We're Back: New Baby, New Salon Neighborhood, Same Sol Food Order (Plus the Bread Pudding This Time)
A baby, a move to the Castro, a tiny Croatian island, and the best chicken in Marin
Inside: a tiny Croatian island I can’t stop thinking about, the coffee shop that's already a ritual in our soon-to-be new neighborhood, a stylist worth planning your month around, the San Rafael institution I’ll defend at any dinner party, , and a song that has not left my car .
First: Why You’ve Been Waiting
An apology, and then the best excuse I’ve ever had for anything. TLG has been quiet because our beautiful baby boy, Stinson James, was born on Cinco de Mayo this year, and life, gloriously, has not been the same since.
Stinson James, the reason for the delay, and the best one I’ve ever had.
He and his mother Valerie are happy, healthy, and thriving, and I am a completely changed man. Evidence: my personal Instagram used to be partying. It is now wall-to-wall proud dad life, the baby, the baby sleeping, the baby doing absolutely nothing and me finding it riveting. No regrets. Everything else in this issue is just me catching you up while I learn how to be somebody's father.
The Biggest News: We're Moving
Leaving Fillmore was not our choice, and I want to say that clearly before anything else. If it had been up to us, we would have stayed. Everything after this is genuinely good news, I just don’t want it to read like we were looking to go.
Fillmore has been very good to us. It’s where DAVID JAMES. became what it is, and that’s because of the people who sat in those chairs, appointment after appointment, year after year. We know that street and our neighbors there, and we’re grateful for all of it. Thank you. None of that is lost by moving; we’re taking it with us.
The new space is in the Castro, Castro/Eureka Valley, a few blocks up from the busiest part. Quieter, sunnier, more of a neighborhood feel. The space itself is beautiful, with a completely new look I’d rather show you than describe. Same team, same standard. We plan to be open there before the holidays, and as soon as I can share the address, you’ll read it here first.
Neighbor's Corner, 499 Douglass Street
Neighbor’s Corner, 499 Douglass St, our new neighborhood ritual, already in effect.
Neighbor’s Corner is a Japanese-inspired café on a sunny corner in Eureka Valley, bright, calm, big windows, and a small menu done properly. It’s known for two things. The strawberry matcha latte: real matcha over strawberry milk, fresh and not too sweet. And the tamago sandwich, a folded Japanese omelette sandwich on soft, thick-cut milk bread. Both are great, and worth going out of your way for. My own order is simpler, an iced vanilla latte and a grilled cheese. They also do mochi donuts and a basque cheesecake regulars talk about.Pro Tip: Go in the morning, when the light comes through those windows and the whole corner feels like the neighborhood waking up. This is our first official TLG recommendation in the new neighborhood — there will be many , e! neighborscornersf.com
Bury Me Here: Zori Timeless, Palmižana, Croatia
Vinogradišće Bay, Palmižana, ten minutes from Hvar, a world away from it.
A few years ago we were sailing around the Pakleni Islands, off Hvar. Hvar is the famous stop, beach clubs, big boats, music, and it’s a good time. But the smaller islands are quieter, the water is remarkably clear, and that’s where we came across Zori, stopping in for lunch knowing nothing about it.
It’s barely an island. No cars, a handful of people, one perfect bay. Tucked into Vinogradišće Bay sits Zori, a family restaurant that’s been there since 1947, now with four contemporary residences built above the water, each with its own pool. We stumbled in off the boat for lunch. I have thought about the design of this place, on and off, ever since.
Somebody at Zori made ten thousand correct small decisions in a row, terracotta that matches the earth, stone that belongs to the island, pools that sit in the landscape like they grew there, a menu decided by whatever the boats brought in and whatever the garden gave up that morning. Condé Nast Traveller called it one of the classiest restaurants with rooms in Croatia. Classy is underselling it. It’s the best-designed place I've ever seen.
Zori Timeless, Palmižana, the best-designed place I’ve ever seen. More below.
Three generations of one family. Zorko and Rita founded it in 1947, their names are right there in the name, and the current generation, Iva and Renato, built the residences without breaking the spell. Four villas, that’s all. Infinity has the big pool over the bay; Horizon owns the sunset. From about €950 a night, May through October, booked direct.
The Dalmatians have a word, fjaka, the art of doing nothing, without the guilt. Zori is fjaka with perfect taste. Hvar is right there when you want the noise. Ten minutes back across the water and you’re in the quietest, best-designed corner of the Adriatic.
Go before everyone you know does.
Stylist Spotlight: Gaelan Neal
Gaelan Neal.
Gaelan Neal is one of the most requested stylists at DAVID JAMES. in Marin.
What clients mention most is how he starts: with a real consultation. Where your hair has been, what you want it to do, what you can actually maintain day to day, he works that out with you before he picks up the scissors. He is especially good for the bigger projects: growing your hair out, making a real change, or fixing a cut you are not happy with.
In his free time he plays competitive golf, and he recently won a tournament in Santa Cruz.
Book sooner rather than later: Gaelan’s time in Marin is limited, and his book fills well ahead. If you are thinking about a change, or you want a particular day, get on his schedule now.
Welcome Back, Natasha
Natasha Austere is back at DAVID JAMES. in Marin. She is one of the absolute best colorists in the Bay Area, and she was a top colorist and educator in San Francisco for decades.
She is renowned as a blonde expert, but she loves this season, and she can show you what she can do with fall color. The three looks Marin is asking for right now, mocha balayage, soft copper blonde, and cherry cola brunette, are all in our Fall Color Guide for Marin.
She’s in Marin part-time: first day back is Sunday, November 8, then the first Sunday of every month. Her book is open now.
Eat Here: Sol Food, San Rafael
A plate at Sol Food, tostones, avocado, and the salad.
Sol Food is the Puerto Rican restaurant that put San Rafael on the map. People drive over the bridge om San Francisco just for lunch, and there is a line outside the lime—green building on Lincoln Avenue most days. Sol and Victor, who own it, are friends of mine. I would make the drive for this food either way, and so do plenty of people who have never met them.
Order the Pollo al Horno, baked chicken thighs with garlic and oregano, served with rice, beans, plantains, and the house salad. The other one people talk about is the bistec sandwich: Sam Smith called it his favorite sandwich ever while he was in town for his residency opening the new Castro Theatre. Put a little of the house pique on everything, and get the mango lemonade.
Two dishes get overlooked and should not be: the pineapple bread pudding and the spicy coconut stew. Most people order the famous plates and leave without trying either. Order bot, and tell Sol and Victor that David sent you.
When Bad Bunny came through town, he called ahead to ask if they could feed 80 people. He came in with his entourage, took photos with everyone, and ended up in the kitchen with the crew.
Sol Food, 903 Lincoln Ave, San Rafael, solfoodrestaurant.com
Song of the Month: Hot Chip, “Hungry Child”
This month’s song is “Hungry Child” by Hot Chip, from their album A Bath Full of Ecstasy. It has been playing in the salon and in the car all month.
It is a long song, about six minutes. It starts quiet, over a deep house pulse, and builds from there.
Hot Chip have been making records for more than twenty years, and their catalog covers a lot of ground, dance music, synth-pop, funk, and quieter songs that are closer to soul. They are one of the most respected and influential bands in electronic music, and they have stayed consistently good the whole time.
Play it on the drive home while there is still some light left, or in the salon after close. It fits November.
Listen here: Hot Chip, “Hungry Child” on Spotify
One Last Thing: For Your Shelf
For him: Matte Cream Pomade, the tin every stylist here reaches for.
For her: the slicked-back finish is the Hair Wax Stick.
This one is truly for the salon, so let me end it the right way. All November long, our Matte Cream Pomade, $28, the tin every stylist in this building reaches for, is buy one, get one free. One for home, one for the gym bag, one for whoever keeps stealing yours. And every other DAVID JAMES. styling product, Sea Salt Spray, The Powder, The Clay, and the Hair Wax Stick, is 25% off through the end of the month, in both salons and online at davidjamessalons.com/shop. Your hair has holiday places to be. Stock up.
Thank you for reading TLG. If you love it, share it!
— David
DAVID JAMES., San Francisco (Fillmore, for now, Castro/Eureka Valley before the holidays) · 1018 B Street, San Rafael · davidjamessalons.com