Leisure

7 in ’12

Everything That Was Important in 2012

Time marches on—365 days here, 366 days there. (Leap years: crazy.) But before we say goodbye to 2012, let’s revisit a few moments that made this year... extra good.

Del Popolo
YOU ATE PIZZA FROM A BIG RIG

Del Popolo

Just when you thought we had enough pizza joints and food trucks, one mashup materialized and took it all to a new level. This thing has an 800-degree wood-burning oven and was crafted out of a 20-foot transatlantic shipping container. You wouldn’t have your pizza any other way.

Local Edition and Tradition
THE BOURBON & BRANCH EMPIRE GREW

Local Edition and Tradition

First, the Bourbon & Branch guys turned The Examiner’s old printing room into an upscale cocktail bar with cart-side bottle presentation. Then they turned an old bar into a bar that’s like nine bars in one. Seems like they’re not running out of ideas.

Hakkasan
CHINESE WENT GLAMOROUS

Hakkasan

In 2012, your takeout joint got an upgrade. This place has a dining room called the Cage, a DJ-dominated lounge and a flatiron-shaped, backlit cocktail bar. So... the best kind of upgrade.

Hakkasan, 1 Kearny St (at Market), 415-829-2397

State Bird Provisions
CARTS WERE ON A ROLL

State Bird Provisions

You know the story. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl open handsome, low-key restaurant on Fillmore. Restaurant gets rave reviews; you get to eat the deliciousness known as fried quail. You love a good ending.

Lucky Strike and Mission Bowling Club
BOWLING ALLEYS BECAME A THING

Lucky Strike and Mission Bowling Club

Within weeks, you met two very different bowling alleys. One had sushi and a hint of LA-style glitz. The other dished out burgers and food on a stick. Both let you gloriously hurtle a ball toward a set of 10 pins, 10 frames a time. Call it a win-win.

Shelter Co.
YOU CAMPED WITH THE COMFORTS OF HOME

Shelter Co.

Your time in the great outdoors was always missing something. Specifically, a butler. That’s where these guys came in—basically, a service to provide you with all the creature comforts you could require while camping: fire pits, outdoor theaters, private restrooms. You really can’t put a price on that last one.

A Trio of Tailors at Your Service
YOU GOT EVERYTHING CUSTOM MADE

A Trio of Tailors at Your Service

Your suits. Your shirts. Even your jeans, for crying out loud. This year, you could get them all custom, thanks to a slew of new clothes-smiths in town. You love meeting new clothes-smiths.

Elsewhere on the Daddy

More Leisure in San Francisco