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 | Fast Food Taken Up a Notch The Fall 2006 unveiling of the Westfield San Francisco Centre not only offered up the high-end Westfield Restaurant Collection (reviewed previously), but also revealed a promising upscale food court in the basement level. Previously, fast food options in the vicinity had been so-so at best, leaving shoppers and office workers little choice but to slum it or hop on MUNI to eat at the fancy little delis and ethnic bistros near Montgomery and Embarcadero stations. The Food Emporium at Westfield has answered that need, offering quality food on the go and thus setting a new bar not only for mall eateries, but for Union Square dining as well.More |  | The Grill from Ipanema If you’ve been to Brazil once, you will understand the longing for its beaches, its tart, strong caipirinhas, and its decadent churrascarias -- steakhouses that serve skewered, roasted meats tableside. The good news is the latter two can be experienced at Espetus, a restaurant that SF Station staffers have been meaning to try since it opened in 2003.More |  | The One-Stop Shop In need of some fresh fare and waterfront air? Try the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market that recently changed locations. After 10 years of migration, it now has a permanent home at the newly restored Ferry Building. Roam through the lively open-air market where you'll find over 75 small family farms and food vendors. Only a stone's throw from Pac Bell Park and downtown San Francisco, you'll find yourself caressing juicy white peaches, squeezing pluots (a plum-apricot hybrid), and sampling sweet English peas. Nibbling on fruit and vegetable samples is fully encouraged and this is just the beginning.More |  | A bevy of skincare and makeup boutiques have recently sprung up in the Fillmore district. These boutiques will answer all your primping needs in a 24-hour day, from the basics of a skincare regime to painting a dramatic, cosmopolitan look.More |  | Every woman knows you can never have enough lingerie. After all, it's what's underneath that really counts. And these days, there is simply not enough room in our lingerie drawers for the plethora of brands and styles from which to choose from. There are the sultry, sexy pieces for when you're having company. And then there are the sweet and comfy pajamas for nights to yourself. Two treasure-filled boutiques that offer both the naughty and nice and everything in between are Les Cent Culottes and Belle Cose.More |  | Chinese Home Cooking Though easily non-distinguishable from most other Chinese restaurants in the Richmond, Dragon House possesses hole-in-the-wall charm in its soulful home-style cooking and in its service.More |  | Pushing the Flavor Envelope Daniel Patterson hails from the prominent kitchen of Elisabeth Daniel and a short-lived stay at Frisson, but was more recently known for penning the infamous New York Times article, yawning at many California peers for their boring approach to cooking. The food-obsessed world was in horror, but Patterson stood by his words as he stands by his food.More |  | Quietly, Genuinely Italian Some restaurants strive to be the next big thing and are lucky to live up to the buzz, while others without such designs quietly go about gaining reputation and becoming favorite, under-the-radar dining spots. Claiming the latter distinction, Capannina is part of a quiet resurgence of shiny new restaurants on Union Street.More |  | New Home, Same Soul The home of great, greasy fried chicken and fixings has moved to the lower Fillmore district (now renamed the Fillmore Jazz District) from its former haunt in Hayes Valley. I, for one, am excited to know the soul food spot is now mere blocks from my doorsteps.More |  | Past and Present Chic There can never be enough boutiques to fill our wardrobe desires. So needless to say, our eyes and wanting closets perked up to the opening of De Novo. This teeny-tiny boutique is an answer to the yearning for something feminine, a touch frilly, and a dash of sexy. This pint-sized shop offers fashion fiends beautiful options, from young and yet-to-be known Los Angeles, New York, and Europe designers. Your wallet will certainly like the costs, as De Novo offers a smidgeon of the price from traditional designers.More |
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