A Stroll Along Clement Street
I have lived on Sacramento and Arguello for almost four years and have just recently discovered Clement Street. Well actually, I have always known about it and gone to a few Chinese restaurants around there, but never spent much time checking the place out. Afterall, there were no trees lining the streets and sometimes it smelled funny and I was almost run over once, which made me decide to hang out in other close neighborhoods, such as Laurel Heights, Sacramento Street and even the Fillmore.
And what an embarrassing shame that is. Over the past year, several new shops sprung up between Second Avenue and Six Avenue on Clement Street making it the next "Hayes Valley" (you can decide whether that is a good thing or not. Don’t get me wrong. I am not a fan of gentrification, but there are some sharp places around here—just don’t come driving there in some big SUV, gabbing on your cell phone, etc.)
Clement Street has always had its share of funky little hang-outs that have been well trafficked by USF students searching for cheap eats and beer for years, such as the Bitter End, an Irish pub that features trivia games Tuesday nights or Flat Plastic Sound, the most righteous record store showcasing a great selection of records straight from your parent’s dusty collection. Well, I could spend hours discussing every sharp store on the street, but here are my top picks:
Kumquat: First sign of the gentrification of Clement Street, but it really is a cute store, which is guarded by the nicest pooch. The owner stocks her store with local artists’ work, including pottery, stain glass and jewelry. I also saw quite a few sweet little items that would make great stocking stuffers for kids and adults alike. My favorite was the prettiest set of felt coasters shaped and colored like autumn leaves. Simply charming.
Busvans for Bargains: This should be the initial stop anyone makes in San Francisco after signing their first apartment lease. Busvans is a San Francisco institution—even mentioned in Armistead Maupin's infamous Tales of the City series. I remember first hearing about Busvan’s when I first moved to the city—it was referenced in Mr Cheaps’ Guide to San Francisco (A gift from my parents. I wonder if they were trying to tell me something?)
Busvan’s has the best and cheapest selection of bookcases in the city and is well worth a visit for that alone. Busvans also has a great selection of sofas that could be from Z Gallery, but at a lower price. The store also features used furniture that can tend to look a bit eighties in style, but worth a search.
Blue Danube: This little coffeeshop/bar/restaurant/just a great place to hang out, has been a popular haunt for SF students for years. It even features a little patio in front to sit and peoplewatch while sipping on a fine cup of coffee. The Danube also features a nice selection of beers and many hand painted tables to sit writing letters. The only thing it’s missing is a fireplace for those cold nights. But they make up for it by offering a nice happy hour every Sunday featuring the Simpson on the TV. What more could a patron ask for?
Q: Located between Second and Third Street on Clement, this little hip restaurant features home cooking with an edge. Fried chicken and meatloaf every night. But the real treat is saved for Sunday brunch, where lucky patrons can feast on four different varieties of eggs benedict served on foccacia bread served with a side order of rootin’ tootin’ home fries. But I must give a quick nod to the pancakes—three plate size beauties for the low price of $4.50. Now that’s worth a trip to the Richmond any day of the week!
Green Apple Bookstore: Green Apple’s famous in-depth selection of used books continues to draw people across the city and beyond to our little Clement Street. And with good reason. It reminds me of those dusty bookstores I used to visit in London, with little alleys of books where a person could get lost and love every minute of it. There is even a sweet cat that can be found napping on some of the old chairs in the back. Green Apple also offers a fine selection of CD’s and magazines in its Annex, which is next door.
Discount Fabric Store: Britex beware! Although this place does not offer insane five floors of stuff that Britex is known for, you can find some great deals on nice fabrics and notions. This is the place to go to make your curtains or buy stuff for any craft project. They were selling fleece at an insanely good price, making me contemplate what funky Christmas presents I could whip up with this nice stuff.
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