My spring travels in Peru with Campo de Encanto Pisco allowed me to richly deepen my pisco knowledge, from hands-on work in pisco production and blending, to witnessing broader uses of pisco in cocktails on Lima menus. I come from a city that has full-on pisco bars, a rarity in the US. Yet despite the range of pisco cocktails in SF,… Read more →
San Francisco has a rich pisco history and a long love affair with the evocative, clear grape brandy of Peru and Chile. Being the first US city where pisco was popularized in the 1800’s, it’s no surprise that San Francisco has seen a few pisco-heavy bars open over the past decade (Pisco Latin Lounge, Cantina, La Mar Cebicheria, etc…), just… Read more →
Sac Town, our California Gold Country capital… known for its politics, surrounded by the boundless produce of inland California which us city dwellers richly benefit from. It’s a town I stop to dine in on the way to or from Tahoe but have only stayed the weekend in a couple times, despite its close proximity to San Francisco. Here’s my… Read more →
Sacramento… Sac Town, our California Gold Country capital, known for its politics, surrounded by the boundless produce of inland California which us city dwellers richly benefit from. It’s a town I stop to dine in on the way to or from Tahoe but have only stayed the weekend in a couple times, despite its close proximity to San Francisco. A… Read more →
“I believe in the forest, and in the meadow, and in the night in which the corn grows.” – Henry David Thoreau Spending the last couple weekends on nearby excursions, first on the ever-magical grounds of Jordan Winery in Sonoma County to preview their just-launched farm, food, wine tours, then currently in Sacramento catching up on the latest in food… Read more →
Peruvian cuisine first captivated me over a decade ago. As with many, ceviche was the starting point, but it was raw, sashimi-esque tiradito, fish doused in bright lime or passion fruit, that hooked me. I drew parallels to Japanese sushi with South American spirit. San Francisco has long had strong Peruvian ties, from being the first place in the US… Read more →
BERGERAC, SoMa (316 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison, 415-255-9440) Tonight I had an early sneak peek (and taste) of the cocktail menu at Bergerac, opening this Saturday, September 21, in SoMa. The brand new bar/restaurant space is inspired by the legendary Villa Nellcote mansion on the Côte d’Azur in France, where the Rolling Stones recorded Exile on Main St.… Read more →
1601 BAR & KITCHEN, SoMa (1601 Howard St. at 12th, 415-552-1601) In my book, extra points go to one attempting something different or filling in a vacant gap. Of course, it has to taste great, too. 1601 Bar & Kitchen succeeds on all fronts. Chef-owner Brian Fernando brings the flavors of his Sri Lankan heritage (his father is from Sri… Read more →
DOGPATCH SALOON, Dogpatch First opening in 1912, the new ownership (83 Proof crew) of dive bar Dogpatch Saloon restored it to turn-of-the-century glory, reopening on July 22nd after a five month remodel. The overhaul of the saloon features pressed tin ceilings, wood benches, old fashioned gas fireplace, piano set back on a mini-stage that will hopefully host live music, and… Read more →
Farm-Fresh Dining FARMSHOP, Larkspur (2233 Larkspur Landing Circle, 415-755-6700) A modern day farmshop… the beloved LA restaurant, Farmshop, opened in 2010, and then, to be closer to the farmers from which they meticulously source much of their produce in Northern California, they opened a Larkspur location in May 2013. It’s suburban-chic, set in an open air, upscale shopping mall with outdoor… Read more →