By Giulianna Errico and Dallen Pyrah
FIRST STOP, FOOD:
PENNY ROMA: PREPARE TO BE WINED AND DINED
As an Italian, of course I set out on finding the best pasta in SF, and that is exactly what we did. Penny Roma offers fresh pasta prepared right before your eyes and we were delighted to witness the utmost care that went into our dishes. We started with the focaccia and brussel sprouts which offered a comforting and fresh flavor. We followed up with entrees; I had the seasonal Gnocchi di Zucca and Dallen got the classic Rigatoni Cacio e Pepe. We rated both plates a 10/10. Honorable mention: the wine selection was fantastic and reasonably priced. Highly recommend this spot for celebratory dinner, date night, or even drinks and apps with the girls.
LA TAQUERIA: AUTHENTIC MEXICAN
If you're looking for a classic burrito in the bay, La Taqueria in the mission district is it. 10/10 authentic Mexican. Perfection, no notes. Honorable mention: their chips, salsa, and guac was top tier.
MYMY: A MUST HAVE BREAKFAST
This was our first stop after landing in the bay and arguably one of the best. Mymy had a small but mighty menu. There was a line down the block when we got there, and rightfully so. I got the Miss Mymy with lemon cottage cheese pancakes with some of the best potatoes i've ever had! That says a lot coming from Idaho. Dallen got the french toast and let's just say we left no crumbs.
CRACKED AND BATTERED: SOUTHERN COMFORT AT ITS FINEST
Cracked and Battered for some Southern comfort food with a bay twist. I woke up craving chicken and waffles and C&B delivered. We were met with great attentive service and piping hot crispy chicken! I got the C&B plate and Dallen got the breakfast burrito.
SAINT FRANK: COFFEE + TASTY PASTRIES
Saint frank was the perfect place to grab coffee and a snack then head down to the marina located in the heart of Russian Hill. They had a great selection pastries and a wonderfully sleek vibe.
HEDGE: COFFEE LOVERS DREAM
Although their grand opening was less than a month ago. Hedge has proved itself to be a hit. Formerly a coffee pop up, Hedge now resides in dual purpose space not only serving coffee, but also roasting their beans in house. Their unique matching all black uniforms give an upscale and elegant feeling to the atmosphere. The price you pay is not only for high quality coffee, but a top notch experience.
SHOPPING:
STUFF: MCM FURNITURE & MORE
Whether you're looking to window shop, or find the perfect piece for your living room, STUFF is the perfect stop. There was endless vintage furniture and decor in such great condition. You can tell that they put a lot of work into their curation. The price points vary piece by piece but there is a little something, for everyone!
RELOVE: CURATED VINTAGE
Re-Love is a must if you're looking for upscale vintage or second hand designer. They had a higher price point but did not disappoint when it came to style and curation. Many of the pieces they carried were a perfect blend between on trend and timeless.
WASTELAND: VINTAGE/NEW CONSIGNMENT
Wasteland is a second hand lovers dream. This was by far my favorite clothing store that we stepped into. There was an abundant selection of clothing including designer, vintage, and everything in between. Although less curated, the vastness of clothing style made for a wide range of brands and designs.
OF COURSE WE HAD TO BRING OUR AVERAGE TOTES TO HOLD ALL OF OUR GOODIES...
ARTISITC PURSUITS:
TOMMY PEREZ: AKA STAIN REMOVAL
If you're looking for an effortlessly unique tattoo Tommy Perez, AKA Stain Removal is your guy. Finding inspiration from what most people would otherwise wash away, Tommy's designs are Inspired by what he describes as accidents all around him. Each tattoo uniquely inspired and transformed from a stain. Tommy is an amazing artist/human and does incredible work. 11/10
PHOTOMATICA: PHOTOBOOTH, VINTAGE, POTTERY & MORE.
It you're looking for a way to remember your trip forever Photomatica is a must. With six different photo booths you are guaranteed to get the perfect shot. This was such a sweet way to commemorate our trip and I i’m so glad that we made the effort to see this place. And that is not all. They also carry vintage, as well as an entire pottery studio that offers classes!
HEATH NEWSTAND: ZINES & GIFTS GALORE
Lastly, we had to stop by Heath Newstand Heath Newstand for some awesome souvenirs. If you're looking for the perfect gift for your artsy friend, lover, mother, this is IT. I was in heaven between the handmade pottery, and thoughtful zines. I was truly breath taken by the amount of craftsmanship that was put into every piece. It was a perfectly curated artists dream.
