News from the Heart & Soul of San Francisco
“RESTAURANT DOCTOR” Faith Wheeler, a longtime neighborhood resident, is touring the country with her beautiful and spirited new book — and, like the author herself, it’s a winner. She acknowledges that Chickens Don’t Fly is “a puzzling name for a coffee table book, cookbook with few chicken recipes, or even a memoir,” but says she…
STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA The cozy space at 1870 Fillmore, most recently Vic’s Winehouse, has quietly reopened as Flying Figs, a wine bar that leans into atmosphere and connection. At the center is Neda Emami, who runs day-to-day operations. She’s a biomedical engineer turned startup founder and event organizer. Business partners Saleh and Salar…
IT’S BEEN EMPTY since Noosh closed soon after investor Neil Mehta bought the corner building at 2001 Fillmore during his Fillmore buying spree in 2024, at least on the ground floor. But the small businesses in the upstairs offices have not been affected — until now. All got letters on April 24 that they must…
IT’S BEEN THE most striking modern sculpture — or, depending on your perspective, the biggest eyesore — on Alta Plaza Park since it first appeared in 2006 at the top of the neighborhood. Now the home at 2606 Jackson, designed by star architect Olle Lundberg, is set to become the most expensive sale on the…
How to make a bowlful of noodles into a complete meal LOCAL DISH | SHELLEY HANDLER Fillmore Street is changing as we speak, and I’ll admit to a bit of Fillmore-focused nostalgia of late. Most of my Fillmore memories start and stop at my stomach, from the fun, counter-seated chumminess of the tiny Millard’s, by…
By THOMAS REYNOLDS A neighborhood old-timer walked in the doorway of the ever-bustling new Palmer’s, same as the old Palmer’s, and was floored by what he saw. There, behind the host stand, stood dashing Michael Morales, once a manager of the legendary Fillamento design emporium. “Aren’t you …” we said at the same time. Morales…
SOME PEOPLE WILL tell you that Fillmore Street is not known for its food scene. The Chronicle begs to differ. Its new Top 100 restaurant list dropped today, and two of the top five are on Fillmore Street. Nearest the top of the heap at No. 2 is The Progress at 1525 Fillmore — “a…
By THOMAS REYNOLDS A plan to revive the Clay Theater as a single-screen neighborhood theater has passed its first test before city authorities with flying colors. The Historic Preservation Commission on April 1 unanimously endorsed plans to restore historic elements of the Clay while bringing it into the modern age. “It’s gonna be a great…
STREET TALK | CYNTHIA TRAINA A new kind of golf club has arrived on Fillmore Street, and you don’t even need a tee time to join. The buzzy lifestyle brand Malbon Golf has quietly opened its doors, bringing with it a mix of tournament play, streetwear energy and a surprisingly social membership model. At the…
A DECADE AGO, world-class graphic artist Michael Schwab created two art posters for Union Street saloonkeeper Perry Butler: one featured a straight-up Manhattan; the other the restaurant’s signature drink, a Bloody Mary in a wine glass. Our saloon columnist, Chris Barnett, told the story: Note the last paragraph of that story: Michael Schwab has been…