Mario's Bohemian Cigar Store is a small, intimate cafe in North Beach, right on the corner of Columbus and Union. Both bar seating and small, round tables are available; plenty of large windows enabled the essence of the gorgeous day to seep in. As seems to be a pattern with cafes in North Beach, bric-a-brac with significance peppers the place: items from Italy, a mural of San Francisco above the bar, and pictures of the founder and other important persons to the history of the shop.

That displayed history lends itself well to the feeling of homeyness and belonging that just exudes from this place. Mario's is like a well-worn shoe, as comfortable as one of your own. The Motown sound (that was maybe a touch too loud) also lent itself perfectly to the lovely Sunday afternoon. The smell of fresh panini cooking on the grill just makes it that much more enticing.

Spectacular weather this weekend, right? Makes it all the more imperative to get one's ass in gear on a Sunday morning--we've got to enjoy the sun while it lasts. Your Trimethyldioxypurist was able to shake the Sunday morning cobwebs in a most delightful way . . .