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 →
There may be other Bay Area concert winery venues (Mountain Winery, for example), but none like family-owned Wente Vineyards in Livermore. Run by the same family for five generations and set on a 3000 acre expanse of golden rolling hills and vineyards, Wente is managed by delightfully down-to-earth family members who keep the business alive, yes, with wine-making, but also… Read more →
“It is not the brains that matter most, but that which guides them – the character, the heart, generous qualities, progressive ideas.” – Fyodor Dostoevsky I’m proud of the innovation and spirit in the Bay Area. As I visit old and new favorite distilleries like St. George and Old World Spirits, sample a preview dinner of Daniel Patterson’s upcoming Plum,… Read more →
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. UPSCALE BENU, SoMa Let’s get this out of the way now: yes, Benu is a noteworthy… Read more →
COCKTAILS SPOONBAR, Healdsburg – I wrote last issue about Spoonbar in Sonoma County. It’s up to you get out there… and fast… for some of the best cocktails in all of the Bay Area (no surprise) from Mr. Scott Beattie. Ask for the full cocktail menu beyond the one you get when first seated. It’s a glory of new creations,… Read more →
COMMIS, Oakland Commis is Oakland’s shining star of culinary excellence and experimentation since James Syhabout put it on the map with multiple awards as Best New Chef in Food & Wine magazine, among countless other accolades since it opened in Summer 2009. There isn’t much new I could add to the din, other than to share dinner highlights on my… Read more →
It’s New Orleans’ time… again. I’ve written on the Uptown, Carollton and Garden District, CBD, on French Quarter food, more Quarter eats and drink and the Fauborg Marigny and Treme neighborhoods. Here’s more from my July visit to Nola in the Uptown/Garden District and Bywater, plus coffee and breakfast stops. Uptown/Garden District HANSEN’S SNO BLIZ – In early 2009, I… Read more →
SF CHEFS, a week-long celebration of all things food and drink in SF, ushered in it’s second year last week, August 10-15. It was as full, fun and delectable as the first year. From industry seminars like the intriguing Tales from the Still, which kicked off the week, to the Grand Tasting tent in Union Square, there was never a… Read more →
“We are born for meaning, not pleasure, unless it is pleasure that is steeped in meaning.” – Jacob Needleman It’s been quite a week with the ongoing party of SF Chefs and more high profile restaurant openings (Commonwealth, Benu, Bar Agricole). At SF Chefs, besides attending numerous seminars, tastings & parties (recap in next issue), I was one of three… Read more →
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. MID-RANGE RESTAURANTS COMMONWEALTH, Mission – I’ve been a fan of Mission St. Food (Mission Burger and… Read more →