Terrible service. OK brunch. Nice venue.

Murals! where? everywhere! walls, streets, signs, windows. keep your eyes peeled. I walk a lot in San Francisco and always seem to find new murals in the least expected places. They are a constant source of inspiration, and make me wish I could paint worth a damn.

At the midpoint of the Filbert steps, near tourist favourite Coit Tower, The Malloch is a streamline Moderne gem built in 1937. I discovered it after watching Dark Passage, a 1947 Bogart and Bacall film noir. Lauren Bacall's character lives on the third floor and Bogey holes up there. A Deco beauty cruising towards the Bay. It has the coolest lift ever.

Reliably divey, with an ample back patio, ill-advertised punk shows and the occasional appearance of dollar oysters.

Stout would go around the world and bring back rare books and that's how the store was born.