Form Exceeds Function At SF's 18 Reasons

From the team behind San Francisco's popular Bi-Rite Market (and the ice cream addict's haven, Bi-Rite Creamery, just across the way), 18 Reasons opened last fall as a food system-focused community center in the Mission District.

With daily events and food-related programs including knife skills tutorials, cooking classes and food literature discussions on offer, the concept alone deserves credit for its goal to connect customers with food and its nearby sources. But the actual space itself is the kind of cool, casual clubhouse you'd be psyched to retreat to for some continued education — or even just a pre-dinner drink.

Designed by Cass Smith of CCS Architecture in collaboration with David Pierce of Ohio Design, the center boasts an industrial kitchen and a crafted-minimalist front room that doubles as a wine bar every Thursday night. Reclaimed redwood, remaining from when the space was a knife-sharpening shop, drives the design theme, which also features slatted wood ceiling panels, rustic wood shelving and tables, and a Carrara marble-topped bar and counter for a mix of industrial and Western elements.

Check it all out below.

18 Reasons is located at 3674 18th Street in San Francisco. For a list of upcoming events, check out the calendar.