The GrowSF Report: Restaurant fees legal again
The GrowSF Report: Restaurant fees legal again
PLUS: New bill will empower police against illegal street vendors
What You Need To Know
Here’s what happened around the city for the week of June 3, 2024:
- Restaurant fees legal again
- New bill will empower police against illegal street vendors
- Bayview market offers free groceries
- East Cut sees major development boost
- Surprise Skrillex & Fred Again.. concert rocks Civic Center
Recent & upcoming openings:
- Flour + Water Pizzeria rolls out gluten-free crust
- Pasta Supply Co opens second location in the Mission
Restaurant fees legal again
It was nice while it lasted. Fees on your dinner bill are coming back due to a new bill from State Senators Scott Wiener and Bill Dodd. The bill reverses the ban on fees and surcharges for restaurants, as long as they disclose those fees on their menu, writes Elena Kadvany in the Chronicle.
A reasonable compromise would have been to keep the fees illegal while allowing automatic gratuity for large groups. Oh well.
New bill will empower police against illegal street vendors
San Francisco continues to grapple with illegal sales of stolen goods, but a new bill by Senator Scott Wiener might finally turn the tide. Senate Bill 925 would “allow San Francisco to create a list of commonly stolen items and require vendors to obtain a permit in order to sell items on the list”, according to David Hernandez at the Chronicle.
By focusing on vendors selling stolen goods without a permit, the legislation targets harmful behavior while maintaining protections for legitimate vendors, who have already voiced their support of the change.
Bayview market offers free groceries
On Tuesday, a free grocery store came to the Bayview. It’s like a food bank, but gives people the dignity of selecting what they need, rather than just receiving pre-packed bags. Dubbed the “District 10 Community Market,” the novel approach lets people choose their own groceries from well-stocked aisles, just like any other supermarket. It is the first of its kind in San Francisco.
Supervisor Ahsha Safaí, who championed this project, hopes to see more markets like this pop up all over San Francisco. To shop here, residents need to meet specific criteria, like living in certain ZIP codes and being on public assistance. The market, overseen by Bayview Senior Services, will start off open on Wednesdays and Fridays, and shoppers can visit every two weeks.
East Cut sees major development boost
The East Cut, the rapidly developing downtown San Francisco neighborhood near the Transbay transit center, is bursting with activity. The city recently unveiled five "Vacant to Vibrant" pop-ups, including an Italian deli, ice cream parlor, and boba shop, according to J.K. Dineen at the Chronicle. Then, Nancy Pelosi visited to celebrate a massive $3.4 billion in federal funding for the downtown rail extension, a project that will bring Caltrain and ten other transit systems into the heart of the city.
The momentum continued with a groundbreaking for two new buildings that will replace a temporary transit site with 355 subsidized homes. Developed by Chinatown Community Development Center and Mercy Housing, the buildings will offer much-needed affordable housing for seniors, families, and formerly homeless residents, signaling a hopeful shift for the neighborhood.
This is good news, but we need more. San Francisco must plan for 82,000 new homes by 2031 to meet demand. Yet, only a fraction of this number has been built in recent years, largely due to high construction costs, lengthy approval processes, and community opposition.
Surprise Skrillex & Fred Again.. concert rocks Civic Center
Electronic dance music powerhouses “Fred Again..” and Skrillex turned Civic Center Plaza into an electrifying dance floor this weekend, debuting new tracks in front of a sold-out crowd. This event wasn't just about showcasing fresh music; it was a nostalgic return for Skrillex, who reminisced about his childhood in San Francisco. The event, organized by Another Planet Entertainment and the City, drew around 25,000 people and featured a surprise appearance by Anderson .Paak.
With these events injecting energy and enthusiasm into the area, San Francisco is showing signs of revitalization amidst a backdrop often marred by negative doom-loop headlines. The concert was meticulously planned over several months despite being billed as a surprise "rave" on social media. The collaboration between city departments and promoters ensured everything went smoothly, with the artists even respecting the city's strict 10 p.m. curfew by ending their set on time.
The success of this event coupled with Mayor London Breed's push for more downtown activities, hints at a promising future for San Francisco's entertainment scene. Illenium, another EDM star, has announced a four-night residency at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium this summer.
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Recent & upcoming openings
A great city is constantly changing and growing, let’s celebrate what’s new!
Flour + Water Pizzeria rolls out gluten-free crust
WHERE: 532 Columbus Avenue
WHEN: 11:30am-10pm, Monday-Friday
Flour + Water Pizzeria is joining the ranks of the select few pizza places in San Francisco that make gluten-free pizza crust. Starting this week, people who dine at the restaurant can order pizza made in a dedicated gluten-free oven. According to Paolo Bicchieri at Eater, Flour + Water will rely on an Italian brand of wheat starch that removes gluten, rather than a flour substitute. Pizza is always worth celebrating, and if gluten has previously been a barrier for friends joining you for dinner, this is one less excuse.
Pasta Supply Co opens second location in the Mission
WHERE: 3233 22nd St.
WHEN: 10am to 6pm, Monday-Friday
Here’s one more Italian place for you to enjoy. Owner Anthony Strong, of Pizzeria Delfina and Locanda, has opened a second Pasta Supply Co. Visitors can stock up on pantry items and cooking essentials and choose among 30 kinds of fresh pasta. Although the retail section has opened, dining will start in a few weeks.
Your Action Plan
Now that you know what’s happening, help us shape what happens next:
Attend the Southside Forward District 11 Debate and Community Town Hall on June 9
Mark your calendars for June 9th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM for the Southside Forward District 11 Supervisor Debate and Community Town Hall at the Minnie and Lovie Ward Rec Center! Meet the candidates, hear their policy positions, and share your thoughts on key issues like housing, transit, and the environment. The event will kick off with a Moderator Q&A, followed by a Town Hall format, ensuring open dialogue between candidates and community members. Sponsored by Southside Forward, We Are OMI, and Urban Environmentalists.
The Spirit of San Francisco
There’s a lot to love about our city and the Bay Area. Here’s what makes it great. Brought to you by The Bold Italic.
What we’re doing this week
Be Free Festival in SoMA
The Be Free Festival in San Francisco's SOMA Pilipinas Cultural District is a neighborhood crawl, an annual celebration that showcases the vibrant Filipino culture and the community of artists, creatives, community builders and entrepreneurs. The coming event Sunday features queer jams in line with it being Pride Month.
WHEN: Today, June 8 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: It’s a crawl with 12 venues to eat, drink, dance, shop, learn, connect & explore. The “Queer Jams” segment appears to be at Executive Order, located at 868 Mission Street. Peruse all 12 locations at the button:
San Francisco Symphony - Alonzo King Lines Ballet
Ravel’s Mother Goose characters come to life through Alonzo King’s inventive choreography and the dancers of LINES Ballet. Schoenberg described his monodrama Erwartung as a nightmare, depicting psychological trauma in slow motion. As The Woman, soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams navigates emotional extremes: hopeful and terrified, enraged and miserable. Peter Sellars’s new staging effectively reflects her shifting moods.
WHEN: June 7 through 9. Concert begins at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Avenue; San Francisco, California
What we’re writing about
My favorite Inner Sunset eats
Inner Sunset’s got it all; From the cozy charm of Crepevine to the innovative flavors at iPot, and the beloved Sushi Goemon, we explore a diverse array of dining spots that cater to every palate. Whether you're in the mood for a hearty brunch, delectable sushi, or a sweet treat from Holy Gelato, we've got you covered.
San Francisco’s oldest brewery: Anchor Brewing Company
Anchor Brewing Company is a San Francisco institution with a legacy that dates back to 1896. We explore the brewery's journey from its humble beginnings to its pivotal role in the craft beer movement. This feature is part of SF Throwbacks, a series that tells historic stories of San Francisco to teach us all more about our city’s past. Read about Anchor’s iconic brews, the challenges it faced over the decades, and how it helped shape the beer culture in America.
Pride Month is here — Don’t miss these San Francisco events
Photo by Devlin Shand for Impulse SF; They’re hosting a Drag Gala on June 15.
San Francisco is the heart of American LGBTQ+ culture, and we’re ready to celebrate Pride Month in full swing. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this guide will help you navigate the vibrant events, parties, and parades that make SF Pride an unforgettable experience.
Scenes from Union Street Festival
We live in an era of street festivals, and this weekend in San Francisco saw the Union Street Festival light up the historic Cow Hollow District. The event was all about community, diversity, and sustainability; Local artists, musicians, and families gathered for smiles and snatching up some local goods. The Bold Italic joined the fun this past sunny Sunday.
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