Via Bold Italic, Ryan Jay and Alexander Shahmiri's short flick looks at the downtown and the Financial District in reverse. Yes, it was filmed two years ago, but we're just getting around to it now. And thank God we did. It's a soothing piece. While the Bold Italic isn't a fan of the FiDi, we kinda are. It always seems like an oddly calm place (from afar, of course, since we don't work there) since it lacks the pretension and self-consciousness of other S.F. arrondissements like the Mission or the Castro. Anyway, enjoy this backwards moment. more ›

After hearing a woman's cries for help at Fremont and Mission Streets at around 10:40 p.m. Sunday night, officers found a woman struggling with a man attempting to mug her. And that's not all. After the woman broke free from her assailant, he brandished a handgun. Which is never a good idea. "One of the officers fired at the man, who then dropped the gun and was arrested without further incident," notes SF Appeal. more ›

What else did you think we were going to suggest? In light of last night's eight-years-in-the-making climactic Outstanding Restaurant win at the James Beard Awards, why not check out Boulevard before swarms of newbie foodies descend on the place this weekend. While Nancy Oakes' noted American-French restaurant is booked in the early evening today, they have open spots from 9:15 p.m. and on, according to the friendly reservationist. If securing a table is simply too much work for you, they do have a bar where one can order from the regular menu. (Also a great spot for those of us who prefer an iPhone as a dining companion.) more ›

The small but stalwart crew that still occupies the sidewalk outside the Federal Reserve at 101 Market Street was hit with another act of violence last night. A 27-year-old man was stabbed in the neck around 11:30 p.m. after an argument with a male suspect who remains at large. This follows on a similar, more serious incident around 11 p.m. Sunday that left a 28-year-old male occupier in critical condition from a stab wound that followed an argument. more ›

At around 4 a.m. Sunday morning at the corner of Battery and California Streets, a hit-run incident occurred, one that resulted in a fatality. According to BCN (via SF Appeal), "Police were searching for a possible suspect in the collision this morning." more ›

After a much-needed (?) $30 million makeover, the Metreon, struggling early aughts mall fortress at Fourth and Mission, will open a new set of "reimagined" restaurants and shops on Saturday. Among the reworked ideas: a simpler, cleaner tone to the place; easier entry; and stores that—get this—one can enter without having first to walk through a human maze. Which is to say, many retail stores will now be accessible from Fourth Street. more ›

An unidentified pedestrian "wearing a security guard uniform" on Sunday afternoon was struck and killed by a Muni bus at Mission at Fifth streets. According to reports, the man "crossed in front of the 14-L bus as it pulled out of the bus zone, a Muni spokesman said, and two sets of tires rolled over his legs. His lunch bag was found next to him." He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. more ›

According to CBS 5, construction crews have accidentally ruptured a gas line at Mission and Beale streets in downtown San Francisco. Gas is "spewing everywhere." Please stay out of the area until further notice. PG&E and the fire department are on the scene. more ›

Police asked residents, if you will, of the tiny tent town outside the Federal Reserve Bank at 101 Market Street to scatter last night. The shantytown occupying the area was built in support of Occupy Wall Street. According to the Examiner, "police forced the protesters to take down their camp, saying that while they have a right to demonstrate they cannot block sidewalks with items such as tents, crates and other objects." more ›

Hey, you! Go get a free grilled cheese and soup combo today at The Melt. As FunCheap reminds us, "come by the brand new location in SoMa at 115 New Montgomery from noon to 4pm" and "mention the secret code word 'GOUDA'" to score a free lunch. Mmm. Head over now before it gets mobbed. more ›

At least one person was injured in an accident that occurred at New Montgomery between Mission and Howard this morning involving a SFFD fire truck. According to KRON 4 Morning News, the truck "might" have hit a pedestrian. We'll update as soon as we know more. more ›

Ryan, a nine-year-old boy, sits in the hospital this morning facing life-threatening injuries after being stuck by a vehicle last night going the wrong way on New Montgomery. "The suspect in the truck turned left onto Mission Street after driving north on New Montgomery Street, which is a one-way street with traffic only in the southbound direction." The truck went right along after hitting the child, continuing west on Mission Street "before colliding with numerous other cars parked and driving on the street." more ›

On the cover of yesterday's Chron, architecture critic John King had a piece critiquing the San Francisco Downtown Plan, following on a recently released report detailing the plan's successes and failures over its 25 years. As some of you may know, it was this 1985 document that limited building heights across the Financial District, resulting in a couple decades worth of office boxes being built that are all the exact same height (the maximum allowable). And this is the document that attempted to make room for 90,000 new office workers who never arrived. more ›

A woman was violently robbed Wednesday afternoon at Bush and Kearny. "The victim was standing at the corner of Bush and Kearney [sic] streets and listening to music when she was struck in the head from behind around 2:27 p.m.," reports SF Examiner. A second person then gabbed the cellphone from her hands; both suspects fled northbound on Montgomery Street toward California Street. [Ex] more ›

Why were there so many red balloons floating around downtown San Francisco today? Well, someone thought it would be a great (albeit pollutive and thoughtless) way to hawk a new video game. We think @sanbrunamo sums it up best: "please don't pollute our bay and environment with ads attached to balloons. [link] [link]" more ›

"Old Navy" by Demetrios Lyras. more ›

Paolo Lucchesi reminds us that, glory be, House of Shields returns tonight. The much-admired SoMa/downtown watering hole, if you recall, closed earlier this year. Horrifying on many levels, yes. Fortunately, the century-old bar opens again for business, starting at 4 p.m. "Pretty much everything about the restored version and the Dennis Leary era of San Francisco’s classic century-old saloon was shared on Monday, so please to refer there for all the background, from the painstaking restoration process to Eric Passetti’s beverage program to the absence of televisions." Check it out, then head down to 39 New Montgomermy (at Market). more ›

The bomb squad arrived at Market and Front this morning after a "suspicious package" was found. We'll update as soon as we hear more. And, if we may add another dash of alarmist news to your Friday, this comes on the heels of suspicious packages found throughout the world this morning. more ›

SFist reader Justin Neisuler captured this image of the onetime harrowing and odorous Fremont underpass, which, during Transbay Terminal construction, has become a lovely, sun-drenched gazebo. more ›

Downtown/Arson: Yesterday, over on the 400 block of Mission Street near the sleek Millennium Tower, the San Francisco Fire Department responded to two bush fires. After extinguished the tiny blazes, authorities determined that they were a result of arson. No arrests have been made. more ›

The fuzz is on the hunt for an elderly rapscallion who allegedly robbed a downtown bank on Monday afternoon. Bay City News (via SF Examiner) reports: "Police spokesman Sgt. Troy Dangerfield said a middle-aged man entered the bank in the 100 block of California Street at about 11:40 a.m., threatened the bank manager with a gun and ordered everyone to the ground." more ›

Oh boy. We love us some upward growth. And how. While the City Planning Department completes its save-the-whales report (EIR) on the proposed 24-story structure at 350 Mission, yesterday they released renderings of what the new building will look like, with delightful results. more ›