As we arrive at the end of 2011, here are a few dishes of soothing comfort for a winter’s night from four under-the-radar places: two new, two established. Egg noodles in a Japantown culinary respiteBUSHI-TEI, 1638 Post Street, 415-440-4959 Bushi-Tei has long been one of my underrated restaurant picks. I’ve said as much (e.g. May 2011 article in 944 magazine),… Read more →
Once off the 101, it’s a winding trek via country lanes to Tomales Bay. On the shores of the Bay with its outlet to the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance, sits Nick’s Cove. Nick’s is a settlement built in the 1930’s with cottages and a restaurant on pilings over the Bay. There’s little else nearby; even cabins across the… Read more →
Here are two new barrel aged beauties worth seeking out, plus more to look forward to in 2012. 1512 SPIRITS BARREL AGED 100% RYE & Poitín We’ve talked small production 1512 Spirits rye before, made by Salvatore (Sal) Cimino in a small, custom still up in Santa Rosa. During the day you’ll find him giving shaves and cutting hair in… Read more →
Kitchit, “home of bespoke dining”, is not another pop-up dinner. In fact, the company, founded by Brendan Marshall, a Stanford grad who was just named one of Forbes “30 Under 30” in the Food & Wine category, is more like a private dinner party with a world class chef. In my case, it was a dinner in a private SoMa… Read more →
“Many a man is building for himself in imagination a bungalow when he should be building a palace… Very few people bring to life what is rightfully theirs. They live on the outskirts of their heart’s desire. It always seems too good to be true. To the person spiritually awake nothing is too good to be true.” – Florence Scovel… Read more →
AQ, 1085 Mission Street (between 6th & 7th), 415-341-9000 In its initial opening weeks, AQ reminds me of Commonwealth and Sons and Daughters. At all three restaurants, precision marries inventiveness… at a reasonable cost. AQ’s starters are $9 or $13, while entrees are $24 (prices lower at lunch). Dining in cities the world and country over, I can vouch that… Read more →
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain Last issue I shared a few dynamic new spirits releases across categories, from creme de menthe to Scottish gin. This round, it’s Scotch sips for a winter’s night. While I continue to sip Mortlach 16 and one-of-a-kind bottles from the Scotch Malt… Read more →
On a recent misty morning in Point Reyes, then inland for a Petaluma afternoon, I visited two of our most beloved creameries. The damp earth of a dairy farm in dark, early hours is oddly intoxicating, while sampling fresh cheese in various stages of ripening is sheer pleasure. These dairies make me proud of the familial, forward-thinking, humane food practices… Read more →
We seek wine recommends the year ’round, but at no time more so than the holidays. Here’s some sipping assistance for ringing in the new year (note: key shops like K&L Wine Merchants, Jug Shop, Arlequin, Bi-Rite, or SF Wine Trading Co., may stock these bottles or can likely order them for you). Going Bubbly Nothing says New Year’s Eve… Read more →
Upscale dining destination Fifth Floor hosted a series of guest chefs last week for the holidays, each one cooking meals inspired by their heritage and culture. A brilliant idea with chefs as notable as Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn and Hoss Zare of Zare at Fly Trap. A portion of each of the $95 dinners went to the guest chef’s… Read more →