It has many designations: the Western Addition, the Divisadero Corridor, DMV Heights, and the latest, NoPa (North of the Panhandle). No one can agree on a name for the eclectic strip that runs along Divisadero between McAllister and Haight Street. But people do agree the neighborhood is changing. Once known for its unlicensed street commerce, this boulevard’s commercial rents are climbing, squeezing out mom-and-pop shops and paving the way for destination dining. Jeff Hanak of the Chow group moved in with his newest success, Nopa, and others are following suit. Le Metro’s Roshan KC, who recently revamped the French bistro, thinks he’s just in time to take advantage of the influx of new diners. And now the city is getting involved, too: Mayor Newsom is rolling out an initiative to beautify certain parts of the city, including Divisadero, and
the planning department is working to create a more shopper-friendly street. “This is definitely the next Valencia Street,” says KC.
But some locals aren’t convinced they want their home to be the new It spot. “We’re getting a lot of bridge-and-tunnel people, and, of course, some from the Marina,” says Henry Lewis, famous for his inking at Everlasting Tattoo. “I like it more mellow here.” Ready or not, here they come.
THE GRUB
Eponymous hot spot Nopa aims to be a neighborhood go-to, but the neighbors aren’t the only ones enjoying dishes like wild salmon carpaccio here. “It’s taking cues from Chez Panisse,” says Natasha Ciancutti, a Marin single who frequents the new restaurant. “It’s for foodies and people who are into the latest thing.” 560 Divisadero St.
Known for one of the best sake collections in the city, retro-modern Tsunami serves traditional Japanese fare. This spot is the brainchild of the Dajani Group, which had already proved its chops with Nihon and Café Abir. 1306 Fulton St.
Little Star Pizza is indisputably the No. 1 deep-dish in the city. But with the Mission types and others from outside the neighborhood flocking there these days, some locals are staying away. Word on the street is that co-owner Brian Sadigursky is opening a new place in the Mission to draw the crowds thataway and to bring the locals back. 846 Divisadero St.
Missing a greasy spoon? Saturday morning, bartenders from the neighborhood convene at Eddie’s Cafe for good grub with no frills. 800 Divisadero St.
When the Pac Heights crew can’t stomach a two-hour wait for a table at Nopa, they often drift over to Ziryab, where Khalid El-Mourabit is looking to make his mark via Palestinian cuisine with a Moroccan flair, including lamb tagine and couscous. 528 Divisadero St.
HANGOUTS
Tucked between a tat parlor and a barbershop, the “secret bar” becomes a destination after the sun goes down. Rule No. 5 on the door reads: “If you find us, don’t tell others.” Sorry guys, it’s too late. Champagne with a fizzing lychee at the bottom lures Marina ladies by the dozen. The doors at BAR 821 close at 11, but those inside can stay, making the secret bar all the more alluring. 821 Divisadero St.
Hipsters’ choice Madrone Lounge is loyal to the hood; if you show proof of a NoPa address, rumor has it, you get a discount. The arsenal of infused vodkas doesn’t hurt business either. 500 Divisadero St.
Café Abir serves a strong cup of coffee and is a great place to size up the Western Addition hipsters. The adjacent fully stocked newspaper shop invites lingering. 1300 Fulton St.
ON THIS SPOT
Across the square from the famous painted ladies sits the Victorian house where Guglielmo Marchese Marconi, the inventor of radio, sent out some of his first signals. And that’s not the only thing that went on in the Westerfield House tower. Manson “family” member Bobbie Beausoleil supposedly spent countless nights there looking for flying saucers before he got hooked into darker pursuits. 1198 Fulton St.
SHOP FRONTS
Queen of the Meadow is “a lot more intimate than places on Union Street,” says owner Susan Jones, but it still carries big names. “We have Diane Von Furstenberg because, well, her dresses rock, but we highlight emerging artists as well.” 351 Divisadero St.
This 20th-century vintage modern collective is “a place where you can still afford to collect,” says owner Gwen Webster. Don’t be fooled, though; The Other Shop has high-end items hidden among the banana peel candleholders. 327 Divisadero St.
WHAT IT COSTS
...to rent: $1,050 for a studio apartment at 1604 McAllister St.
...to buy: $479,000 for a two-bedroom apartment at 1373 Grove St.
ONLY HERE
If you’re mourning the Le Creuset colors that were lost in the palette revamp, Judy Kaminsky at Cookin’ has all your favorites from the 1950s to the 1980s, including 5,000 pots and pans, plus copper collectibles. With a small army of people hunting treasures down for Kaminsky, it’s no wonder food stylists and industry types flock here. 339 Divisadero St.
THE TALK
NoPa locals are adamant about keeping their hood a hood. A few years back, neighbors protested a Burger King going in on Fell (the Madrone Lounge ended up going in instead), and in spring of 2005, Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi passed an ordinance limiting the number of chains in NoPa. But some folks are also concerned that high-end restaurants are taking over the strip: “If everything is food and wine, there will be nothing to serve the neighborhood,” says Kaminsky.