Ian Joseph Marks Chef/Owner of Beast and the Hare

What are you up to these days? I'm personally involved with the butcher's daughter. She loves vegetables, which makes for well-balanced dinners. Professionally I’m figuring out how to make Beast and the Hare stand out from all other restaurants in the city. We butcher and cure meats, and try very hard to make everything in house. 

Why do you love your neighborhood? The neighborhood people walk by the Beast and the Hare with their dogs and coffee and wave hi. Sometimes they see a pig butchering on the communal table, sometimes I’m just drinking coffee getting ready for my day. But it feels like an extension of home on that corner. 

Where's your secret spot? Tank Hill is a great place to hang with your girl and a bottle of wine. Turtle Hill is at the top of Ortega. Me and my boys would trek the stairs, smoke a blunt, and talk about the week. 

What's your favorite SF institution? Rock Med is a great organization that has helped many young and old people enjoy some awesome music safely for many years.  

What do you get obsessive about here in SF? The fog! The fog always seems to come over the hill at 3:45.