Best Bagels in the Bay

What is your favorite bagel?  People argue all the time about their favorite bagel in any city.  However, San Francisco has many bagels that could be considered the best.  SFist has gathered what they believe to be the nine best bagel locations in the area. Keep reading and let us know if you agree or disagree. 


20th Century Cafe
Pastry chef Michelle Polzine (formerly of Range) knows her way around proper European baking traditions, from her knishes and honey cakes to her proper, boiled and baked bagels, liberally crusted with poppy seeds, or onion, or just plain naked. The bagels are dark, yeasty, and chewy, with a hint of honey in the dough, and Polzine prefers to call them "San Francisco bagels" lest any purists try to call her out. Still, these are some delicious, fresh-from-oven wonders (baked twice daily!), and you owe it to yourself to have one the next time you're in Hayes Valley. — — Jay Barmann

Beauty's Bagel Shop
Hand-rolled, Montreal-style: that's the name of the game at Beauty's Bagel Shop. With seeds enough to stock a birdhouse, these bagels also draw long lines. But those move quickly, and you'll be rewarded with the wood-fired goods before you know it. Lots of cream cheese and topping options await, from the traditional to the tofu, and then there are the bagel sandwiches, which definitely standout. Yes, they're organic, and yes, those eggs are free-range. — Caleb Pershan
3838 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, between 38th and 39th Streets


House of Bagels
This Richmond District bakery and storefront's been churning out "NY Style" bagels for 50 years, which has got to count for something, right? With a decidedly un-NY list of bagel flavors(Apple Ginger?) purists should note that HOB is also kosher-style, not kosher. But they're swift to assure you that they "carry NO pork or shellfish products of any kind." Casting aside those issues, how do they taste? Not too bad! Boiled and baked every day, as the good lord intended, if you stick with HOB's plain, poppy, or salt you'll get a firm, not-too-cakey bagel with a nice spring to it. Just as important, their staff is really, really nice. If only more people realized what HOB does, that the flavor of one's food can be dramatically enhanced by friendly service!— Eve Batey
5030 Geary Boulevard between 14th and 15th Avenues


Izzy's Brooklyn Bagels
Keeping it kosher in Palo Alto is Izzy's, where they're doing Brooklyn-style bagels just like "back east." One of those places that people invoke as the best bagel in the Bay Area, it's certainly worth a visit for top-notch fare, including baked goods like babka and gourmet lox. Also of note: great deviled eggs, and catering, because who doesn't want a huge plate of smoked salmon? — Caleb Pershan
477 South California Ave, Palo Alto


Katz Bagels
Boiled bagels at Katz, some might complain, are a bit compact. But classics like salt, garlic, and poppy seed are indeed super fresh boiled. Cream cheeses run the gamut, though I'll put in a plug for the chive. You'll also find numbered bagel sandwiches including good old bacon and egg. The cash-only establishment plays great jazz, has a nice bar slash counter to hang out on, and serves coffee. But you can also bring a bagel over to Stanza across the street, where there's better brew. Don't worry, they won't mind. — Caleb Pershan
3147 16th Street between Albion and Valencia Streets

Marla Bakery
Every day, Marla Bakery staffers get up before the rest of us to make their salted, poppy, sesame, and multi-seed bagels, which are available to all comers in increments as high as the half-dozen (they ask that you call in an order if you want more than that at any one time). This daily practice shows — while some places' bagels feel like they've been hanging out for a bit (no shade, that might be part of their charm), those at Marla feel fresh as a daisy. They're a little softer and chewier than some on our list, but their crust is one of our favorites, a smooth finish that never feels sticky. If you decide to dine in, check out their sophisticated take on the bagel plate, with herbed farmers cheese, Marla's house-smoked sable and their homemade pickled vegetables. — Eve Batey
3619 Balboa Street, between 37th and 38th Avenues

Nopa
I'm guessing that unless you're a Nopa brunch fanatic you didn't even know that pastry chef Anna Lee has been doing small batches of bagels every weekend, to be served as special with lox or smoked trout and dill farmer's cheese. They're yeast-risen, boiled in salted, malted water, and come topped with either sea salt or sesame, usually. You need to be part of the early brunch crew to get one, because Lee only makes about three dozen of these by hand each Saturday and Sunday. — Jay Barmann
560 Divisadero at Hayes

Posh Bagel
They may not be the most authentic around, and in fact some of them are just balls-out California with their jalapeno and occasional pesto-laden tops. But I like these bagels anyway, dammit. They're the correct consistency, chewy and not too bready, and superior to Noah's in every way. Assuming you don't have serious New York snobbery about things like asiago cheese or blueberries in your bagel — and also assuming you don't mind eating delicious things in secret for fear of judgment from your authenticity-obsessed friends — we suggest you try this place. You might be a convert. — Jay Barmann
There are 14 Posh Bagel retail locations located throughout the Bay Area.

Wise Sons Deli 
Though a recent fire in the Mission has delayed their plans for a daily bagel operation, on Saturdays you can still nab a four-pack of bagels at their 24th Street location, and singles with cream cheese are often available in their Mission spot as well as at their Ferry Building Farmer's Market location on Tuesdays and Thursdays and their Contemporary Jewish Museum location (though bagels are unlisted on both of those spots' online menus). The flavors are blessedly limited: a plain, sesame, salt, or everything. Most respectable of the bunch is the plain, with just the right amount of chew and heft, and maybe a little bit of a sourdough finish.— Eve Batey
3150 24th Street at Shotwell

sf|noir Wine & Food Festival

The sf|noir Wine & Food Festival brings together black cuisine, history, culture, art and yes, wine and food. This year's festival runs from February 25 through March 1 at various locations throughout San Francisco and Oakland. the sf|noir website shares more details about this year's event:

The sf|noir Wine & Food Festival returns! Join us to celebrate Black cuisine, culture, and contributions to the arts during the last week of Black History Month. From Wednesday February 25 – Sunday March 1,2015, we will honor the region’s best in Black Cuisine, showcasing time-honored dishes with fresh adaptations from within the Diaspora. Come delight your senses as you taste the love poured into traditional dishes by featured chefs from top restaurants in the Bay Area as they provide their interpretations of African American-inspired classics. Engage your mind with our spoken word performances to see your food in ways you never knew you could. sf|noir proudly presents a sensual, playful and meaningful dialogue between you and your senses at The sf|noir Wine & Food Festival with our Shrimp, Grits & Greens event, cooking demonstrations, spoken word, live jazz and more!

The opening night of The sf|noir Wine & Food Festival combines one of sf|noir’s more popular festival events—The Shrimp & Grits Taste-Off, with Impact Hub Oakland’s popular speaker series—Grits & Greens, which focuses on issues at the intersection of food, art and technology, to bring you Shrimp, Grits & Greens. The best of these two events come together for a wonderful evening at one of Oakland’s premiere locations.

Valentine’s Day in SF

Valentine’s Day weekend is upon us! The city of San Francisco is always buzzing with events, fabulous food and beautiful sights. Forget to make dinner reservations? That’s okay! Surprise your significant other with something different this year! If you need some ideas, here are just some events happening in the Bay Area this weekend, courtesy of San Francisco Travel:

San Francisco Beer Week

Feb. 10-19

Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th St.

http://sfbeerweek.org/

The ultimate beer-lover’s fest lasts 10 mouthwatering days, including beer hikes (you sip before you step) to women-only tastings.

The Love Train

Feb. 10-11 and Feb. 14

Napa Valley Wine Train, 1275 McKinstry St., Napa, CA

www.winetrain.com, 800-427-4124

An unforgettable, classic experience on board the Napa Valley Wine Train is the perfect gift to share with your sweetheart on Valentine's Day. Prices range from $119-$164 per person and include dinner, chocolate, sparkling wine and strolling musicians.

Animal Attraction

Opens Feb. 11

California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, 55 Music Concourse Dr.

www.calacademy.org, 415-379-8000

From fish that can change sex to insects that eat their mates, explore some of the wildest mating strategies in the animal kingdom in this revealing new exhibit. Delve into the science of sex and encounter live animals that have evolved remarkable and often surprising techniques for attracting mates and producing offspring.

Valentines’ Day and Weekend at the Exploratorium

Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 14

Exploratorium, 3601 Lyon St.

www.exploratorium.edu, 415-561-0363

Looking for a new Valentines’ date activity with that special someone? The Exploratorium has it covered with the Valentine’s date tour – featuring guided walks through the museum’s most romantic exhibits, film screenings and special Valentine’s Day dissection programs (flowers and cow or pig hearts).

San Francisco Zoo’s “Woo at the Zoo”

San Francisco Zoo, One Zoo Rd.

Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 14

www.sfzoo.org, 415-753-7080

Contrary to common belief, the animals will not “mate on cue” during the Zoo’s adults-only affair (21 years and older), but one will learn the many facets to the birds and the bees of the animal kingdom.

Ride with Your Valentine on a Bicycle-Built-for-2

Feb. 11-17

Bike and Roll, 899 Columbus Ave.

www.bicyclerental.com, 415-229-2000

Take your valentine on a tandem bicycle for a beautiful ride through San Francisco on the Bay Trail, over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito, and return by ferryboat. Daily discounted rate is $45 per day (25% off normal rate).

Castro Hosts Largest Showing of AIDS Memorial Quilt in 25 Years

Feb. 12–20

2278 Market Street, http://www.aidsquilt.org

Courtesy of Under One Roof, the NAMES Project Foundation, the AIDS Emergency Fund, and San Francisco businessman Petyr Kane, sections of the renowned AIDS Memorial Quilt will be shown at various locations in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. Honoring those loved and lost over the past three decades, the exhibition is the largest San Francisco showing of the quilt since its original home on Market Street closed in 1999. The primary Market Street exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from 12 to 8 p.m. A traditional unfolding ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. on Feb. 12, during which a traditional “reading of the names” of those memorialized will take place.

Castro Hosts Largest Showing of AIDS Memorial Quilt in 25 Years

Feb. 12–20

2278 Market Street, http://www.aidsquilt.org

Courtesy of Under One Roof, the NAMES Project Foundation, the AIDS Emergency Fund, and San Francisco businessman Petyr Kane, sections of the renowned AIDS Memorial Quilt will be shown at various locations in San Francisco’s Castro neighborhood. Honoring those loved and lost over the past three decades, the exhibition is the largest San Francisco showing of the quilt since its original home on Market Street closed in 1999. The primary Market Street exhibition will be open to the public free of charge from 12 to 8 p.m. A traditional unfolding ceremony will be held at 12 p.m. on Feb. 12, during which a traditional “reading of the names” of those memorialized will take place.

Love Hurts: Litquake Preps You for Valentine’s Day with Readings from Some of the Most Wretched Passages on Love and Lust Ever Written

Feb. 13

Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St.

http://www.litquake.org/, 415-647-2888

Litquake commemorates the year’s most overrated holiday with 10 Bay Area authors reading their favorite overwrought prose from classics by the likes of Harold Robbins and Paul Theroux as well as selections from The Story of O, and that mother ship of romance and substance abuse, Valley of the Dolls. Tickets are $10.

Eternity Ball

Feb. 14

Festival Pavilion, Fort Mason

www.eternityball.com, 415-967-3977

Whether married, divorced, engaged, or single – the Eternity Ball black-tie gala has something for all to enjoy. Come dressed to impress in a ball gown, wedding or bridesmaid dresses, or tuxedo. Afterwards, join hundreds of revelers at the Festival Pavilion for a giant reception, all inclusive of cocktails, food and dancing. Tickets for the Eternity Ball start at $100 per person. Part of proceeds from the Eternity Ball will benefit the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

Epic Romance Presented by BATS Improv

Feb. 14

Bayfront Theater, B350 Fort Mason Center

www.improv.org, 415-474-8935

BATS Improv presents a special Valentine's Day performance of their newest improv show, Epic Romance. Epic Romance is a sweeping and completely improvised “film”, performed live, in the style of Gone With the Wind and Doctor Zhivago. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Show starts at 8 p.m.

Forever Tango

Feb. 14-19

Marines’ Memorial Theatre, 609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor

www.marinesmemorialtheatre.com, 415-771-6900

Created and directed by Luis Bravo, Forever Tango features a world-renowned cast of dancers and musicians who bring an intoxicating sense of excitement and passion to the stage. Through music and dance, the production traces the tango's colorful history, from turn-of-the-century Buenos Aires bordellos to its acceptance into high society. Tickets range in price from $45 to $70. Tickets for the special Valentine’s Day Gala (Feb. 14) are $80 and include Gala performance, post-performance dancing with the cast and orchestra of Forever Tango and two beverages.

Local Tastes of the City Valentine’s Tour

Through the month of February

www.sffoodtour.com, 415-665-0480

Tours will start in San Francisco’s most romantic neighborhood, Little Italy, to sample the food and learn how it's made. The tour includes tastes of coffee, truffles, bread and pastries, special deli treats and olive oil.

Raymond Pettibon Inspired Valentine’s Treat

Through the month of February

SFMOMA, 151 Third St.

www.sfmoma.org, 415-357-4000

Blue Bottle Coffee on the SFMOMA rooftop will serve a heart shape crème fraiche parfait with maraschino cherries and cherry brandy gelee ($5); a special dessert created just for Valentine’s Day inspired by a Raymond Pettibon painting on view at the current SFMOMA exhibition “The Air We Breathe.” Other love related artwork may be viewed on the second floor.

EAT YOUR HEART OUT

Fifth Floor

Feb. 7-18

12 Fourth St.

www.fifthfloorrestaurant.com, 415-348-1555

Fifth Floor is offering a special seven-course tasting menu, available for $95 (wine pairings, tax and gratuities not included). For Valentine’s Day, a special nine-course tasting menu is also available for $130.

The Garden Court at the Palace Hotel

Feb. 11-14

2 New Montgomery St.

www.sfpalace.com, 415-546-5089

Sweetheart Tea

Feb. 11

Enjoy sparkling wine tea served complete with a strolling violin. 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $48.

Valentine Brunch

Feb. 12

This signature brunch includes live music, sparkling wine and an array of savories and sweets. 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $75.

Sip, Sup, Swing & Sway

Feb. 14

Experience an unforgettable evening including a five-course dinner, dancing and music by the Kent Strand Band, featuring the vocals of Pamela Rose. Reservations available from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 for pre fixe dinner and $100 for pre fixe dinner with wine pairing selections.

Valentine’s Dinner at Top of the Mark

Feb. 11 and Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.

InterContinental Mark Hopkins, www.intercontinentalmarkhopkins.com

For $395 per couple, guests will enjoy a bottle of Moet Chandon Rosé, an appetizer and a four-course plated dinner. Diners will also enter to win the “Pack Your Bag Contest”: pack an overnight bag for a chance to spend one night in the presidential suite. Winner will be announced at the end of dinner.

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s “Valentine’s Day by The Bay”

Feb. 11-14390 Capistrano Rd., Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA

www.hmbbrewingco.com, 650-728-2739

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company, a beloved destination known for small-production craft beer, sustainable coastal cuisine, scenic outdoor patio fire pits and live music, heralds the arrival of Valentine’s Day with a special menu crafted by Chef Gaston Alfaro alongside beer pairings by Brewmaster Kirk Hillyard.

Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen

401 Taylor St., 415-775-7979

www.jasperscornertap.com/

Anti-Valentine’s Day Celebration

Feb. 13

For the ultimate anti-Valentine’s celebration, Jasper’s kicks off their monthly movie nights with the showing of “True Romance” at 9 p.m. Chef Adam Carpenter’s snack menu features spicy kettle corn popcorn, chicken wings, baked Jasper’s oysters and a special “It’s not you, it’s me” cocktail

Couple’s Valentine’s Day Dinner

Feb. 14

For a fun night out, Jasper’s is offering a special menu available for $99 per couple (includes two glasses of sparkling wine, tax and gratuities). Menu highlights include Dungeness crab, oysters, lobster pot pie, baked mousse and more.

Harry Denton’s Starlight Room

Feb. 14

450 Powell St., 415-395-8595

www.harrydenton.com

Dress to impress, grab your special someone and head over to Harry Denton’s Starlight Room to celebrate Valentine’s Day in an unforgettable way. Singer/songwriter Tasche will perform hits from his new CD “A Love Worth Fighting For.” Tickets are $70 per couple and include a table, two glasses of Moet champagne and chocolate dipped long-stemmed strawberries. 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. For $10 per person, guests may enjoy the live music.

Valentine’s Day at Parallel 37

Feb. 14

The Ritz-Carlton, 600 Stockton St.

www.parallel37sf.com, 415-773-6168

Experience an unforgettable Valentine’s Day with Chef Ron Siegel’s special six-course menu at the newly-opened Parallel 37. Each couple will receive two different menus for a playful sharing experience. Tickets are $125 per guest; $79 for wine pairing. Seatings begin at 5:30 p.m.

Butterfly Restaurant

Feb. 14

Pier 33, The Embarcadero

www.butterflysf.com, 415-864-8999

Offering a four-course prix fixe menu for Valentine’s Day, guests will enjoy views of the San Francisco Bay over dinner. Dinner is $80 per person and does not include beverages, tax or gratuity.

One Market Restaurant

Feb. 14

1 Market St.

www.onemarket.com, 415-777-5577

One Market will serve a four-course dinner for $75 per person. Michelin star Chef Mark Dommen’s specialties will include dishes such as Sweetbread Ravioli, Applewood smoked bacon, Roasted Liberty Farms Duck Breast, Carmelized Apple Tart, and Calvados gelée, apple cider “slush.” The menu will also include a cheese course.

The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant

Feb. 14

1000 Great Hwy.

www.beachchalet.com, 415-386-8439

The Beach Chalet will serve a special four-course a la carte limited menu which includes Oyster Rockefeller, sautéed Rosefish, Porterhouse steaks for two, crispy stuffed chicken breast, pan Seared Sonoma County duck breast and Passion fruit and Tarts. Order three or more courses and a glass of champagne is included.

Living without a Closet

"two-twenty-six/three-sixty-five" by Laura Bittner is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Apartment living does not always offer ideal storage space, especially if you’re a shopaholic. While most apartments include closet space, more often than not, the available closet isn’t big enough, leaving us to find other, more creative ways to store our clothing and accessories. What are some alternatives to a closet? Apartment Guide offers some solutions:

An Armoire or Dresser

One of the most obvious solutions is to buy a large armoire or dresser to store clothes in. What’s great about armoires over dressers is that they offer a place to hang any clothing that you’d rather not fold.

Dresses, blouses and easily wrinkled items won’t have to be shoved into a dresser drawer, which could potentially save you from having to pull out the iron every day before work.

Dressers, on the other hand, are great for people with a lot of foldable clothes. Either piece of furniture comes in various sizes, so those who live in a small space will be able to easily find something that fits their room.

A Clothing Rack

Stores like Target and Ikea sell clothing racks of all different shapes and sizes. You’ll easily be able to find smaller standing clothing racks that have a single bar on which to hang your clothes.

There are also full closet organizers that you can mount to a wall with multiple shelves and rods great for holding an entire wardrobe. Though not as affordable, these are a one-and-done solution to not having a closet, and they’re pretty easy to install on the wall.

Bookcases

The variety of bookshelves available in stores and online is truly amazing, so they’re a great organization option for bedrooms with nonexistent closets. The bookshelves with cube-shaped cubbies are particularly useful for organizing different types of clothing and accessories.

If you’re planning on using bookshelves in place of a closet, be sure to buy plenty of baskets and bins that will help you keep the shelves neat and uncluttered.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are another useful storage option, and they’re especially great because they can fit onto walls of any size. Hang floating shelves across the width of an entire wall, or stack them from floor to ceiling. You can even install dividers on your shelves to keep all of your clothing items separated.

Under the Bed

Installing drawers under the bed is both practical and unobtrusive, so it’s a perfect solution for people who live in a small space. You can also inexpensively lift your bed to create even more storage space under it, using store-bought bed risers.

Consider storing shoes, handbags and other less-often-used items under the bed so you don’t have to get down on the floor every time you change clothes.

A Trunk

For a storage solution that’s part decorative and part amazingly effective, find an antique or vintage trunk to keep at the foot of your bed.

Trunks are very spacious, so you’ll be able to store a lot of your wardrobe in just the one area. Use it for bulky items like sweaters, sweatshirts and sweatpants that don’t stack as easily on shelves.

Create Pretty Decor

Some of the prettiest and most colorful items in a person’s apartment can be found in their closet, like shoes, handbags, scarves and jewelry. Instead of tucking those items away into storage, find creative ways to display them around the room and apartment.

Buy a small coat rack just for your scarves and hang them by the front door. Line pretty high heels and handbags along the bookshelves in your living room or entryway. Hang your statement necklaces from pretty hooks on the wall above your toilet, rather than using that space for a piece of art.

Use a Curtain

Many of the storage solutions in this survival guide will leave your clothing out in the open or on display, but simply hanging a curtain can help you tuck your wardrobe out of sight. Attach a curtain to your bookshelves or simply hang one from the ceiling in front of your shelves to hide your clothing.

Mix and Match

If you have one wall in particular that would work well for a “closet,” mix and match the ideas to create exactly what you need for storing your own personal belongings. Hang floating shelves across the entire wall, then attach a closet rod to the wall beneath them. Or, find two small armoires and put them on either side of a short bookshelf.