Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
28
Li Po
BAR
Beat a hasty retreat to red vinyl booths where Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac debated
the meaning of life alongside a bemused golden Buddha. Enter the vintage 1937 faux-
grotto doorway and dodge red lanterns to place your order: Tsing Tao beer or sweet,
sneaky-strong Chinese mai tai made with
baiju
(rice liquor). Bathrooms and random DJ
appearances are in the basement.
(
415-982-0072;
www.lipolounge.com
; 916 Grant Ave;
2pm-2am;
8X, 30, 45,
Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde)
Local Life
Red Blossom Tea Company
Several Grant Ave tea importers offer free samples, but the hard sell may begin before you finish sipping. For
more relaxed, enlightening tea-tasting,
Red Blossom Tea Company
(
OFFLINE MAP
, D6; 415-395-0868;
www.redblossomtea.com
; 831 Grant Ave; 10am-6:30pm Mon-
Sat, to 6pm Sun; 1, 10, 12, 30, 35, 41, Powell-Mason, Powell-Hyde, California St) offers half-hour
courses with four to five tastings and preparation tips to maximize flavor ($30 for up to four participants; drop-in
weekdays, reserve weekends ahead).
29
Réveille
CAFE
GOOGLE MAP
If this sunny flatiron storefront doesn't instantly lighten your mood, cappuccino with a
foam-art heart will. Réveille's coffee is like San Francisco on a good day: nutty and uplift-
ing, without a trace of bitterness. Check the circular marble counter for just-baked
chocolate-chip cookies and sticky buns. No wi-fi makes for easy conversation and
sidewalk-facing counters offer some of SF's best people-watching.
(
415-789-6258;
ht-
tp://reveillecoffee.com/
;
200 Columbus Ave;
7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat, 8am-5pm Sun;
8X, 10, 12, 30,
41, 45,
Powell-Mason)
