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Not-so-plain Jane opens

Fillmore’s newest establishment — originally to be called Sweet Jane, but now just plain Jane — is open for business at 2123 Fillmore. And there’s nothing plain about it. This location has been home to many other sweet shops: most recently the Bittersweet chocolate cafe and earlier Sweet Inspiration and half a dozen others. But…

Restaurant ban may be lifted

New restaurants or food businesses are prohibited on upper Fillmore Street unless they replace a similar establishment. But that would change under legislation proposed by new District 2 supervisor Mark Farrell. Farrell made good on a campaign promise to propose changes to city law that would allow new food-related businesses on Fillmore to be approved…

At Florio, a taste of Paris

SALOONS | Chris Barnett Bartenders come and go at Fillmore Street saloons. But at Florio, at 1915 Fillmore, the shot glass is rarely passed to a newcomer. Tara Burke, a ponytailed, all-American, girl-next-door type with a soft voice and swift hands, has worked the plank here for six years. Noble Harris, who seems aloof initially…

Citizen Cake finds a home

[nggallery id=6] Since the doors to Elizabeth Falkner’s new Citizen Cake finally opened on November 13, a constant stream of people pours in from the street — each one welcomed with the same cheery query: “Are you just browsing the desserts?” Some indeed are looky loos — to be forgiven for ogling the butterscotch miso…

A tiny treasure slips away

MARUYA SUSHI served its final saba sushi on October 29, 2010, after feeding generations of neighbors for the past 45 years. Yoshimi and Kats Oune have retired and closed their take-out sushi shop, which was begun by her mother. The tiny storefront at 1904 Fillmore will become a jewelry store. EARLIER: Serving up sushi in…

A matter of taste

Carlo Middione and his late and beloved Fillmore restaurant Vivande are back in the news today. The Chronicle reports that he’s included in a new book discussing his loss of taste and smell after he was involved a car accident. Read more: Carlo Middione can’t taste but still loves to cook And don’t miss the…

The Giants in pastry

Elena Basegio and her father Doug Basegio opened the Fillmore Bakeshop at Bush and Fillmore just in time for the World Series. “We spent last night figuring out how to put the Giants in pastry form,” Elena said a few days after opening. The result: a white chiffon cake filled with chocolate mousse and covered…

A sleek and sexy Spruce

SALOONS | Chris Barnett Last time 3640 Sacramento Street was a popular address was in the late 1930s when elegant automobiles such as Packards, Cadillacs and probably a collector’s Dusenberg were parked and pampered by skilled mechanics there. The onetime garage has seen countless restaurants and businesses come and go. But the current occupant, Spruce,…