Tag: German/Austrian

Staycation Palo Alto: A Spanish-Themed Hotel & Two Newer Restaurants

From recent staycations in the Silicon Valley town of Sunnyvale to the coast in Half Moon Bay, for 21 years I’ve researched and written of hotels, food and drink across the Peninsula. The Bay Area’s “south Bay” is yet another rich and diverse county in our wonderland of NorCal food.

My 10 Time Out dining recommends in Palo Alto still stand — as does a totally different getaway off the 101 freeway in Palo Alto, Four Seasons Silicon Valley. But here are three key newcomers in dining and a boutique hotel worth a local getaway. Read more →

Travel Around the World in One City: An SF Food Crawl Exploring Rare Cuisines

Nari’s miang appetizer My feature article on 10 San Francisco restaurants serving rare international cuisines, from Nigerian to Sri Lankan. Online here and print article below: — Thailand: Nari— Morocco: Mourad— Nigeria: Eko Kitchen— India: Indian Paradox— Iraq: Jannah— Scandinavia: Plaj— Singapore: Local Kitchen— Sri Lanka: 1601 Bar & Kitchen— Germany: Suppenkuche— China (Szechuan): Chile House Read more →

Top 10 Dishes & New Openings of May

Here are my top 10 dishes for May, from new openings and established spots. 1. Montesacro’s Margherita Pinsa Open in April, the new Montesacro is like a quick flight to Italy, transported to Rome itself from the moment one walks through the door off of rough-and-tumble Stevenson Street and is greeted by the Italian owner and staff. As I detail… Read more →

Hayes Valley Rising

Hayes Valley has gone through multiple rebirths, from its pre-’89 quake days under the shadow of freeway ramps, to its age as shoe and boutique shopping destination. The addition of Patricia’s Green in recent years brought a communal gathering place to the neighborhood, tying together north and south of Hayes Street in a cohesive strip of green. For years, Hayes… Read more →

Bratwurst & Steak in Larkspur

  Tavern at Lark Creek’s new Biergarten, Larkspur Think towering redwoods, smoky aromas of sausages, onions and peppers wafting from a grill, German beers on tap from a cooler, and a darling oompah band of elderly gentleman playing with spunk and skill. Enter the just-launched this week Biergarten at The Tavern at Lark Creek. For a short jaunt from the… Read more →

Leopold’s Brings Austrian Warmth to Russian Hill

With the words Treffen (meet), Trinken (drink), Essen (eat) painted under the name, Leopold’s offers something with no parallel in our city: an Austrian restaurant. Leopold’s opened quietly this past Friday night in a cheery, bright space on Polk Street housing animal heads, Austrian art, pine wood tables and booths. Here, the relaxed warmth of a neighborhood beer haus (with… Read more →