Rich Table 10 Years In: Celebrating One of the Best Restaurants in the Nation

by  on  in Best Of, Top Tastes

Since Rich Table opened in July 2012, I knew it was “primed for greatness,” as I headlined my initial SF Bay Guardian review back in my Bay Guardian critic days. Rich Table (RT) went on to place on many best-of lists (including my own), earn a Michelin star for years (ridiculously — and I think errantly — dropped in 2021, hopefully rectified this year), James Beard nominations and a wonderful cookbook. This summer, they just turned 10 years old. Another huge feat in the restaurant world, especially when remains packed every night.

But what are they like 10 years in? Read more →

November 1, 2022

by  on  in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— October Eats Checklist: 6 standouts of the month, from steakhouses (American and Argentinean) to Japanese tsukemen noodles.
—Marlena: Two-year-old neighborhood Michelin revamped on Precita Park.
— There Is A Time for Modern French Fare: Visiting the new La Société.
— Vancouver Guide: 12 top places to dine now.
— Orkney Meets the California Coast: Weekending with Highland Park in Pescadero. Read more →

There Is A Time for Modern French Fare: Visiting The New La Société

by  on  in The Latest

La Société Bar & Cafe, opening August 2022 inside the recently expanded Hyatt Regency San Francisco Downtown SOMA, may seem like a new restaurant for tourists, slowly returning conference go-ers and downtown workers. But despite being inside a downtown corporate chain hotel, this modern French brassiere featuring California ingredients is a worthwhile meal for locals, too. I’ll explain. Read more →

Boycott Instagram

by  on  in Uncategorized

After years of having an account at roughly 6000 followers, all organically grown, posting the exact same food, drink, travel content from my daily work that I’ve simultaneously posted for even more years on Facebook and Twitter @ThePerfectSpot without any issue — all my own photos, videos, article links to my own stories, all unpaid posts — Instagram has deactivated my account for no reason and with no warning. Read more →

Orkney Meets the California Coast: Weekending with Highland Park in Pescadero

by  on  in Around the Bay

Glory days with Scotch, whisk(e)y and Highland Park specifically, are still flowing. This past weekend, a sunny, cool October weekend on the Pacific Ocean coast just roughly 50 miles south of San Francisco, I (along with a few other media, photographers and writers) spent an unforgettable couple days with our west coast HP team at Costanoa, an eco-camp and lodge in Pescadero where we “glamped” in nicely outfitted tent cottages. Read more →

Vancouver Guide: 12 Top Places to Dine Now

by  on  in Wandering Traveler

After multiple visits to Vancouver the past few years, the city’s majestic water and mountain views make it a Canadian favorite and West Coast sister, down to its rich B.C. wine regions and seasonal ingredient focus. From nearby Whistler to Okanagan Valley, greater Vancouver holds some kindredship to California’s ease of mountains, bay, ocean, vineyards and farmland, all within easy access of a large city, though certainly with much colder climes.

These 12 either remain favorites over multiple visits, are notable newcomers or hold standout tastes. The highs — and, when relevant — lows of 12 Vancouver restaurants: Read more →

Two-Year-Old Neighborhood Michelin Revamped on Precita Park: Marlena

by  on  in Top Tastes

Marlena bravely opened in September 2020 in the throes of pandemic (my initial review here), in the former Hillside Supper Club space, from husband-wife chef duo David Fisher and Serena Chow Fisher (who cooked at venerable Jean-Georges and Eleven Madison Park in NYC, as well as Sorrel in SF and Bird Dog in Palo Alto). I named it one of the top 6 openings of 2020, a bleak year for restaurants globally. They went on to gain a Michelin star in 2021, hailed for “deftly marrying simplicity with sophistication.” Indeed. Read more →

October 15, 2022

by  on  in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— House Pasta & Caviar to A5 Charcuterie Decadence: SoMa’s new AFICI.
— Honing Palate & How to Make a Tequila with Spirits Whisperer Virginia Miller: My interview at Edible LA Magazine.
— One Year In: Creative NorCal Japanese shines at restaurant Nisei.
— NYC Guide: 12 top places to dine now.
— September Eats Checklist: 6 standouts of the month, from Brittany-style French crêpes to NY slice pizza.
— Distiller Bottle Column: I review tequila, Scotch, gin, vodka, sake, mezcal, American whiskeys, RTDs. Read more →