The Blog

This photo was taken outside of Rice Paper Scissors pop-up restaurant last night, where silver fox Anthony Bourdain was filming a segment for his new TV show, The Layover. I'd love to say that I had an awesome enlightening conversation with him, but honestly, I was totally starstruck and could only muster up the courage to ask for a photo. ("Me like you. Photo, please?" "Um OK." is probably how the exchange went). That smile on my face from standing next to one of my favorite stars was worth the shame. Thanks, Tony; you rule! Can't wait to see the new show.

Photo of Miranda July by RJ Shaughnessy

So it's Thursday. What are we gonna do this weekend? I mean, besides warming up a little early at tonight's free 3rd Base microhood party. (You’re coming, right? I’ll be totally bummed if you can’t make it). 

I have a whole list of activities for us to engage in here...

Going on a Blunder (Fri.)  Some of the funniest, most innovative performers in San Francisco (members of Mortified, We Players, Medicine for Melancholy director Barry Jenkins) come together to pay homage to the television shows they grew up watching. The Blunder Years is a one-night only fundraiser that sounds like fun.

Get Your Pong On (Fri.) Last weekend’s Berlin-style ping-pong at Secret Alley was so popular they’re going for round two this Friday at 7 p.m.

Seeing Stars (Fri.)  There’s a meteor shower this weekend. I wish I could give you an excellent vantage point in the city from which to see the shooting twinkles, but you know how this fog thing works. If you sneak out of the city borders, here are some meteor shower tips.

Get Outside (Fri.-Sun.) So there’s this music festival in Golden Gate Park, perhaps you’ve heard of it — Outside Lands. Great local acts on the bill. Don’t miss Tamaryn and Kelley Stoltz (Fri.), Vetiver and Sonny & the Sunsets (Sat.), and Latyrx feat. Lyrics Born and Lateef, Ty Segall , and The Fresh & Onlys (Sun.).

Cosmic Chariot (Sat.)  The Riptide is the city’s best little honky-tonk spot. They book killer cosmic country acts who set up in the cozy beach dive mere blocks from the water. If you’re looking to be killed softly by honied harmonies, check out Sweet Chariot, playing the Riptide Saturday night.

Sharks in the Park (Sat.) Just when you thought Dolores Park was full of sharks already, they bring the biggest Great White of all to the big screen. Jaws screens at the free movie night, starting at 8 p.m. Little tip: Avoid the Bi-Rite lines and get a great sandwich for your picnic at Clare’s Deli instead, right next to the 500 Club.

Go Guerrero (Sat.) I love a Guerrero Gallery opening, no matter the artist behind it. Andres Guerrero knows how to throw a party. This time he’s celebrating the work of artists who do cool stuff with paper: Leigh Wells, Adam Feibelman, Matt Gonzalez, Joey Piziali, Boris Tellegen, Greg Lemarche, and Ray Beldner.

See the Future (All weekend) Miranda July was a local for years. She grew up in Berkeley, went to school for a bit at UC Santa Cruz (we were college roommates!), and her intrepid artistic vision has strong support here. So I think I’m one among many who’s super excited for her new movie, The Future, to hit theaters. It starts playing here on Friday.

Living in the Western Addition these days means I'm pretty close to some awesomely diverse and tasty food options. But I have to admit, I do find myself crossing my fingers every time I see a notice for a new restaurant up,  holding my breath and hoping that it'll be a cheap and delicious Vietnamese spot. My Father's Kitchen on Divis near Hospital Row and Bun Mee on Fillmore in Pac Heights are my closest options for a Vietnamese fix, but I was hoping that something within a 5-minute walk of my apartment in Alamo Square would crop up. Thankfully my gluttonous (and lazy) prayers were answered: Rice Paper Scissors has brought their cheap and delicious Vietnamese street food to Mojo for a weekly pop up!

If you don't already know, Rice Paper Scissors is a pop up restaurant co-run by Bold Local and Little Knock street food vendor Valerie Luu and Kitchen Sidecar street food vendor Katie Kwan. We wrote about one of their pop-up events in a Mission garage space, where we tried a thousand-year-old egg and snail pho. Their new weekly banh mi pop-ups at Mojo are less underground and more accessible, but no less delicious. I mean who doesn't love sandwiches? And there are always vegan and vegetarian options, like the sandwich shown above, filled with tofu skins and mushrooms. Rice Paper Scissors are stationed inside of Mojo every Thursday evening from 6-10 p.m. Check their website for this week's offerings.

Of course, if you like your meals to be more spontaneous and clandestine, you can join Rice Paper Scissors at their next pop up restaurant, held in a secret TBA location. I just got word from Valerie that this Wednesday night they'll be hosting a Hanoi-themed dinner. The menu will include three really special items: Crab and Shrimp Rice Noodle Soup (Bun Rieu), Butter-Braised Sweet Corn and Dried Shrimp (Bap Xao), and Pan-Seared Tumeric Fish with Dill (Cha Ca). Those interested in trying the Cha Ca should note that RPS is only serving a limited number of this dish, so diners must pre-order ahead of time. Check out the full menu here. 

The location of Wednesday's pop up dinner won't be revealed until the day of, so follow @ricepapersf on Twitter or sign up for their e-mail list to find out the deets.