Secret Nanobreweries

Still searching for that quaint, neighborhood pub “where everybody knows your name?”

Say “Cheers” at a couple clandestine spots in the City: the Elizabeth Street Brewery and Clara Street Brewery. Limited to under 200 gallons of craft beer each year, these underground speakeasies are a celebration of homebrewing… the adventure of concocting both traditional and exotic brews. There are no rude bouncers or posted hours. Instead, there’s an ethos that if the door is open, walk on in. You’ll enjoy a serendipitous afternoon drinking beers and sharing laughs amongst friends.

Elizabeth Street Brewery, nested in a renovated storage room, is a “pub for the people, by the people.” Homebrewing since 2003, Richard’s dream is to open a full-scale family brewpub in Noe Valley. He is currently brewing out of the ultimate man cave…

Passion Cafe in SOMA

Most days, dreams fade in the morning light. Not this one!

The Passion Cafe, the vision of Steve Barton and Jacques “Frank” Andre, swings open their doors today. After years of challenges, the accomplished and magnanimous owners share their dream, a dazzling design, the Shangri-La on 6th Street… a nostalgic cafe in the morning metamorphosizing into a lively, yet enchanting French bistro into the evening. Simply walking through the wooden double doors will transport you back to the early 1900s as they restored the original detailing of the foyer. Inside, the milieu is majestic…

Sandwich Spot

The Aloha Spirit just entered the Marina. The Sandwich Spot is the spot for sandwiches. Really, it is that simple. Seeking more insights? The Sandwich Spot, soft opening today and grand opening tomorrow, features 24 specialty sandwiches just like Mavericks showcases 24 top surfers. Their guiding motto: “Love All, Feed All.” And that begins with dawn patrol…

Mission Minis

The bite-size cupcakes speckled over town now have a storefront… well, there’s their kiosk in North Beach. But why should tourists have all the fun? The nomadic bakery’s new homeland is in the heart of the Mission. These gourmet cupcakes, only $1, make the uninitiated think, “why not?” And the regulars, “ ooh, one more Pumpkin Spice…

Dine About Town

Looking for an excuse to go out and try a new place? No need to find a hammer for that piggy bank, the San Francisco biannual Dine About Town deal starts next week. This year, participating restaurants will offer a special two-course lunch for $17.95 or a three-course dinner for $34.95. Pick between dozens of spots including Blowfish Sushi, Foreign Cinema, Fish & Farm, 5A5 Steak Lounge, and Urban Tavern.