Published November 19, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews, my review of Nisei and its new next door bar, Bar Iris, a modern Japanese-American fine dining play in California Washoku cuisine.
Tag: Fine Dining
6 Neighborhood Favorites to Support (& Feast At) Now
My latest article for The Bold Italic, published August 13, 2021 (my regular Bold Italic articles here), covers six neighborhood restaurants — from fine dining Chinese splurge to vegan sushi destination — worth feasting at and supporting now.
7 New Openings Worth Visiting Now
My latest article for The Bold Italic, published August 6, 2021 (my regular Bold Italic articles here), covers seven of the top new Bay Area restaurants worth visiting now. Article here:
5 Magical Dining Options to Celebrate a Pandemic Valentine’s
My latest article for The Bold Italic, published February 5, 2021, covers 5 of SF’s best for takeout, meal kits or outdoor dining Valentine’s (or other celebratory dinners) in pandemic: Read more →
Travel Memories & Honoring Cultures: Paris
Paris… adored by millions but a struggle for me since my first visit in 1999. With high girlhood, romantic dreamer expectations, I FELT the idea of Paris in my bones. But in my first weeks there, this was no Années Folles, or artistic 1920s heyday I dreamed of. Beautiful, yes. But it felt cold, caustic, arrogant and unflinching. Certainly cynical.… Read more →
The Best SF Takeout to Celebrate a Special Occasion
I cover 5 standout upscale restaurants, many of The World’s 50 Best/Michelin-starred level, who are doing special or more casual takeout and delivery in pandemic times. Some offer cheese and champagne tastings, or nigiri sushi feasts or upscale but “real deal” BBQ. Each is stellar and ideal for those celebratory moments that still keep coming in our lives even while sheltering in — or when we need a pampering splurge:
Wine Country Inns with Exceptional Dining (and Growing Their Own Produce)
Published at Haute Living Magazine, the November-December 2019 issue includes my feature on Wine Country Inns — from Mendocino to Sonoma Counties — that offer exceptional, world class dining and grow their own produce in their gardens or farms: SingleThread in Healdsburg, Harbor House Inn in Elk, Boonville Hotel in Boonville. Online here. MY HAUTE LIVING ARTICLES— A visionary San… Read more →
Top 7 San Francisco Brunches Now
Brunch is near religion in San Francisco and there are literally a few hundred places where you can have an exceptional breakfast. From breakfast tacos to champagne and caviar service, high to low, here are 7 of our favorite brunch spots now: Read more →
Tasting Menu Or Not to Tasting Menu?
Crudo at Madcap in San Anselmo Published by Where Traveler (my other Where articles here) in July 2019, my article on four pricier Michelin-starred restaurants offering more affordable dining options and three mid-range restaurants with unexpected fine dining-esque tasting menus. To tasting menu or not to tasting menu? AFFORDABLE WAYS TO DO SPLURGY RESTAURANTS (Skip The Tasting Menu)—Late Night Perfection: Lazy Bear Den—Weeknight… Read more →
Unusual Fine Dining: 5 Unique Food Experiences
Gibson’s fish heads & bones drying over open flame They run the gamut from the back of an SF cafe/wine shop offering dinners around themes involving custom plateware, to a single seating communal table for upscale Korean food in Palo Alto. Article here: www.wheretraveler.com/san-francisco/eat/unusual-fine-dining-1 These five unique Bay Area restaurants offer an unusual fine dining experience, whether in whimsical-yet-decadent menus,… Read more →