Fish makes me happy. Raw, grilled, seared, any which way. One new restaurant and one established favorite are glorifying the fish, and seafood in general, in many formats. LOCAL’S CORNER, Mission (2500 Bryant St. at 23rd, 415-800-7945) Local’s Corner just opened in March on a mellow corner of the Mission’s East side. The sunny space is mostly white, evoking a… Read more →
Despite countless lauded sushi restaurants I’ve eaten at in NY and LA, I find San Francisco more than keeps up, whether with the staggering range of fish (and lovably surly attitude) Roger delivers at Zushi Puzzle (pencilfish or flying fish, anyone?), the sustainable efforts of Tataki and Sebo, or the pristine precision of Sausalito stalwart Sushi Ran, which tops overrated… Read more →
The lunch hour advances around town with a slew of notable openings or new lunch menus. Here are some of the best lunches from new chefs or recently opened spots (most opened in the last one to six months). NOMBE, Mission (2491 Mission St. at 21st, 415-681-7150) Nombe faced a bit of a struggle recovering from uber-talented chef Nick Balla’s… Read more →
Top Tastes is not a list of all-time favorites, rather the best tastes of the last two weeks (since my last newsletter), often from new openings. Bar Agricole Matures Bar Agricole, SoMa (355 11th Street between Folsom and Harrison, 415-355-9400) Bar Agricole has won numerous awards for its unique, forward-thinking design, and a long list of accolades for food and… Read more →
There’s not enough knowledge around sustainable fish… just ask anyone who knows anything about it. The majority of Americans eat whatever is on a menu with little to regard to where it’s sourced, its health properties (or lack thereof), unaware if the creature they are eating is endangered. I was privileged to attend a recent intimate round-table discussion with Peru’s… Read more →
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. UPSCALE BENU, SoMa Let’s get this out of the way now: yes, Benu is a noteworthy… Read more →
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. EXPENSIVE RESTAURANTS THERMIDOR, SoMa – The Mad Men craze is a natural for me as that… Read more →
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of favorites. 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 • My birthday dinner this year was a GOOD one:… Read more →
(Upon discovering champagne): “Come quickly! For I am drinking in the stars.”– Dom Perignon Let’s go ahead and give the whole spread at Pican’s Kentucky Derby Party in Oakland a nod. Hard-pressed to pick from the all-you-can-eat (and drink – Mint Juleps) menu: it might be Louisiana Crawfish Toasts, signature Buttermilk Fried Chicken (in wing form), super-smoky Ham Biscuits with… Read more →
Here’s a link to Outer Richmond, Part One. Now let’s hit more of my favorites in the wealth of cheap, tasty Outer Richmond food: BRUNCH Cliff House Bistro: This one isn’t cheap and the location is notoriously touristy as it is historical, perched on the edge of the sea. But since the remodel a couple years ago, when faced with the need… Read more →