If you want to have a successful night out in this town, you need a plan—and it better be a good one. Since it's not always easy to strike that perfect balance between pre-dinner drink, food and a show, we bring you the Triple Threat series — a block-by-block guide to nights out that only require one parking space. Today we're all over the Mission.
See: If you've never seen a performance at the Oberlin Dance Collective (351 Shotwell St.), now might be the time, especially since a kiosk curated by nearby Bar Bambino just went live on the premises. TCHO chocolate covered almonds or a savory gruyere and caramelized onion scone should tide you over through this weekend's performance of A Line Between, wherein performance collective inkBoat explores the dreamworld. It's a zany work with "appearances" from cultural icons diverse as Johnny Cash and Edith Piaf. Yeah, M&M'S wouldn't really fit in. Tickets here.
Eat: Evening showtimes are at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 7 p.m. on Sunday. There are also matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday if you prefer. Either way, Poc Chuc (2886 16th St.) is a great call for it's "Platillo Maya," filled with all manner of Yucatecan specialties: panuchos, tostadas, handmade tortilla puffs topped with juicy shredded poultry and more. If you're ordering entrees, make sure the one you get comes with the creamy black bean puree, and try, just try not to eat it straight with a spoon.
Drink/Eat: Walk up to Mission St. and hit the beatuiful claro Walnut bar at brand new BBQ mecca Southpaw (2170 Mission St.). The bartenders shake up whiskey and mezcal with unexpected mixers like red pepper and ginger, and now that the restaurant's smoker is back up and running (after a minor opening hiccup) you should probably try the ribs, which tend to fall off the bone.
Drink: Keep the night (or day) rolling at Homestead (2301 Folsom St.), a "nice" dive bar with paintings of topless women on the walls, a stand-up piano, Tecate on tap, and peanut shells strewn all over the place. Befitting the name, most people find it homey, especially after one or two of the joint's way affordable whiskey cocktails
Got another great night out to suggest? Write us a note or tell us about it in the comments.
