Way back when I was a student at Berkeley, I dined at the La Mediterranee outpost on College Avenue all the time. But in recent years, after my departure from the East Bay, the restaurant sort of fell off my radar … That is, until I recently met up for lunch at the Fillmore location with a good friend of mine — who considers this place her favorite restaurant.

And you know what? I fell in love with La Mediterranee all over again.

The popular little eatery offers friendly and fast service, as well as affordable and delicious fare. I am a sucker for the fillo dishes here (mmm … meat tart!). And if you’ve got any vegetarian pals, this is the place to take them; the offerings are tasty and extensive.

On a street filled with fancy-schmancy boutiques and other businesses, La Mediterranee is a warm and cozy respite. Yes, it’s a small space where tables are often tight, but that just adds to the charm. As does the mint tea, which is refilled for free.

La Mediterranee
2210 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 921-2956

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Warning: If you are counting calories, you may want to walk right on by this new candy shop. Should you be lured in by all of the prettiness — pink floral wallpaper, soft pastel fixtures — and all of the sweetness — rows and rows of apothecary jars and vintage dishes filled with treats — be prepared to be overwhelmed. There’s licorice, saltwater taffy, chocolates, caramels, lollipops … The options are seemingless endless.

Who needs a golden ticket when this sweet shop is more pleasing on the eyes and tummy than anything Willy Wonka could dream up. (That’s no surprise, considering the Miette Patisserie folks are behind this place.)

Miette Confiserie
449 Octavia Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 626-6221

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A few weeks ago, I was driving through Daly City, along 280, when there — at Serramonte Shopping Center, glowing in the fog — was the word “Daiso.” Big and red, on the side of a building that used to be a Good Guys.

It was already past nine o’clock, so the store was already closed for the day. But the next day, I made the trip back and was rewarded with so much Japanese goodness!

Daiso is a Japanese dollar-store that opened its first U.S. shop in the Seattle area about a year ago. The Daly City outpost is the first of several slated for the Bay Area. Most of the goods in the 12,000-square feet store are priced at about $1.50. And there is plenty to choose from: kitchenware, office supplies, gardening tools, organization items … Really, I don’t have the space or time to list it all here!

Go and see for yourself. Bring the spare change from your couch. Empty a piggy bank. You won’t need much more than that for a full-on shopping spree here.

Daiso
146 Serramonte Center
Daly City, CA 94015
(650) 992-7462

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