Faves and raves by Matthew Accarrino
Personal Stats
Age: 34
Years in The City: Two
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights
Occupation: Chef at SPQR
Self-Description: Passionate chef. Cooking food inspired by my heritage, but informed by American training. East Coast transplant enjoying living out West.
Favorite Place to Buy Kitchen Accoutrement
Williams-Sonoma
Where: 340 Post St., between
Powell and Stockton streets
What: Wide, unique selection, discount for chefs
Info: (415) 362-9450 or www.williams-sonoma.com
They have a lot of interesting and unique small tools, plus a good selection of more modern tools like circulators, vacuum sealers, blenders and smokers.
Favorite Romantic Restaurant
Aziza
Where: 5800 Geary Blvd.,
between 22nd and 23rd avenues
What: Moroccan. Superb. Intimate.
Info: (415) 752-2222 or www.aziza-sf.com
Interesting food, great bar program and intimate booths make this place a great place to spend some time away from everything else.
Favorite Place To Bring Out-of-Town Guests
Ferry Building Marketplace
Where: 1 Ferry Building, at the foot of Market Street
What: San Francisco’s local food temple
Info: (415) 983-8030 or
www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
With several farmers markets each week,
restaurants and shops, it’s basically our local food temple.
Favorite Place for Wine Tasting
SPQR
Where: 1911 Fillmore St., between
Bush and Pine streets
What: A constant influx of new wines and multiple pour sizes
Info: (415) 771-7779 or www.spqrsf.com
Obviously, I’m biased. I taste more wine here than anywhere else, and there is a real focus on pairing wine and food.
Favorite Place to Buy A Bottle of Wine
Biondivino Wine Boutique
Where: 1415 Green St., between
Polk Street and Van Ness Avenue
What: Features wines from small, reputable
producers
Info: (415) 673-2320 or www.biondivino.com
Great little shop with lots of wines from small, high-integrity producers: the kind of place where you want to try everything.
Favorite Place for A Very Quick Bite
Tartine Bakery
Where: 600 Guerrero St., at 18th Street
What: Treats rom sweet to savory
Info: (415) 487-2600 or www.tartinebakery.com
As long as you go at a time when the line is not so long (which is almost never), this is a great place for a ham and cheese croissant or something sweet.
Favorite Guilty Pleasures Spot
Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous
Where: 699 22nd St., between
Illinois and Third streets
What: Savory ice cream; unique flavors
Info: (415) 970-0750
Amazing flavors of ice cream, often with savory notes. My favorites are white corn and caramel, and sage brown butter. Also some baked treats.
Favorite Place to Bike Within The City
The Presidio
Where: National park bordering Pacific Heights
What: Some hills, low on traffic
Info: www.nps.gov/prsf/index.htm
There’s less traffic here, some hills but nothing super steep. Before taking up cooking as a career, I wanted to be a professional cyclist.
Favorite Outdoor Date Spot
Lafayette Park
Where: Gough and Sacramento streets
What: Great views, top relaxation spot
Info: www.friendsoflafayettepark.org
Close to where I live and at the top of Pac Heights. It offers a quiet place to relax and great views from the top of the hill out to the Bay.
