NOPALITO GETS 3 STARS IN THE CHRON

Is the long wait around outside Falletti Foods to get into the neighborhood's (and possibly the city's) hottest new restaurant worth it? Well, having waited on a few occasions and sampled the rockin' this-ain't-no-ordinary-taqueria Mexican fare, we whole-heartedly say "Si!"

But the proof is still in a restaurant review. Today's San Francisco Chronicle says what we already knew, "Nopalito Gives Regional Mexican Food Its Due." And then some.

Restaurant critic Michael Bauer gives Nopalito a whopping three stars! "Just about everything is made by hand and the products are top quality and organic," he writes.

Sure, there's been a few complaints along the lines of "this-ain't-no-ordinary-taqueria". But Bauer dispels the rumor that Nopalito is serving "gringo food". On the contrary:

"...nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, the carnitas may cost $14, a fish taco $4.75 and a rich bowl of posole rojo $11, but for the quality and pedigree of the products, it's a true bargain. Give me one Nopalito tamale prepared with house-made masa, green chiles and stewed pork for $4, and keep the two or three you might get for the same price at other places."

And, btw, we might add, those prices are right on for the quality and service at Nopalito, which is owned by the same people who brought NOPA to the 'hood a few years back, Allyson and Laurence Jossel and Jeff Hanak. In fact, Nopalito has been borne out of staff meals cooked by NOPA chefs Jose Ramos and Gonzalo Guzman. Adds Bauer, it's "far and away the best Mexican food in the Bay Area."

Wow. Nice shout out to the neighborhood at the start of the review, too.

"The activity around Nopalito resembles an idyllic small town center, filled with strollers and dogs, often tied up outside of the adjacent Falletti Foods. Statisticians who say families with young children are fleeing San Francisco must not have been to this neighborhood."

Who says the Divisadero Corridor doesn't have it all? Guess that's why we're calling it San Francisco's most eclectic neighborhood.

BRING YOUR OWN DINNER - TO THE CANDYBAR

Your mom always said you had to eat your dinner before you could have dessert. But what do you do when you head to Candybar, the West Addy's hot-a-licious dessert bar, just steps off the Divisadero Corridor (1335 Fulton) and dessert is the main course?

BYOD -- that's bring your own dinner!

Open Tuesdays through Sundays at 6 pm. $2 beer and wine and $5 sparkling wine drinks at Happy Hour. Your own delicious dinner food welcome. Candy Bar will even provide the soundtrack...and silverware.

Now...where to go to get the to-go goods from? Little Star Pizza? Nopalito? Jay's Cheesesteak? We're just throwing out a few take-away joints we know well off the top of our head.

LUCKY CHARMS SCAVENGER HUNT IN THE 'HOOD

The North of Panhandle Neighborhood Association (NOPNA) is the force behind the St. Patty's Day Lucky Charms Scavenger Hunt, tomorrow night, March 17, starting at 6 pm at the Poleng Lounge, 1751 Fulton St.

$10 gets you a map and the chance to play along while visiting some of the DC's favorite cafes and mini-clubs -- The Candy Bar, Fly Bar, Mini Bar, Madrone Lounge and Mojo Bicycle Cafe. Be the first to collect all six Lucky Charms and win $20 of food and drink back at the Poleng. All proceeds from your purchase of the map benefit NOPNA.

Need more info? Contact Kandace at: kandace@nopanetworking.com

METRO KATHMANDU $5 CORKAGE BYOB STIMULUS PACKAGE

The Metro Kathmandu at 311 Divisadero serves up tasty and creative Nepalese food, and now, on top of that they are blazing the trail to beat the bad times by offering just a $5 corkage fee if you BYOB to dinner, Sundays through Thursdays, 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Come and check out their "stimulus package" while grazing through their menu of momos and curries and more. The Metro Kathmandu cooks up traditional Nepalese foods influenced by the country's two gigantuous neighbors -- China and India -- and takes license to let a little bit of California slip in -- thanks to their commitment to use fresh and seasonal ingredients. (Here's a link to their current menu.)

The dishes are fit for San Francisco's most eclectic neighborhood, no doubt about it. And -- if you get all the way over here and forget to BYOB -- don't fear. Falletti's is just around the corner at Broderick and Fell. Their wine bins (below the top shelf stuff) are often filled with $10 to $12 bargains. Or, you can always see what the package store on the other side of Page or New Star-Ell Liquors at 501 Divisadero has to offer.

INDIE MART @ THE INDEPENDENT THIS SUNDAY

The "Best Nomadic Hipster Flea Market and Party," the Indie Mart returns to the Independent @ 628 Divisadero this Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm.

$2 at the door for a good cause gets you in to browse among the vendors -- local designers, vintage, unique finds from rad stores -- it's all here.

They're also promising tasty BBQ treats, beer and stiff drinks, music by Cupcakes. Plus Primo, Triceradops and ALLCAPS and live art, silkscreening and giveaways.

Yep -- it's all happening in our little eclectic 'hood. In fact, the Indie Mart peeps are promising this will be their most "eclectic" market yet, so stop on by after the Farmer's Market or your brunch at Eddie's Cafe -- you know who you are.

21 and over -- there's a full bar!

DIVISADERO ART WALK -- MARCH 5

Take a walk along the Corridor tomorrow night, March 5, from Haight to Geary Sts. and check out all our neighborhood has to offer at the Divisadero Corridor Art Walk.

Starting at 6 pm, art galleries, bars, cafes and other small businesses will be showcasing art from a many local artists. What's so cool about this Divisadero Corridor Art Walk (and this is the third one the neighborhood has hosted since last October) is that this is pretty much how the "DC" is every night of the week. Maybe there's a little more art than usual, a few more $2.50 drink specials -- but otherwise, what you see at the Art Walk is usually what you get all the time around here.

If you're new to the neighborhood or have just been lying low, come on out tomorrow night and see for yourself. The Art Walk is just one of the reasons why Divisadero Corridor is San Francisco's most eclectic neighborhood!