Zaab Northeastern Thai opens on Clement
SFWeekly has a review of the new Zaab Northeastern Thai restaurant at 908 Clement (at 10th Avenue). It took over the space from Golden Deer, an underwhelming Vietnamese restaurant. Zaab means “tasty” in the northeastern Thai dialect and the restaurant features “two dozen salads, a handful of seafood dishes, and several recognizably Thai-traditional dishes like pad thai, gai yang (grilled chicken), and tom zap (spicy hot and sour soup), as well as many lunch specials.” Read the full review at SFWeekly

Doyle Drive ramp closures leads to big backups for commuters
I know I’m missing the Doyle Drive ramps that have been closed and apparently I’m not the only one. CBS 5 reports that bridge authorities have figured out why traffic is so backed up on northbound Doyle Drive heading towards the bridge:

Mary Currie with the Golden Gate Bridge District says the primary culprits seem to be drivers themselves who are cutting through the visitor parking lot at the south end of the bridge to detour under the freeway and get on Park Presidio. That’s backing up the parking lot exit, all the way back to Lombard Street sometimes.

I do it, do you? Apparently, their solution is to “get the state to funnel drivers down Van Ness to Geary Blvd instead, and then out to Park Presidio, instead of having them all get stuck on Doyle Drive.” Uh yeah, good luck with that one.

Profile of Kumquat Art boutique on Clement
You gotta love the shops that span the first few blocks of Clement Street. There are some great gift shops like Park Life, the new Seedstore, and Kumquat which NBC Bay Area recently profiled. Hard to believe it’s been there 13 years already, but if it’s been awhile since you’ve stopped in, see what the article has to say about their collection of goods from California vendors including games, ornaments, art, bags and more.

Seedstore will open its doors today at 212 Clement Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues (in a space that used to be part of Busvan for Bargains).

Described as “a modern-day mercantile shop,” Seedstore features men’s and women’s clothing, both new and vintage.

Run by a pair of sisters, Cynthia and Jennifer Huie, Seedstore is their first retail boutique despite years of experience in the fashion industry. Daily Candy has this to say about Seedstore’s selection:

The Huies’ well-edited selection is casual but pulled together (what you’d want to wear over jeans or leggings). They mix familiar brands (Free People tops, bright Tulle dresses, Hudson jeans), with lesser-known labels. We particularly liked Preloved’s sleeveless tops made from patches of vintage fabric, and patterned shirtdresses from Kanaro. There are also Swedish Hasbeens clogs, vintage housewares, and men’s apparel. And check out the backroom gallery filled with found and local art.

I haven’t had a chance to stop in yet but Seedstore has already been written up in a few places including Daily Candy, UrbanDaddy, Thrillist, and Vivian Sachs (lots of great pics here).

Stop in today beginning at 11am to welcome Seedstore to the neighborhood. And yay for women owned businesses! There’s gotta be a collaboration between Seedstore and Paul’s Hat Works in the making…

Sarah B.

The Richmond District is full of produce markets, but only a few sell organic fruits and vegetables. To remedy that, a group of residents is trying to get a regular Farmer’s market going in the neighborhood.

Calling themselves “Richmond District Greens”, the organizers have set up a Yahoo! Group to share ideas and plan meetings. They’ve met several times already and are working with heads of local merchant assocations and other interested residents and business owners.

They have also been in touch with Urban Village-Farmer’s Market Association, who operate 11 farmers’ markets offering organic or at least no-spray produce, as well as Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association which runs the Sunset District’s year-round Sunday market at 9th & Irving.

Some of the early locations under discussion/investigation include Lincoln Park, St. Anne’s home at Lake and 3rd Avenue, and Presidio Middle School.

If you’re interested in helping with the effort, join the Yahoo! Group. They plan to meet again in early July.

Good luck to the group! I would love to see a weekly farmer’s market in the Richmond. Would you?

Sarah B.

This weekend I noticed papered windows and a sign at 212 Clement announcing that “Seedstore” will be opening soon. According to their window sign and blog, Seedstore will be selling men’s and women’s clothing and vintage goods:

We’ve been hunting and gathering…all for you! We’ve collected a well curated assortment of clothing, accessories, and goods we’re almost ready to share. Our space should be “ready to shop” by early August 2010

According to their Facebook page, they plan to operate Monday through Thursday from 11 to 7, Friday and Saturday from 11 to 8, and Sundays from 11 to 6. They’re on the same block as Park Life so they’re in good retail company.

You can also follow them on Twitter. Good luck to Seedstore!

Sarah B.

SFGate had a nice “Street Date” feature last week, focused on Russian treats along Geary Boulevard here in the Richmond District. The date starts in the outer Richmond with shopping at Troika Gifts and ends with a spot of tea Katia’s.

Here’s your Russian street date itinerary:

1. Troika Gifts, 6300 Geary Boulevard
Eggs adorned with hand-painted hummingbirds share a shelf with Russian nesting dolls in this gift shop.

2. Holy Virgin Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 6210 Geary Boulevard
Built in the early 1960s, its magnificent interior houses exquisite murals frescoed by Archimandrite Kiprian. Website

3. Holy Virgin Cathedral Bookstore, 6200 Geary Boulevard
In this bookstore next to the cathedral, you’ll find religious books, icons, incense, crosses and books for children. Open 10:30am – 2pm, 3-6pm Tuesday through Friday, 10:30am – 3pm on Saturdays.

4. Yana Deli, 4605 Geary Boulevard
If you don’t speak Russian, get in line and once at the counter, point at piroshki, sausages, cheese and other tasty Russian fare.

5. Cinderella Russian Bakery & Cafe, 436 Balboa Street @ 5th Avenue
Start out with a crunchy, mushroom-filled piroshki, warm from the oven, or try the potato, cheese or cherry vareniki. Website

6. Katia’s, 600 Fifth Avenue near Balboa
This cozy Russian tearoom serves an afternoon tea that includes Russian-style tea and a medley of savory and dessert choices. Website

Read the full article at SFGate.com

Thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Paul for sending this in. Any other Russian stops you’d add to this street date itinerary?

Sarah B.

From the Sushi Taste on a Ramen Budget blog comes a short video of former college student Jeff Bautista talking about why he chooses to shop (and save) at New May Way Market (707-719 Clement Street).

Forget the budgeting advice in the video. Check out Jeff’s adorable dimples…

Sarah B.

While shopping at your local Walgreens of bookstore, you’ve probably come across the brown and yellow Arcadia Publishing local history books; there’s one for nearly every neighborhood and landmark in San Francisco.

The San Francisco Friends of the Public Library currently has all their Arcadia titles on sale at their two Book Bay locations. Normally the books sell for $19.95; you can pick them up at Book Bay for just $8 each. What a steal!

There are two Book Bay locations in the city: Fort Mason (Open 10am – 6pm everyday) and at the Main Library at the Civic Center (same as the main library hours but closes half hour earlier).

A quick search of the Arcadia Press website shows 62 titles about San Francisco. One of my favorite Richmond District history books, Lorri Ungaretti’s San Francisco’s Richmond District, is published by them.

So if you’re into local history and want to save some money as you build your collection, head to a Book Bay location. They also make great gifts for friends and family that live in the city – they’re guaranteed to learn something new about their neighborhood.

Special thanks to RichmondSFBlog reader Talia for the tip, who tells me: “Book Bay Fort Mason is an excellent used book store and only a bus 28 ride away from the Richmond. Not as hip as Green Apple, but since all of their stock comes from donations, much much cheaper [note the Arcadia Books in this sale are new, not used - SB]. And the money all goes to support the San Francisco library system!”

Sarah B.

Back in November, I shared a story about a Richmond District Mom, Dawn Miller, who started her own online fashion boutique, aliceandisa.com, that featured local designers.

I read on 7×7 today that Aliceandisa.com is closing down; Dawn says “I simply can’t devote the time and attention it requires.” But before they disappear into the dot-coms-that-were, they’re offering a special discount to shoppers:

As a final thank you to our loyal customers, we would like to offer you a special good-bye present — 30 percent off all merchandise on our website. For those of you who do purchase, we will continue to honor our standard return and exchange policy on all merchandise.

To get the discount, shop your heart out at aliceandisa.com before April 15 and enter the code “closing” at checkout.

Even though Dawn’s online business is closing, you can still keep up with her life as a mom and fashionista on her entertaining blog, Mom Wore This.

Sarah B.