"The patio at Golden Sardine isn’t the fanciest or the biggest, but it’s one of the best places for people-watching and having a leisurely drink after work. Sipping on red vermouth and digging into tinned herring at this poetry-focused North Beach bar just feels like the right thing to do. And while the inside can get packed, it’s never too crowded on the makeshift parklet. Take your time and order another glass while you nibble a cheese plate with jamón serrano, and enjoy the free entertainment of watching the crowd treading up Columbus Avenue." - lani conway, julia chen 1, ricky rodriguez