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SAN FRANCISCO (Map, News) - Faves and raves by Nate Valentine
AGE: 32
YEARS IN CITY: 10
NEIGHBORHOOD: Cole Valley
OCCUPATION: Co-owner of Vintage 415, a culture marketing firm that operates two restaurants, two nightclubs and a clothing boutique
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Living the San Francisco dream
Rosamunde Sausage Grill
WHERE: 545 Haight St. (between Fillmore and Steiner streets)
WHAT: Lunch on Burger Tuesdays, the only day of the week Rosamunde serves burgers
INFO: (415) 437-6851
“You have to get there early because the burgers sell out. The best thing to do is to get a burger or sausage, then head next door to Toronado and eat it with a beer.”
Umami
WHERE: 2909 Webster St. (between Union and Filbert streets)
WHAT: The Faded Crane: seasonal citrus fruit muddled with orange bitters and mixed with Ketel One Vodka and a splash of soda
INFO: (415) 346-3431 or www.umamisf.com
“Umami is one of our restaurants, but this really is my favorite cocktail in town. It’s the grown-up version of vodka and orange juice. Plus, our bartender, Eric, doesn’t even drink, and he creates the most incredible cocktails through the sense of smell.”
Sundance Kabuki Cinema
WHERE: 1881 Post St. (at Fillmore Street)
WHAT: Dinner and a movie
INFO: (415) 346-3243 or www.sundancecinemas.com/kabuki.html
“I respect their philosophy as a venue for independent films, and I love that you can get food and wine right at your seats.”
Boulevard
WHERE: 1 Mission St. (at Steuart Street)
WHAT: Anything made by chef de cuisine Ravi Kapur
INFO: (415) 543-6084 or www.boulevardrestaurant.com
“Ravi is gangster. It’s amazing to watch him cook. I went there for a birthday dinner and sat at the bar with my mom and just had the most incredible meal.”
Farina
WHERE: 3560 18th St. (between Valencia and Guerrero streets)
WHAT: Drinks in the upstairs dining room
INFO: (415) 565-0360 or www.farinafoods.com
“The private room at Farina is the perfect place for birthday cocktails and appetizers. It’s not only a gorgeous restaurant, but you get access to an outdoor patio.”
Osha Thai
WHERE: 696 Geary St. (at Leavenworth Street)
WHAT: Fried wontons made with pork, shrimp and vegetables and served with sweet and sour sauce
INFO: (415) 673-2368 or www.oshathai.com
“I love the wontons, but I try to stay away from them because they’re so addictive. Everything at Osha is just really good drunk food.”
Slow Club
WHERE: 2501 Mariposa St. (at Hampshire Street)
WHAT: A relaxed dinner at the Mission standby
INFO: (415) 241-9390 or www.slowclub.com
“I actually think the best dates are being out with friends in a more social setting, but Slow Club is kind of out of the way and has a great atmosphere. It’s really comfortable and chill.”
Greek Theatre
WHERE: UC Berkeley
WHAT: Outdoor concerts
INFO: www.berkeley.edu
“I actually graduated from high school at the Greek Theatre. It’s everything you’d want in a music venue: It’s outdoors and everyone who works there is really nice.”
Foreign Cinema
WHERE: 2534 Mission St. between 21st and 22nd streets
WHAT: Brunch outside on the restaurant’s open patio
INFO: (415) 648-7600 or www.foreigncinema.com
“My fiancée, Kelly, and I order Champagne, some oysters and their homemade Pop Tarts, and we’re good to go.”



Comments from Examiner Readers
8:11 PM MST on Sun., Aug. 10, 2008 re: "My City: Veggie tacos, swanky clubs and hip-hop dance"
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8:48 PM MST on Tue., Jul. 29, 2008
re: "My City: Tailored sweats and a killer set of stairs"
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10:37 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 14, 2008
re: "My City: Indie flicks, wontons and chefs with gangster flair"
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is she 28 and having such a great job, and NOT EVEN A BAY AREA NATIVE, and I'm turning 49 here in crummy Southern Oregon with crummy $8 - $10 an hour jobs, with dead-end the motto ??!!!
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Examiner Reader said:
These are fabulous tips. Thanks!
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Examiner Reader said:
I love this guy
4 agree | 1 disagree
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