There is a relatively new bar in town. But this isn't just a bar. More accurately: there is a small, unassuming cafe and bar that's successfully blending elements from numerous concepts (small plates, cocktails, draft beer, brunch, book-lending library, book club) with style, comfort and grace. The place is Two Sisters Bar and Books and the story goes something like this: two sisters, Mikha Diaz and Mary Elliott decide to travel before settling down into the job market. In graduate school, Mikha studied continental philosophy and Mary studied Russian language and literature; they decided Poland was a good place to start their journey and they quickly stumbled across Massolit Books in Krakow and fell in love. After just one week in Krakow, the sisters knew they wanted to recreate a similar place in San Francisco. Mary stayed on in New York City (where the gals went to school) and worked from afar helping curate the books for the space. Mikha set to work with her business partners, her husband and parents, on finding a storefront in a desirable neighborhood in the city -- no easy feat.

The bar at Two Sisters

It took Mikha one year to find the old Marino's space in Hayes Valley; getting it into ship-shape took some elbow grease and dealing with city permits always takes a whole lot of time and patience, but Two Sisters had their soft opening on Oct 12, 2011 and things have been growing and evolving ever since. When I walked in, I saw old volumes of books lining the wall to my left, tables full of folks reading, chatting, eating and drinking to my right and a welcoming bar towards the back. I asked Mikha to tell me more about the space: are they an actual bookstore? Do they do coffee or is it really more of a bar? They serve dinners, too? In talking to folks around the city, there seems to be a little confusion about the identity of the spot, and after visiting, I think that's actually part of its charm. You need to go and visit to really see for yourself.

But I did learn that it is a charming bar and restaurant, serving wine and beer, specialty cocktails and fermented sodas, snacks and charcuterie plates. They do a $20 fixed-price brunch on Sundays. The rest of the time they serve a few daily plates, such as pork meatballs and kabocha squash bread pudding. Alex Smith is the kitchen manager at Two Sisters, and she and Mikha describe how the price of the plates really reflects the little-bit smaller portions (right inbetween a tapas plate and an entree). They're all particularly excited about the house-smoked blue cheese they've been doing, and the spring menu that will be unveiled towards the end of February. It seems, all around, there's a lot to be excited about.

Book-lending library at Two Sisters

Before I left, Mikha and I were just casually talking about the neighborhood and what kind of folks Two Sisters is attracting. She beamed and said it's truly becoming a neighborhood spot where locals come when they don't really feel like cooking. It's not as big of a financial commitment as a true sit-down restaurant so you can just dabble with a few snacks and a small plate. It's also a big day-time hangout with the book-lending library and the (genius) Books and Booze Reading Club where a monthly book is paired with an appropriate cocktail.

Folks can stroll in and pick up a book they're interested in and take it home, replacing it with a book they've decided to leave behind. Mikha described an interesting phenomenon of people wanting to get rid of books but feeling like they were too special to drop off at a nameless donation center, so the lending library has been growing quickly as more and more people want a special home for their books.

And it's clear from the crowd on a cold Saturday afternoon that many San Franciscans are claiming the actual space as a home, too. Just what the sisters had envisioned. Each element (good cocktails, books, and seasonal food) have truly come together in perfect harmony. There's a lot to discover here. It's the kind of spot that makes we wish I, too, lived in the neighborhood. For now, I'm eager to come back when I have a little more time to sit, swap a book, and try a nibble.

Two Sisters Bar and Books
579 Hayes Street (between Laguna and Octavia)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 863-3655
Hours: Tuesday - Thursday 4 pm - 11 pm; Friday 4 pm - 12 am
Saturday 1 pm - 12 am; Sunday 11 am - 10 pm

Happy Hour: 4 pm - 6 pm Tuesday - Friday & 1 pm - 4 pm Saturday
Brunch: Sunday 11 am - 4 pm
Follow them on Facebook or Twitter

I’ve been waiting for Straw to open since the Holiday Block Party this past Christmas in Hayes Valley where they handed out samples of truffle oil popcorn and lavender lemonade. After months of waiting (including a contest for guessing their opening date with the prize of a month of free meals), this carnival-themed restaurant opened its doors and moved into the Hayes family.

Dinner menu welcomes all.

This small space near the corner of Octavia and Page is not only chock-full of carnival-themed paraphernalia, it’s also cozy, friendly, and inviting. And the attention to detail is impeccable. There’s an antique tilt-a-whirl used as a booth, old signs saying things like “winner every time” and “3 balls $1.00,” and fantastic black-and-white photos of carnival goers. There are complimentary jawbreakers on the table and tiny candy packages for the taking in the box you get your check in. The menus are covered with the bindings of old books, and the contents of those menus contain some of the most creative dishes I have ever seen.

Old book bindings are used for the menus.

Being a vegan, when I first heard about Straw, I assumed it’ll be a cool place to go with friends but that I would definitely have to pre-eat. Just to give them the benefit of the doubt, I emailed them to ask about vegan options, and to my happy surprise they replied that they actually have both a vegan and gluten-free menu available for guests, because, as the front page of their menu states “everyone should enjoy our carnival.”

Gastro Gypsy Sandwich

My husband and I were the fifth party on their opening night and we were promptly handed vegan menus upon mentioning our dietary choice. It was so nice not to do the oft-performed dance of “well… this COULD be made vegan if you take everything off the plate and leave just the lettuce.” I opted for the Gastro Gypsy sandwich made with Moroccan carrots and olive tapenade, and my husband chose the Grilled PB&J. As a side we got the sweet potato tots with blackberry BBQ sauce.

The Gastro Gyspy had sweet and spicy roasted carrots with a tangy green olive tapenade. The vegetarian version of this sandwich includes chevre and, although the vegan version was delicious, I did miss having a third (creamy) ingredient in there. Perhaps Straw can learn the surprisingly easy art of making cashew cheeses; they’re already so creative, I can totally see them taking on a challenge like that. The PB&J was warm and satisfying with the nice touch of adding apricot preserve instead of the usual berry or grape jam.

But the tots—oh the tots! I’d go back just for those. Homemade crispy, bright orange-centered sweet potato nuggets dunked in tangy blackberry BBQ sauce. I seriously could make a meal out of those.

Sweet Potato Tots with Blackberry BBQ Sauce

Unfortunately the dessert options they had that night were not vegan, but I've heard talk of orange blossom cotton candy that I plan to try as soon as the machine is up and running.

Now, I know that Straw is not a vegan restaurant (and their non-vegan fare is mad extensive, even featuring specials inspired by the New Orleans Jazz Festival), but the fact that they make the effort to have menus for people with alternative dietary ethics or health requirements, makes me have a lot of respect for them. In fact, they seem to make an effort to acknowledge their community in multiple ways, by sourcing from local farms, and giving 10% of each Monday’s proceeds to a local charity or organization (this week went to neighbor Hayes Valley Farm).

Something sweet to take with you.

I also have faith that as soon as they get in their groove, they’ll start offering some vegan entrees and desserts, in addition to the sandwiches and salads. Or even brunch options—I'm dying for a great tofu scramble at somewhere other than The Plant.

And I have faith that once their liquor license kicks in, these guys will come up with some crazy-interesting and yummy cocktails. I’m thinking a kettle corn Manhattan or a fried pickle dirty martini…

Straw
203 Octavia Street (at Page)
San Francisco, CA 94102
415-971-5653
Twitter: @sfstraw
Facebook: Straw SF