New Stuff

Brand New “Bernal Heights” EP Inspired by Bernal Heights

/ Todd_Lappin

Okay, this is fun. The Chocolate Penthouse are an electronic music duo, and for a time they lived (and recorded) in Bernal Heights. The result was a brand new collection of music that they’re calling the Bernal Heights EP:

Here it is, after 3 years of sitting on my harddrive, I am pleased to release The Bernal Heights EP. The Bernal Heights EP contains some of the very first Chocolate Penthouse Songs. Julian and I would spend a good part of our practice walking around Bernal Heights, we would explore the many staircases, gardens, and spectacular views. The music is noisy and quirky, we had always wanted to play dance music, but neither of us had a dance music background. However, we like synths and distortion, so those two things together became the cornerstone of our songs.

You can listen to the whole thing (for free!) on Soundcloud. But for an immediate preview, we bring one track from the EP, called Bayshore Sunset. Here are the liner notes:

Bayshore Sunset is tribute to Bayshore Blvd. Blazing trees at night on the 101 overpass is f*cking great. You get the solitude of being away from everyone, the buzz on 101 below you, and the vantage point of looking out on to Bayshore. Bayshore comes alive at certain times of the night, especially when the clubs start getting out. People dip into the jack n box, there are line of cars out the lot and on to the boulevard, everyone feeling good trying to get their eat on before the next adventure. This song captures the beauty and grittiness that is Bayshore Blvd.

New Marijuana Dispensary “Takes Bernal Heights Up A Notch”

/ Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

Marijuana criticism is not confined solely to droopy-eyed amateurs; Like the rest of the medical marijuana industry, the field has also developed its own cadre of professionals. One such pro, from the East Bay Express’s Legalization Nation blog, recently took note of the soft-launch of the Herbal Mission dispensary on Mission Street, and in an article entitled “New San Francisco Dispensary Herbal Mission Takes Bernal Heights Up A Notch,” the early reviews are in:

Herbal Mission was still working out the opening kinks last last month. Intake was smooth, but the point-of-sale system seemed new to the employees. There’s no art, or music, or flatscreen menu monitors. And they had what we’d call the “dispensary starter pack” of strains: some Girl Scout Cookies, Lemon Haze, GDP, Blackberry Kush, Blue Dream, and about ten other popular names. Herbal Mission had just a smattering of concentrates and edibles, but they’ll likely stock up quick.

For now, they’re happy to finally be open. And we’re happy to see some much-needed competition come to the southern half of San Francisco. Nearby Bernal Heights Collective is groovy but natty by comparison, with passable cannabis at so-so prices, dispensed by often-baked, lackadaisical cashiers.

Also, MissionLocal has a typically thorough article on how Herbal Mission came to be.

PHOTO: MissionLocal

Back of Liberty Cafe to Become Bistro-Style Outdoor Cinema

/ Todd_Lappin / 19 Comments

Liberty Cafe

As you may recall, last fall the Liberty Cafe on Cortland was purchased by the owners of Vega, the Italian restaurant across the street. Now that the new owners have had some time to settle in, they’re preparing to make some changes to the bakery zone in the back. The food-obsessed Inside Scoop blog has the details:

The front cafe area isn’t changing. It will still serve the Liberty Cafe lunch, dinner and beloved brunch.

But in the back bakery area, there will be some changes. During the day, Liberty Cafe is working with nearby Sandbox Bakery for the baked goods. The bakery is still open with the same hours, but all the goods coming out there are Sandbox’s. (Sandbox’s Mutsumi Takehara is using the oven there for bread, too.)

During the evenings, the plan is to screen movies and serve thin-crust pizzas — almost like an extension of owner Vega Freeman-Brady’s pizzeria (Vega) across the way. They’re putting in heat lamps and new beer taps.

Innnnnnnnnteresting. Baked good from Sandbox during the day, with a smaller-scale Foreign Cinem-type thing happening after dark. All that sounds like a rather tasty combination.

PHOTO: Telstar Logistics

New Portola Blog Is Almost as Vain as Bernalwood

/ Todd_Lappin / 13 Comments

There’s a new kid on the block. The Portola Planet is a new blog dedicated to covering The Portola, a neighborhood that reliable sources tell us lies on the other side of I-280, immediately to the south of glamorous Bernal Heights.

Moreover, in much the same way that Bernalwood loves, loves, loves looking at photos of Bernal Hill, The Portola Planet apparently loves looking at photos of The Portola — even if that means climbing Bernal Hill to get the job done.

The photo above is fascinating, because it shows what a Portolan sees when they look south:

Turning my back on our majestic city I realized [Bernal Hill] is also a fantastic viewpoint for our own hidden neighborhood. I took a few photos and here is one (with a few landmarks highlighted) which shows the Portola as the great little city suburb that it is.

Ah! Wow! I get it! All that sprawling, buildingy stuff visible from atop Bernal Hill corresponds to local, familiar places if you live in The Portola. Who knew???

Thus enlightened, Bernalwood would like to warmly welcome The Portola Planet to the cybersphere, and we kindly remind them to please stay off our lawn.

PHOTO: Portola Planet

Coming Soon: More Gourmet Auto Parts

/ Todd_Lappin / 19 Comments

When the Hollywood Video store on the corner of Cesar Chavez and South Van Ness closed down, I had a little fantasy: The store occupied a high-profile location with above-average square-footage and even a few parking spaces, so in my heart of hearts I hoped the location might become a gourmet deli or Asian mini-supermarket of some sort. I envisioned a business perched somewhere between a Bi-Rite and a Trader Joe’s that would further increase the gastro-retail diversity of Bernal’s north slope, in a convenient location that’s both eminently walkable and yet still car-friendly.

But alas, it’s not to be. Instead, over the last few weeks its become clear that the former Hollywood Video will soon become an Auto Zone. So instead of getting a convenient place to buy exotic and tasty food for dinner, we’re getting another purveyor of artisanal auto parts. Indeed, the building had been home to an auto parts store before it was occupied by Hollywood Video, so perhaps it’s just reverting to type.

I suppose I’m lucky, in a Bernal Dads sort of way; From my house, I will soon be able to walk to not one, but TWO auto partsmongers — the other, of course, being the O’Reilly’s Auto Parts store that’s in the former Mission Chevrolet dealership on Mission at Precita. Somewhat less lucky, however, is Neighbor Rachel, who wrote to Bernalwood to share this view out the rear window of her Precita Avenue home:

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics and Neighbor Rachel

Bernal Barfly Samples Cocktails at New Rock Bar

/ Todd_Lappin / 16 Comments

Tasty things are happening in the flatlands of Bernal’s La Lengua Autonomous Zone. Gradually, we are witnessing the birth of a dynamic Cocktail Cluster that caters to those who want to get a classy drink on. It began with the Royal Cuckoo, then came Iron and Gold, and now we’ve got Rock Bar, a new establishment on 29th at Tiffany that’s owned by the folks from the Front Porch restaurant across the street.

Special correspondent Bernal Barfly visited Rock Bar, and he shares this review:

Yet another Bernal Heights watering hole has gone through a phoenix-like ritual of a make-over and renaming.  Nestled at at the corner of 29th & Tiffany is the newly opened Rock Bar.  On the heels of Iron & Gold, The Lucky Horseshoe, and Royal Cuckoo, the options for non-dive bars is expanding for Bernal denizens.

Rock Bar’s interior features items which would seem at home in a waterhole in hills of the Sierras: Kerosene lamps, gold pans, pick axes, and hard hats set the context for the joint.  While at least a dozen patrons could be seated comfortably around the bar without bumping elbows, it could service 20+ during the high-demand, SRO times.  There is a generous selection of spirits behind the bar, including local products such as Old Potrero & St. Georges Gin.  Scattered through the joint are  tables for small groups to perch, as well as a pool table and a fireplace.  A jukebox is mounted to the rear wall, but a note explained that it was non-operational.

To set a qualifying standard, ordered a Bulleit Rye Manhattan for the first round.  The drink soon arrived and came served on a rock coaster instead of the usual cardboard or bar napkin.  A great extension of the bar’s branding/identity with that touch.  The first sip indicated correct proportions and construction for the Rye Manhattan, and the competency of the bar was established.

For the second round, we consulted the bartender for his suggestion on an appropriate follow-up.  Soon a Vieux Carre appeared (Rye, Cognac, Vermouth, Bitters, & Benedictine). Not a drink I would have initially selected, but a totally enjoyable companion to the Manhattan.  Rock Bar’s specialty menu includes Corpse Reviver #2, Sazerac, and cans of Schlitz.

A bit diminutive compared to the other watering holes along Mission St., the Rock Bar is a fine addition to the portfolio of Bernal Heights retox facilities.

PHOTOS: Bernal Barfly

Gorgeous New Children’s Book Was Made in Bernalwood

/ Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Neighbor Ashley Wolff has a new children’s book that’s just been released, and it was created right in here in Bernal Heights:

I wanted to share the news that my new picture book is out at last. Baby Bear Sees Blue was conceived, designed, and executed at my studio on the 300 block of Highland Ave, the home of the magnificent palm tree.

Red Hill Books on Cortland just ordered copies of Baby Bear Sees Blue, and he has a Facebook page now with insider info that my fellow Bernalistas and dudes will want to know.

Here’s what the critics have to say about the book:

Inspired by the mother bear and cub in Blueberries for Sal, Wolff creates a gentel story for toddlers that introduces colors and images from the natural world…. Wolff’s lovely compositions feature inked linoleum block prints that render those bears a strinkingly deep, matte black. Lush, washy watercolors illuminate the scenes–colors in the downpour’s puddles reflect a rainbow. Curious Baby Bear is 100-percent toddler, and Wolff skillfully captures both the bear-ish…and the human…. Imbued with a spirit of exploration, fostered by parental protection, Baby Bear’s colorful adventures will enrich repeat bedtime read-alouds.” –Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2011

* “Wolff’s watercolor-tinted linocuts make each page of this story simultaneously cozy and dramatic—cozy because they star a fuzzy bear cub and his mother, and dramatic because each one contrasts dark shapes with washes of light and color…. Children will be absorbed by the complex textures of Wolff’s linocuts, the Japanese woodblock–style graded shades of the sky, and the reassuring comfort of a world that is always safely guarded by Mama Bear.” –Publishers Weekly, December 5, 2011, *STAR

Right ON! And hey, and what’s a book these days without a video trailer? Like the book, this one is beautiful:

Bernalwood Writer Discovers Secret to Better Marriage

/ Todd_Lappin / 4 Comments

Here’s a star sighting of sorts: Bernalwood contributor Elizabeth Weil wrote a piece for the Modern Love column in last Sunday’s New York Times. In it she explains her awkward quest to, as she puts it, “make my good marriage better.”

So what’s the secret? Here’s how Elizabeth describes her formula for marital improvement:

The lesson finally sank in. The key to a better marriage, for us, was not to hew closer to the general, to try to grind away the quirks or to more faithfully try to emulate the early-21st century marriage ideal. The key was to embrace, not blunt, the specifics — specifics that in the end we couldn’t blunt anyway. Despite all of our trying, Dan and I had not ground smooth our individual flaws. Yet our marriage still seemed better, changed. Maybe through our striving we had become more generous.

Elizabeth has more wisdom to impart in her forthcoming book: “No Cheating, No Dying: I Had a Good Marriage. Then I Tried To Make It Better.”

Sandbox Bakery’s Spinoff at 903 Cortland Now Open

/ Todd_Lappin / 9 Comments

903 Cortland

903 Cortland

903 Cortland

Tasty news. 903 Cortland, the new spinoff from the tastymakers at Sandbox Bakery, opened this week. The Inside Scoop blog brings the, er, inside scoop:

Now open for breakfast and lunch service (with more soon to come) is 903, a new Bernal Heights eatery from Mutsumi Takehara and her folks at nearby neighborhood favorite Sandbox Bakery. As you may know, Takehara was the pastry chef at places like La Farine, Chez Panisse, Rubicon and for 10 years, the Slanted Door.

Unlike the smaller Sandbox, there’s some indoor seating here, plus a refrigerator case with prepared items. Hours are 8am to 3pm for now. On February 1, Takehara says dinner will begin, with hours extended to 7am to 8pm.

Click through to read what’s on the launch menu. Yum.

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

The Mysterious New Store at 420 Cortland, REVEALED!

/ Todd_Lappin / 8 Comments

For weeks, mystery has surrounded the newly renovated storefront at 420 Cortland Street. Word on the street was that a tenant had been found. But who?! And what?!

Then, a clue appeared… in the form of a question mark:

Then, weeks later, came… another question mark!

Two question marks! One, containing a bicycle wheel. The other, in the form of an electrical cord. So many questions.

Well, we have answers. Or, at least a partial answer. Or, most of an answer, with a few questions still outstanding. Allow us to explain…

Through the patient hard work of the Bernalwood Signals Intelligence Group, we have learned that 420 Cortland will soon become the storefront for a merchant specializing in the sale of electric bicycles.

Specifically, 420 Cortland will become the new home of the business now known as The New Wheel, which today operates from 782 Columbus Avenue in North Beach. On The New Wheel blog, there is an announcement:

We are in the process of completely re-imagining The New Wheel. Three big changes are afoot:

1. New Location: We are moving to a beautiful 1100 sq. ft. space at 420 Cortland Avenue in sunny Bernal Heights. Mark your calendars for our opening party March 2 and stay tuned for more news and updates!

2. New People:  For the past year, The New Wheel has been run day to day by founder Brett Thurber. Joining Brett for this new expansion is his partner Karen Wiener, along with a full time mechanic.

3. New Products: We will be carrying a growing roster of the best electric bikes available, along with a selection of urban transportation products from the likes of Brooks, Ortlieb, Fjällräven, Rickshaw, Abus, and Burley. Stay tuned for more news!

But wait: What’s an electric bike?

Our research turned up these product photographs, which illustrate the concept:

Also…

Basically, an electric bicycle is a pedal-driven bike that uses a battery-powered electric motor to provide supplemental propulsion when desired — say, when climbing big-ass San Francisco hills. Conveniently, this also explains the riddle posed by the new shop’s teaser website, which asks:

Get it? You put a bike shop on a hill to underscore the fact that you sell a different kind of bicycle.

To flesh out the details of our story, Bernalwood decided to commit some journalism. We telephoned Brett Thurber, the founder of The New Wheel, to learn more of his plans.

Mr. Thurber proved to be friendly fellow, and he took it well when informed that Bernalwood had pierced the mystery of his shop’s main product. But he assures us that he still has some surprises up his sleeve.

For example, he hinted that the shop may get a new name. And that he has some interesting promotional events planned between now and the store’s March opening date. So we’ll have to wait and see. Which is fine.

Then Bernalwood gave Mr. Thurber the lay of the land. We told him that given the nature of his product, there is only one mystery that the residents of Bernal Heights truly want to know:

Do his electric bicycles have sufficient mojo to ascend the fearsome Folsom Street hill??

Can they climb the hill with style and grace?? And, in a matchup against a typical fixie-riding Mission hipster, would Mr. Thurber’s electrically-assisted bicycles defeat said hipster in a head-to-head race to the summit??

Mr. Thurber expressed confidence that his product can both master Folsom Street and vanquish the hipster. We shall see…

Ski Bernalwood: Snow Report and New Upgrades

/ Todd_Lappin / 47 Comments

Hello Skiers and Snowboarders!

Thanks to all of you who bought a 2012 Ski Bernalwood season pass. As you know, your 2012 Ski Bernalwood season pass allows you to take unlimited advantage of Ski Bernalwood’s extensive lift and trail network anytime during normal operating hours. Thanks for helping to make Ski Bernalwood San Francisco’s premier wintersports resort destination.

We’ve made several exciting improvements for the 2012 season:

NEW TRAILS:

On the north face, we’ve opened up more advanced terrain for more adrenaline-powered ski and snowboarding excitement. The new run is called Stoney Grotto, and it’s accessible from either of Ski Bernalwood’s high-speed chairlifts via the eastern side of the Sutrito Summit Lodge complex.

NEW TERRAIN PARK:

On the southeastern slope, we’ve created Haunted House, a new terrain park equipped with epic tabletop jumps, steep jibs, and a full half-pipe.  Stow your tray table, fasten your seatbelt, and bring your seat to the full upright position, because there will be some Very. Big. Air. happening at the new Haunted House park.

NEW DINING OPTIONS:

We’re proud to welcome several new food vendors to the Sutrito Summit Lodge, to satisfy your hunger during an exciting day on the slopes. Inside, look for the new Pasta Bar operated by Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, as well as hearty, seasonal fare offered at the Bernal Supper Club Cafe. In a hurry? Grab some tasty pastries from the Sandbox Bakery cart, located on the South Patio. Apres ski, have a cocktail with bartenders from the Royal Cuckoo as they mix it up for you and your pals.

NEW DOGGIE DAY CARE AND FITNESS CLASSES:


You asked for it, and we got it! Last year, dozens of Ski Bernalwood passholders asked us to provide a safe place to drop-off their doggies before heading out to the slopes. This year, FitBernalFit will offer doggie day care during our regular lift-operation hours, with Iditerod Fitness Classes offered for your dog daily at 11 am and 2 pm. The FitBernalFit drop-off area is located at the base of the Vista Pointe Lift.

SNOW REPORT
So many exciting new things. But let’s not forget the most exciting news of all: As you may have heard, Winter 2012 is getting off to a historically dry start in Lake Tahoe. As our friends at Squaw Valley put it last week:

Tahoe is really not looking good, humans. It literally hasn’t snowed yet this winter. I know that we all need to hold onto the hopeful idea that one big storm could change everything, but that one big storm is not on the horizon. There is nothing in the two week forecast, again. We are looking at nothing until at least mid-January…or later. I want to be optimistic, but we have to look at the numbers.

Fortunately, we have no such problems here in Bernal Heights. After the epic snowfall last week, followed by the bluebird skies last weekend, conditions at Ski Bernalwood have never been better. We’ve got at 48″ base with powder or packed powder on 100 percent of our trails, and the forecast calls for continued sun and fun throughout the week.

Come on out to ride with us at Ski Bernalwood, enjoy steep verticals, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

PHOTOS: Telstar Logistics

Cool New Cafeto Caffeinates Bernal’s College Hill

/ Todd_Lappin / 10 Comments

While all of us Northsiders have been solipsistically celebrating the opening of the new Precita Park Cafe, a cool new coffeeplatz has also opened on Bernal’s southwest slope, on Richland just off Mission.

It’s called Cafeto, and Neighbor Lisa was kind enough to share the 411:

As a proud citizen of South Bernal, I wanted to let Bernalwood readers know about a great cafe that just opened up at 111 Richland St (near Mission St). I wandered over yesterday and met Victor, the owner. Victor is a super-friendly guy who worked as a barrista for 7 years before opening Cafeto His whole family is in the coffee bean biz, and his brother personally roasts the beans for the cafe.

Victor told me he “truly loves making and serving up coffee,” and it shows!

The entire front of Cafeto opens up with sliding windows, there is great afternoon sun, and the beautiful recycled wood counter at the front provides gives a great vantage point to watch the South Bernal world to go by. The interior is painted in rich, warm hues, beautiful old/recycled wood accents are everywhere, and there’s free WiFi.

The lattes were very affordable (better than most Mission cafes), and super tasty. There was fresh squeezed OJ, fresh fruit and berries, and a wide variety of tasty sandwiches and pastries.

Victor told me he would have outdoor seating set up soon. He is super dog-friendly, and will (soon have) special outdoor leash hooks to safely hook up your pup while you sip inside. Victor keeps a mad stash of doggie treats for visiting four legged furry friends.

Cafeto is close to Holly Park, so head on over post-doggie walk or playground romp, or just go for the great vibes and a 20 oz. latte or mocha for only $3.50. The 20 oz. house coffee is just $2.50!

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Erik “Dela” Cruz