My Food & Drink Recommends, New Opening Early Tastes, and More: May 1-15
Photos and article by Virginia Miller
As I write a few articles a day in my new role as Zagat Editor, I will summarize and link to just some of this extensive coverage for easy access (you can sign up for Zagat’s weekly newsletter for the Bay Area here for some highlights and follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF where I post daily articles).
As I have been for over a decade, I’m on the ground looking for early standouts at each new opening (and there has been a slew of high profile openings the last few weeks), I also share underrated and forgotten dishes and places you’ve seen me write about here at The Perfect Spot for years, and continue with plenty of drink coverage (cocktails, wine, spirits, beer).
News
JAMES BEARD WINNERS INTERVIEWS: Charles Phan and Daniel Patterson react to their big wins
New Bay Area Openings
SMOKESTACK – Killer BBQ, beer and cocktails in one cool Dogpatch space from brew master Dave McLean
PRUBECHU – Guam cuisine and tasting menu steal
SCHROEDER’S – Legendary German beer hall and restaurant reborn
4505 BURGERS & BBQ – BBQ, burgers and more from butcher king Ryan Farr
HOG ISLAND OYSTER BAR – More than doubled in size, and now with cocktails
MANOS NOUVEAU – Under-the-radar Mission opening serves lovely ceviche and Mexico-meets-Peru cuisine
LA RONDALLA – A historic Mexican classic reborn after being closed since 2007
HOMESKILLET – Potato chip-stuffed burgers and breakfast all day at the newcomer from Little Griddle folks
GRUBBIN‘ – Pastrami and meat-heavy sandwiches in friendly Parkside shop
BISSAP BAOBAB OAKLAND – SF’s longtime Senegalese favorite opens a second Oakland location
Drink Coverage
TRENDSPOTTING: Coffee and soda, coffee and tonic
3 LOCAL WHITE WINES to Pair with take-out
5 BAY AREA ROSE WINES for a Spring afternoon
3 COOLING COCONUT MILK COCKTAILS on SF menus now
9 CURRENT HAPPY HOURS with a view, quality food and drink, and more
Napa
12 ESSENTIAL NAPA RESTAURANTS – Tough to choose but here are 12 iconic, important spots from Napa to Calistoga
CITY WINERY NAPA: The third location of the NY music venue and winery puts music, wine & food under one roof
Underrated Spots & Dishes
SECRETLY AWESOME: Fang’s Peking Beef Bao