Noe Valley

Walk into this crisp white studio adorned with lush flowers, exquisite trinkets, and Monastery’s line of gorgeously scented, super-effective skincare, and instantly, you feel restored. A facial with founder and formulator Athena Hewett takes you to a new level, however: She customizes each step to your skin, deftly combining the traditional exfoliation, cleansing, and extractions with high tech treatments and ancient techniques. Athena’s personally trained every one of the expert estheticians on staff; you saunter out sculpted, glowing, and completely rejuvenated.

Billingsgate is all about championing local fishermen and showcasing their catch. Named after London’s most famous fish market, this is where you come to slurp oysters at the counter and pick up fresh sea bass or salmon from the accompanying market for dinner. The array of prepared bites (smoked salmon on brioche, assorted crudos) is delicious—and perfect for a quick lunch accompanied by a cold beer. The full roster of fresh and prepared goods, plus market produce, is all available for pickup and delivery.

You don't have to be a foodie to get lost in Omnivore, which devotes its shelves to everything from hot-of-the-presses cookbooks to rare antiques and collectibles. It's a go-to spot for picking up gifts, and they also have a fantastic calendar of events, bringing in authors from all over the country (and sometimes the world) for signings and lectures.

TMI actually makes getting a colonic not so rough. (For more on the nuts and bolts of colonics, see this colonics Q&A with Dr. Alejandro Junger, and check in with your doctor to see if they're right for you.) In addition to colonic sessions, which is obviously what TMI is known for, they also offer infrared sauna sessions.

Packed to the rafters with books, gifts, stationery, and things for the home from all over the world, Rare Device is a time suck, in the best possible way. There’s also a gallery space in the back, home to monthly art shows, workshops, and kid-friendly events. There's also an outpost in Hayes Valley.

In a nutshell, this is the place for incredibly authentic Sardinian food with an Italian-only wine list to match. Massimiliano Conti and Lorella Degan, the husband and wife team responsible for the magic, are particularly well-versed in seafood which explains why the braised octopus is some of the best we've had. On the pasta front, the bottariga spaghetti is no joke.

Lovejoy's Tea Room is adorable and eclectic, making it the perfect spot to host a small group of children for a tea party. If you're looking to take some of the magic home with you, there are shelves full of antique-looking china sets, teapots, and of course, tea.