I’ve been a couple times to Michael Mina’s new Bourbon Steak in Union Square… admittedly a national chain, something I approach with caution, if at all. But, then, it’s Michael Mina. Hype, fame and all, I’ve consistently experienced great to superb meals at his flagship restaurant over the years. Bourbon Steak held some warm and fuzzy Mina moments. I almost… Read more →
Chotto delivers a needed izakaya-style restaurant to the Marina. Based on merely one visit in its initial opening weeks (and therefore limited), I find a welcoming space. The staff care and are informed about Japanese food. In a brief chat with the chef, he talks with gusto of traveling through Japan researching menu ideas. While no particular dish was an… Read more →
Daniel Patterson is one of our city’s true visionary chefs, willing to push the envelope, gifted with technique, but, yes, able to make it taste damn good. I’m a big fan of Coi, delight in Il Cane Rosso and try not to resent Oakland for getting both Bracina and Plum, his upcoming ventures. Thankfully, Plum sneak preview dinners were held… Read more →
Elizabeth Falkner is easily one of the widely acknowledged pastry greats in the US and chef of two SF restaurants, including Citizen Cake, which is moving to Fillmore Street, hopefully open by the beginning of July. Bubbly lover Falkner has created something sweet at Bubble Lounge, eager to take on creating desserts meant to pair with champagne/sparkling wine. She trained… Read more →
1152 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tue-Sun, 3pm-2am (wine happy hours: 3-6pm; 10pm-12am) I had the privilege weeks back of a sneak preview test dinner with friends at B3, a new project set to soft launch June 15 in the former Senses space on Valencia, which they are currently repainting and decorating in warm, neutral tones [as of early… Read more →
Social Kitchen & Brewery – This brand new brewery opened at the beginning of May in the Inner Sunset, adding a welcome member to the small but mighty collection of local brewers. The beers were created by Rich Higgins, President of the SF Brewers Guild and a certified cicerone. Watch out: opening week alone brought out what felt like the… Read more →
You may have been hearing about this brand new Embarcadero restaurant (I went opening week: 4/5) from Dissident Chef Russell Jackson, whose underground dinners have amassed a loyal following over the years. His long awaited restaurant is already getting buzz about the lack of an official menu (the chef changes menus and direction each day, not only depending on what… Read more →
As far as I’m concerned, there’s room for it all. I crave artistic, mind-blowing experimentation as much as I hunger for pure, simple comfort food. We excel in the latter in San Francisco but I don’t see enough of the former. There’s Coi and Daniel Patterson bringing us fine dining in ways we won’t see it done anywhere else. But… Read more →
DOLLIE MARIE’S 1602 South El Camino RealSan Mateo, CA 94402650-638-9238www.dolliemaries.com I can never get enough of that unique-to-the-US cuisine: Southern cooking. Enter Dollie Marie’s, delightful, boisterous Chef Gator’s latest, whose restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of eating at through the years (and sadly saw close), from Noe Valley’s Alcatraces to Gator’s in downtown San Mateo. When you add in white… Read more →
KAPPOU GOMI 5524 Geary Boulevard (between 19th & 20th Avenues) San Francisco, CA 94121 415-221-5353 Since opening in the Spring, Kappou Gomi has become, hands down, my favorite non-sushi Japanese restaurant in SF. I included it in Top Ten New Openings of the Year (so far) in the SF Guardian’s FEAST issue last week. Note the sign in their window… Read more →