Parsimony in Pacific Heights

When you’re living in Pacific Heights, one of San Francisco’s most exclusive neighborhoods, ‘affordability’ looks hard to come by. With blocks of Victorian mansions and stunning views of the Bay and Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific Heights gives off the impression of luxury. The majority of activity takes place on Fillmore St, which is lined with high-end boutiques and expensive restaurants. While it may not look like an area where you can live on a shoestring budget, Sophie Klimt in our editorial team has discovered the secret to living the high life for under ten dollars in Pacific Heights.

SHOPPING:

Goodwill – 1700 Fillmore @ Post. The perfect place to pick up T-shirts at $1.99 each, or a vintage bag for $8. This store was recently re-organized and if you squint your eyes you can just about imagine you are in American Apparel…
Walgreens – 1899 Fillmore @ Bush. Who needs Kiehls? (shh…). You can pick up your cuticle scissors, shampoo and Almay concealer at the same time. Tip: Walgreens’ own brand is comparable to most of the brands they replicate and is several dollars cheaper.

Mayflower Market – 2498 Fillmore @ Jackson. Don’t go to nearby Mollie Stones for your cheese. Go here – they sell tasty blocks of Gorgonzola, Brie Gruyere and my favorite, Camembert. These are perfect for sandwich fillers and most cheeses are under $3. Avoid their grocery items as these are marked up, but head to their deli counter as they make big old sandwiches for only $5.

DINING:

The Grove – 2016 Fillmore @ Pine. A casual eatery decked out like a ski lodge, The Grove serves up large, delicious sandwiches priced between 7 and 10 dollars. They come with a big portion of Kettle Chips on the side. They also do excellent salads, including my favorite which comes with beets and goats cheese. Most of the time though, I cannot avoid their tomato soup at $5.25 for a big bowl, which is the creamiest and chunkiest soup I have ever tasted.

Royal Ground Coffee House – 2060 Fillmore @ Pine. Come here for your sweet treats. Ultimate Cookie’s pumpkin cream cheese cupcake ($2.25) is to die for, and there is also an extensive selection of cookies (some vegan) and cakes all around the $2 mark. Dangerously addictive and incredibly satisfying.

Mollie Stones – 2435 California Street, between Fillmore and Steiner. The salad bar is ridiculously overpriced ($9.99 per lb) but their selection of ready-made sandwiches at around $5 is a steal.

Crepevine – 2301 Fillmore @ Washington. Serving up huge crepes and omelettes, Crepevine is slightly more expensive than I’d like (around 8 or 9 dollars), but you do get a lot of food for your money and it’s always good for leftovers.

Noah’s Bagels – 2231 Fillmore @ Sacramento. Just a bagel is fine for me (wholewheat, sundried tomato or cheese), but I have seen customers walk out with some pretty fine looking bagelwiches for about $5.
Food Inc Trattoria – 2800 California @ Divisadero. Cute little restaurant which gets busier at lunchtime and is very slow for dinner. Try their soup of the day at $4.95, which is always flavorful and healthy, or nibble on one of their inventive sandwiches. Get the pear and melted brie and let me know if it’s good!

El Burrito Express 2 – 1812 Divisadero @ Bush. I love these burritos. My standby is the Cheese Bronco Burrito for $4 including tax, but you can buy the super size at only a few dollars more. Huge and amazing, particularly if you go with a flavoured tortilla, which I always get.

King of Falafel – 1801 Divisadero @ Bush. Not quite Pacific Heights, but still excellent. Their falafel is transcendent, and their falafel sandwich at only $5.89, is a bargain. They also serve vegetarian and meat combo plates which are only 7 or 8 dollars, and these come with a serving of pita bread.

For more information on what to do in San Francisco, check out the Offbeat Guide to San Francisco here.

By Sophie Klimt, editorial.

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