish goods — including pillows, rugs, lamps, window treatments, vases, and bathroom fixtures.

In addition to the great merchandise, the staff is super-friendly. When you’ve got a checklist of mundane things to buy (like grout or lightbulbs), coming to Cliff’s makes household chores actually seem like fun.

Cliff’s Variety
479 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 431-5365

Although the space isn’t super-big, it’s filled with plenty of good-quality merchandise. Cashmere sweaters, flirty chiffon dresses, fancy stilettos, buttery-soft leather handbags, stylish wool overcoats — all marked down! The left side of the store is devoted to women’s clothing, while the right side is for men. In the back, before you hit the fitting rooms, is the accessories section (which should not to be overlooked).

Sure, some people come to Napa for the wine-tastings. Me? Not so much. That deeply discounted Diane von Furstenberg dress and a beautiful pair of Ferragamos is all the reason I need to make the drive there.

Barney’s New York Outlet
(at the Napa Premium Outlet)
821 Factory Stores Drive
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 224-0200

This place is chock-full of inexpensive gems. A recent visit yielded floral tablecloths, bamboo coasters, teapots, teacups, ceramic dishes — basically everything you need to dress your tabletop, for around a buck each. But the fun doesn’t just stop there. You can find pillows, plastic organizers, toiletries, window blinds, kitchen tools, and even terrycloth slippers emblazoned with a four-star hotel’s name on them (the perfect detail for a guest bedroom, perhaps?). In addition to housewares, Ichiban Kan stocks a plethora of Japanese food, so you can definitely satisfy your Pocky cravings here.

Ichiban Kan is modeled after the 100-Yen stores in Japan — which helps explain why it is a notch above your typical dollar store. The aisles are clean and organized, the staff is friendly, and the merchandise is too cute to pass up. At such low prices, you don’t have to!

Ichiban Kan
22 Peace Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 409-0472

98 E. 3rd Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 347-1347

Whether you’ve got $20 or $200 to spend, this is the place to score affordable, original works by local artists. My favorites (and there was lots of competition) include any ceramic designs by Joanna Mendicino, and Niana Liu’s “I Live Here” series that depicts various San Francisco neighborhoods.

And if you’re worried that buying art has to be a snooty experience, the Artist-Xchange will dispel that myth. The staff is friendly and not the least bit intrusive. So you can take your time browsing for just the right piece for your mantle.

Artist-Xchange Gallery
3169 16th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415)-864-1490

The burritos, which are fairly large, are the main attraction here. Although I’m not a vegetarian, my favorite menu item is meat-free: Bob’s Burrito is made with garlicky sauteed zucchinis, carrots, onion and mushrooms. If you like a little cactus in your foil-wrapped meal, try the Jerry’s. (Yes, both burritos are named after members of the Grateful Dead.) The house specialty is the Burrito Vallarta, which is stuffed with shrimp, cactus, saffron rice and red peppers. The homemade tamales are also first-rate. And, if you’re really hungry, try the fish taco platter. For under $10, you get two corn tortillas with grilled mahi mahi, onions, hot sauce and cilantro; chips, salsa, rice, beans and cabbage salad are served on the side.

Given how popular this place is, the downstairs dining room can be loud. If there’s an open spot upstairs, grab it. Or, if it’s nice out, get your food to go and head to Golden Gate Park to enjoy your meal in a more relaxed setting. Don’t forget the agua fresca!

El Balazo
1654 Haight Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 864-8608

2560 Marin Street
San Francisco, CA 94124
(415) 282-7130

First came Forever21, then Spanish retailer Zara, and finally two H&M stores arrived in the Union Square area in November 2005. The Swedish brand — the Ikea of clothing boutiques — created quite a commotion its first few days. Shoppers lined up outside the store for hours, many hoping to snag one of H&M’s exclusive Stella McCartney designs.

I waited out the madness and made my first trip to the Powell Street H&M — the flagship West Coast store — nearly a month after its grand opening. It was crowded, but not unbearable. The 35,000-square-foot store stocks women’s and men’s clothing and accessories, cosmetics, lingerie and a teen line (called “Divided”); the Post Street location, just a few blocks away, offers a smaller selection of women’s merchandise.

While I find myself unable to wear H&M’s clothes (the sizes don’t work for me), I can appreciate the fact that they offer hip creations for even the most budget-conscious among us. Dressy trousers for $30, cozy cardigans for $35, lacy camisoles for $10 — you can’t beat the combination of style and price. And even though I strike out with their clothing, I can always find something in the accessories section.

Whether I’m willing to stand in a long line to buy it is another issue …

H&M
150 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 986-4215

H&M
150 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 986-0156

The hour-long tour kicks off in the factory gift shop, then proceeds to a small room just outside the manufacturing area. This is where the sampling, learning and question-asking happens. Next up is the actual tour, which is rather short and allows you a peek at the big machines used in the chocolate-making process. (Bring a camera so you can take a picture of your friends wearing the lovely hair nets that are required in the factory.)

When you’re done with your tour, you’ll no doubt be in a chocolate-eating mood. So load up on goodies in the gift shop, or stop in at Cafe Cacao. I’d gladly pay a $3 bridge toll just for their banana and chocolate pancakes!

Scharffen Berger
914 Heinz Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 981-4066