valencia street sf A guide to the dynamic Valencia Street corridor in San Francisco. The best stores and restaurants on Valencia Street in the Mission district of San Francisco

a great wine on line

Its been up and running for about 3 months, but business is starting to pick up. Its a cute little used clothing Boutique located at 22nd and Guerrero St. You almost miss it as you walk on by, but its one of the great little storefront shops to move into the Valencia St. Corridor. It mainly carries women's clothing with a small selection of men's. It also carries shoes, necklaces, bracelets and handmade pins. You get a sense of the personal nature of this store in the way that it is set up. All of the clothing hangs on branches instead of clothes racks and it feels so intimate and friendly without someone staring at you trying to make you buy. All of the clothing is handpicked with many of the items from places like Element, Dkny, Banana Republic Abercrombie and Finch and many more. Now the great thing about it is that you are looking at a price range of $7-$10 dollars. This is a great place to drop in on when you're roaming the Valencia St. area on a Sat. or Sun. It almost has a Zen feel about it so you don't feel rushed and can take you're time an find that little treasure that makes you're day.

Location: 3412 22nd St. at Guerrero St. Hours: Sunday: 11am-7pm, Tues: 1pm-8pm, wed:1pm-8pm, thu:1pm-8pm, Fri:1pm-pm, Sat: 11am-7pm. Phone: 415-550-6911.

Yes BERETTA is a classy little Italian Restaurant located on the corner of Valencia St. and 23rd St. Its been there awhile and it is known for it's thin crust pizzas, contemporary Italian comfort food and inventive cocktails. The menu is fresh seasonal and all produce comes from local organic farmers. The crowd is somewhat younger and can get quite loud at times, but that's part of the enjoyable atmosphere. Its a great place to eat with a crowd or impress that date. I believe the the best way to display what a restaurant offers is to let you see the full menu, that way you can see if it offers something that interests you as a diner and get a good idea of the price range.

BRUNCH MENU:

omelet or scramble with roasted potatoes or salad 9
made with any two ingredients below, or three for 10
asparagus            zucchini          fontina cheese
tomato                  broccollini       mozzarella
mushrooms          sausage          pancetta

of grilled vegetables & pesto, roast potatoes or salad 9

with mixed berries & mascarpone 8.5

savory crepes with béchamel, fontina & asparagus 9

6
roasted beets with ricotta salata
cauliflower with pangratatto, capers & sage
warm marinated cerignola olives & citrus
bruschette of crescenza & broccoli rabe
bruschette of fava beans & pecorino
eggplant caponatina with burrata +3
broccolini with peperoncino & garlic
charred radicchio with saba
meatballs in spicy tomato sauce
grilled asparagus with limone & uova
baked polenta with gorgonzola cheese
zucchini parmigiana with scamorza & basil
chicken liver crostini alla toscana
herb onion bread with extra virgin olive oil 3

baccala with grilled polenta 7
monterey sardines en saör 7
fritto misto di pesce 13

boccalone artisan salumi with giardiniera

lardo
prosciutto di parma

lonza 
mortadella

sopressata

mixed plate of all five   15

7 / 11
arugula & fennel salad with shaved parmesan
warm radicchio & escarole with pancetta tesa
panzanella with cucumber & heirloom tomatoes

pizza carbonara with pancetta, eggs & mozzarella 12
bianca, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt & lardo 11
spicy marinara, peperoncini, & olives 9
margherita 11 with burrata + 3
funghi misti, tomato, fontina & thyme 14
hot salami, coppa, tomato, pecorino & diavolicchio  15
broccolini, pancetta, tomato & mozzarella 11
spicy italian sausage, panna & spring onions 13
prosciutto di parma, tomato, arugula & mozzarella 13
baccala’, potato, panna, onions & capers 13
grilled vegetables, tomato, pesto & mozzarella 11
potato, rosemary, radicchio & gorgonzola dolce 13
heirloom tomato, basil, shaved ricotta & evoo 13
& anchovy 2            & spicy coppa 5               & egg 2
& mozzarella 2        & vegan cheese 2            & burrata 3
& sausage 3            & vegetarian sausage 3

asparagus & robiola  12
squid ink risotto with calamari 13
porcini mushrooms & barbera 13
saffron risotto with osso buco 14

monday: braised pork hock, cavolo nero & polenta 14
tuesday: herb-crusted halibut with fennel & olives  17
wednesday: pork saltimbocca alla romana  16
thursday: lamb ossobuco  17
friday: cioppino  18
saturday: bistecca  18
sunday: pollo farcito  16

THE GREY LADY gin, lemon, cointreau, egg, earl grey bitters 10
PAMPLEMOUSSE gin, lemon, grapefruit, basil, elderflower 9
TULIO ORO prosecco, limoncello, punt é mes 9
CARDINALE sparkling rose, lillet rouge, hibiscus, angostura 10

ginger beer 4
hibiscus cooler 4
blood orange juice 3
iced tea 2
espresso 2
ritual coffee press: sm 3 lge 5
lemonade 4
mint lemonade 4
grapefruit juice 3
hot tea 3
cappuccino 2.5

house-made gelati: vanilla, espresso, or a little of each 6
house made sorbetti: passionfruit, raspberry, or a little of each 6
moscato-marinated strawberry tart with mascarpone  7
panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt 7
vanilla affogato with amaro averna 8
white chocolate gelato with cherries 8
baba al rum with panna gelato 8
bonet-chocolate gelato with amaretti & caramel 7
an 18% gratuity will be added to parties of six or larger
a 4% charge will be added to check for san francisco health care.

DINNER MENU:

6
roasted beets with ricotta salata
cauliflower with pangratatto, capers & sage
warm marinated cerignola olives & citrus
bruschette of crescenza & broccoli rabe
bruschette of local artichokes
eggplant caponatina with burrata +2
broccolini with peperoncino & garlic
asparagus with fried poached egg
meatballs in spicy tomato sauce
grilled radicchio trevisano with pancetta
zucchini parmigiana with scamorzra & basil
chicken liver crostini alla toscana
baked polenta with gorgonzola cheese
gnocchi with tomato sauce, basil & mozzarella 8
herb onion bread with extra virgin olive oil 3
lamb chops with arugula & goat milk yogurt 12

baccala mantecato 7
monterey sardines en saör 7
scampi with pancetta & cannellini 7
dungeness crab arancini with calabrese aioli 10
fritto misto di pesce 13

artisan salumi with giardiniera

lardo
prosciutto di parma

hot coppa
mortadella

sopressata

mixed plate of all five   15

7 / 11
arugula & fennel salad with shaved parmesan
warm radicchio & escarole with pancetta tesa
frisee with crimini mushrooms & green onion

bianca, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt & lardo 11
spicy marinara, peperoncini, & olives 10
margherita 12 with burrata + 3
funghi misti, tomato, fontina & thyme 15
hot salami, coppa, tomato, pecorino & diavolicchio  15
broccolini, pancetta, tomato & mozzarella 11
spicy italian sausage, panna & green onions 15
prosciutto di parma, tomato, arugula & mozzarella 13
baccala, potato, panna, onions & capers 13
grilled vegetables, tomato, pesto & mozzarella 11
potato, rosemary, radicchio & gorgonzola dolce 14
cauliflower, panna, pancetta, onion & parmesan 13
& anchovy 2            & spicy coppa 4                & hot salami 4
& mozzarella 2        & vegan cheese 2             & burrata 4
& sausage 3            & vegetarian sausage 3    & egg 2

asparagus tips crescenza 13
squid ink risotto with calamari 14
kale, borlotti beans & smoked pancetta 13
saffron risotto with osso buco 15

monday: bistecca siciliana 16
tuesday: mahi mahi with beans & fennel  17
wednesday: pork saltimbocca alla romana  16
thursday: lamb ossobuco  17
friday: cioppino  18
saturday: bistecca  18
sunday: pollo farcito  16

prince neville’s ginger beer 4
house made hibiscus cooler 4
house made organic lemonade
fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice 3
espresso 2
latte 3
cappuccino 2.5
ritual press - small 3 - large 5

gelati: white chocolate & basil, vanilla, espresso, or a little of two 6
sorbetti: blood orange, meyer lemon, or a little of each 6
moscato-marinated strawberry tart with mascarpone  7
panna gelato with extra virgin olive oil & sea salt 7
rhubarb-almond crumb cake with vanilla gelato 9
baba al rum with panna gelato 8
bonet-chocolate gelato with amaretti & caramel 7
an 18% gratuity will be added to parties of six or larger
a 4% charge will be added to check for san francisco health care.

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COCKTAILS:

il gitano
amaro, lime, pineapple gomme, grapefruit, bitters

the acadian
rye, sloe gin, lemon, honey, absinthe, rosemary

nuestra paloma
tequila, elderflower, cointreau, grapefruit, bitters

dolores park swizzle
rum, lime, maraschino, absinthe, bitters

agricole mule
rum, lime, ginger, mint

decade
gin, lemon, agave, bitters

improved whiskey cocktail
rye, bitters, dubonnet, absinthe, maraschino

airmail
rum, honey, lime, prosecco

monte carlo
rye, benedictine, bitters, orange

hemingway
white rum, lime, cane syrup, maraschino, grapefruit

londsdale
gin, apple, lemon, basil, honey

single village fix
mezcal, lime, pineapple gomme

rattlesnake
rye, lemon, maple, bitters, egg white

añejo sour
tequila, lemon, agave, egg white

Location: 1199 Valencia St. corner of 23rd. St., Hours: Mon-Fri: 5:30 pm-1am, Phone: 415-695-1199 (Takes reservations)

To visit the BERETTA website click on the above image.

 If you are one of those people like I am and love to go thru the thrift store in San Francisco, You have got to make it down to Valencia St. and walk right on in to BUFFALO EXCHANGE. This is just not you're ordinary thrift store, and it's not you're ordinary Vintage clothing store. You won't find racks of old moldy clothing where you have to rummage thru everything to to find a gem or something in you're size, and many of the clothing and accessories are new. The way it works is this: all the clothing is bought sold or traded, therefore, all of the clothing is hand picked and that guarantees that the merchandise is quality because it has been hand picked for sale. Items are not donated. But used clothing is not all, they have new clothing and accessories. But the great thing is prices are so easy on the pocket book. We're talking in the $5-$30 dollar range. I believe they have the best selection of used levies and new and used shoes in the city. If you are in the area I guarantee it will be worth you're while to drop in.

Location: 1210 Valencia St.  Between 24th St. and 25th St. Hours: Mon-Sat: 11am-7pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm. Phone: 415-647-8332.

To visit the BUFFALO EXHCHANGE website just click on the above image.

 This sweet little restaurant is brand new to the Valencia St. Corridor, located at Guerrero and 22nd. St. This corner is just becoming an little restaurant Mecca, and Tuba fits right in Bringing you some fantastic Mediterranean Turkish dishes. This is a small place not meant for huge crowds, but on most nights you will find every table filled. Why? because the food is delicious. It's Mediterranean, and eastern Mediterranean, with obvious affinities for the neighboring cuisines of Greece, Lebanon, and the Arab Middle East. It suggests simplicity, honesty, healthfulness; there is plenty of yogurt, lamb, and eggplant. At the same time, it has its own character and distinctive dishes.

The signature dish is Sigara Boregi, a cigar like flute filled with Feta Cheese and Spinach deep fried and to a light crispy texture. But the best way to dine at TUBA, is to go in a group of 3-4 and order the combination platters. With the best being is the $24.00 Kabab plate, good for at least 3 people. Chunks of skewered lamb and chicken coming right off the charcoal grill, plus Adana and Kofte Kebabs, spiced ground beef plus a tiny lamb chop all on one plate. Served with round loafs of warm bread.

Location: 1007 22nd St. at Guerrero St. Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun- 5pm-10pm Fri-Sat-5pm-11pm. Phone: 415-862-8822.

 

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 It you don't love these two places, you will once you have had a taste. At the corner of Valencia St. and 24th St. sitting there like two soul mates who have staked out their own little world in the Mission are BIG MOUTH BURGERS and PHAT PHILLY, dining establishments for those with some money in our pocket and starving for some out of this world comfort food.

Lets look at BIG MOUTH BURGERS first. This is big burger supreme, and check this out: all natural beef . Forget Mcdonalds and Burger King. Here's a taste of the menu:

The Big Mouth Burger: all natural prime ground chuck. broiled medium on you're choice of bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion & mayo.

The Turkey Burger: fresh ground turkey broiled and served with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onion.

The Blue Cheese Burger: with pesto aioli, lettuce, Tomatoes, pickles, red onions and mayo.

The Garden Burger: Garnished with lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, red onions and mayo.

The Salmon Burger: grilled with lemon-dill aioli, lettuce Tomatoes, pickles & red onion.

Side orders: French Fries, Baked Beans or Cole Slaw.

Beverages: Draft and bottled Beers, Milk Shakes, Root Beer Floats, Sodas and Juices.

As I said This is just a taste, the menu is much larger with includes Chicken Breast and Cajun Sausage.

Location: 3392 24th St. @ Valencia St. Hours: 11am-10pm 7 days a week. Phone: 415-821-4821. Price range-$4.50-$8.50.

Once you take a bite you will find a special place in you're heart for BIG MOUTH BURGERS.

Now lets look at PHAT PHILLY. This place is Cheese Steak central, and the French Fries and Onion Rings are just about the best in the City: Here's a taste of the menu:

Classic Philly Cheesesteak: Masami Farms American Kobe beef, Caramelized Onions, choice of cheese.

Pepper Steak: Classic with Roasted Bell Peppers.

Combo Steak: with Roasted Bell Peppers and Sauteed Mushrooms.

The Whole Shi-Bang: Meat, Cheese, Roasted Peppers, Sauteed Mushrooms, Applewood Smoke Bacon and Avocado.

Cheese topping: Whiz, White American, Cheddar, Provolone.

I will tell you now, the Criss-cut Waffle Fries and Beer Battered Onion Rings will blow you away.

You can see the full menu st the PHAT PHILLY website, just click on the PHAT PHILLY picture above and it will take you right there. You can order online, and they deliver.

Location: 3388 24th St. @ Valencia St. Hours: 11am-11pm. 7 days a week. phone: 415-550-phat.

If you walk up and down the Valencia St. Corridor, You are going to get you're fill of Mexican cuisine, but if you take a turn at Valencia St. and 22nd. St. and walk up one block to Guerrero  St. You will find LA PROVENCE. A sweet cozy French Restuarant with a fantastic menu. With so many French Restaurants in the city why LA PROVENCE? Well, unlike so many French Restaurants, where you walk out bloated from all the sauce salt and sugar, LA PROVENCE serves you a menu that is light but the taste is absolutely French dining heaven. It offers a twist of California cuisine and Italian influence. Predominant on the menu are local fish and game and occasionally lamb, served with fresh vegetables. Rather than talk about the menu, you will find it below. I believe this the the best way for diners to decide if they want to give it a try.

Appetizer Menu

Grandes Assiettes Provençale

Soupe du Jour

$8

La Pissaladière

A Savory Provençale Pie, Garnished with Caramelized Onions, Olives, and Anchovies

$9

Salade Vegan
Baby Leaf Salad, Asparagus, Cucumber, Leek, Radish, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, and Truffle Oil Dressing

$9

Signature de La Provence

Rillete de Canard
Home Made Duck Pistachio “Rillette” with Apricot Marmalade and Walnut Cake

$11

La Niçoise à Notre Façon
Mesclun Salad, Soft Egg, Yellow Wax Beans, Purple Potatoes, Bell Pepper Confit, Seared Tuna, Anchovies, Caper Berries, Olives

$11

Poulpe à la Galicienne

Octopus, Heirloom Tomatoes, Scalions, Sundried Tomatoes Pesto

$12

Carpaccio de Veau à la “Pagnol”
All-Natural Veal Carpaccio, Organic Artichoke Salad, Green Pepper Corn Dressing

$14

Prix Fixe Menu
Appetizers, Main Course, Dessert

$34

Main Course

Risotto Aiguo Boulido
Beretta Risotto, Organic Mushrooms, Grana Padano Parmesan

$16

Le Grand Aïoli
Fresh Steamed Codfish, Seasonal Vegetables, Aioli, Pesto

$18

Filet Mignon de Porc St. Tropez
Grilled Marinated Free-Range Porc Filet, Thyme Lemongrass Jus, Broiled Vegetable Provençale Tian

$19

Poulet de la Mère Besson
Roasted Chicken Breast, Tomato Tart Tatin, Truffle Jus

$19

Saumon Mariné à l’Anis
Anis Stars Marinated Salmon , Lightly Sautéed, Parsnip Purée, Mango, Pink Peppercorn, Virgin Dressing

$21

Soupe de Poissons Canebière
Bouillabaisse Provençale with Mussels, Shrimps, , Bay Scallops, Anglerfish Perfumed with Saffron, Tarragon, “Rouille” Crouton

$22

Raviole de Lapin à la Figue California
Rabbit Confit and Figue Ravioli, Veal Jus, Fava Beans

$23

Side Order:
Tian Provençale or Parmesan Polenta or Grilled Asparagus

$7

Prix Fixe Menu
Appetizers, Main Course, Dessert

There is also an extensive wine menu, But I will warn you it is not cheap. This is a great little restaurant if you want quality, taste but DO NOT want to Max out you're credit card in this era of recession.

This is what I love about the Mission District and the Valencia St. corridor. It is just evolving into the most dynamic area of the city, while keeping its character;

Location: 1001 Guerrero St. Corner of Guerrero and 22nd. St. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun-5:30pm-11:30pm. Phone: 415-643-4333

To Visit the LA PROVENCE website just click on the above image.