.Best Lunch Not in a RestaurantShop till ya drop, then eat

No one can deny that IKEA has the pop-culture consumer figured out. No one can resist those cute ‘n’ kitschy household goodies that clutter every Gen X, Y, and Z apartment in the Bay Area. But who could have predicted those brainy Swedes would mastermind the solution to our lunchtime appetites as well? When picking up a cheery little Uldum hand-tufted rug during your lunch break, check out IKEA’s self-serve restaurant. Way better than the hot-dog stand at the checkout, the second-floor diner offers fairly cheap eats and an exquisite view of the bay. The Manager’s Special is a particular achievement, with its generous helping of yummy meatballs, lingonberries (whatever those are), and grilled potatoes. Taking yourself out for lunch and picking up some snazzy new throw pillows might be the perfect antidote to the midweek blahs. Oh, and while you’re there, wouldn’t the Kronvik chair look just darling in the hall?