another fabulous weekend!

We tried all kinds of new places this weekend, and I am happy to say they are within walking distance from our house. First it was a shopping trip into Cotton Basics, a neighborhood clothing store that's been open for a while that has never really interested me. I think I was repelled by all the cutesy "I heart Bernal" shirts in toddler sizes hanging in the window, a clear indication that Bernal is becoming (or has become) an appendage of Noe Valley. Bye bye socio-economic diversity, hello white family with 2.5 kids “brunching” on Cortland mid-afternoon. Too many strollers littering the sidewalks when I am trying to stumble home from the bar! Oh well, that's fodder for another blog posting. Despite those sickening t-shirts, the store was pretty cool and had lots of fairly priced t-shirts, simple tank tops and sweaters. I think I'm going back to buy that green skirt.

Had lunch at Botana, a new organic deli on Mission Street. It reminds me of Atlas Café, but with a better menu (though, there is no outdoor seating). The food was amazing, the inside of the place is colorful and classy, and the menu is extensive, and prices were right on. We got a marinated tofu sandwich with muenster and sundried-tomato pesto with mixed greens and tomato. Yum! We also got the rosted veggie sandwich with provolone and basil pesto. Again, yum! All sandwiches are made-to-order and there are tons of choices for innards, toppings, and cheeses. They make their own breads and pastries daily and they serve organic coffee & espresso (no liquor license yet). The couple next to us had this huge, tempting hunk of cinnamon swirly bread and they both got creative coffee concoctions. Another guy got a brownie. I will go back again and again. I want to try the homespun pizzas. Hopefully someday they’ll do live entertainment and extend their hours of operation.

Met Pierre for a drink in the garden at Wild Side. It was sunny and peaceful and it felt good to catch up with him. After, we took a break from our errands and stopped into Nap's. It's a bar that I'd normally never go into, but I was pleasantly surprised to find they have a nice little deck situation happening in the back. The bar is littered with promotional items from cheap beer companies with ladies in neon bikinis, but that gives it a skaggy charm. There are funny details everywhere if you look close enough: a hand-drawn banner on the wall, proclaiming one's love for “Frisco” and Naps; a handwritten note on the electronic poker game that says "ENTERTAINMENT ONLY"; and of course the clientele. Characters abound! I’m still stickin’ with El Rio when given the choice, but it was nice to try something new. Especially since I’ve passed by hundreds of times. Now I know, and knowing is half the battle.