Contigo: Opening Date Set. Finally. Again.

This time it just might happen -- Contigo is set to open March 3, 2009. Staff training has begun, with an emphasis on building a strong neighborhood restaurant. What does that mean? If you haven't been following Brett's blog all this time, here's a bit of what to expect:

We chose the name for our restaurant because it synthesizes our philosophy about the dining experience into one word. Contigo means “with you” in Spanish. It implies connection, community, collaboration, and conviviality.

We believe that the single most important facet of dining is connection: friends, neighbors and lovers sharing a meal together...more

Contigo
1320 Castro St @24th St
(415)285-0250

[IPoS: Escuela de Contigo is now in session]
[Contigo: Official Site]
[NVSF: Contigo: Opening February 17th]

Letter from Bevan: The Dogs Are OK

From Bevan Dufty's latest newsletter*:

I heard from dog lovers about dingy yellow water from the faucets at Joby's Run at the Upper Noe Recreation Center. Please let your dogs know that the problem has been fixed with the assistance of PUC and DPH.

The Environmental Health Inspectors from the Department of Public Health tested the water and found that the main problem was old pipes. PUC staff installed a new pipe to connect the drinking fountains to a new water line and repaired the fountain valves. Now, the line is connected to the same line used by humans and the water is clear again.

I would like to thank Christopher Faust of Friends of Upper Noe Dog Owners Group [FUNDOG!] for bringing this issue to my attention and Laura Spanjian and Michael Carlin of the PUC.

*whew*

*Bevan's outdated newsletter page. If you'd like to subscribe to future editions, well... since Icebase/Coolermail took over it's impossible to figure out how to subscribe. We'd like to help.... Can anyone else figure it out?

24th St Rumors: Simply Chic Not Closing

We posted a while back that Simply Chic was rumored to close. While the rumor appears to have been based in truth, Simply Chic is not closing:

Hello,

My name is May, I'm the owner of Simply Chic. I came across your website and enjoy reading all the posts. I wanted to let you know that we decided to stay. I've been negotiating with the landlord and we came up with a nice agreement.

And on a more worrisome note, she goes on to ask for help:

On Wednesday Feb 11th, three teenagers came to the shop and demanded money. My shop girl called 911. The teenagers left but vandalized the place and the police couldn't find them. I'd really like to hear some suggestions on how other shop handle "teen" shoppers.

Sincerely,
May Warren

[NVSF: Closing: More Rumors on 24th Street]

Bell Market is Closed - Now What?

Bell Market, February 14, 2009

With Bell Market closing its doors on February 15, 2009, at 4:00PM, Noe Valley will be without a major grocer until Whole Foods opens next fall. Here's a list of local places to go until then (and perhaps after).

Noe Valley Farmer's Market
Every Saturday, 8:00AM - 1:00PM
3861 24th Street, between Sanchez and Vicksburg
http://www.noevalleyfarmersmarket.com/

Seasonal, local, organic and natural fruits, vegetables, meats, eggs, bread, nuts, honey. Also prepared food of the Mexican, Indian and smoothie varieties. Live music. Lots of strollers. Bonus: you get to meet your neighbors.

26th & Guerrero Market
1400 Guerrero Street
415-282-6274
http://www.26thandguerreromarket.com/

"Your Neighborhood Health Food Store"
Natural and organic fruits and vegetables, Acme Bread, vitamins/supplements, fresh flowers, beer, wine and liquor.

Valencia Farmer's Market
1299 Valencia Street @ 24th St
415-282-6863

Not truly a farmer's market but plenty of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh juices, bulk-bin cereal, and Kombucha. One block from the BART station.

Church Produce
1798 Church St @ 30th
415-282-1153

Strong mix of organic and non-organic fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, olive bar. Church Produce was recommended by many commenters in a recent thread.

Casa Guadalupe
2909 Mission Street @ 25th St
415-642-8355

Full service market with fresh fruits/veggies, butcher, Latin-American specialties. Super affordable.

Drewes Bros. Meats
1706 Church St @ 29th St
415-821-0515
http://www.drewesbros.com/

"We are a full service butcher shop that specializes in only the highest quality products."
Meat, fish and poultry from Niman Ranch, Angus Meyer, Natural Hill. All-natural, free-range, no hormones antibiotics or preservatives. Special orders - no problem.

Fresh Meat Market
2704 Mission St @ 23rd St
415-550-8044

Fresh (read: wrigglng) fish, seafood, meat and poultry. Not organic or free-range, but you can get just about anything here super cheap.

24th Street Cheese Company
3893 24th Street @ Sanchez St
415-821-6658

Cheese! Also sausages, pâté, prosciutto, wine, olives, other specialty items.

Pasta Gina
741 Diamond St @ 24th St
415-282-0738

Fresh and frozen pasta, house-made sauces, prepared foods, wine, bread, cheeses, olives, and anything else for a quick dinner or picnic. And don't forget the cannoli!

And ... of course there are these options:

• Safeway (Diamond Heights or Mission St)
• Tower Market / Mollie Stone
• DeLano's IGA on South Van Ness

Please add suggestions, recommendations or testimony in the comments. Let Noe know what you love and why you love it.

[NVSF: Bell Market: Winding Down]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Whole Foods]
[NVSF: All posts tagged Farmer's Market]
[Photo: Pasta Gina -- Yelp]

This Week at the Planning Commission

A weekly look at Noe Valley projects in front of the Planning Commission. Information is provided by the Planning Commission, and taken from its published agenda. All hearings begin at 1:30pm, Room 400 in City Hall.

February 19

3950 24TH STREET - north side between Sanchez and Noe Streets; Lots 041 and 028 in Assessor’s Block 3654 - Request for Conditional Use Authorization, pursuant to Planning Code Sections 303(c), 303(i), 703.4, 728.40, and 790.102(a), to allow a new formula retail grocery store (d.b.a. Whole Foods) to operate within the 24th Street – Noe Valley Neighborhood Commercial District and 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Approval with Conditions.

1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of residential demolition, of Demolition Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4543, proposing to demolish a one-story, single-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the demolition permit.

1409 SANCHEZ STREET - east side between 27th and Duncan Streets; Lot 031 in Assessor’s Block 6592 - Mandatory Discretionary Review, under Planning Code Section 317 requiring review of the replacement building in association with residential demolition, of Building Permit Application No. 2008.10.20.4546, to construct a two-story over garage and basement, two-family dwelling in an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two -Family) District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Do not take Discretionary Review and approve the new building permit.

1381 Sanchez Street - east side between Cesar Chavez and 27th Streets; Lot 025 in Assessor's Block 6579 - Request for Discretionary Review of Building Permit Application No. 2008.09.23.2413 proposing to enclose the existing rear stairs along the south property line in order to accommodate a reconfigured interior at the first floor and the ground level at the rear. The subject building is a single-family home located within an RH-2 (Residential, House, Two-Family) Zoning District and a 40-X Height and Bulk District.

Preliminary Recommendation: Take Discretionary Review and Approve the Project with Modifications.

[NVSF: All posts tagged Whole Foods]
[NVSF: 1409 Sanchez: Back on the Market]

Fowling Noe Valley

From a comment we've since deleted if for no other reason than it wasn't on topic:

Why don't you post something about stephen fowler noe valley neighbor? He was on wifeswap on abc. check out www.stephenfowlersucks.com or google stephen fowler wife swap

Regarding such, we've followed the Gawker posts (and the rest of the related craziness across the 'net). We didn't post because it felt like a pile-on and that's not what we're about. Stephen Fowler does not represent Noe Valley -- even if he lives here, goes on TV, and says things that make him (and everyone else in Noe) seem like a ______, _______ and ______. Noe has nothing to fear from this man -- his wife is embarrassed (in a Mrs. Spitzer way) and has said he needs professional help.

But really...who cares? It's just another crappy show highlighting the worst in people (in this case an angry transplant who needs help (but drives ratings)). Not really worth our time, and certainly not representative of Noe Valley.

Reminder: if you want to suggest a post idea, please send it via email.

Shop Local: Hero Bags

We saw Hero Bags at Harvest Festival but didn't realize they are based here in Noe Valley. Hero Bags are reusable canvas totes designed and sold by local artist and 26th Street resident Susanne Maddux. Look for them around the 'hood or purchase online.

[Hero Bags]
[NVSF: Photos: Noe Valley Harvest Festival]

Photos: 22nd Street Then & Now

Followed a link on Mission Mission to a Flikr gallery of "four decades of street scenes and portraits from the Mission, Greater San Francisco and beyond." The above photo of 3611 22nd St was taken in 1979.

Given how much Noe Valley has changed in 30 years, it's amazing how much some things stay the same. Here's the same house today:


[Flikr: Views of San Francisco]