Welcome to Bernal Hieghts

Bernal Heights district sign on Mission  Street and Cortland Avenue

“Welcome to Bernal Heights,” reads a street sign on the corner of Mission Street and Cortland Avenue, looking past this sign is a steep incline guiding residents and rare visitors away from the rich streets of the Mission District into Bernal Heights,  a very quiet and secluded neighborhood in San Francisco.

Cortland Avenue stretches across the diameter of Bernal Heights and  serves as the neighborhoods’ shopping mecca, as shops,salons and restaurants line its street.

My first stop on Cortland Avenue, an eatery called the “Deli Pub.”

Imad, owner of "The Deli Pub"

The Deli’s cottage door is an invitation into the eclectic grandma’s-living-room themed dining area filled with vintage furniture, over grown house plants climbing the restaurants walls and jazz music playing softly in the background. The Deli’s owner, who goes by Imad, has owned and operated his Deli Pub for more than 20 years.

The menu is diverse with Imad’s classic handcrafted sandwiches like his grilled ham and cheese on bannock or his most popular sandwich, a tuna melt; all of Imad’s sandwiches are under $8.

For Bernal Heights’ residents Imad not only serves up sandwiches but also serves as the community’s mock psychologist.

“When people come in some want to be close to me [at the register] and tell me the problems they are having with their neighbors,” says Imad as he describes his community role as a listener.

As Imad stands at the register admiring his freshly cut Jasmine plants picked this morning from his nieghboors garden, Andrew Dai, a silicon valley tech worker who recently moved from Hong Kong to Bernal heghts walks into the Deli Pub, Imad looks up and already knows Andrew’s order,

“Tuna melt,” says Imad, Andrew nods his head and smiles.

Andrew sits down next to me and we begin discussing what he calls the “Pleasantville vibe" of Bernal Heights.

“The community is very slow pace, but there is a there is a lot going on," says Andrew as he takes a bite in to his tuna melt, "There are garage sales every weekend, dog walking groups and festivals.”

Progressive Grounds Coffee House

Just opposite from Imad’s Deli Pub is “Progressive Grounds,” a coffee, sandwich and ice cream parlor.

Inside the parlor a high chalkboard menu which displays a wide variety of coffee drinks, smoothies, sandwiches, and wraps. 

The parlor's owners, Aziz Benarafa and Marco Boujebha, have owned and operated "Progressive Grounds" for more than 10 years.

Today, Aziz, one of the owners is working behind the counter, he suggests I check out the back patio of the restaurant. I quickly narrow down my decision to an iced Chai latte and a pumpkin and crème cheese muffin and head for the patio; The parlor is separated into three areas, first the main café entrance where small tables over look Cortland Avenue through a large bay window, followed by a  short hallway leading to another seating area decorated with colorful pillows and funky tables, outside of this room is the parlor’s rustic patio fit with willow trees, blossoming garden flowers and vintage patio seating.

Upon leaving “Progressive Grounds” Aziz tells me how his international cooking experience influences his cafe dishes and restaurant environment.

“As you walk through the different spaces, you are to feel like you are traveling the world.” he says.

Holy Park over looking the City's Bay

After spending the day eating and snacking on Courtland Avenue, I walk up Bocana Street, another of  many steep inclines throughout Bernal Heights, to Holly Park. 

When I met Andrew earlier today at Imad's Deli Pub, he suggested that I visit Holy Park, known for it's incredible view of San Francisco and the San Francisco Bay.

Site referrals:

1. For a list of Bernal Heights restaurants and their reviews visit http://www.urbanspoon.com/n/6/505/SF-Bay/Bernal-Heights-restaurants
2. For more information on Holly Park in Bernal Hieghts visit  https://sites.google.com/site/hollyparkcircle/