The concept of Ma’velous (1408 Market) is modern — third-wave coffee with siphons and such, as well as a small and focused farm-to-table menu from Sacramento chef Tyler Stone — but the look is very retro, from Adeeni Design Group. Owner Phillip Ma (alas the name is not a Billy Crystal reference as we’d hoped) was inspired by Clarence E. Bickford, the pioneer coffee man who, during the late 19th century, discovered Central America as a new source for specialty coffee and single-handedly grew San Francisco into a coffee center. Open as of today next week, they’ll be serving coffee from Intelligentsia, Ecco, and famed Norwegian micro roaster Tim Wendelboe, as well as sustainably grown wines (15 by the glass), and small bites like locally handcrafted Salumi, and a changing array of soups and sandwiches. See our full slideshow of the swank interior, but be forewarned: no wi-fi. It’s not that kind of joint. Pick up one of the art books on the shelf instead.
