Food and Wine

California cuisine pioneer Alice Waters celebrated Chez Panisse’s 50th birthday on Aug. 28, 2021. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)

Alice Waters on Chez Panisse: ‘50 years is proof this works’

Farm-to-table chef reflects on restaurant that’s ‘meant to feel like a home’

 

Chad Neuman, new culinary director of Chase Center, introduced new Asian-inspired menu items on July 26, 2021. (Courtesty Chase Center)

Chad Neuman heads up Chase Center dining

Arena uniquely serving from-scratch food for diverse palates

 

The bartender at the Top of the Mark served a refreshing Virgin Cucumber Mint Collins. (Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)

On sobriety, or: What it’s like to write about cocktails when I don’t drink

The issue for me is the destructive cycle

 

Daniela Lencioni and her husband Farid Lancien created their charcuterie delivery service Cutty Boards San Francisco to bring people in their community quality cheese and meats at reasonable prices.

Keeping it Cutty: One couple’s cheese boards to go

Daniela Lencioni and Farid Lancien want everyone to enjoy good food at home, work or play

Daniela Lencioni and her husband Farid Lancien created their charcuterie delivery service Cutty Boards San Francisco to bring people in their community quality cheese and meats at reasonable prices.
The Tonga Room’s official band The Island Groove has been entertaining guests from a boat in the lagoon for years. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)

Tonga Room swimmingly back in business

Rain, rum drinks remain intact in historic tiki lounge

The Tonga Room’s official band The Island Groove has been entertaining guests from a boat in the lagoon for years. (Leslie Katz/The Examiner)
Winemaker Dan Petroski leads a tour of Larkmead Vineyards in Napa Valley. (Courtesy Lyle Norton)

Larkmead Vineyards helping shape Napa Valley’s future

Historic winery’s operations are a role model for responsible viticulture

Winemaker Dan Petroski leads a tour of Larkmead Vineyards in Napa Valley. (Courtesy Lyle Norton)
Notable South African red wines were the focus of a recent tasting. (Lyle Norton/Special to The Examiner)

South African pinotage pairs well with summer barbecue

Diverse topography, soils, climate in Western Cape produce distinctive nuances

Notable South African red wines were the focus of a recent tasting. (Lyle Norton/Special to The Examiner)
Getting dressed up in fun clothes — SF Pride in 2019 is pictured — is a popular type of Pride self-expression. <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)</ins>

Why kink belongs at Pride, and why everything else does, too

Events, venues and festivals once LGBTQ-exclusive are now big melting pots

Getting dressed up in fun clothes — SF Pride in 2019 is pictured — is a popular type of Pride self-expression. <ins>(Saul Sugarman/Special to The Examiner)</ins>
Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant wine director, likes to showcase promising young people in the industry. <ins>(Courtesy One Market)</ins>

Tonya Pitts leads tasting of diverse pinot noir

Young West Coast winemakers are creating distinctive blends

Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant wine director, likes to showcase promising young people in the industry. <ins>(Courtesy One Market)</ins>
Bartender John Jeide makes Buena Visa Cafe’s signature Irish coffees, and also works as a waiter at the iconic spot. (Donna Domino/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Favorite SF watering holes pick up business

Back inside, Buena Vista, Hidive serve more customers, look forward to more tourists

  • May 13, 2021
Bartender John Jeide makes Buena Visa Cafe’s signature Irish coffees, and also works as a waiter at the iconic spot. (Donna Domino/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Beloved North Beach haunt Specs’ will open soon, and it will be nice to see bartender Laura Bellizzi there. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>

I’m so excited the bars are back open

I’ve missed not just booze, but great stories and other stuff that happens

Beloved North Beach haunt Specs’ will open soon, and it will be nice to see bartender Laura Bellizzi there. <ins>(Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)</ins>
A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Sauvignon blanc has appealing global presence

Varietal provides a refreshing, food-friendly alternative to chardonnay

A recent tasting with international winemakers featured notable examples of sauvignon blanc. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Model Chase Oma, in a custom silver lace hood and illustrated jacket by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1002021795/silver-lace-face-mask-hood-face-mask-emf" target="_blank">Paul Gallo</a>, poses at the Lone Star Saloon.<ins> (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Fully-vaccinated date night

A movie in a socially-distanced theater proves satisfying

Model Chase Oma, in a custom silver lace hood and illustrated jacket by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1002021795/silver-lace-face-mask-hood-face-mask-emf" target="_blank">Paul Gallo</a>, poses at the Lone Star Saloon.<ins> (Saul Sugarman/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)

Drew Nenow’s wines honor family and Paso Robles terroir

Vintner produces high-quality Rhone blends and varietals

Winemaker Drew Nenow says he believes in exposing “the truth of the fruit.” (Courtesy photo)
“Gay Passover,” a fun Haggadah, includes some cocktail recipes. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>

A Passover journey toward something different

It was nice to see my family, and I look forward to reconnecting with friends

“Gay Passover,” a fun Haggadah, includes some cocktail recipes. <ins>(Courtesy Saul Sugarman)</ins>
It would be good for The City’s businesses if a person taking a break in a parklet could legally have a drink. <ins>(S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>

I love drinking outdoors

Now’s the time to update California’s laws about alcohol consumption

It would be good for The City’s businesses if a person taking a break in a parklet could legally have a drink. <ins>(S.F. Examiner file photo)</ins>
California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Opening up to California alternative white wines

Market offers more than chardonnay

California is producing appealing white wines of lesser-known varietals. (Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)
Saul Sugarman is pictured with his students in Yongzhou, China, circa 2007. (Courtesy Saul Sugarman)

Stop Asian hate

Reach out to an Asian friend, or make one

Saul Sugarman is pictured with his students in Yongzhou, China, circa 2007. (Courtesy Saul Sugarman)
A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>

Insight into aging techniques of California chardonnay

Unique processes produce complex, rich wines

A bottle of 2015 Center of Effort Chardonnay is pictured with samples from aging vessels.<ins>(Lyle Norton/Special to S.F. Examiner)</ins>
Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)

The plight of the barcades: How three gaming bars are surviving the pandemic

By Charles Lewis III Bay City News Foundation One year into the…

Before the pandemic, Outer Orbit bar and Hawaiian restaurant in San Francisco hosted monthly pinball tournaments. (Courtesy of Outer Orbit)