A strong concentration of the US’s cutting-edge chefs are right here in the Bay Area. Widely acknowledged in food publications and amongst global diners, there’s been an uptick in Bay Area creativity buzz in recent years. Collaborative dinners between local chefs and with chefs from countries beyond uniquely showcase the forward-thinking cooking coming out of our region. I’ve been privileged… Read more →
Of all times to open a Russian restaurant… but, of course, Birch & Rye, debuting February 2022, has been in the works long before the current dire events in Russia and Ukraine. Chef/owner Anya El-Wattar dove in head-first to aid Ukraine by way of her upcoming “Dine for Ukraine” April 13 fundraiser dinner with none other than Dominique Crenn. Why Birch & Rye is a special new modern Russian food (and drink) oasis: Read more →
Sonoma has long been, for me, the most beautiful town square of all Sonoma County. Visiting Dominique Crenn’s idyllic Bleu Belle Farm in Sonoma (which grows the produce for her restaurants and to feed the hungry), I also visited the town’s latest restaurants — mostly pandemic openings — plus a classic or two. My top nearby hotel recommend would be The Gaige House, but I’ll get into that in my future Glen Ellen edition. Here are five standouts for food and drink in the town of Sonoma proper:
This Issue:
— November’s 10 SF Bay Area Restaurants for Outdoor Dining, Takeout or Delivery: Notable new restaurants for New American food, cocktails, seafood, barbecue, modern Indian, Yucatecan Mexican and Jewish deli fare, plus notable greats in sushi, Italian and New American cuisine and local gems for gelato and Middle Eastern groceries.
— Gin Magazine’s Pandemic Pivots Around the Globe: I talk with 10 notable bars around the globe on how they are surviving pandemic in Paris, San Francisco, Copenhagen, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Bangkok, Amsterdam.
— Distiller Bottle Column: This month I review the likes of rum, mezcal, American single malt, applejack, gin, Scotch, organic vodka, and more.
The color drained from the world. That’s how I felt as the pandemic hit and independent restaurants, bars, food and drink purveyors were forced to shutter overnight. Millions are (still) unemployed in a $1 trillion industry that’s the U.S.’ largest private sector job provider. Many already can’t afford to come back (closure estimates range up to 85% from industry experts across the nation and in this recent detailed report). But we’re losing much more than jobs. We’re losing culture it has taken decades to build. A “secret” American strength. I’ll explain.
For lovers of Italy’s food and wine and Switzerland and Austria’s Alps, Italy’s South Tyrol/Alto Adige region is your place. Set against the striking Dolomites mountains, South Tyrol’s Italian-Germanic culture makes the happiest of combinations. Here, wineries marry the best of Italy and Austria/Germany wine styles, alongside luxury alpine lodges, an annual ethical chefs event bringing together the region’s (and… Read more →
In my latest Time Out column: talking French, 10 of SF’s best, both new and old, classic and casual. Article here. San Francisco’s deep Francophile connections express themselves in classics like Michelin-starred Gary Danko, long-held Bastille Day celebrations, standard-setting bakeries and our rich French population and culture. Local France-born chefs like Dominique Crenn have pushed boundaries for women, fine dining and… Read more →
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. Neighborhood restaurants are the life blood of San Francisco, a city small in mileage but mighty in culinary influence and deep, international communities and cuisines. There are often those neighborhood gems that locals would rather everyone not know about. Places with a warm welcome, family-run, serving excellent… Read more →
Last year, the unforgettable S.Pellegrino Grand Gelinaz! Shuffle entailed some of the best chefs in the world switching places/restaurants around the globe for one night only, with my dinner at Coi cooked by none other than the chef of Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain. On July 11, they did something different but similarly exciting. Last night’s Gelinaz! Walk With Us… Read more →
Per usual, I’ve been dining up a storm at newcomers like Matador (tacos and tequila near Union Square), Cuban food in Oakland at Casa Cubana, French-inspired cuisine at Antoinette in the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley (from Dominique Crenn) or bagels at the new Wise Sons Bagel & Bakery. I’ve returned to established favorites, like vegan goodness at Nourish Cafe or… Read more →