From The Shota to Omakase, San Francisco already has a wealth of Michelin-starred sushi bars, and many besides of that ilk (Oma SF Station, Ken, Sasa, Kusakabe, An Japanese, or hip counterparts like Robin and Chisai Sushi Club, to name just a few). Now we have another. But it’s a familiar name to San Franciscans: Akiko’s. Read more →
During the pandemic, our beloved dining and drink communities continue to struggle to survive, so my dining column includes takeout/delivery and outdoor dining standouts. This month we cover the gamut from Argentinian empanadas to Japan-worthy sushi. Read more →
My latest article for The Bold Italic, published February 5, 2021, covers 5 of SF’s best for takeout, meal kits or outdoor dining Valentine’s (or other celebratory dinners) in pandemic: Read more →
Another year, another 600+ restaurants (YES, this is my annual average). Though I didn’t repeat the marathon travel of 2013 (over 25 cities in 10 different countries!), this year was still packed, taking me from Japan and Hong Kong, back to “regulars” like NYC and New Orleans. 2014 was rife with revelatory flavors, regional dish discoveries, memorable newcomers and wonderfully… Read more →
From my 15 articles/posts a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to just some coverage highlights here – you can sign up for Zagat’s weekly newsletter for highlights here and follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily. As I have been for over a decade, I’m on the ground daily looking for early standouts at each… Read more →
Suburbs, nature, charming main streets… family-heavy Marin has always had a few culinary gems. But a spare few of them though sandwiched between one of the great food cities of the world and the gustatory pleasures of Napa and Sonoma. Bakeries like Beth’s Community Kitchen in Mill Valley are reminiscent of San Francisco bakeries (what is now standard Bay Area),… Read more →
A couple Spring excursions up to Napa this month meant more “Top Tastes” for me from new and not-so new restaurants. But first… an event that brought me up for a day was a rare afternoon of Japanese food at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA). With a cadre of visitors, including the Consul General of Japan, and speciality food… Read more →