“Hog butcher for the world, Tool maker, stacker of wheat, Player with railroads and the nation’s freight handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of big shoulders.” – Carl Sandburg, “Chicago,” 1916 Back to Chicago, where my husband once briefly lived, my first visit in nearly a decade. Certainly much has changed, yet the city remains much as I remember it: gritty,… Read more →
JANNAH 1775 Fulton Street (at Masonic)San Francisco, CA 94117415-567-4400 Jannah is an affordable Middle Eastern restaurant, serving excitingly uncommon dishes. I credit chef Yahya Salih, who I greatly missed from YaYa days and am delighted to see back in SF. I’ve written about Jannah since its July opening in my Bay Guardian Appetite column, and our Best of the Bay… Read more →
“Some diners find the concept of an unknown menu to be frightening… I’ve seen the stricken look on their faces. But to me, a restaurant with no menu, headed by a chef I trusted, would be ideal. in such a utopia, guest could specify death allergies, hunger level, and time constraints, but then would unfurl their napkin and surrender.” –… Read more →
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks. Rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), it’s highlights since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit written about before or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. Finally got to try all of Kung… Read more →
COCKTAILS • At 7×7’s Mixology Madness final competition for Best Neighborhood Bartender on 9/8 at RN74, Scott Baird of 15 Romolo, created the drink of the night, Gulf Stream Express… and rightly won. Though required to use sponsor, Skyy Vodka (their Infusions Pineapple, in this case), Scott wisely added Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon and a splash of Racer 5 IPA,… Read more →
In Conversation with Chef Melissa Axelrod Melissa Axelrod, of Melissa Claire’s Kitchen, a chef with a background at none other than Delfina and Fringale, now works with other chefs and beer and wine experts to create a series of meals rich in range and taste. I took in a night in Melissa Claire’s Kitchen at cozy Velo Rouge Cafe on… Read more →
I lustily ate my way through Chicago half of the last two weeks yet still have a slew of new Bay Area openings and dishes I must share with you. Chicago adventures are forthcoming – only a series will contain it all. Top Tastes reflects the best new places, dishes, drinks and bites from my culinary explorations since the last… Read more →
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks. Rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), it’s highlights since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit written about before or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. SAVORY – MEAT • Berkeley’s Brazil Cafe feels… Read more →
“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” – Henny Youngman COCKTAILS • Leave it to Duggan McDonnell and the Cantina crew to ensure happy satiation for the masses at SF Street Food Festival on 8/22. Serving three of Duggan’s creations (all $8; the La Paloma being one you can order at Cantina), I give kudos… Read more →
EAT REAL FESTIVAL – August 28-30 Street food in the Bay Area is exploding this past year and we’ve had a few recent events to commemorate, none bigger than Oakland’s Eat Real Fest. Much has been written about the event this week, but I’ll just share a few highlights via photo. It was a dance of taste from one vendor… Read more →