Joyful noise
Zuni Cafe, Starlite, Sanraku, Izzy’s Steakhouse, Hilo, MORE
ABOUT FOUND • Help Wanted
FOUND SF is looking to add new contributors to our mix. A professional writing background isn’t required, just good taste and a passion for one or more of our categories (restaurants, real estate, travel, shopping, culture & leisure, the modern workplace). Interested? Drop us a line at found@itsfound.com and tell us a little bit about yourself.
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Gimme more
JUANITA MORE! • ‘the most painted drag queen in San Francisco’ • Juanita MORE!
Neighborhood you live in: Polk Gulch
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The scene at my home workplace is, always, organized chaos. Over the past 33 years, I’ve been working hard to support the LGBTQIA+ community I’m part of. With everyone’s help, we’ve raised over $1.5 million for local San Francisco charities, including SF LGBT Center, Our Trans Youth, Queer Lifespace, Transgender Law Center, OpenHouse, and more. And, I have no intention of stopping anything I’m doing.
What’s on the agenda for today?
With SF Pride right around the corner, I’m currently up to my earrings with projects. I am, of course, working on my annual Pride Party and the People’s March & Rally, both things I’m so passionate about. I’m also working with activist Cleve Jones on his Seven Days in June project, which includes a rally on Sunday, June 7, titled “Love, Health & Solidarity: A National Call to Elevate Health as a Governing Priority.” And, back in 2016, I partnered with Starlite — the historic rooftop bar located on the 21st floor of the Beacon Hotel — to host a series of happy-hour events called Floor 21. Now, a decade later, I’m excited to return to this beautifully renovated historic venue for happy hours every Thursday in June.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I’ve cooked most of my life professionally, until the chef hat got traded in for a wig. So, these days when I go out to eat, it’s specific. And by that, I mean: I go to places where I love the food or a particular dish, and never stop ordering it. On rotation at the moment is Zuni Cafe for their grass-fed hamburger on rosemary focaccia (add bacon and a fried egg, you’ll thank me forever), Liholiho Yacht Club for the fried game hen, the Japanese restaurant Sanraku for their sesame chicken, and Izzy’s Steakhouse for the classic shrimp cocktail and the boneless ribeye.
How about a little leisure or culture?
My days are full of walks thanks to my little Frenchie, Macho. Some of our favorite spots are Pepi’s enclosed dog area in Francisco Park, and the Presidio Tunnel Tops for the incredible view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay.
Any weekend getaways?
One of my favorite spots to get away to is Mendocino. The place I have stayed in for the past 15 years is The Andiron – Seaside Inn & Cabins. The rooms are filled with vintage fifties fabrics, old View-Masters, childhood games and puzzles, badminton, croquet, funky lamps, and so much more.
What was your last great vacation?
The Big Island of Hawaiʻi, where I’ve been going for the past twenty years. One of my MOREboys owned a home in Pāhoa. It had no electricity or running water. He’d pick me up at the airport in Hilo, and when we were about a mile from his place, my phone would turn off for lack of service. It’s truly been one of the most magical places I’ve been to relax at. My dad’s side of the family is from Līhuʻe, Kauai. So, it’s in my blood.
What store or service do you always recommend?
I’ve created a great list of local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area on my website. It includes art and entertainment, bars and nightlife, beauty, communication, law, dispensaries, fashion, food and beverage, health and wellness, pet shops, and gift stores.
WORK LINKS: Don’t believe the layoff hype • Gen Z job seekers turn to fortune tellers • ChangeOS co-founder on his ‘messy career’ • Median public company general counsel pay hits $2.5M • Tough job market for teens this summer.
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RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Dining, Fisherman’s Wharf
FOUND’s 9 favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. Paid subscribers can access all of our neighborhood Nines.
Cioppino’s (Jefferson St), well-touristed spot doing justice to its namesake dish, reserve