My background is food, so I naturally love connecting with San Francisco’s food innovators, leaders and influencers to hear about where they eat and live in San Francisco. Recently, while at one of my favorite cafes in SF, Provender, I had the chance to learn more about co-owner Austin Ferrari and why he loves the neighborhood he calls home, Bernal Heights.
Bernal Heights has exploded in popularity over the last several years, and Bernal’s north slope was named the “hottest neighborhood in the country” by Redfin in 2014. With breathtaking views of downtown, easy access to the Peninsula, and some of the city’s best weather, it’s easy to see why. Cortland Avenue, the main drag, offers great dining, shopping, a local library and more. A community-based neighborhood, Bernal boasts three parks: Bernal (one of the largest in all of SF), Holly, and Precita Parks, and is actually home to the “steepest” street in the world (41% grade) Bradford Street. Some of my favorite spots in Bernal include: Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, Precita Park Cafe, The Epicurean Trader, and Succulence.
Instagram’s @the415guy favorite Bernal Heights shots
Austin Ferrari of the Ferrari Brothers, hails from Cincinnati, Ohio and grew up in the food & wine biz. He’s worked at the award-winning Chez Panisse and led the beverage program at Hillside Supper Club in SF before opening up Provender Coffee and Food.
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights
How Long Have you Lived There? Since 2015
What Do you Love About It? Bernal is nice because it is so quaint. Quiet, but filled with families and awesome neighborhood folks. It’s nice to be away from all the hustle and bustle of other neighborhoods.
Where Do You Eat In Your Neighborhood? Hillside Supper Club is one of my favorite spots in all of San Francisco.
What Do Most People NOT know about Your Neighborhood? Most people forget about the north slope of Bernal. Everything thinks of Bernal at Cortland avenue which is great, but along Folsom and Precita there is a lot of cool stuff.
Would you want to Live Anywhere Else in the City? Potrero Hill. Thats where my coffee shop Provender is at, and the locals and neighbors there rock. It’s a really tight community.
What do you typically cook at home? My lady and I love vegetables, however I always need my meat or some type of good protein. For us or myself the go to is usually roasted chicken and roasted vegetables. Lately however I have been cooking a ton of squid with chickpeas or butter beans and breadcrumbs. Simple, rustic bistro style food I would say. I am not a huge fan of all the molecular gastronomy and sous vide stuff. I think it takes away from the integrity of real soul cooking.
Real Estate in Bernal Heights
In the last 6 months, 65 single family homes sold at a median price of $1.484M about $1,050 a square foot; slightly below SF’s overall median home price of $1.6M. 18 condos/TIC sold at a median price of $1.060M or $966 a square foot.
CLICK HERE to see my favorite homes currently for sale in Bernal Heights.
276 Ripley St., Frank Castaldini, Compass.
4 bed 3.5 bath $4.2M - comes with plans to build a second property on the extra large lot.