Lucca Ravioli.

An amazing thing about my neighborhood is all of the specialized food.  Food that isn't just made, it's crafted.  Made in small batches by passionate people.  Which is probably why I end up shopping at four or five groceries or markets every week-- each place has something unique, excellent or special.  This week's delightful spot is Lucca Ravioli on Valencia.  They're an Italian specialty shop that has all kinds of jarred Italian delights, loads of amazing cheese, breads and sauces made in house.  And the ravioli and tortellini (and all the other fresh, handmade pasta) is ah-mazing.  Seriously, it's just so much better than the dried stuff. 

Last night we had their pumpkin ravioli with leeks, mushrooms, browned butter and sage.  Dan's a lucky dude.

Tartine.

Everyone in San Francisco worth her salt knows and loves Tartine.  It's one of my Top 10 You-Have-To-Go-When-In-San-Francisco spots.  It's regarded as one of the best bakeries in the entire city-- with amazing French pastries and bread.  It isn't a stuffy kind of place-- more rich, sumptuous, and rustic, just like the pastries.  Dan and I had a late breakfast there yesterday.  It's fabulous luck to live just a few blocks away.

We split the morning bun-- my very favorite!

Air Plants.

I've been on a bit of a decorating kick lately.  I don't know whether it's the spring-like weather or the fact that I've lived in my place for six months and haven't decorated it a lick until now.  But I've been doing a whole mess of (little) things to make it more beautiful and feel more like home.  One of the things I've wanted in my new place is some greenery.  But something simple, also, since I tend to kill plants pretty easily.  Ouila!  Air plants!

All they need is a daily misting, so they're really simple!  From Paxton Gate, in San Francisco.

Romantic Street Art.

As someone with a fundamental problem with authority, and as a hopeful romantic, these signs make me exquisitely happy.  I love the idea that someone has so much love that they have to paint it all across public spaces.  It is an important step towards autonomy and toward reclaiming our world, our public spaces and our lives in the name of love.  What's better than that?  Nothing, that's what.

From the internet.
 

From in front of my house!  We woke up one morning, and it was right there, right below our front gate.

Four Barrel Coffee.

If you're going to San Francisco... go to Four Barrel Coffee.  It's my very favorite coffee in the Bay Area (maybe the world), they have exceptionally nice and talented baristas, and a really lovely, low-key atmosphere.  It's one of Dan's and my favorite places in our neighborhood and one of the first places we look forward to going when we return from a trip.

I bring Four Barrel coffee to friends and family who aren’t lucky enough to have coffee this amazing two blocks from them. Plus, Four Barrel has Dynamo Donuts (a local donut shop that has flavors like lemon pistachio and vegan chocolate spice).

It's one of the things I would miss most if I ever move out of the neighborhood.