Polk Folk, You’re Invited

It’s Phonebook Season Again!

Let’s see how long these last.

Rex Reborn

I’m excited to see something new going into the Rex place. I’ve long been wishing to see it shutter; never was a fan. Who knows what will replace it? Zarzuela has some competition. I’m excited.

A New Coffee Shop Opens on Polk

A new coffee shop, called The Brew, opened today in the former florist’s shop space at 2436 Polk St., between Union and Filbert. The menu is pretty straightforward with the usual cappuccinos, espresso, etc., and the decor is simple; there’s really no angle that sets this place apart. But nevertheless it’s a nice, quiet place to relax and they serve great coffee; I ordered a latte, which I enjoyed. There are several places to sit, including window stools overlooking the sidewalk and comfortable leather chairs. There are even some toys and a play area in the back for kids.

It’s exciting to see a new business open on Polk, especially on that side of Union, which is less commercial. There is no shortage of coffee shops on Polk, but this one in particular seems ideal for those who want to avoid the bustle of Starbuck’s and Peet’s or want more square footage than Royal Ground affords you.

Cafe Golo – an Outdoor Cafe?

Cafe Golo has applied to have two outdoor tables on the sidewalk. Yay!? I love this place. The food is great and affordable, and the service is fantastic. But Lombard isn’t exactly the most picturesque place to dine. It would be better if Golo actually told people they have an outdoor patio – do you know they do?

All that said, San Francisco needs more outdoor and sidewalk dining spots . . . and less wind!

Anica Closes Its Doors

I liked this edgy store but it was trop cher pour moi. Quel domage.

What’s going in next? Anyone?

Dudes With Drycleaning . . .

and Chinese grandpas with dead ducks. Only on the 30.

Ooops! Drunk on the Job or Just Dumb?

Hey y’all! I’m trying something different here on Polk Sheet and giving a guest blogger a shot. Welcome Russian Hill local Natalia W. and her keen eye for the curb:

While walking down Sacramento the other day, my boyfriend’s sharp eye caught this doozy at the corner of Hyde. Somebody may have had too many cocktails before coming to work. Who edits these things? As my friend Matt suggests, please send all strongly-worded (and correctly-spelled) letters to City Hall at 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place.

Anyone seen any other street-spelling faux pas in the neighborhood?

941 Geary Unveils Its Indoor Mural Project

On Saturday, I attended the closing reception of the Indoor Mural Project at 941 Geary Gallery (between Polk and Larkin). A handful of emerging and established graffiti and street artists from the world over have been working over the last few months for this big reveal of a series of site-specific works. Guests were invited to visit the gallery to see the progression and transformation of the blank canvas gallery space, although I was only able to make it to the final unveiling.

These are a few of my favorite things:

Erik Foss created this large-scale American flag made out of cardboard homeless person signs, complete with stars crafted from condoms — don’t want to know whether they’re used. The piece makes an obvious point about a gross national problem, but I also thought it was interesting to see these cardboard box signs, discards to begin with, given a permanent address. However sad, many were quite creative and humorous, and it’s nice to see that celebrated in a way. So many clever copywriters in our midst.

Bay Area-based artist Edie Colla created a wall of individually-painted news boxes using wheatpastes, newspapers, and stencils. Logo and street sign imagery nodded to the advertising that normally dominates our urban landscapes, but I was most interested to see an outdoor staple, newspaper dispensers which are often covered in graffiti, taken out of context indoors.

Chad Hasegawa‘s bear was absolutely rad. He uses a lot of grizzlies in his work with layers of torn wallpaper and that rectangular Pointilist effect, but this particular mammal has a serious presence. Be scurred.

There was a lot going in Damon Soule‘s Surrealist painting with a tower of school chairs dripping in purple tar, Moorish print turkey basters flying about, and soda cans littering the scene. Makes you think twice about tossing your recycling out with the trash . . . nevertheless, the colors are captivating and the design is seriously eye-catching.I was excited with Hugh Leeman‘s smoking, SF Giants hat-sporting man. I’d spotted a photo of the progression of the painting/drawing on the 941 Geary blog and was looking forward to seeing how it turned out. I also often see Leeman’s wheatpastes around town and I’ve been contemplating pilfering one off of a billboard for my living room.

Aerosol artist Chor Boogie‘s mural was pretty apocalyptic. The details are brilliant; even just a 2’x2’ piece of this puzzle would make a coveted abstract artwork.
If you didn’t make it, I’m sorry you missed it. Keep your eyes peeled on the sidewalk for more stellar designs by these star artists.

Blue Barn to Open in Russian Hill?

You know you can trust word on the street when it comes from, well, the street. One Polk Street business owner recently shared on her Facebook page that she’s “really, really excited a salad bar is finally coming to Polk Street . . . Blue Barn.” Apparently a neighboring business owner told her it’s going into the former Jade Snow Wong Travel Space at 2424 Polk St., which would make sense, as the location has had kraft paper covering the windows lately and seems to be under construction. But, the new Blue Barn Gourmet (second to a Marina location) is also rumored to be opening at 2238 Polk St, the former address of that seriously over-priced catering place, Aimee, Andrew & Co., which is already set up for a kitchen — did I mention I’m glad they closed?

I’m excited for the possibility of having more yummy salads on Polk, but wary of the street becoming too franchise-ridden. One commenter wrote, “Now all we need is a Chow and a Plant and we’ll be good.” Eek! Or how about all we need is an adorably cute and delicious café that’s one-of-a-kind and unique to our already unique neighborhood? That sounds better to me.

Anyone got any more scoop on Blue Barn moo-ving in to Russian Hill?