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Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: 4505 Burgers & BBQ, Ramen Gaijin, Eight Tables by George Chen

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Check, Please! Bay Area Season 13 episode 11 airs Thursday, September 20 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other television airtimes. And never miss an episode by subscribing to the video podcast.

In this episode, join us for slow-cooked, smoky meats straight from the wood-fired bbq pit in San Francisco at 4505 Burgers & BBQ. Next, we head out for ramen and Japanese pub dishes made with local farm-fresh ingredients at Ramen Gaijin in Sebastopol. Finally, take a trip back in time as we’re transported to 1930’s Shanghai for an opulent dining experience, choreographed in style at Eight Tables by George Chen.

Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 13 episode 11.
Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 13 episode 11. (Wendy Goodfriend)

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Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine on set
Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine on set (Wendy Goodfriend)

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine, beer, and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine, beer and spirits tips with each episode. This week I discuss: sparkling red wines.

2016 Granbazán ‘Etiqueta Ambar’ Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain $16
A crisp, tangy white hailing from the coastal area of western Spain called Rias Baixas. The Albariño grape produces whites that are ideal with fish of all sorts and fresh salads. This is the entry-level label of the highly-regarded producer, Granbazán, and is dubbed the green label. It’s an affordable way to explore the wines of this famed region.

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2017 Steele Cabernet Franc Rose, Lake County, California $18
Jed Steele is an icon in California winemaking having reached his 50th year of crafting top-notch wines. This juicy yet structured pink is a dry style with a peppery finish. Lake County is an under-appreciated place in Northern California with unique volcanic soil and high altitude vineyards. Steele’s wines are bringing attention to the area’s high quality. This is a definitely a rose to stock up on for the fall season.

2015 Windchaser Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California $40
A unique urban winery, Windchaser is making classically-styled wines in California. This supple red captures the succulent fruit that Anderson Valley is famous for, while keeping a vibrant, elegant character.

2015 Chappellet Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, California $90
One of Napa Valley’s celebrated wineries, Chappellet is not only one collectors covet, but everyday drinkers cherish. This is the best California Cabernet Franc I have ever tasted. Rich yet restrained, intense yet refreshing, and complex yet approachable. It showcases the grape’s dark berry fruit and herbal undertones while layering on a lush texture and espresso coffee aromas. Ready to drink now with decanting and a hearty steak, it can also age for decades.

Wine that guests drank on the set of season 13 episode 11.
Wine that guests drank on the set of season 13 episode 11. (Wendy Goodfriend)

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