Arlequin

Eating Quick in the Neighborhood

by Valerie Ng

Saturday evening. 6 pm. Want dinner in Hayes Valley but don't have an hour and a half to wait for a table at Suppenkuche or comparable establishment in the environs. Quick service would be preferable. Solution: Head to Arlequin. It bills itself as a to-go joint, but there are tables to sit down at and some nice meals to be enjoyed, like Indian spiced lamb burger and a half-roasted chicken. If you're looking for something quick, the san ... Continue

California Academy of Sciences

Free Days at CAS

by Valerie Ng

With admission to the California Academy of Sciences being $25, I haven't exactly been making regular visits. So with a bit of free time, and the third Wednesday of the month being free, I decided I should take advantage. Apparently, at least half of San Francisco thought the same thing. The line looked neverending, and the guys behind me cursed the facebook updates that had brought them there. Once I was inside after a half-hour wait, we still had to contend with crowds that I thought were only ... Continue

Alohana Hawaiian Grill

Cheap & Nutritious

by Valerie Ng

 $5 doesn't get you very far on lunch these days. You could get a burger without fries or a drink, or an order of chicken tenders. Needless to say, if you want a full stomach, as well as a balanced meal, you'll need to pull out a few more bucks. Unless you happen to be in downtown Berkeley, and head to Alohana Hawaiian Grill. Even if the food isn't as wholesome as some of the other places in the environs, it's still decent, and you'll get plenty of bang for your buck. Even the smaller porti ... Continue

Canto do Brasil

Gosto do Brasil

by Valerie Ng

The 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics may still be years away, but it's never too early to get acquainted with the culture and cuisine of Brazil. Canto do Brazil may be the next best thing to experiencing the land of samba without a plane ticket. Inside the colorfully decorated restaurant, you'll find authentic Brazilian specialties like feijoada and bobo de galinha, or chicken cooked with Brazilian spices and coconut milk served alongside yucca flour and rice. If you're super hungry, consider th ... Continue

Kitchen on Fire

Culinary School in the Gourmet Ghetto

by Valerie Ng

 Dream of honing your culinary skills but don't have the dough (no pun intended) to enroll at the California Culinary Academy? Even if you don't intend to open the next Zuni Cafe, you can still sharpen your kitchen skills without the commitment of a culinary program. Kitchen on Fire offers classes for cooking enthusiasts of all skill levels, on everything from French pastry to Modern Thai cuisine. Classes involve just one three-hour session (unless it's part of a series), beginning with lec ... Continue

Blackbird

The Happiest Hour

by Cristian Cartes

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 y ... Continue