Farmer Brown

The first thing you should know about dining at Farmer Brown: Get a reservation. The second: The neighborhood is not the greatest (described as “on the cusp of Union Square and the Tenderloin”), but you can easily walk from the BART station or take advantage of the secure parking at a lot next door.

The third, and most important thing: Farmer Brown is fantastic. I recently visited the restaurant with three dining companions — and not a single one of us had a negative thing to say after our meal here. I cannot give enough praise to the fried chicken, which came with a side of mac’n'cheese. The chicken managed to be deliciously crispy on the outside, yet moist and juicy on the inside. The mac’n'cheese, made with Tillamook cheddar, was such creamy, slightly tangy goodness.

Aside from the comfort-food menu and dish towel napkins, there isn’t much that screams country about the restaurant. There’s a DJ spinning in the front of the dining room; a bar that is almost always crowded; and metal tables that there is surely a long wait for … Unless you heed my first point: Call for a reservation.

Farmer Brown
25 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94112
(415) 409-FARM (3276)

Craft Gym

If your New Year’s resolutions involve picking up an art or craft skill, then this is the place for you. Workshops, studio passes (per day or on a membership basis), private lessons, finishing services (for those who are good at starting projects), and special events are all possible.

The crafts here run the gamut: candlemaking, tilemaking, stained glass, jewelry, enameling, metalwork, papermaking, cardmaking, bookbinding, knitting, crochet, loom-weaving, sewing, patternmaking, quilting, embroidery … How will you ever decide!? Many of the classes are available for various levels, so it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or have some experience under your belt already.

Craft Gym
1452 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 441-6223

Sibby’s Cupcakery

Although I don’t spend much time in the kitchen, I’ve often heard that baking is more difficult than cooking. Why? Because baking is more of an exact science, whereas you can usually play around with ingredients when cooking.

So, when my husband and I recently hosted a little dinner party, we decided we would save ourselves the stress of trying to bake a dessert. Instead, we called on Sibby’s Cupcakery — which came through for us with mini-cupcakes that were as delicious as they were adorable.

We opted for the Sibby’s Sampler, which usually consists of 4-6 flavors. We were so happy with ours: carrot, gingerbread, Grandma’s teacake, mocha, snickerdoodle, and eggnog. (We placed our order around the holidays, hence the seasonal flavors.)

Because they have no storefront, Sibby’s requires a minimum order of 1 dozen regular cupcakes or 2 dozen minis. Delivery is available throughout the Bay Area for a fee, or you can stop by their San Mateo location and pick up your goodies. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

Sibby’s Cupcakery
(415) 613-4373

NOPA

Finally! Just this month, the folks at NOPA decided to allow for reservations one month in advance. Previously, you had to call the same day, starting at 2pm. And the phone lines were *always* busy. In fact, when I called on Friday afternoon for a Saturday night reservation, it took me about 20 minutes to get through. And was it worth the trouble?

Absolutely.

Previously a laundromat and before that a Bank of America (the wine is stored in an old bank vault), the NOPA space is beautiful. Large windows, high ceilings, polished concrete floors, and who could forget the fantastic Brian Barneclo murals. I instantly liked this place before I even had a bite to eat. But don’t worry, the food ended up being phenomenal as well.

Since there was not a bad dish at our table, I’ll just give you a rundown of what was ordered:

• Small Plates - braised lamb riblets (my favorite of our starters); flatbread of bacon, carmelized onions, radicchio and gruyere; thick-cut French fries with harissa aioli (it’s a large portion); little dumpling squash and sage (delicious but not quite what I envisioned since the squash wasn’t wrapped in any kind of dough — more like wedges of squash pan-fried with sage).
• Entrees - pork chop with sweet cabbage, treviso and apples; London broil with potato gratin (such creamy goodness!) and red-wine butter.
• Dessert - warm doughnut holes with rum caramel; apple-walnut crisp and creme fraiche ice cream.

We were lucky that we had an upstairs table — overlooking the very busy kitchen — so the noise level wasn’t too bad for trying to have a conversation. We watched the downstairs dining room get more and more crowded throughout the evening. Be sure to call for a table, or else you may be one of the many hopefuls we saw lingering by the bar for a while, just waiting for an opening.

Tip: If you’re unable to get a reservation, the restaurant offers a rather large bar area and a communal table for walk-ins.

NOPA
560 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 864-8643

SF Museum of Modern Art

Opened in 1935 as the first museum on the West Coast devoted to 20th-century art, the SFMOMA is still a favorite stop amongst locals and visitors alike. The museum has been at its current location, which was designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, since 1995.

Daily tours are available (except on Wednesdays, when the entire museum is closed), and they are free with museum admission. Those on a tight budget will be especially pleased that admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month. And on Thursdays, the museum is open until 8:45pm instead of 5:45pm — with admission half-price after 6pm.

Please check the museum’s web site for current and future exhibitions.

SFMOMA
151 Third Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 357-4000

Lemon Twist

Any time I come across a store that says it will make clothes to order, it’s definitely a good day.

Lemon Twist is a lovely boutique just off of Hayes Street. The staff is so friendly. Featuring lots of great patterns, the clothes are hip yet totally wearable. And, if you like the style of a dress, but not necessarily the fabric, they’ll whip one up especially for you. I love the simple shifts, but the trench coats and blouses will also leave you drooling.

Lemon Twist
537 Octavia Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 558-9699

Heath Ceramics

As the temperatures start to drop, visions of lounging by the fireplace, sipping tea from a lovely Heath Ceramics cup, start to dance in my head. But what makes this vision even better? That said Heath Ceramics cup was picked up at a discounted price from the factory store — after a tour of the premises.

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)

Westfield Shopping Center

I waited a couple of weeks before venturing into the much-hyped new Westfield — adjacent to the old one, which features Nordstrom as its anchor department store. The recent addition to the mall, which finally makes use of the former Emporium building, includes lots of shops and eateries.

My favorite places in the new space include Zara, Mango, Maido (cute Japanese stationery store), Juicy Couture, and of course, Bloomingdale’s. There are a few stores that are making their Bay Area debut — such as Neda, shoes and accessories from the folks behind bebe; Ruehl, which is the Abercrombie & Fitch brand targeted at the post-collegiate crowd; and Forth & Towne, which shares a parent company with the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy. Don’t miss the Adidas store, where if you’re willing to shell out $150+, you can create a custom pair of sneakers. (Unfortunately, when I was visiting, the computer wasn’t working.)

Food options here include Bristol Farms, an upscale market that previously only existed in Southern California; and Wichcraft, the Tom Collichio sandwich shop that originated in New York City and also has a Las Vegas outpost.

On the weekends, Westfield packs them in. So if you want to browse in peace, try stopping in on a weekday (an extended lunch break, perhaps). Maybe shopping isn’t your thing? You can still come here for the nine-screen Century Theatres located on the fifth floor.

Westfield - San Francisco Centre
865 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 512 6776

Town Hall

When Town Hall opened a few years ago, my husband and I instantly fell for the place. But, with so many other restaurants to try in San Francisco, it sort of fell off of our radar as well … Until some friends were coming into town and we needed a comfortable yet cool dinner option that would please six picky diners.

The interior features dark wood floors (which always seem to be a bit slippery to me); brick walls; off-white wainscoting; and oversized retro-hip chandeliers. And the menu has enough offerings to create lots of indecision.

Although I am a big fan of the fondue starter, on this recent visit, I went with the soup of the day — a delicious heirloom tomato and lobster bisque. My husband ordered the tuna tartare, which he loved. (It came with fried green tomatoes — what’s not to love?)

The entrees at our table included: slow-roasted duck, peanut- and tasso-crusted pork chops, Alaskan halibut, and prime rib. I’m going to have to say that my pick — the tender and juicy prime rib — was the best. And I could not get enough of those little cheddar/bacon croquettes that were on the side. (They’re basically grown-up tater tots.)

For dessert, I recommend the hot chocolate (so rich and thick) or the butterscotch/chocolate pot de creme. Those items alone are worth the visit to Town Hall.

The service throughout our meal was top-notch. And, as a nice finishing touch, the check was delivered in an old book — complete with handwritten comments from previous dinner guests.

Town Hall
342 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 908-3900

Manka’s

For our anniversary this year, we spent the weekend at Manka’s —which might best be described as a rustic resort in the Marin County town of Inverness.

Manka’s offers several types of accommodation (including rooms above their main lodge, as well as cabins) and a much-touted restaurant. We stayed in Cabin 125, which is on a piece of property about 1/2-mile from the lodge, next to another cabin (The Perch). Our cabin featured a king-size bed, a wood-burning fireplace flanked by two reading nooks, and a private deck with a soaking tub. Sound relaxing? Definitely.

As great as the cabin itself was, the restaurant is reason enough to come here. The prefixed menu changes daily, based on what’s available locally. Breakfast is only available to Manka’s guests, while dinner is open to everyone. There is only one seating for each meal (between 8-9am for breakfast, and 7-8pm for dinner).

Breakfast one morning included fresh Gravenstein apple juice; wheatberry porridge; scrambled eggs with a goat cheese souffle; and a waffle topped with honey syrup and candied walnuts. And our first dinner at Manka’s was divine: biscuits served with spiced butter; warm beet puree over garlic panna cotta; salted cod cake; lamb shank to share; a cheese course with figs poached in port; and upside-down plum cake with freshly whipped cream.

The staff was cordial enough — we didn’t experience any bad service, but it wasn’t outstanding either. With the nightly rates running about $250-700, some people might have a problem with the level of service, but we were happy to be left alone and weren’t looking to be pampered.

Given the beautiful surroundings and exquisite cuisine, it’s no wonder that just a few hours into our visit, we were already plotting our return to Manka’s.

UPDATE: In late December 2006, Manka’s suffered a fire that ruined the entire restaurant, and damaged many of the rooms adjacent to it. Some accommodations are still available, however, and the owners have promised to rebuild.

Manka’s
30 Callendar Way
Inverness, CA 94937
(415) 669-1034