SFWeekly released their Best Of San Francisco 2009 winners today and of course I wanted to showcase the Richmond District winners here for everyone. The theme for this year was “fresh places and trend-setters that will shape the world of tomorrow.”
To see the full list of winners in People & Places, Sports & Recreation, Shopping & Services, Eats & Treats, Arts & Entertainment and Bars & Clubs, head over to the SF Weekly Best Of site. Congratulations to all the winners!
Best New Museum: California Academy of Sciences
There are so many awesome things about the Cal Academy of Sciences. The jaw-dropping building, with its grassy hillocks on the roof. The multistory rainforest display, which allows you to stroll from roots to treetop. The African penguins, fed twice a day to the delight of squealing tots… More
Best SFPD Flack: Sergeant Lyn Tomioka
Calling the cops is rarely a pleasant experience. But ever since Lyn Tomioka joined the media relations team at the Hall of Justice, it’s been nothing but goodies, goodies, and gumdrops. The former patrol supervisor in the Richmond District transferred to media relations late last year and… More
Best Place for a Birthday Party: China Beach
Competition among parents for children’s birthday party sites is San Francisco’s version of range warfare. Prime spots in Golden Gate Park require advance reservations. Private birthday spots such as the Secret Garden Tea House & Gift Parlour or AcroSports cost more than recession victims… More
Best New Music Fest: Outside Lands
Last summer, those who attended the first annual Outside Lands music festival in Golden Gate Park were treated to many “only in San Francisco” moments. There was the night Radiohead performed dreamy postrock symphonies, shrouded in fog. Or the time indie songwriter Bon Iver got the entire crowd… More
Best Place to Race Your Model Yacht: Spreckels Lake (36th Ave & Fulton)
Spreckels Lake was created in 1903 as a place for the town’s citizenry to sail their model yachts, a charming notion that has endured through a century of war, strife, and economic deprivation. On any given Sunday, you’re likely to see a regatta of scale-model steamboats, clippers, barges,… More
Best Bike Ride with the Kids: Golden Gate Park Panhandle to S.F. Zoo
Among the pleasures of raising a family in San Francisco is riding bikes with your children. The city’s linked series of oceanside and bayside parks and weekend street closures in Golden Gate Park and on the Embarcadero mean it’s possible to tour some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes… More
Best Reinvention: Sutro’s at the Cliff House
Once upon a time, the Cliff House was regarded as the quintessential San Francisco tourist trap: a badly run, badly maintained place with nothing to recommend it save its matchless ocean view. But since the arrival of famed multistarred chef George Morrone, former opening chef at Aqua and Fifth… More
Best Popovers: The Bistro at Cliff House
Popovers are eggy, light, almost hollow soufflélike rolls, with a fragile and glossy crust, and best when served fresh. Practice makes perfect, but most restaurants don’t even attempt to bake the steam-leavened treats. In San Francisco, reliable beauties are available at the Bistro… More
Best Vegetarian Restaurant: Burma Superstar
As Burma Superstar’s extensive and alluring menu states: “Please note, most dishes can be prepared vegetarian — please ask your server.” Even nonvegetarians often find themselves ordering an entire vegetarian meal here, right off the menu. We suggest starting with the famous… More
Best Comedian: Ali Wong (Richmond resident)
Comedians are often ambitious egotists with poor boundaries who aren’t hiding how intelligent they are. Ali Wong is all of that, plus she has the things that really matter: wit, timing, experience, and a unique hairdo. We’re so proud of her! She delighted and embarrassed fellow comedian Bobby… More
Sarah B.