Why this tapas restaurant has become a Castro institution
12 years in, familial Spanish restaurant Canela Bistro & Wine Bar has become legend in the heart of San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood.
I remember the early days when Canela was immediately a cozy, inviting neighborhood Spanish restaurant. Chef Mat Schuster opened the tapas and wine bar more than a decade ago on the ever-bustling Market Street in the heart of the Castro, offering an impressive array of small plates and also extensive offerings of spirits. Now 12 years on, Canela has become a communal Castro institution. You can feel it from the regulars and diners, from our gracious server and from Chef Mat’s nurturing cooking.
Read the latest by Virginia Miller
The annual Fillmore block party warmed my holiday spirit
This is the second year for the holiday finale on that island stretch of O’Farrell between Fillmore and Steiner streets. The parties themselves have been going each Friday night since October and have been an excellent appetizer for the Saturday morning farmer’s markets, and crowds seem to justify making it a year-round swing. I love a good block party, and the one in Fillmore on Friday was a banging good time with plenty of holiday spirit.
Read the latest by M. T. Eley
What I learned from a year of professional party crashing
It all started a decade ago, when I was feeling trapped in my daily routine of coffee, work, yoga, dinner, Netflix, waking up and repeating it all the next day. One morning, I received an email that shouldn’t have ended up in my inbox: an invitation from a company hosting its annual holiday party. I didn’t work for the company and never had. I felt honored in a strange way and somewhat nervous but excited, like I was just accidentally invited to a dinner at the White House.
This throwback story felt especially topical this time of year. Read Jaime Kornick’s best ways to infiltrate a company or other soirée — uninvited.
What we’re doing this week
Winter Walk in Union Square
This annual holiday tradition finally returns to Union Square. Activities include:
The great Ornament Trail: Giant, larger than life Ornaments designed by local artists.
Marketplace by Sunset Mercantile, including unique stocking stuffers for sale that support small, local businesses. Sunset Mercantile has also planned family-friendly arts and crafts activities, along with optional indoor activities for an additional fee, ensuring a festive and engaging experience for all.
Off The Grid food trucks. Make it a daily tradition to explore diverse cultures and flavors, ranging from Noodle Night and Breakfast All Day to Football Fever.
WHEN: December 15 - 24
Monday through Wednesday, Noon – 7 pm
Thursday through Sunday, 10 am – 9 pm
WHERE: Stockton Street from Post – Geary Street and Geary – O’Farrell Street and Maiden Lane between Stockton – Grant
Bernal Village marketplace
A local marketplace that brings makers together to share their products and passions with the community. It’s running all December so there’s still time to get some pre- or post holiday gifts.
WHEN: Weekends through December
WHERE: 434 Cortland Ave, San Francisco
What’s on our mind
We keep content mostly fun and light at The Bold Italic, but the future of the Bay Area interests us, too. Here’s what we are thinking about in local news. Brought to you by GrowSF.
What’s on the March ballot?
The March 5, 2024 primary election is just around the corner, and GrowSF is already researching and analyzing the ballot measures. This week we published our analysis of every local measure:
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