money money money

Medjool's Roof Deck to Become a Latin Street Food Cocktail Lounge Buzzword Something Something

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

Remember when Medjool had a roof deck that we all hung out on top of on warm summer night?  Me neither.  But the folks at Lolinda hope to revitalize the roof, bringing us a most buzzable spot to squander away our evenings. SF Magazine has the details:

Everyone would probably be relaxing in a rooftop restaurant on this glorious Monday, so let’s talk about Lolinda. Since Adriano Paganini opened the restaurant in August, customers have constantly asked when the notorious roof deck will swing back into action. No one has been up there since Medjool closed in early 2012, but we’ve known for a while that Paganini had something special in store. Late last week, he revealed that the roof will be called El Techo de Lolinda, offering a new menu of Latin street food and classic Latin cocktails like mojitos. El Techo will be open for dinner every night of the week, and for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The whole space has gotten a major overhaul—apparently with some rather fancy and amazing Australian heat lamps.

[Thanks, Sam!]

Previously on Uptown Almanac: 

Muni: $80k/yr Not Enough for Man Who Does 6 Jobs

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

This Muni bus driver doesn't think he makes enough, being forced to take on the job of multiple other professionals and what not.  Let's see how much this fella should really be paid:

  1. Driver: There's no terrific data on this (read: easily Bingable), but it seems that $80k/year is the sweet spot for a Muni driver.
  2. Medic: Let's assume he means EMT, and EMTs make $50k/year in NYC, which means they probably make $55k/year plus unlimited time off in SF.
  3. Psychic: Miss Cleo is probably worth a few million, but always gave her first reading away for free.  Let's assume these cancel each other out and he should receive a $30k pay bump for his services.  Board me now for ya free readin'.
  4. Cabbie: This really sketchy salary site that I absolutely don't trust says the average SF cabbie earns $38k, so let's call it $38k.
  5. Shrink: I'm not really sure how this is different than a psychic, besides an education and actual qualifications, but—hey!—let's give him both anyway. $99k/year.  Dang doc!
  6. Cop: The average SFPD officer earned $130k in 2008 (but I don't really think I want to see Muni drivers carrying guns (because they're crazy)).

That brings his grand total to $432,000 a year.  Seems fair, no?

[Photo by Crazy Crab]

I am a Corporate Sellout

— By Kevin Montgomery (@kevinmonty) |

I'm sure you've already heard that the culty raw food chain and homebase of awkward dancers Cafe Gratitude/Gracias Madre announced they are being sued out of existence.  But amidst all the celebratory press coverage, the fact Gracias Madre is, somewhat ironically, already in talks to sell to a “big corporation” fell off the radar.  Laura Beck of Vegansaurus (whose coverage is among the best around) reports:

Just heard from another (current) employee who said that they’re for sure being sold and that so is Gracias Madre, and it looks like there might already be a buyer for Gracias Madre, and it’s a big corporation. They didn’t tell the employees who the big corporation is (we’re thinking of starting the rumor that it’s McDonald’s! You in!?), but all Café Gratitude employees and central kitchen employees are getting fired. Super sad and shitty.

My money is on Qdoba Mexican Grill.

(Oh, and in case you were wondering, their commercial kitchen on 14th at Folsom is on the market for bargain price of 1.895 MILLION DOLLARS)

[photo by noppechan]