Saving Lombard Street Grams and Public Hearings Alike
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18 Sports 32 At Home 20 Calendar Sports Corner: Liz Farrell: Do-it- February Events: Gung hay fat Meet driver J.R. 11 yourself valentines 23 choy at many Chinese New Year events, and find a plethora of oppor- A&E Pet Pages tunities to celebrate Valentine’s Day Back Story: Pit of the Month: and Black History Month in style. Remembering Saul How a Pigeon stole Plus concerts, galas, film festivals, Zaentz 18 Rocket Dog’s heart 32 authors, and more 20 WWW.MARINATIMES.COM CELEBRATING OUR 30TH YEAR VOLUME 30 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2014 Supervisor’s Chambers Real Estate Investor Mayor Lee’s action plan for affordable housing by john zipperer fter months of increasing political heat generated by concern about a growing lack of affordability in San Francisco, Mayor Ed ALee addressed the issue with a plan to retain and increase affordable housing in the city, as well as lobby Sacramento to make changes to the state’s eviction law, Poor road conditions and derelict buildings are among the issues plaguing Lombard Street PHOTO: STEVEN FROMTLING the Ellis Act. The federal government even kicked in some money. But will any of that be enough? While residents await clues about how those plans will be implemented, the temperature has continued to rise, with activists disrupting business transit pro- Saving Lombard Street grams and public hearings alike. Lee, who has staked much of his reputation as mayor on his stewardship A long-term vision for one of San Francisco’s busiest streets of the city’s explosive growth coming out of the Great Recession, is likely going to find that the next phase by supervisor mark e. farrell sore. The improvements needed in the better. As we all know (and have of his time in office will be judged by how well he the corridor range from pedestrian been living through), Doyle Drive is shepherds the city through the dislocations caused nyone who drives down safety to beautification to overall under major construction and has by that fast growth. Lombard Street between paving conditions and plenty more. been re-envisioned as the Presidio In late 2013 and early into the new year, housing Van Ness and Lyon Streets To set the stage, the Lombard Parkway. While undergoing much prices began to moderate a little in the city, but there Aknows there is much work to be street corridor (also known as needed seismic improvements, the has not been a dramatic or noteworthy decline in done. This area of Lombard Street is Highway 101) is right in the middle Presidio Parkway will also create a prices. They remain at lofty levels. an entryway into our beautiful city, of two major transportation proj- beautiful regional gateway between Consider: In late January, HGTV’s reality series surrounded by famous landmarks ects – the Presidio Parkway Project the Golden Gate Bridge and the city. House Hunters featured a retired stockbroker who such as the Golden Gate Bridge, (Doyle Drive) and the Van Ness Much progress has already been wanted to move from down on the peninsula into the the Palace of Fine Arts, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) – that will made, and construction is expect- city. His budget for a home was $3–$4 million, which, Presidio, yet it is an absolute eye- transform their respective areas for LOMBARD, continued on 6 HOUSING, continued on 30 dients paired in unusual New & Notable and mostly successful Willie at 80 ways. Verbena also has a full bar with a creative and Former mayor introduces new eclectic cocktail and wine selection. The restaurant women’s IT employment program seats 62 in the main din- ing room, 12 upstairs in by m.d. caprario the mezzanine, and 16 out- doors — weather permit- ne can only imagine the smile on former ting. The decor features San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown’s face as he high ceilings with high- plans for his upcoming 80th birthday, and con- tech pendant lighting; a Otemplates all of the anything-but-ordinary adventures black walnut bar and coun- during his years of political service in California. tertops; and a fun, funky Born in Mineola, Tex., marrying Blanche Vitero in illuminated “pickle wall,” 1957, and then receiving his J.D. from the University of displaying jars of house- California Hastings College of Law the following year, pickled goods. Verbena Willie Lewis Brown Jr. says, “the best free advice I ever has an intimate feel, and got [was] ‘leave Texas and come to California.’” Verbena main dining room and bar PHOTO: COURTESY VERBENA the acoustics and lighting The rest, as we all know, is history. are much better than in “The best career advice I’ve ever given anybody,” some of the new, recently Brown says, “is [to] simply prepare yourself for the Verbena: Eclectic and delicious opened pub-like spots. worst and you’ll survive the best.” His life rose from and The kitchen’s focus is was prepared to endure the hardships of racial discrim- by julie mitchell very early or late. But take ular Gather — is worth it. on small plates, such as ination and eventually the gossip and fickle loyalties of heart; the restaurant delib- Executive chef and part- the restaurant’s moist, public office. Serving over 30 years in the California erbena on Polk erately keeps tables open ner Sean Baker, known flavorful house-made State Assembly as the first African American from San Street opened its for walk-ins, aiming to for his vibrant menu at sprouted seed bread Francisco, he was elected the 41st mayor of the city, doors in mid Dec- become a neighborhood Gather, heads up Verbena’s served with chevre and becoming the first African American to claim that Vember, and it’s already dif- favorite. So persevere, kitchen. The menu reflects beet sauerkraut, and the honor and duty twice. He became a legend as chairman ficult to obtain a reserva- as this lively, beautifully the same emphasis on slightly larger choices of the State Assembly Ways & Means Committee, and tion at this hot new spot designed restaurant — sis- dishes meant for sharing such as turnips and sun- WILLIE BROWN, continued on 4 unless you care to dine ter to Berkeley’s ultra-pop- with seasonal, fresh ingre- VERBENA continued on 13 WWW.MARINATIMES.COM THE MARINA TIMES FEBRUARY 2014 1 Contents TOP TEN STEAKS IN AMERICA Osso Steakhouse — 1177 California Street, San Francisco, CA In This Issue Bobo’s — 1450 Lombard, San Francisco, CA 38 14 Peter Luger Steakhouse — 178 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY Bern’s Steakhouse — 1208 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL CUT — 9500 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA Emeril’s Delmonico — 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV Mario Batali’s Carnevino — 3325 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 18 Chicago Cut — 300 North LaSalle, Chicago, IL The Precinct — 311 Delta Avenue, Cincinnati, OH Elway’s Cherry Creek — 2500 East First Avenue, Denver, CO Editor’s Note Anderson reviews Benzedrine Highway; plus the Books Inc. best sellers. 18 Reynolds Rap Private buses and the people who ride them Calendar aren’t the problem, but they are an indicator of the manic lives of the tech boomsters. 3 February events Take the kids to see Nickelodeon’s Sanjay Community and Craig Live or get a babysitter and go see P.J. O’Rourke, catch some Food from Police Blotter the Heart this month, take in the Chinese Tales of crime and punishment from the New Year Festival, and have plenty to do streets of San Francisco. 6 on Valentine’s Day. 20 Street Beat At Home Life in the city Health and home Ernest Beyl relates a near-perfect day in Julie Mitchell on summer fitness at the North Beach; John Zipperer shares some pool; Liz Farrell suggests ways to make comings and goings on the Northside, your kids’ Valentines Day better than including the final dinner at E’Angelo. 8 Charlie Brown’s; and Julia Strzesieski tells us how to cope with the drought. 22 Business & Finance Real Estate PHOTOS: MISHA BRUK The big Apple Alan Silverman looks at how companies Renting, buying, and selling such as Apple use offshore holding com- Carole Isaacs says people are signing on panies to buy and sell — from themselves the dotted line — digitally; John Zipperer — and avoid a boatload of taxes. 10 gives a retail real estate market update; the Osso Steakhouse Mystery Housebuyer is not anonymous Sports anymore, but his subjects are. 24 f you haven’t The stylish Art Empire Steak Building Sports Corner been to Osso Deco-inspired design Cut. It’s the juiciest, Steve Hermanos interviews Indianapolis Pets Steakhouse yet, provides an elegant most perfectly mar- 500 driver J.R. Hildebrand. 11 Dogs and cats Susan Dyer Reynolds “yaps with” Wonder Imake a reserva- yet relaxed ambiance. bled beef that has ever Food & Wine Dog Rescue’s Linda Beenau; Sandy tion today! There The New York Steak been set before you. What’s for dinner? Fertman Ryan shows the lighter side of fawning over dogs; Pigeon is our Pit of is so much to love is dry-aged 4-6 weeks “It’s osso good!” Tony Ching serves up a list of his top the Month; Susan Dyer Reynolds tests 10 restaurants for 2013; the Tablehopper about the place — for a flavor that is Dog for Dog doggie treats; John Zipperer rounds up the latest restaurant news; Susan remembers how Boris became whole; great atmosphere, nothing short of a rev- Valet Parking Dyer Reynolds shares her recipe for Iberico Skylar goes for the gold… tassels, plus great food, great elation.