Frommer's San Francisco 2012 - Matthew Poole [164]
J-Pop Center Fans of manga, anime, and all things Japanese culture have a new mecca in the $15-million J-Pop Center (aka New People World), which offers five levels of J-awesomeness. The basement offers a THX-certified theater to showcase Japanese cinema; the first floor includes Blue Bottle coffee and Bentos snack shop; the main floor offers a New People shop that offers “all that is kawaii, fun, fabulous and bizarre”; second floor shops include Baby the Stars Shine Bright and Black Peace Now; and the third level features Japanese artists at the Superfrog Gallery. 1746 Post St. (btw. Buchanan St. and Webster St.). www.newpeopleworld.com.
A fraction of the goods at the five-level J-Pop Center.
Kati Koos Need a little humor in your life? Previously called Smile, this store specializes in whimsical art, furniture, one-of-a-kind clothing, jewelry, and American crafts guaranteed to make you grin. Closed Sunday. 500 Sutter St. (btw. Powell and Mason sts.). 415/362-3437.www.katikoos.com.
SFMOMA MuseumStore With an array of artistic cards, books, jewelry, housewares, furniture, knickknacks, and creative tokens of San Francisco, it’s virtually impossible not to find something here you’ll consider a must-have. (Check out the FogDome!) Aside from being one of the locals’ favorite shops, it offers far more tasteful mementos than most Fisherman’s Wharf options. Open late (until 9:30pm) on Thursday nights. 151 Third St. (2 blocks south of Market St., across from Yerba Buena Gardens). 415/357-4035.www.sfmoma.org.
Housewares/Furnishings
Alessi Italian designer Alberto Alessi, who’s known for his whimsical and colorful kitchen-utensil designs, such as his ever-popular spiderlike lemon squeezer, opened a flagship store here. Drop by for everything from gorgeous stainless-steel double boilers to corkscrews shaped like maidens. 424 Sutter St. (at Stockton St.). 415/434-0403.www.alessi.com.
Biordi Art Imports Whether you want to decorate your dinner table, color your kitchen, or liven up the living room, Biordi’s Italian majolica pottery is the most exquisite and unusual way to do it. The owner has been importing these hand-painted collectibles for 60 years, and every piece is a showstopper. Call for a catalog. They’ll ship anywhere. Closed Sundays. 412 Columbus Ave. (at Vallejo St.). 415/392-8096.www.biordi.com.
Diptyque If the idea of spending $40 on a candle makes you laugh, this isn’t the place for you. But if you’re the type willing to throw down good money to “scentualize” your living space, don’t skip this French shop offering dozens of spectacular flaming fragrances. I’m such a fan that every time I went to Paris I’d weigh down my luggage with these 50-hour burners (before the horrible exchange rate, that is). But now I can scoop them up in my own backyard. They also make great gifts. 171 Maiden Lane (near Stockton St.). 415/402-0600.
Limn For the latest in Europe’s trendsetting and ultramodern furniture and lighting, go straight to SoMa celebrity Limn, which also showcases artworks in its adjoining gallery. 290 Townsend St. (at Fourth St.). 415/543-5466.www.limn.com.
Nest Don’t come into Fillmore Street’s cutest French interiors store without your credit cards. Nest carries adorable throws, handmade quilts, must-have slippers and sleepwear, and a number of other things you never knew you needed until now. 2300 Fillmore St. (at Clay St.). 415/292-6199.www.nestsf.com.
Propeller This airy skylight-lit shop is a must-stop for lovers of the latest in über-modern furniture and home accessories. Owner/designer Lorn Dittfeld handpicks pieces done by emerging designers from as far away as Sweden, Italy, and Canada as well as a plethora of national newbies. Drop in to lounge on the hippest