Faves and raves by Robert James
Personal stats
AGE: 38
NEIGHBORHOOD: Lower Nob Hill
YEARS IN THE CITY: Eight
OCCUPATION: Owner of Robert James Color, a hair care studio specializing in color (www.robertjamescolor.com)
SELF-DESCRIPTION: Full-time therapist — for both clients and their hair.
FAVORITE DRINKS AND DINNER SPOT
Farmerbrown
WHERE: 25 Mason St. between Market and Turk streets
WHAT: Cocktails and the Cajun gumbo
INFO: (415) 409-3275 or www.farmerbrownsf.com
The restaurant is really comfortable, and all of the drinks are made with fresh, organic ingredients. The Cajun gumbo is something that’s hard to make, but they do it really well.
FAVORITE DINNER WITH A SHOW
Supperclub
WHERE: 657 Howard St. between Third and Hawthorne streets
WHAT: Lounging on a “bed” to watch the live entertainment
INFO: (415) 348-0900 or www.supperclub.com
I just like the combination of artistic live performances, the all-inclusive menu and the relaxed atmosphere. It’s really fun to lounge on the “beds” that they have set up and watch whatever show is going on that night.
FAVORITE CAFE
Sugar Cafe
WHERE: 679 Sutter St. at Taylor Street
WHAT: A superior cranberry muffin
INFO: (415) 441-5678 or www.sugarcafesf.com
Sugar Cafe is just a really warm, open space with a fireplace inside, and because it’s right on Sutter, it’s really convenient to where I live and work.
FAVORITE WAY TO START THE DAY
Taylor Street Coffee Shop
WHERE: 375 Taylor St. between Ellis and O’Farrell streets
WHAT: Healthy breakfast dishes
INFO: (415) 567-4031
There’s a nice selection of fresh breakfast fare: fresh fruit, chicken apple sausage and just generally good, clean breakfast food. In other words, there’s not a lot of butter on everything!
FAVORITE BAR
Hemlock Tavern
WHERE: 1131 Polk St. between Sutter and Post streets
WHAT: Grabbing a gin martini and listening to live music
INFO: (415) 923-0923 or www.hemlocktavern.com
I like that they have live bands, a pool table and even a smoking room for the smokers; there’s a little something for everyone. It’s a good space: not too big, and not too small.
FAVORITE MUSEUM
California Academy of Sciences
WHERE: 55 Music Concourse Drive in Golden Gate Park
WHAT: Exploring the underwater wonders
INFO: (415) 379-8000 or www.calacademy.com
Because I scuba dive, I love the aquarium and checking out the fish and animals like the albino alligator. I’ve been there a couple of times since it opened, and I definitely plan to go back.
FAVORITE FARMERS MARKET
Ferry Building
WHERE: 1 Ferry Building on The Embarcadero
WHAT: Shopping, eating and people-watching
INFO: (415) 291-3276 or www.cuesa.org
Not only can you walk around and find lots of fresh, organic ingredients, but I also like grabbing a no-hormone burger from one of the grills, taking a seat and people-watching.
FAVORITE PLACE TO TAKE VISITORS
Teatro Zinzanni
WHERE: Pier 29 on The Embarcadero
WHAT: Dinner combined with a European-style cabaret and cirque show
INFO: (415) 438-4668 or love.zinzanni.org
Teatro Zinzanni feels like a French-themed Cirque performance. It’s really the perfect spot for just about anything: first dates, having your parents in town, business excursions. Plus, the food is actually really good!
