Mission Mission

We haven’t been able to enjoy our favorite cardamom and masala ice cream cone for weeks, and since we’re still in the middle of one of our typical mid-November heatwaves, we decided to see what was up.  Mission Local reported a while back that the city had closed the shop on the basis of a few minor health violations and some water damage.  Now, Mission Local is reporting that Bombay Bazar and Ice Creamery packed up most of their stuff and is moving out. 

I took a peek through their window to see what was the deal and was greeted by this scene of carnage.  It’s difficult to miss the gaping hole in the ceiling, which was probably a result of all the water damage that got them originally.  We surely can’t be the only ones bummed about this.  Where are we going to find five year old bottles of tahini now?  And what about that wonderfully inexpensive all-you-can-eat Indian buffet (and did any of you ever end up trying it)?  I can only assume that Bi-Rite and Humphrey Slocum are somehow behind this . . .

It’s no secret that we have a bit of a bag fetish here. And yes I mean those bags. Messenger bags. Yup, after a long day of hard riding there’s nothing like having a big sweaty sack on your back.

Chrome bags just launched a custom bag program at their flagship store in SOMA. This was formerly available only in the NYC store, but now Chrome’s vastly superior hometown gets it. So if one of the selections in their current spread of pre-set color combinations isn’t loud enough for you to adequately express yourself, then just go pick your own.

The way it works is you go in to their store on 4th and Brennan, talk to a “in-store live-sewing expert”, and watch your custom bag take shape. I’m not sure what kinds of services this expert offers. It could be anything from “yeah, just pick from these 15 colors” to “oh nuh-uh, girl. That scheme does not go with your eyes.” You’re just going to have to go see for yourself.

Get the scoop on Chrome’s other fine products at their website.

CONTEST

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about you poor creative types who are still rocking that high-school Jansport with the broken zipper. Chrome has kindly offered a FREE custom Citizen bag to one lucky reader here. But as you know, we don’t just give stuff away to anybody. You have to work for it, and this is gonna be a tough one.

In the spirit of color schemes, here are 5 mission color combinations that you might recognize. First commenter to name the locations of all 5 wins (leave a real email address, ok?). Guess as many times as you want. It’s as simple as that. Get to it!

1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

I’ll supply hints in the comments if it turns out this is too much of a stumper.

As a 3-year veteran of Berkeley Co-ops, Homestead has always satisfied my urge to drink beer and throw stuff on the floor without picking up after myself.

They are turning 5 years old and closing off part of 19th st for all-day celebration Saturday. The festivities run from 11am to closing, featuring bands and food (presumably not just peanuts). Go show them some love.

[via Broke-Ass Stuart, photo by Jared Zimmerman]

In case you haven’t seen it yourself, Telstar Logistics today takes an in-depth look at Lost Weekend’s “Internet Killed the Video Store” window display:

Lost Weekend soldiers on, for now, but when we spoke to the store’s proprietors, they were candid: Times are tough, they said. As an indication of that, in the window of their shop they posted the lyrics to a sing-along remake of a familiar song about an earlier generation technological change, specially modified to suit today’s circumstances:

Read on for more pictures, a transcription of the full lyrics, some facts about Netflix and its effects on video stores, and some personal musings from Team Telstar.

Previously:

The Death of Video Stores in the Mission

Neutral Unpretentious Places (Like Lost Weekend)

City guides usually bum me out, but this one is “alternative,” so maybe it’ll fare a little better. Plus, Mike Giant may or may not be involved, and we all know his musings on San Francisco (and its women) can be pretty astute. Here’s the official invite:

We’re super excited about the launch of WRENCHED, our bi-annual alternative city guide. Since we proudly call San Francisco “home,” it was only natural that the first issue highlight the city we love and all of her hidden and often-forgotten gems as recommended by various SF artists and creative types. You definitely won’t find a guide like this anywhere else; something that both tourists and locals alike will appreciate for years to come.

In celebration of WRENCHED, we’ve planned an uber special launch party (Wednesday, 11/17 @ 111 Minna) featuring special guests, live performances and one-night-only art installations. And of course, guests can pick up their free copy of WRENCHED!

Shit, and they call it Frisco. Bold. I like it.

Visit Chrome for more on Chrome.

Woah, where am I? The Mission, or Rome?

[more at Mr.EricSir]

Man, remember when this place was cool?

[via Blair C.]

You’ve probably noticed the strange words “Another Monkey” pop up on the ex-Conduit restaurant space on Valencia and 14th. No, it’s not a pet store for repeat primate buyers, it’s a Thai restaurant. The owner has another Monkey-related restaurant in San Francisco, so you can think of this spot as it’s sequel. The “Blade II” to it’s “Blade”, if you will.

Another Monkey’s events manager Miranda was kind enough to invite us down with an enticing $50 gift certificate. Turns out all of us could make it, so how could we refuse? It sounded nice to do a team dinner that didn’t include tater tots for a change.

Read on for the full scoop on this spot!

(more…)

(file photo of MBC brunch)

According to Zagat Buzz the owners of Mission Beach Cafe (who successfully turned a retro furniture store into an upscale brunchy-dessert spot) are looking to turn the former Ebb and Flow (and Craig’s PLace [sic] before that, etc.) into a another brunchy-dessert spot.

Having an upscale brunch place on the corner of 18th and Guerrero seems to make sense – there isn’t a real brunch restaurant in that little area (unless you walk one whole block and go to Luna Park for your beer in a bag, that’s right, I’m still not over that) and people love to spend money on food there. But on second look, I’m not so sure. The new restaurant will focus on vegetarian food (sounds good, getting that Real Good Karma Cafe crowd back down the hill) and seafood (didn’t work out so well last time) as well as specialty desserts (across from Tartine??) on a corner that locals have long considered to be cursed. Who cursed it and what their motive may be is unknown (to me), but nothing seems to stay there very long. I guess we’ll see what happens.

In the meantime, what should they call it? Something boring/annoying like Guerrero Gulch Cafe? What about Cursed Corner Cakes?

The latest on EDW Lynch’s latest romantic status was revealed at a press conference last week at Amnesia:

So glad to see the return of BBC reporter Darvid Tokishi. Anyway, they are accepting dating applications for all you interested parties, ladies or men. Legally, they can’t require you to specify.

The EDW Lynch corporate manglomerate is delighted to announce we are now accepting applications for our Fall romantic evaluation meeting (dating) season.

The manglomerate has been inundated by romantic inquiries ever since EDW Lynch announced our tri­umphant return to the San Francisco romantic market last week. Our easy to use dating application form will streamline the process of selecting qualified applicants for romantic evaluation meetings during Fall 2010.

Apply Now! EDW Lynch Application for Romantic Evaluation Meeting

As you can see, there are some very important questions in the evaluation:

I’ll have to run these documents by legal and touch base with the VP of Romantic Affairs. In the meantime, you can review the documentation at EDW Lynch.

Previously:

Breaking: Manglomerate EDW Lynch Leaving the SF Romantic Market

Iraqi-Japanese Fusion Restaurant Bonsai Tree Piercing