Broderick St, Pacific Heights

This area of Broderick St., slightly south of the Panhandle, has come a long way in improvements since my partner & I bought a 2-unit building here in 2004. The once-desolate block across the street from the thoroughly depressing DMV has been transformed into a foodie's paradise with Falletti's grocers, Delissio's upscale deli and gourmet hot food and salad bars. A Peet's coffee thrives in the back of this food mart and new (supposedly "affordable") condominiums, but it has not displaced any of the nearby cafes. The neighborhood fought off the bid for a battery chain store and is holding out for more small, neighborhood-friendly businesses like the chocolate truffle and cheese shops on Divisadero. The opening of the upscale NOPA restaurant (also on Divis) made this formerly shabby street chic -- but it retains an urban edge with the Independent Theatre (live music most nights of the week), Ethiopian, Moroccan, Himalayan and vegan restaurants and the Page (the corner bar on Page and Divisadero).