Cafe Zoetrope in San Francisco is Francis Ford Coppola's flatiron corner cafe in the Sentinel Building, with a small Italian kitchen and house wine on tap.
Signature drink: Cappuccino
Tip: The sidewalk tables on Kearny are the seat to want; the cappuccino is the right midday order.
Tartine Bakery in San Francisco is Chad Robertson and Elisabeth Prueitt's Guerrero Street original, with a queue that has not let up since 2002 and a morning.
Signature drink: Pour-over with morning bun
Tip: Morning bun and croissant come out at different times; ask the counter when the next bake is due.
Reveille Coffee in San Francisco is the small chain anchored in North Beach, with a corner room at the Columbus and Pacific triangle and a strong maple latte.
Signature drink: Maple latte
Tip: Sit at the Columbus side window; the foot traffic to City Lights makes for the best people-watch.