Here at the green tortoise we have a belief that green is good, sustainability is key, and independent is the way to go. In this vein I feel the need to tell you about some amazing green businesses in San Francisco that make the cut.
The Green Arcade
1680 Market Street @ Gough San Francisco CA 94102
www.thegreenarcade.com
With the word green in the name how can you go wrong! No, really, San Francisco has a ton of boutique independent bookstores in all its various neighborhoods but this has to be one of the best. Someone summed it up much better than I could on Yelp.com:
"As soon as I walked into The Green Arcade, I felt I knew the owner and his aesthetic. He has a great eye for current releases and classics, with a nicely edited selection of books on modern and sustainable architecture, street art, social justice, food history, cookbooks with an emphasis on San Francisco, smartly illustrated kids storybooks...even sustainable needlecrafts. And how many bookstores have a section called 'Birds' next to a section called 'Bees?'"
All this plus a vintage juke box makes Kaija a happy shopper.
Doc's Clock
2575 Mission St, San Francisco, CA, 94110 (Just a few blocks away from the 24th & Mission BART station)
www.docsclock.com
Your green neighborhood bar!
At Doc’s Clock you only have to think about the impact your night out has on your head, not on the environment. We have a large selection of local, sustainable and organic products. We implement a composting and recycling program and use 100% recycled toilet paper, hand towels and napkins. Our corn straws are compostable and we use environmentally friendly cleaning products. We also practice energy and water saving strategies. Doc’s Clock is a small bar in the Mission and we are greening the world one drink at a time.
If this little bar can go green…Anyone can!
Make sure while you're there to hit up one of the fantastic taquerias for a late night burrito, 'twill be sure to soak up all the liquor in your system and if you save half for the next morning there are few better hangover cures than a cold burrito.
Rainbow Grocery
1745 Folsom Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
www.rainbow.coop
"Rainbow Grocery Cooperative is a recognized San Francisco Green Business that has shown a strong commitment to reducing, reusing and recycling in all that they do, besides offering an abundance of organic and fair-trade products."
I think this is one of the more well known green businesses in San Francisco but I still think it deserves a shout out!
Velo Rouge Café
798 Arguello Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94118
www.velorougecafe.com
Once again the lovely people at Yelp.com say it better than I ever could:
"Call it mystery, nostalgia, or even velophiles stop before or after a ride, but there is something about going to a place that has a free bike pump (outside to use) and a beautiful red bike hanging in the doorway. Even more enticing is the wait you'll commonly find on Sunday morning as everyone enjoys this beautiful space before heading off to GG Park for a spin or their usual Sunday adventures.
Carrying Blue Bottle Coffee Co. and having amazing meals of all kind including the Mt. Ventoux egg sandwich or a simple granola garnished with the best of fruits (+ yogurt or milk), Velo Rouge blends European sensibility with the concept of SF district culture. This is a space that can easily function as a morning, afternoon or night to eat out with your taste palette never left behind."
So once you rent your bike and ride over to see the Golden Gate Bridge you can stop here on your way to see Golden Gate Park.
Wednesday, January 13. 2010
.Keep it in the 'Green' family.
That's amore!
Few things are as satisfying as finding an awesome pizzeria. You had your first child? Congrats. Graduated from college magna cum laude? Go you! However, upon biting into a slice of cheesy deliciousness these previously great things pale in comparison- you’ve found some awesome pizza.
In San Francisco, we sure do love us some pizza. Since the Green Tortoise is located in North Beach, the Italian section of SF, one would assume that pizza is limited to our little area right? Wrong! Pizza can be found in all districts of our fair city, and in this extremely wordy blog, I’ll highlight some of the GT staff’s favorite pizza haunts!
Little Star Pizza
846 Divisadero Street 400 Valencia Street
(415) 441-1118 415-551-7827
www.littlestarpizza.com
This SF favorite has two sections to their menu: Deep dish and thin crust. If you haven’t eaten your week’s worth of calories after your pizza, they sell homemade cheesecake and gelato.
Seniore’s Pizza
2415 19th Avenue (between Taraval Street & Ulloa Street)
415-661-2222
www.seniorespizza.com
Kind of a ways from the GT, but it’s open til 3am, serves pasta, salad and sandwiches, and has slices for under $3!
Tommaso Ristorante Italiano
1042 Kearny St (between Nottingham Pl & Pacific Ave)
(415) 398-9696
www.tommasosnorthbeach.com
Literally right across the street, this restaurant has some of the best pizza in the SF Bay area. Feel free to eat in the restaurant, or order take-out. Word of warning: Depending on what you order, the pizza can be pretty pricey.
Golden Boy Pizza
542 Green Street (between Bannam Pl & Jasper Pl)
San Francisco, CA 94133
www.GoldenBoyPizza.com
If you’re staying at the GT, there is no excuse to ignore this pizzeria. Cheap, close and delicious, Golden Boy is open until 2am, so after a night of bar-hopping, go grab a slice.
Goat Hill Pizzeria
300 Connecticut at 18th Street
(415) 641-1440
http://www.goathill.com/
Hands down one of the most creative menu options in the city, and although this place is pretty far away, on Monday nights they have all-you-can-eat pizza and salad for $10.95. Also, they will make any pizza with soy cheese if you’re lactose intolerant or just an annoying vegan (like myself).
Serrano’s Pizza
3274 21st St (between Valencia St & Mission St)
(415) 695-1615
www.serranospizza.com
If you find yourself wandering the Mission and find yourself craving a deep dish, find your way over to Serrano’s. Massive slices, accepts credit cards, and open until 1am… You’re welcome!
I hope this blog wasn’t too cheesy for you (ha ha ha), and feel free to ask us friendly front-deskers where our personal favorite pizzeria is!
