There’s no better way to entertain on New Year ’s than creating an intimate dinner party at home with close friends. In Bernal Heights, you can cook a gourmet feast by doing all the shopping on Cortland Avenue. Within a five-block radius are some of the most desirable specialty food stores in San Francisco.

We’ve done a round up of five places on Cortland Avenue that will level up your New Year’s dinner, to make a feast your friends will never forget. Share good food and create a sense of community while you ring in a healthy New Year.

1) Avedano's Meats: The Main Course

One of the few whole animal butchers in San Francisco, and they are still committed to serving sustainably grown meats. They have a variety of hard to find meats like guinea fowl, goose, and cornish hens. As well the standard favorites like prime rib, beef tenderloin, and pork chops.

2) Good Life Grocery: Sides and Salads

The neighborhoods local natural foods store, Good Life Grocery has been on Cortland Avenue since 1991. It consistently offers quality conventional and organic produce They also have a great cheese section and a full deli to create some delicious appetizers and side dishes. 

3) Epicurean Trader: Whiskey Cocktails, Wine and Champagne

The small but mighty Bernal location carries some cultish food brands in a city that workshops food. In the two and a half short years they’ve been open on Cortland Avenue they’ve won Best of the Bay for spirits by San Francisco Magazine twice.

You’ve heard the saying, “All Bourbon is Whiskey, but not all Whiskey is Bourbon.” And they are not all created equal. They carry the cult phenomenon, Old Rip Van Winkle Whiskey. And also Koval who makes organic specialty spirits from scratch.

4) Bernalese: Glassware, Cocktails Shakers and Handy Kitchen Gadgets

Bernalese is the latest addition to the shops on Cortland Avenue. It combines stylish, craftsman antique with contemporary kitchenware. If you need something at the last minute, you shouldn’t have to get in your car and leave the neighborhood. Whether it’s a pepper grinder or replacing wine glasses, there’s a place to find it locally.

And for those signature whiskey cocktails, you can pick up a shaker and some chic glasses to toast the New Year in style.

5) Black Jet Baking: Dessert

Gillian Shaw Lungren isn’t new to the neighborhood. She and Head Baker, Max Newman met while working at the old Liberty Cafe. That’s where they honed their skills for the flaky and tasty pie crust that’s their specialty. It’ll take you right back to your childhood.

There’s so much creativity that can happen in your kitchen with these specialty stores on Cortland. Bring friends together, invite the neighbors over for a drink and toast to the New Year with gratitude for the beautiful city and neighborhood you live in.

LINK LOVE:

Avedano's Meats - 235 Cortland Avenue

Good Life Grocery - 448 Cortland Avenue

The Epicurean Trader - 401 Cortland Avenue

Bernalese - 307 Cortland Avenue

Black Jet Baking - 833 Cortland Avenue