“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
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 →
Fall Sips: Cider, Sake, Tea & Cocktails
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 →
On the Town
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 →
September 1, 2009
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 →
Cheap Eats: Brazilian in Berkeley, Indian in Mountain View, Chinese in Chinatown
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 →
St. George Whiskey Night, Italian & Cuban Coffee & Cantina Cocktails
“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 →
On the Town
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 →
August 15, 2009
“If I read a book, and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” – Emily Dickinson Wow, has it been another overly full couple weeks… I am in Chicago as… Read more →
Talking Pizza, Empanadas, African Juices, Chocolate & More
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks. Rather than being 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 I’ve written about before or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. SAVORY – MEAT • There’s a… Read more →