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Archive for the ‘SF Station reviews’ Category

Tacko – New Taqueria Sails into the Marina

Posted in chefs, Mexican, Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews, the Marina, Top Lists, Yum blog on May 27, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

I have pasted my latest SF Station YUM blog article on new Marina taco spot, Tacko, from Nick Fasanella of Underdogs and formerly Nick’s Crispy Tacos.  To view the original article please click this LINK.

Last Friday I gave my friend Nick Fasanella (yes, “that Nick” formerly of Nick’s Crispy Tacos and current owner of Underdogs in the Inner Richmond) a call to chat about his upcoming restaurant launch, Tacko, in the Marina. It was a sunny day in San Francisco and Nick was taking advantage of the good weather to captain his boat up to Petaluma.

There are two things you need to know about Nick: 1) Boating is life 2) Food and cooking rank a close second. Nick lives on a boat in Sausalito, which explains his permanent sun-kissed skin and penchant for boating belts and collared shirts, but his romance with water dates back to childhood.  Nick grew up in Connecticut and often could be found sailing the waters of Nantucket or learning about whole foods from his farmer grandfather. After a three-day college stint, Nick left and headed to Ft. Lauderdale to start a boat-detailing business. When business slowed, Nick would drop anchor in favor of an apron and work in restaurants. (more…)

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Atelier Crenn – Nature and Creativity on a Plate

Posted in Art in the City, chefs, Farm to Table, fine dining, Pao Chow, restaurants, Seasonal, SF Station reviews, Yum blog on May 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Pasted below is my review of Atelier Crenn – the new ground-breaking French restaurant from acclaimed chef, Dominique Crenn.  Crenn really is an artist with a canvas, only instead of a canvas she delicately adds color to a plate. For the original article on SF Station’s YUM blog click this LINK.

Walking down Fillmore St, you could easily miss the nondescript space occupied by newcomer Atelier Crenn, from Michelin star chef Dominique Crenn. Natural-colored curtains keep the dining area hidden, providing patrons a bit of privacy and tempting outsiders with subtle mystery. Enter and you immediately notice the minimialist décor. While some patrons criticize the space for being stark and cold, I find the combination of a bamboo wood ceiling, low, cream-colored banquettes, and antique light bulbs to be soft and tastefully decorated. (more…)

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Namu and Chef Lee – Way more than Asian Fusion

Posted in Namu, Pan-Asian, Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews, the Inner Richmond, Yum blog on May 11, 2011 | 2 Comments »

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Pasted below is my latest article on Namu and Chef Dennis Lee from SF Station’s Yum blog.  Yum blog focuses on restaurant reviews, food events and other newsworthy items to whet your appetite.  You can also click this LINK to access the actual article on the SF Station YUM page.

Most San Francisco locals have heard about Namu, the small, hip Asian-fusion restaurant opened by the Lee brothers, who have inspired a fan club with their Korean bulgogi seaweed tacos — only Chef Dennis Lee does not stop with tacos.

His dashi broth shitake mushroom dumplings, tempura shrimp with handmade ramen (arrive early and order quickly as there are only about 6 bowls a night), and Namu fried chicken deserve their own special attention. Yet there are also a couple other surprises the Lee brothers have in store for you.  Dennis is a humble chef, a man of few words, but when he talks you know, he is going to say something worthwhile. His culinary craft is respected among many local chefs in San Francisco, and after spending a day with him you will begin to see why. (more…)

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Moscow Mule – Sip up at these SF spots

Posted in bars, Cocktails, Pao Sip, restaurants, SF Station reviews, Yum blog on April 14, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Pasted below is my latest article on SF Station Yum section. Click HERE for original article.

Let me tell you a little bit about my favorite drink of choice — The Moscow Mule. The first time I tasted this libation was after a full-contact game of powder puff (more like full tackle) football.  It was one of those rare hot and humid SF days where the sun was shining over the Pacific blue and the wind was low.

The only thing that could make the day that much better after victory on the football field was an ice cold beverage that felt crisp and refreshing as it poured down my parched throat. (more…)

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PPQ Dungeness Island – Where Crab is King

Posted in Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews, the Inner Richmond, Yum blog, tagged , on April 11, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Latest review from Yum Blog of SF Station is pasted below. For original article, click HERE.

Many people come to San Francisco and orient immediately for Chinatown to satisfy Asian food cravings. Maybe it is the clothes hanging from windows or the loud, raucous nature of Broadway, but Chinatown just does not do it for me. I prefer to head out to the Richmond and hit Clement St.

A couple weeks back I pondered where to have the next Asian Food Club. Would we try Lers Ros for legitimate Thai food in the Tenderloin? Or perhaps Turtle Tower for arguably the best bowl of pho you will find in San Francisco? Jai Yun for a multi-course Chinese kitchen dinner?  After conversing with the other members of Asian Food Club, we realized our deep hankering for one thing, and one thing only: Crab. And not just any crab, but Dungeness crab and lots of it. (more…)

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Bay area restaurant reviews and Yum Blog (SFStation)

Posted in bars, Caribbean food, chefs, Food Trends, Oakland, Pao Chow, restaurants, rotisserie chicken, SF Station reviews, Yum blog on March 31, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

In the past year or so, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of food resources/websites offering shorter entries and news updates.  Perhaps it is the influence of Twitter, making 140 characters the preferred length of communication.

People’s attention spans are shrinking, as is their patience in waiting for the latest and greatest information available.   The food industry is not immune to this trend.  Eater is one of the most popular sites out there, combining roundups, short blips of information, and popularizing the practice of referencing other publications or websites for the latest buzz.

Call me old-fashioned but I still find longer, more in-depth reviews the most interesting, ones that provide a glimpse into the back-story of the restaurant, chef or topic at-hand.  I try to keep my reviews focused on this style of writing.  Saying that, SF Station, one of the main channels for my reviews, is following the pack and moving towards more frequent posts, even if that means having to cut back a bit on length and depth. (more…)

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Oakland Eats – SF Station article

Posted in Caribbean food, Farm to Table, Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews on March 15, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Pasted below is my SF Station article on Oakland Eats, a round up of restaurants across the Bay that are expanding the vibrant dining culture in Oakland. Restaurants reviewed include: Hibiscus, Camino and Boot & Shoe Service.  I have also included the link HERE to the original article on SF Station.

Oakland sits a mere twelve miles from San Francisco yet you would think a desert, glacier or an ocean (okay there is the Bay) separates San Francisco residents from the neighboring city.

It is high time to expand beyond the comfort zone of our forty-nine square mile urban sprawl and jump in a car, taxi, or BART to embrace Oakland’s recent exploding dining culture. (more…)

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Rotisserie Chicken Round up (SF Station article)

Posted in Farmers Market, Pao Chow, Peruvian, restaurants, rotisserie chicken, SF Station reviews, Top Lists on February 22, 2011 | Leave a Comment »

Pasted below is my latest SF Station article on different spots in SF to satiate your rotisserie chicken cravings. One Market, Roli Roti and Limon Rotisserie are the featured restaurants.  For the actual story click this LINK.
SF is a city with a plentiful rotisserie options. Local favorite Zuni Café was one of the first to make famous rotisserie chicken, redefining “finger-licking good.” Zuni’s chicken is almost unparalleled, and as expected, grabbing a reservation requires a bit of advance planning. Luckily for diners, SF has a number of other options to help satisfy the rotisserie craving. (more…)

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Benu and Chef Corey Lee (SF Station article)

Posted in chefs, fine dining, Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews, tagged , , on February 10, 2011 | 3 Comments »

I recently experienced one of my best dining moments at Benu, the new fine dining creation from Chef Corey Lee, former head chef of The French Laundry. After a fourteen course meal, I had the opportunity to interview Chef Lee and find out a bit more about this highly-acclaimed chef new to the SF dining scene.  Click this LINK for the actual SF Station article or read below as I’ve attached it.

Four words come to mind with Benu, the new jewel of SF’s fine-dining scene: warmth, precision, purpose, and ingenuity. The Benu team exudes knowledge and effortless sophistication. Guests may mistake the ambiance as austere, but the clean, modern lines echo purpose. Sleek curio cabinets, high-backed booths, flatware matched to each course, and lively conversation set the stage. Try and grab the back booth with a plush pillow, the perfect companion to a multi-hour meal.

The $160 fourteen-course tasting menu may cause jaws to drop, but it is well worth the price for one of the most inventive and adventurous dining experiences. Distinct, carefully chosen components and soft Asian accents form the foundation. The highlights? The sake lees sorbet with foie gras, mountain yam and yuzu elicits myriad sensations. The creamy, indulgent sorbet contrasts nicely with the bright, crisp, citrus yuzu foam. (more…)

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SF’s Best Steaks (SF Station article)

Posted in Grass-fed beef, Pao Chow, restaurants, SF Station reviews, Steak, Top Lists, Uncategorized, tagged , , on February 4, 2011 | 1 Comment »

Copied below is my recent roundup of the city’s best steakhouses – Bourbon Steak, Bobo’s and 5A5 Steak Lounge. I have also included the LINK if you’d like to reference the original article on SF Station as well as other restaurant reviews.

With increasing public awareness of grass-fed beef, opportunities for whole beast dinners, and butcher celebrity, beef is experiencing a second coming in San Francisco. The only question that remains: Where do meat-loving diners saddle up? (more…)

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