Category: The Latest

SF’s most imaginative, themed dinner parties go big: the new Merchant Roots

Raving about Merchant Roots’ wildly-changing, eight-seat dinners since chef Ryan Shelton launched the first themed menu in January 2019, I’ve felt this magical team and concept should have a Michelin star and more, though they are Michelin-recommended, thankfully. But it’s a whole “new bag” for the clever restaurant as they’ve just moved to a far larger, 4,500-square-foot space in SoMa, debuting August 23, 2024: Read more →

Little Original Joe’s Marina: Italian comfort with a modern touch

Little Original Joe’s in the Marina has been a full house from the get-go in May. This is the latest outpost from siblings John and Elena Duggan, who have carried on the family’s long-standing tradition of Italian-American comfort food with a modern twist. Known for running the iconic Original Joe’s and its spots in North Beach, Daly City and West Portal, the Duggans have turned their focus to this stylish Marina location, bringing the same warmth that’s kept their other spots buzzing. What’s the “secret sauce” making the Duggan’s restaurants beloved? Read more →

SF Brunching: 3 Breakfast Standouts from Donuts to Rooftop Brunch

Published August 19, 2024, in my Medium column: There are few things more comforting than brunch, feasting with friends and cocktails, or bringing home donuts and coffee to devour in bed. Here are three top-notch spots for breakfast. One is an uncommon donut shop, two are beautiful brunch spots with a view or high design. As always, I’ve personally vetted and visited… Read more →

New Indian gem TIYA opens in SF’s Marina District

Published August 16, 2024, in my Medium column: We’ve lost some of our best modern Indian restaurants in recent years in San Francisco, like August 1 Five and Taj Campton Place. Thankfully, we just gained the brilliant new TIYA in San Francisco’s Marina District from chefs and brothers Sujan and Pujan Sarkar. ARTICLE: https://thebolditalic.com/new-indian-gem-tiya-opens-in-sfs-marina-district-a167258d0af1 Read more →

Hed 11 in SF’s Japantown: New, Creative Thai Tasting Menu from Bangkok Chef

Opening May 3, 2024, in San Francisco’s Japantown, Hed 11 is a unique entré in a city rich with incredible tasting menus and a neighborhood rightly dominated by Japanese food. The exception a couple blocks away is Michelin-starred Nari, one of the nation’s great upscale Thai restaurants. Hed 11 is the refined sister to Hed Very Thai in the FiDi (Financial District), which I reviewed after Bangkok native and owner Naruephon “Billie” Wannajaro opened it in 2023. Read more →

Alora: New waterfront dining on the Embarcadero

A six-day-a-week modern Mediterranean waterfront restaurant that serves quality food, cocktails, wine and is open for lunch and dinner on the Embarcadero? Open at the tail end of January 2024, Alora fits that bill… and fits it with surprising affordability compared to the average downtown newcomer. Amid a number of mezze (shared small plates), only a duck liver mousse exceeds $20, while larger plates hover $25 to $39 and only two beef dishes above that. Read more →

Indonesian, Fried Chicken, Plant-Based Filipino, Pizza & More: 7 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month

Reviewed in this article:
—Familial Fried Chicken Haven: Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement
—Pizza from Dough Masters: Tartine Manufactory
—Creative Shared Plates & Natural Wines: Bar Jabroni
—Plant-Forward Filipino for Takeout or Patio Times: Mestiza
—Indonesian Rarities: Rasa Rasa Kitchen
—Japanese Bento Takeout & Matcha Stop: Komeya No Bento
—Quirky Bagels at a New Outer Sunset Bakery: Batches Bakehouse Read more →

Stookey’s New Blue Room: A live music retro bar duo that ties together SF’s past and present

Weaned on films of the 1930–1960s as a child, I was a martinis and jazz girl long before I could drink. I dreamed of the kind of 1930s bars and 1940s supperclubs I saw in those movies, teeming with icy martinis, jazz and a beautifully-dressed clientele. When Tim Stookey, his wife Leslie Cole and her cousin Aaron Cole, opened Stookey’s Club Moderne in Lower Nob Hill/TenderNob in 2015, it stepped right out of a 1930’s film. Their devoted passion for the era translated to an intimate bar of glossy blues and whites that feels like time traveling. Enter their brand new neighboring live music bar, The Blue Room, which debuted February 8, 2024. Read more →