On the catwalk
Russian Hill listings, Mister Jiu's, The Coffee Movement, The Lodge at Sonoma, MORE
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
With love
Some of San Francisco’s most desirable real estate is built atop former cemeteries, with Russian Hill — thusly named as the former resting place for deceased Russian sailors — toward the top of the list. Now tombstones in cyrillic have made way for multimillion-dollar mansions with multibillion-dollar views. In the past year, the area has seen 68 condo sales at a median price of $1.4M, and 43 co-op sales at a median of $1.75M. With adjacent Telegraph and Nob Hills added to the mix, 21 single-family homes have also moved, at a median of $2.8M (all figures via Compass). Here, three intriguing listings for those who aren’t afraid of ghosts:
→ 740 Francisco St (Russian Hill) • 2BR/1.1BA (w/ downstairs studio unit), 1430 SF house • Ask: $1.995M • 1948 build or redevelopment opportunity: approved site permit allows for a 5658 SF duplex • Days on market: 25 • Agent: Austin Klar, Vanguard.
→ 1217 Vallejo St (Russian Hill) • 4BR/3BA, 2255 SF duplex • Ask: $2.395M (reduced from $2.575M) • 2-floor flat with private yard and nearby parking • Days on market: 126 • Agent: Kenneth Kohlmyer, City Real Estate.
→ 1275 Lombard St (Russian Hill, above) • 3BR/3.1BA, 4637 SF condo • Ask: $5.454M (reduced from $7.54M) • six-floor condo with floating glass catwalk and three-car garage with electric lift • Days on market: 350 • Agent: Chris Werner, Werner Properties.
REAL ESTATE LINKS: SF companies are buying instead of renting • Yet another plan to redevelop the Richmond’s Alexandria Theater site • Homeowner shades Mission streets • Kezar Stadium turns 100 • Zillow braces to ban certain Compass listings.
RESTAURANTS • Friday Routine
Constant flow
GARRETT MARKS • beverage director • Mister Jiu's & Moongate Lounge
Neighborhood you live in: Nob Hill/Chinatown
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I usually arrive around 10-11a. Walking through the staff entrance, I'm greeted by the prep team cutting garnishes and preparing dumplings. I usually make my way through the kitchen and dining room checking in with everyone as I make my way upstairs to Moongate. I usually go over my order list and do a walkthrough of the space to make sure everything is in place, then move into helping with prep and going over emails for the day. At around noon, we have a family meal as a whole team.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today was all over the place: I had to stop at Red Blossom Tea Company to grab some osmanthus and winter melon cubes that we use in our old fashioned. I had an interview, so I walked down to Portsmouth Square Park and walked out to the bridge. I love that area, and would spend time there when I was a young skateboarder. After that, I had a tasting with Hotaling & Co.; they brought over a cool new Junipero smoked rosemary gin for me to try.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’m good friends with the owner of Outta Sight Pizza, and lately they’ve been bringing over pizza at the end of the night for the staff. They just recently opened a few blocks away and it’s super nice having them as a neighbor.
How about a little leisure or culture?
I recently took the ferry to Angel Island with my bike and some friends. We spent the day riding trails, which I highly recommend doing. The views of the city were amazing.
I’m looking forward to this summer here, and checking out some of the many block parties and free shows. After the mayor was elected, he threw a huge dance party in Chinatown — I’d never seen an event like that on Grant Street. I definitely want to make it out to one of the Stern Grove Festival summer concerts on Sundays. One of my favorite weekly activities is a morning plunge at the Aquatic Park near Fisherman's Wharf. I usually ride my bike down and hop in for a quick swim. It’s the best feeling and charges me up for the day. A fun inner-city hike I like to do is the Mount Sutro Loop. It takes about an hour and has really pretty views that I love of the Richmond, Sunset, and Sutro Tower.
What was your last great vacation?
It’s been awhile, but the last trip I took was to North Carolina. I found a really cool record shop in Durham called Carolina Soul. They had a huge selection of records that were fairly priced. Whenever I visit North Carolina I have to stop at Cook Out for barbecue — their menu is all over the place.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I recently bought a Technics 1200, probably the best quality turntable you can get.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I love The Coffee Movement. It's the best customer service in the city.
Where are you donating your time or money?
We actually throw a lot of fundraisers at Moongate Lounge. The last one we held was for International Women’s Day in March, and we donated to Gum Moon, a women’s residence in Chinatown.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Dear Mom
Trixie Mattel • Solid Pink Disco Blonde Edition • Fox Theater (Oakland) • Fri @ 745p • LOGEA, $151 per
Jake Johannsen • Punch Line (FiDi) • Sat @ 7p • preferred, $54 per
Peabo Bryson • Blue Note (Napa) • Sun @ 3p • booth, $151 per
CULTURE & LEISURE LINKS: Peixotto Playground reopens in Corona Heights • Full run of Taylor Street Theatre’s ‘Luigi: The Musical’ sells out • Dirtybird returns for Embarcadero Plaza dance party • SF’s summer of street fairs • Remembering downtown’s Black Cat Café.
GETAWAYS • Sonoma
Lodge life
The best measure of a great getaway hotel is how fun it is to come back to the room after a day of swimming and exploring, and the Lodge at Sonoma certainly ticks that box. Its cozy buildings scattered on a lush lot are neither precious nor overtly designed, with hushed beige and chocolate tones.
Days should start with coffee poolside, and The Lodge has one of the biggest, most happening pools in the region. Then take a 20 minute walk downtown for lunch at the always good Valley Bar and Bottle and browse vintage finds after at nearby boutique Trove.
Back at the Lodge, there’s a main hall complete with board games, a fireplace, and soft blankets. Wit & Wisdom, chef Michael Mina’s take on Sonoma Country dining, is also right there, with soft parker rolls and generous desserts. Between chess sessions, pool lounging, endless snacking, and mini bike rides — the Lodge provides bikes with some of the rooms — I felt ready to tackle the week ahead. –Flora Tsapovsky
→ The Lodge at Sonoma (Sonoma) • 1325 Broadway • king lodge rates from $615 (May weekend) • Reserve.
GETAWAYS LINKS: Canadian airlines slash SFO routes • The grand comeback of San Diego’s Hotel del Coronado • Nobu unleashed on Maui • Four Seasons Resort Maui unveils revamped Presidential Suites • Rounding up this spring’s notable new hotel openings in the Americas • Inside Lisbon’s MACAN, palace-museum that’s redefining art travel • How technology is transforming the high-end hotel suite.
LOST & FOUND • Behind the Paywall