The Happiest Hour

Dear Blackbird, I must start by saying I love you. Over time you have become by far, my favorite bar in the city. Anytime I need to escape a hard day, rough work night or if I'm craving a delicious libation...there really is no other option for me. You have everything anyone could want in a drinking establishment, a pool table, photobooth, elegant bar, rotating artwork and chill ambience. Thank you bartenders, for always being genuinely sweet and friendly, not to mention hot! And thank you for your expertly crafted cocktails, including a delectably spicy Bloody Mary made with chipotle vodka, a refreshing Red Wine Crush which marries OJ, cabernet, and brandy, and of course all your other enticing concoctions. You are the hip place to be these days, packing quite a crowd on the weekends. And while it's always fun to mingle, I love being in your company on the weeknights, where's it somewhat more mellow and I can have a bit more intimacy with my cohorts. Speaking of company, the weekend is upon us and I think it's happy hour right now, which means it's time for a visit.

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Nightlife • Extended Coverage Area

OK Burrito Corral

I could probably recommend a lot of downtown Berkeley restaurants over Pollo. In fact, I wouldn't have bothered checking it out had a friend not suggested it. Even she admitted it wasn't the most appealing joint in the area, but the food wasn't too greasy and most importantly, it was cheap. There are a wide variety of choices available, from breakfast plates to gyros and burritos. I ordered a salmon burrito, a new item on the menu, which came with a pretty decent homemade salsa. The burrito itself wasn't bad, and quite substantial. I've certainly had better, but it was still pretty tasty considering it didn't come from the Mission. I wouldn't say that Pollo is my go-to place, but if I wasn't craving anything in particular and just want a decent, inexpensive meal, I'd definitely consider it again.

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Restaurants • Extended Coverage Area

Art History: Street Graffiti

A colorful passageway between Hipster Mission and the Mexican Mission is Clarion Alley. San Francisco is filled with graffiti art, and there is a big concentration in the off the beaten paths of the Mission district. This alley has been present in SF history since the sixties. The Clarion Alley Mural Project produces more than 100 murals on the alley itself and streets around the neighborhood. The muralists who's work covers these walls run the gamut of experience and technique, often being new artists who are wanting a place to display their work. These muralists here come from every walk of life and include every social group. Conceptual and spray can art, folk and futuristic work all touch on important historical and present social issues that affect the Bay Area and the world today. So, while it can be intimidating to get lost in a new city, this is a place worth doing so.

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Landmarks • Hayes Valley / The Mission

Schmancy Chicken Tenders

 Even when it's not summer, I always enjoy a freshly prepared meal in a setting that emanates the warmth of the season. And though not exclusively a bake shop, the Summer Kitchen Bake Shop is just the kind of place that I would enjoy on a cool winter day, with a cherry, welcoming interior in which the chefs whip up a healthy selection of locally sourced foods that change daily. The menu offerings are made with love, and even otherwise bland ingredients like cauliflower and carrots are dressed into delicious sides, and low-key chicken tenders are sophisticatedly crusted in herbs. With few tables available, most diners take their meals to go. While some of the salads and sandwiches can be a bit pricey, most of the menu is priced by weight, so you can order whatever you feel is sufficient. And even if you don't like sharing, consider doing so if you intend to try one of the cupcakes--they're substantial, but oh so good, especially the lemon meringue.

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Restaurants • Extended Coverage Area

Good Food Isn't Fast

If you like prompt service when you dine out, don't expect to get it at A Taste of Africa, which lives up to its name. Run in true laid-back West African style, we arrived fifteen minutes before opening time, but were invited inside to hang out and make ourselves comfortable. It was about half an hour before the affable chef gave us our menu options, but we were happy to wait, especially when there was African reggae playing for us. By the time our food finally came out, we were eager to dig in. It was well worth the wait--the stewed chicken, sweet potatoes in coconut sauce, swiss chard, black-eyed peas and plantains, all served on a bed of rice were delicious, a reminder that good food isn't fast. If you ask for a dollop of hot sauce, be aware that there's no mild or medium--just straight up hot sauce. My Africaphile friend assured me it was all an authentic taste of Africa, right down to the friendly service.

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Restaurants • Extended Coverage Area