Subject: Sam Spade

• Stalk Your Mystery Writer in 10 Shady Steps

  March 25, 2009

• Stolen Maltese Falcon To Be Replaced Today at John's Grill -- A Caper Story Worthy of Dashiell Hammett

  November 15, 2007

• Curse Of The Maltese Falcon: John's Grill Gets Its Bird Back

  October 10, 2007

• Happy Hundredth, John's Grill

  John's Grill celebrated its hundredth birthday a few weeks ago, and as a longtime fan of Old San Francisco and the works of Dashiell Hammett, I made sure to help observe the occasion. Hammett figures into the equation because at one point in his magnum opus, "The Maltese Falcon," gumshoe Sam Spade ducks into John's for a quick meal of chops, potatoes and sliced tomatoes before heading to Burlingame on a bum steer. I myself was on the trail of one of the 8-cent martinis the bar would be offering

  November 28, 2008

• Aisle Seat

  May 22, 1996

• Also Playing

  Our critics weigh in on local theater

  December 31, 2008

• Wrapping Paper Caper

  December 24, 2008

• Parade Grounds

  February 20, 2008

• Do Not Disturb

  February 14, 2007

• Whodunnit High

  August 9, 2006

• No. 1 With a Bullitt

  San Francisco's murder rate is at its highest level in a decade. Whose fault is that?

  January 4, 2006

• Myth Interpretation

  Two thieves, six actors, and one enduring Mission District legend

  November 9, 2005

• Best View Bar

  May 11, 2005

• Best Fictional San Francisco Character

  May 11, 2005

• Reps Etc.

  April 20, 2005

• Capturing the Falcon

  April 13, 2005

• Cut It Out

  Stencils are the new graffiti

  September 22, 2004

• San Francisco

  October 1, 2003

• Viva Ms. Vega!

  July 23, 2003

• Out of the Past

  January 15, 2003

• Four Best Skyscrapers

  May 15, 2002

• Spade Work

  Putting the lessons of Dashiell Hammett's San Francisco life and art to practical use

  November 28, 2001

• The Ghosts in 401

  April 11, 2001

• House of Tudor

  July 29, 1998