San Fran Faves
TransAmerica Pyramid
While the Mission district has been getting buzz for some time, Grant Avenue is a gem right now too. These are our must-stop shops:
Al’s Attire
1300 Grant Avenue
Funky, retro-inspired bespoke suits, dresses, coats, hats-even shoes and boots. Al is always on hand to oversee the details and help select from the bolts and bolts of fabrics. There’s some ready-to-wear, too.
Al's Attire
Al's Attire
Alla Prima
1420 Grant Avenue
The name comes from an art term for a painting done quickly, often in one layer. Like the Impressionists. Lingerie is the first layer, and Alla Prima makes sure it’s a beautiful one, with lines such as La Perla and Eres setting the tone.
Alla Prima
Alla Prima
Paparazzi
1424 Grant Avenue
One of three locations, the boutique always has a well-edited selection of stylish clothing from labels such as White + Warren, Majstic and cool smaller lines.
Paparazzi
Therapy
1445 Grant Ave
Love, love, love this quirky shop, one of several locations in the SF area filled with kitschy-fun clothing, books, accessories and home items. Last visit I picked up a copy of Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange. Did I mention I love this store?
Therapy
park and pond
1422 Grant Ave
“Goods From Near” is the slogan at this emporium of all things local, design conscious and organic. Everything—from jewelry and stationary to bath and body products—in this spanking-new store (it opened its doors in August) is produced within 100 miles of San Franciso.
park and pond
Little Vine
1541 Grant Ave
Owners Jay Eskopino and Melissa Gugni describe themselves as “High class purveyors of cheese, wine, & provisions” inspired by the intimate and artisanal cheese and charcoutrie shops of Europe. Specialties include local wines, and premade sandwiches that sell out by 12:30!
Little Vine
Little Vine
Little Vine
A-B FITS
1519 Grant Ave
This temple to authentic denim-in addition to their own label, they carry Notify, Raleigh, Red Cloud, Tellason, APC, Levis Made & Crafted to name just a few culty lines—also sells our favorite socks from Japan, Antipast.
A-B FITS
Cotogna
490 Pacific Ave
For dinner, we discovered Cotogna, just down the hill in the Jackson Square historic district. Charming (in a good way) upscale meets low-key Italian fare with pizza oven and roasting spit in full view, in case you weren’t already starving. Eat at the bar or modern rustic tables-or sit outside when the sun is out.