Masabaga is a unique sandwich concept from Sushi Chef Masa Sasaki of Sasaki SF and formerly Maruya (which received a Michelin Star under him). While Masabaga is casual, Chef Sasaki’s experience in fine dining is evident in the thoughtful and balanced ingredients in each sandwich. Of the three sandwiches, the standout for me was the… Read More Tuna Belly and Wagyu Burgers – Masabaga, Oakland, CA
Chef Pim Techamuanvivit created Nari (Thai for “woman”) in tribute to the generations of women that inspired her. When two food influencers I respect both mentioned Nari SF as one of their top takeout meals of the pandemic, I knew I had to place an order. And wow were they right. Four months into the… Read More Vibrant Thai Takeout – Nari, San Francisco
When I saw that Atelier Crenn had expanded their takeout offerings to include a Crenn Kit Luxe, I knew I had to reserve one! I’m a big fan of Chef Dominique Crenn and thoroughly enjoyed my last meal at Atelier Crenn back in 2018. Bookings for the kit are available on Tock. Optional add-ons include… Read More Crenn Kit Luxe Takeout – Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
In a city where dining costs quite a bit, it is almost unheard of to get a four-course meal for under $40. Anomaly’s takeout menu manages to pull off this feat. I’ve dined at their seated pop-up restaurant a couple times, and thought that this takeout menu was my favorite. I think Anomaly hits a… Read More Elevated, Accessible Takeout – Anomaly, San Francisco
I’m writing this almost three months into San Francisco’s stay at home orders that closed all in-person dining at restaurants and bars to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This obviously devastated the industry. Even as outdoor dining in the Bay Area is slowly returning, it’s clear that restaurants can’t return to normal anytime soon. It’s… Read More Lamb Box Takeout – Birdsong, San Francisco
Yuanfen 缘分, or “fateful coincidence”, is a Chinese phrase I learned at my dinner with Cecilia Chiang. It was a fateful series of events that led a food acquaintance to meet Cecilia, and it resulted in us dining together at a four-top months later. The occasion was an amazing milestone – her 100th birthday. It didn’t… Read More Celebrating a 100th Birthday – Benu, San Francisco
I have fond memories of my meal at Hiroshi when it first opened in Spring of 2017. I was impressed with the quality of their A5 wagyu (still my favorite to this day!) and the carefully curated interior decor. Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to revisit the Los Altos spot to try Chef… Read More Luxury Japanese Private Dining at Hiroshi – Los Altos, CA
Daalder restaurant excels at accessible fine dining. Located in the charming Jordaan neighborhood of Amsterdam, the space feels welcoming with understated elegance. A marble top bar is the focal point of the small dining room, a throwback to the prior iteration of the space. A diner could easily walk in for lunch and enjoy the… Read More Relaxed Fine Dining at Daadler – Amsterdam
Farm to table can be overused, but De Kas restaurant exemplifies the concept. A globally-inspired menu highlights ingredients from the attached garden and greenhouse. Seasoning and spices are mostly reserved, allowing the focus to be on the fresh vegetables. The colorful plating further emphasizes the freshness and vibrance of the same-day picked produce. The space… Read More Plant to Plate Dining at Restaurant De Kas – Amsterdam
Among the many three Michelin starred restaurants the Bay Area is lucky to have, Quince Restaurant stands out in my mind for the service. A tough feat, considering the standard of service of its peers. Take the chef’s table. In my experience, most chef tables are reserved in advance, and the complete tasting menu is… Read More Seamless French Italian Cuisine at Quince Restaurant – San Francisco
