Patricia's Green

...in Hayes Valley. That's the name of the thin strip of urban park in northeast SF, bordered by Fell, Hayes, and two halves of Octavia Streets; and surrounded by picturesque rows of unique shops. Frolicking kids climbing the domed jungle gym are a regular blur to us each time we speed past this patch of green along the Fell Street artery to the west side of the City. We decided to pull over recently when slowed traffic allowed us to notice Isotope, a fun comic book store adorned with madly illustrated toilet seats and run by joyful tall-haired owner James. Our stroll took us past a walk-up kiosk of the Blue Bottle Coffee Company, which is all the rage among some friends; and Stacks', a chic breakfast joint. We also visited La Boulange de Hayes, featuring "only organic flour, filtered water, and sea salt" in its delectable pastries and aromatic breads. While sipping our mocha and Orangina in the bakery, we stared skeptically at Patxi's Chicago Style Pizza across the street.  That'll certainly bring us back during mealtime on another day, to see if it passes my Chicago boy's authenticity test.  As we departed, the rain came to nourish Patricia's Green, a haven in an otherwise urban expanse.