Six new restaurants/eateries, plus one pre-pandemic gem and two bar stops, all draw me to the East Bay. Digging in also meant some disappointments, including solid but not destination-worthy cocktails at charming Palmetto, or overwrought cocktails that sound exciting but don’t deliver at The Miranda. But each of these eight has one (or a few) winning aspects: Read more →
In my latest Time Out column, my top openings of the month join other recent standout newcomers for a top 10 on where to eat now (article here): Che Fico 838 Divisadero St., SF, 415-416-6959; chefico.com. Tuesday-Thursday 5:30–11:00pm, Friday–Saturday 5:30pm–1:00am. Che Fico is the new “it” spot (and one of the toughest reservations) in town, garnering national press and celebrity… Read more →
In my latest Time Out column, here are my top three new openings of the month — article here: Modern Chinese/fine dining breakout unlike anything in the country: Eight Tables Live-fire cooking, culinary and cocktail surprises at Gibson Housemade pastas and Italian comfort at Berkeley’s Donato & Co. Most men who have tried the natural methods have managed to end their… Read more →
Per usual, I’ve been dining up a storm at newcomers like Matador (tacos and tequila near Union Square), Cuban food in Oakland at Casa Cubana, French-inspired cuisine at Antoinette in the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley (from Dominique Crenn) or bagels at the new Wise Sons Bagel & Bakery. I’ve returned to established favorites, like vegan goodness at Nourish Cafe or… Read more →
From my many articles a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to some coverage highlights here – you can follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily, or on my own @ThePerfectSpot via Twitter or Facebook. New SF Openings First Look: ALEMBIC’s new kitchen opens – what to eat on the new menu 7 things to order… Read more →
My Top Food Articles: October 1-15 From my many articles a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to some coverage highlights here – you can follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily, or on my own @ThePerfectSpot via Twitter or Facebook. New Bay Area Openings First Look: THE HALL with 6 food and drink vendors in… Read more →
From my numerous articles a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to some of this coverage here – you can follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily, or on my own @ThePerfectSpot via Twitter or Facebook. Wine All-day dream cafe, LES CLOS, opens from Saison sommelier Mark Bright, serving impeccable French food & wines Cocktails CHARLIE… Read more →
My Top Food Articles: June 15-30 From my 15 articles/posts a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to just some coverage highlights here – you can sign up for Zagat’s weekly newsletter for highlights here and follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily. As I have been for over a decade, I’m on the ground daily… Read more →
As if the Neapolitan, artisanal, wood-fired pizza wave of the past decade weren’t enough, pizza openings continue to come on fast and furious. A recent interview I read with a New Yorker said they couldn’t live on the West Coast because they’d have to miss pizza. Having grown up in NJ (near NYC) and California both, and as a frequent… Read more →
From Berkeley to Sausalito, new restaurants to old, here are a handful of drinks to put on your warm weather, spring radar – and accompanying bites to go with. COMAL, Berkeley (2020 Shattuck Ave., between Addison & University, Berkeley, 510-926-6300) Downtown Berkeley (as opposed to the rest of Berkeley) has never overwhelmed on excellent dining options, much as I’ve combed… Read more →