The Cafes of San Francisco: A Guide to the Sights, Sounds, and Tastes of America's Original Cafe Society

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Summary: Where has this book been all my life?
Review: Well, damn. I mean, I LIVE here, and why haven't I seen this book before? There are unique cafes everywhere in San Francisco's cosmopolitan Bay Area, and what can be more cosmopolitan than discovering a new one, sitting at streetside between the fog rolling out and rolling back in, sipping a latte, and indulging in a little People Watching? I love it. There are more than 300 wonderful color photos, a directory to the more than 340 cafes profiles, lots of vignettes, tidbits, gossip items, and even some recipes.
What's not to love?

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Summary: San Francisco coffee scenes
Review: What a great, interesting book! I came across this guide at the counter of a local cafe that is actually featured in the book. The book organizes coffee houses and cafes according to neighborhoods of San Francisco. In each of the neighborhoods are featured cafes, their stories, menus, and even some of the recipes. I know some great cafes must have been missed and omitted since coffee houses in San Francisco come and go and there are a plethora of them (not counting Starbucks, of course) that accentuate neighborhood identity. It would be a strenuous project to keep up-to-date of all the newcomers in the industry (so I'll expect, maybe, a yearly edition?). A great headstart and a perfect coffee-table book for barista connoisseur and just the daily dosers!