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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Smokin' D's BBQ, Rosalind Bakery, Taishoken Ramen",
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"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Smokin’ D’s BBQ, Rosalind Bakery, Taishoken Ramen | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 16, airs Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Smoke and bold flavors kick things off at \u003cstrong>Smokin’ D’s\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Sunset, where Texas-style barbecue meets Mexican and Asian flair. Plates land heavy with signature pulled pork, pork spare ribs, and smoked brisket tucked into fluffy bao — and classic sides like potato salad, all capped off with Banana Brulee Bliss for dessert. From there, it’s down the coast to Pacifica’s \u003cstrong>Rosalind Bakery\u003c/strong>, a bread-lover’s paradise known for iconic sesame-seed hoagie rolls, flaky chocolate almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast sandos layered with egg, pimiento cheese, and rosemary ham. The episode wraps up in San Mateo at \u003cstrong>Taishoken Ramen\u003c/strong>, where house-made noodles shine in dishes like Tokyo-style aburasoba, spicy tsukemen with rich dipping broth, yuzu shio ramen, and crispy takoyaki, delivering deep umami and hands-on slurping satisfaction.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23743\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23743\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Ryan Juan, Alessandra Wood and Candice Meng from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b2b2b\">Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://smokindsbbqsf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Smokin’ D’s BBQ\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rosalindbakery.com/\">\u003cstrong>Rosalind Bakery\u003c/strong> (Rosalind Bakery)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.taishokenusa.com/san-mateo\">\u003cstrong>Taishoken Ramen \u003c/strong>(San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23744\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-2000x2445.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2445\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-2000x2445.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-160x196.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-768x939.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-1256x1536.jpg 1256w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-1675x2048.jpg 1675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/wine/napa-valley/carneros-chardonnay-2024\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Frank Family Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Carneros, California, $40\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>This is a winery with a rich legacy. The historic building was home to Larkmead Winery, built in 1884. In the late 1950s, the revered Hanns Kornell began making high-quality sparkling wine on the property, then in 1992, Rich Frank, formerly president of Disney Studios and Paramount Television, acquired the venerable property. Along with his television journalist wife, Leslie, they have taken starring roles in building a brand based on showcasing the best of Napa Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their Chardonnay is consistently one of my top Napa recommendations due to its balance, complexity and elegance. Hailing from the cool-climate Lewis Vineyard in Carneros, it satisfies Chard lovers from those seeking vibrant and fresh versions to those that adore a full-bodied white with ripe fruit, a sultry texture and balanced toasty notes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://rhysvineyards.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Rhys 2023 Pinot Noir\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Santa Cruz Mountains, California, $54\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The guiding principle at Rhys Vineyards is, as they say, to capture a sense of “somewhereness” in their estate-focused bottlings. To me, their wines perfectly express the elusive concept of terroir, which I refer to as the “taste of the place in the glass.” Rhys Vineyards’ various versions of Pinot Noir hail from both Mendocino County and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Though wines from this rugged appellation on California’s Central Coast may seem like a discovery, it has long been the birthplace of world-class wines crafted by respected producers such as Ridge and Mount Eden. Rhys Vineyards is the latest star to shine among those wine luminaries crafting wines with vines grown in the high-elevation, coastal-climate vineyards of these ancient mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their 2023 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir is a heralded vintage and will age gracefully for years, but it is hard not to immediately enjoy its vibrant purity of red fruit married with notes of wild herbs and a sleek, silky texture. For the price, you will not find a better bottle of California Pinot Noir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.brownefamilyvineyards.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Browne Family Vineyards 2023 “On Fox Island” Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Columbia Valley, Washington, $25\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Browne Family Vineyards is an innovative and fun family-owned company. They are committed to making great wines at great prices primarily from Washington state. Andrew Browne founded the family-forward company as a tribute to his late grandfather, William Bitner Browne, who was a mentor, veteran and community leader.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their main grape source is the Browne Estate Vineyard in the Spring Valley District of Walla Walla, where the focus is on Bordeaux-style reds and a roster of delicious whites. The wine brands under their umbrella include the whimsical “Do Epic Shit” line celebrating life’s adventurous moments, the charity-led “Forest Project” and numerous more. I’m enamored with their “On Fox Island” Cabernet Sauvignon, which was crafted to highlight the outdoor lifestyle the family leads living on the island. The appealing label depicts a salmon swimming upstream, which is an island highlight. This Cab’s dark-berry fruit flavors are complemented by notes of spice and a velvety texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Artisanal pastries in Pacifica. You could put anything on that sandwich bread and I will eat it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tex-Mex fusion in San Francisco. The best smoked barbecue I’ve ever had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And soupless ramen delights in San Mateo. The noodles were literally falling out of my son’s mouth while he was eating it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area”. -Giddy up. -Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area”, the show where Bay area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots, and the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the “Check, Please!” table today are design history professor Alessandra Wood, teacher and theater director Ryan Juan, and physical therapist Candice Meng. -Welcome, everyone. -[ All greeting ] Excited to be here. The pitmasters at Ryan’s go-to spot are pushing the limits of classic Texas barbecue, blending it with both Asian and Mexican influences. The payoff? Smoky, fall-off-the-bone meats bursting with cross-cultural flavor. Ooh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tucked away in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset, it’s Smokin’ D’s BBQ. -Yeah! [ Laughs ] -I’ll take a half pound. Oh, my God, look at this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> So good. Number 44. I grew up in San Francisco, which has always been known as a great food city. -For me, I grew up eating barbecue since I’m from Texas, and barbecue is just a way of life.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> When we started this, we just wanted to focus on things that we love to eat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Ramirez:\u003c/b> Taking a little Mexican, a little Asian, and a whole lot of Texan and mending them together. Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Ramirez:\u003c/b> So in Texas, we’re known for barbecuing our food low and slow. A lot of salt, a lot of pepper, and a little secret recipe that I can’t divulge. -It’s a little spicy. It’s got a kick. -Fun fact — I don’t even like barbecue, but I sure love a pork bun. -Woman: Oh, my God, look at that. -Woman #2: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> When we first started dating, I was like, let me bring you somewhere that I love and we’re going to have dim sum. And he had a pork bun and he was like, “Damn, this is good. Can we put brisket inside?” We actually smoke our brisket specifically for the bao. We mix it with a traditional barbecue sauce, so it’s sweet and tangy. The bread to meat ratio is a little bit different than what you would normally find in Chinatown, so you’re getting almost a quarter pound of meat inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-One of the things that incorporates my Mexican influence is the brisket tamale. We house make our masa as well as our salsa roja. You’re looking at my salsa roja maker right here. -Alright, man. -Thank you. I’ll see you later, bro. Appreciate it. We’re very small, so we don’t have a ton of seating. Even though there may be a little bit of a line, we get through it really quickly. You can also order ahead and it’ll be ready for you when you walk in. Nice to meet you. We’re right next to Golden Gate Park. You can walk there easily and have a picnic. I was born in the Sunset. I’m a native kid. What gives us so much pride and joy in this business is the people. We’ve really grown this community of customers. Really, it’s a family. -Came to get some brisky bao.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> We love seeing them day in and day out. Does daddy need to get you your own chips and queso? We really, truly have developed a neighborhood spot, which is exactly what we wanted to do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Alright, Ryan, what is it about this place? I mean, this is a small spot, right? Kind of a lot of takeaway happening. -How did you discover it? -Yeah. So my wife and I, we’ve never seen a Texas barbecue place in the Sunset District. And so we’d gone on a walk by there, and it just smelled fantastic. I’m like, we got to try something from here. So we get there, we get their smoked signature brisket, and the crust on it is amazing. It’s got this amazing spice rub on it. And this is probably the best smoked barbecue I’ve ever had. Did you get the brisket? Did you try the brisket? -Wood: I got a brisket sandwich. -Sbrocco: Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> That could be the best of both worlds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> It was. It was so good because, you know, I was just kind of thinking like, oh, there’s going to be coleslaw on it, but instead of coleslaw, there were pickled onions. -Pickled red onions. -Juan: Oh, yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> And so they had this, like, beautiful tartness to them. Like the acidity that you wanted to cut through the brisket without the heaviness of coleslaw. Like, there wasn’t as heavy as you expected. And then pickles, which were great. It was a really nice sandwich. Candice, what was your experience? We ordered the pulled pork sandwich. I can never turn down a pulled pork sandwich. And it was…that brioche. It — Everything about it was so tasty and flavorful. And I thought whatever sauce they used on it didn’t overwhelm the meat. So you really got a good hit of that smokiness. So good, so good. And did you get anything with it like sides or…? We got the cornbread, which was enormous. It was like the size of my head. Oh, yeah, and I was so excited because the cornbread is baked in, like, muffin tins. So all of the bottom of it has this chewy crispiness, which is my favorite. Like, I’m a corner brownie person. So it was like — -I so am! I so am. I don’t let my kids touch the corners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> Yes, and it was like a sweet cornbread with some jalapeños in it. So you had a little bit of spiciness, -and I loved the chewiness of it. -Yeah. And what did you get? I’m sure you got many dishes. -I did, yeah. -Sbrocco: Start with one. Well, I got a rack of ribs, which were delicious and I would say probably the best ribs I’ve had in the Bay area. They were really beautifully seasoned. They were not, like, fall off the bone, but they were really tender. Yeah, we did get the, uh, the potato salad as a side once. -Did you try that one? -It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah. [ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So is this one more kind of a little vinegary or…?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. There’s some egg into it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> It wasn’t like a mayo-y potato salad. It was a little bit fresher. A really good compliment to the meats. What was your second, third, or fourth dish?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>What we also got was the bao… -Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Yeah. -Meng: …with the brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Which is really their signature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Correct. And anything that can sort of fit in the palm of my hand easily I am game for. And it was delicious. I really liked the bake on the bao. I thought it had that really nice milk bun flavor that is very common. And so, the combination, it really, really did make sense. And what else did you have? The Korean cowboy bun, which was also really delicious. It was like spicy. You really could taste the gochujang in it. And so it had this — It left a nice flavor in your mouth wanting you to go back for more. But the bun sort of tamed it a little bit. It’s just a good name. Giddy up. -Yeah. -[ Laughter ] Korean cowboy. I love it. -Alright, Ryan, what about you? Any other dishes? The other thing we did have was the hot link. And that one’s really good. They smoke it perfectly, and then when they give it to you, they cut it up into bite sized pieces already. So it’s ready to go. And it’s hard because, like, when I go to pick it up, I have to stop myself from eating it on the way home. When you said that, I knew that that was going to happen. [ Laughter ] Yeah. Now, did you wash it down with anything? Did you have any drinks or…? Oh, no, we didn’t have any drinks. We — I always just end up getting more meat. But I want to ask you guys if there’s — about the banana brulée bliss. Did you guys happen to try it? Because for my thing, for desserts, like, if it’s too sweet, then it kind of ruins it. -I want something that’s just a little bit sweet. -Sbrocco: right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Because if it’s not too sweet, I’m going to get some later. So, [laughs] I wanna make sure. -But I haven’t had it yet. -No, it’s perfect if it’s not too sweet. You’ve had such intense, you know, savoriness. You want something just to — just a change of flavor, but not too much. And so did you guys happen to try the — -Any room? No. -No room. Yeah. No room after all the barbecue. -Just get more meat. -Sbrocco: Yeah, yeah. Well, it sounds like you all had a great time there. Yeah. And would go back. She’s like, “We go back all the time.” I just want to get the brisky bao. -[ Laughter ] -Alright. If you would like to try Smokin’ D’s BBQ, it’s located on Irving Street in San Francisco. And the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $30. At Alessandra’s hip modern bakery, sourdough is the star attraction, forming the base for inventive sandwiches stacked with seasonal produce and chef driven flavors. Located just blocks from the beach in Pacifica, it’s Rosalind Bakery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Rosalind Bakery is a community hub here in Pacifica. It’s art, it’s music, it’s delicious artisan food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">The first thing that you’re probably going to get hit with is the smell of all of the baked goods coming in and out of the oven, and then you’ll definitely notice the atmosphere and how welcoming it can be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I started the bakery in 2017, and was at great discontent with my career doing software development. I felt compelled to make a product with my hands. Bread is fascinating. It’s this hub of a wheel of life, of agriculture, art, math, and biology. -Check the pH level of the bread. Usually 4.2 is an ideal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Kosoy:\u003c/b> The item that I’m most proud of is the coastside sourdough. We’re about 1,000 feet from the ocean, and it’s always going to be a little bit more humid here, a little bit cooler. And that helps with our fermentation. And it develops that complex flavor in the bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I have my hoagie roll, which features semolina and sesame seeds as a flavor combination that I love. -It has such a great texture. -Kosoy: It’s amazing. We’ve developed a separate sourdough culture just for the croissants that has sugar added to it to help with the fermentation in that enriched dough. we’re making savory and sweet danishes, depending upon what ingredients we get from the farmer’s market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Rave:\u003c/b> We have a full espresso bar. We make our own syrups in-house. And all of our coffees are sourced from local roasters. What I hope most people feel like when they’re leaving is, “Man, that place is really cool. I would really like to go back sometime.” -Yeah. -Kosoy: A lot of love and passion in what we’re doing. I’ve dedicated my life to bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Kosoy:\u003c/b> Rosalind is my temple to bread!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Good job. Nicely done. Alright, Alessandra, this is — It’s not what you expect from a bakery, right? It’s kind of got a party vibe going on. -Absolutely. I go in there and I can’t stop myself from singing whatever songs they have blasting. Or sometimes it’s live music. -It’s just fun. Good energy. -Sbrocco: Yeah. One of my favorite things there is anything made on their hoagie bread. So the Rosalind hoagie, it’s this Italian hoagie. Just amazing. For anybody who’s an East Coaster, you know what a hoagie is. Like a big, long sub sandwich. That bread is so iconic to the East Coast. It’s soft on the inside. It has a light crust. It’s peppered in sesame seeds, but it has this really chewy texture. And then it’s filled with Italian meats, sharp provolone cheese, some nice, like, radicchio or red leaf lettuce to kind of elevate it a little bit. And then this Calabrian chili mayo, which gives it a touch of spice that’s like, you know, you just want to eat the whole thing. You’ve got everything in one spot. -Yes. -Sbrocco: Alright. What about you? What did you order, Ryan? So we got the con patate pizza. And it was baked on this, the most perfect focaccia bread ever. The focaccia was so soft and pillowy. And on the top, they had perfectly seasoned potatoes and the cheese. And they cooked it such that it had, like, a slight char to it at the top. It gives that extra flavor to it. It was just amazing. And it was a big piece, too. And so it’s like my wife and I could split that and like, okay. The only thing was, I wish I could take it home and warm it up so I could have it nice and hot. But I had to eat it right then and there. It was just so perfect. We’d gotten the breakfast sando as well, and in that it has, like, the egg, it has — We actually added mortadella. And what I love about that was they pan fried the mortadella a little bit. So it’s almost like bacon. -Wow. -Put bacon in anything, I’m all game. [ Laughs ] But then with that spicy sauce on it, I’m like, oh, my gosh. -That sandwich bread, that is what I’m most obsessed about at Rosalind Bakery. You could put anything on that sandwich bread and I will eat it. Ironically, my favorite thing there was the turkey sandwich because my son got it, and the turkey was moist and tender.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Which doesn’t always happen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Exactly. Right. A lot of turkey deli meat can be very dry, but that with the bread and whatever that dijonnaise that they put on it with the cheese, I mean, it was so good. -Any pastries or things you want to talk about? The cinnamon roll. That is — First of all, it’s huge. It’s like the size of my head. And it has sourdough in it. So you have, like, this sourdough feel to it filled with cinnamon and sugar. So the sugar caramelizes on the bottom. And then it has that classic cream cheese icing. But it’s huge. And it is — -So it’s a shareable item? -It’s shareable. I will eat it for a couple days with my kids. They will cry if they’re out of stock. When we get to the bakery and there are no cinnamon rolls, they literally will cry. They’re 3 and 5, so they’re allowed. They’re allowed. Okay. And then when we eat it all up, there may be tears, too, so… They’re like, “Oh, we wanted more.” -Sbrocco: Did you get any pastries? -We did. We got chocolate chip cookies. Because you can’t really ever go wrong with a chocolate chip cookie. And I think we got two and they were gone within about 30 seconds with eight hands between the family of four digging into the paper bag. And they were flavorful and thick and just so sweet and so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what else did you get? The olive oil cake. It’s a lemon poppy seed olive oil cake. And it’s vegan, actually. But you wouldn’t know. It is beautifully baked with these very crispy, chewy edges, which I love. People will request, and I’ve heard this. I always request a corner piece. I’ve heard others request a middle piece. But the edges get really brown and chewy, and it’s sweet, but it’s not overly sweet. You eat it and you have yourself wondering, like, how is this vegan? What’s in here? But olive oil cakes are so moist in general. It is so moist. Yeah, it’s moist and it feels a little bit decadent, but it’s just, like, really easy to eat. -Juan: Yeah. -Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> We got the chocolate almond croissant. And I love chocolate, my wife loves almond stuff. -So this was the — -Sbrocco: No brainer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> …thing made for us. So… [ Laughs ] But we had it, and we took a bite into it. It has, like, this powdered sugar thing on top of it. They don’t skimp. They have a lot of almonds on it, and there’s a lot of chocolate filling on the inside. And we bit into it, and I was like, oh, this is so good. We split it in half, and I told my wife, I’m like, “You should have gotten two of these and then get a third one for you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">It was so good. I had a mocha, and I’m very sensitive to caffeine. And so if I have a little, like, I’m ready to go. This was — The mocha was a double shot of espresso. Wow. You must have been flying. Yeah. [ Laughs ] But it actually helped, because we’re having all this bread and all these carbohydrates. And the mocha kept us awake. And so I was ready to go. For me, cappuccino all the way. It’s my favorite thing to order from there, but it’s always, yeah, beautifully crafted, perfect foam. I like a good, strong coffee. So it’s, for me, perfect. Yeah. You know, I really had a nice time. Just, like, looking at all the merch in the store, and, yeah, it was very Pacifica. Like, I definitely got that beach, you know, relaxed beach vibe. My — Actually, my own sourdough baby at home is from Rosalind, so yeah, I got my sourdough starter from them. -Wait, they do that? -Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> [ Laughs ] Okay. [ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You’ve just given away —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Overlapping chatter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">Rosalind’s going to be cursing you. -[ Laughter ] -Yeah. Alright. I’ve had it for a few years, so I don’t know if they still do it. Alright. If you would like to try Rosalind Bakery, it’s located in the Manor Plaza in Pacifica. The average multicourse tab per person without drinks is around $20. Candice’s pick is the first US location for an iconic Tokyo-based ramen shop. Fresh, house-made noodles, broth simmered for hours, and layers of savory umami keep her whole family happily slurping to the last drop. Located in downtown San Mateo, it’s Taishoken Ramen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Speaking in Japanese ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sakaguchi:\u003c/b> Our restaurant is called Taishoken. We serve ramen and we are known as the birthplace of Tsukemen. Tsukemen means dipping noodle in Japanese. We serve noodle and hot broth separately. My grandfather and his cousin started Taishoken in 1951 Tokyo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Speaking in Japanese ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I really want to make my own noodle because the noodles is very important for texture and flavor. I brought special noodle machine from Japan, and we make noodle every single day in-house. Our main broth is tonkotsu broth. We cook over 24 hours. It makes broth very rich. First bite, just pick up some noodles and eat it to feel the flavor. And next, you just dip into the broth and slurp. It tastes really good. When I see the customer dump the dipping broth to the noodle, I was like, ah! But it’s been seven years, so I think they’re getting to know how to eat tsukemen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I want to make customers happy, so I think the portion is kind of big. [ Chuckles ] My grandfather passed away, but I believe we carry on the legacy for making guests happy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">Alright, Candice, this kind of feels like a slice of Tokyo, huh? I have never been to Tokyo, but I’d like to think that by going to Taishoken, I have an opportunity to experience it. -Sbrocco: Yeah. -Meng: And, you know, sometimes I don’t necessarily want a really hot broth of ramen, especially on, like, a summer day. And when I saw the menu and they had a soupless-based ramen, the Tokyo Classic Aburasoba, it is delicious. It comes with this beautiful egg yolk on top. And underneath you have your pork char siu, your bamboo, your green onions, the noodles. But to me, what really brought it to that next level is this little cup of vinegar on the side. And you pour it on and you mix it in and it cuts through that richness. -That was it, I was hooked. -[ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> What did you have, Alessandra? So we had a few things, but one of my favorites was what my kids ordered, the yuzu shio ramen. And first of all, I have to tell you, when we sat down, they brought special cups for my kids who are 3 and 5, and they brought special utensils and bowls for them. So immediately they invited them to be really prestigious guests at the table, which was so special for them. So they got that ramen. They loved it. It was this vegetable ramen. It had a really beautiful clear, but earthy kind of herby broth. There was a piece of fried tofu that sucked up the broth so perfectly. And then there were herbs on top of it. It was just really nice and light, and like, the noodles were literally falling out of my son’s mouth while he was eating it, like, okay, this is good. I was putting some in my dish. We were all eating it. I was going to say, 3- and 5-year-olds, you know, -I would imagine. -Yes. Yeah, they loved it and they felt like -they were part of the party. -Yeah. Yeah. And what other dish did you have? We had the tsukemen, the spicy tsukemen, which was a soupless ramen. -It has a dipping sauce. -Meng: Dipping ramen. Yes, and so you had this beautiful noodle, and those were buckwheat noodles. So they were, like, a little thicker, chewier, but really delicious and hearty. And then the dipping sauce was almost like a gravy. Like, this spicy gravy that you put the noodles in. There were two types of pork. And everything just melded together to have a really beautiful, hearty dish that was not soup. You know, it’s was, like, different. You’re like, oh, I’m going for ramen, but it’s not soup. You don’t have to dip it if you didn’t want to. You could just go for the noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. What about you? So I got to say, when I first heard about this place, my wife and I had actually been there before. -Oh, really? -And it was — We didn’t have our best experience -eating there the first time. -Okay. But then I got to tell you, as a teacher, I always tell my kids, you can’t change what happens to you, but you can always change how you feel about it. -Yeah. -So we went there a second time. So much better. It was so good. I’m glad you recommended it. It was given a second chance. They could redeem themselves. Exactly. Exactly. It was so good. We got the Niku spicy ramen. I love spicy food, I love it. I can tell it’s spicy enough if it looks like I took a shower with my clothes on after. -I was just dripping. -Sbrocco: Sweating a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> But it was so good. It was a good spice level, a lot of heat to it. And then we got it with also the sand storm calamari appetizer. -Have you had that one yet? -Meng: Yes, that Koji ranch. -Juan: Mmm. Oh, yeah. -Meng: It is — I don’t know what is in it. -And the calamari is thick. -Juan: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> There are big chunks of calamari and the — Oh, the fry is so good. It’s not heavy and greasy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> It’s perfect, yeah. There’s, like the pepper to it, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Yes. And it’s not that spicy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Any other dish you want to talk about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> One of the other appetizers that we got was the cucumber green chili miso. -Mmm. -Juan: They have the sauce they put it on top of it. Makes it just a little bit spicy. There’s a little heat to it. It has this perfect crunch because they cut it up nice and fresh. It’s the perfect compliment, like, as you’re having all this broth and super spicy stuff. Have a little bite of the crunch there to cool it down. Cleanse the palate. Yeah. I think the takoyaki, it’s like little balls with octopus in them. The fry on the outside of it is not heavy. The inside is so flavorful. I don’t know how you make it, but it tasted like a creamy, savory mashed potato, I think that’s what it is, mixed in with little bits of, like, tender octopus. And then the okonomiyaki sauce really just tie it all together. We had had takoyaki, my wife and I had it in Osaka, and it was the closest we’ve had it. Like having it there, so… -It’s very authentic. -Yeah, yeah, yeah. -Absolutely. -Yeah. I also got the hiyayakko, which is a cold tofu dish. It comes with a huge pile of fried anchovies on top and red onions, with a ponzu sauce. And the tofu is firm and it’s got a great texture to it. It doesn’t, like, fall apart in your mouth like some tofus. -It is so good. -Any drinks to talk about? I didn’t have any drinks. I just drank more broth. -Sbrocco: Yeah. -[ Laughter ] I didn’t have any other drinks. -And I’m driving, so. -Sbrocco: Yeah. I think on a recent cold day, we got the hot sake. And that was really nice. They only have one kind of hot sake on the menu. -Sbrocco: Nice and warming. -Meng: Yeah, it was really good. And, you know, my kids, they always love the Shirley Temple. -Juan: Oh, yeah. [ Laughs ] -[ Overlapping chatter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> They make a little Shirley Temple there, so… -Sbrocco: That’s cute. -Meng: You can get that for your kids.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> We haven’t graduated to that yet. Want to get them eating without their hands. Alright. Was this affordable? I mean, you’ve gone quite a few times. Yeah, we go to Taishoken… At one point, I think my husband was taking them weekly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Oh. Yeah. Any time there’s talk of ramen, it’s always Taishoken. -Juan: Yeah. -Sbrocco: That’s great. And you guys will be back it sounds like. -Oh, absolutely. -Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. -Bring me with you. -[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Nobody ever brings me. If you would like to try Taishoken Ramen, it’s located on East 4th Avenue in San Mateo, and the average multicourse tab per person without drinks is around $30. Looking for more Bay area bites you’ve just got to try? -[ Laughs ] -Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease. I have to thank my fantastic guests on this week’s show, Ryan Juan, who raves about the brisky baos at Smokin D’s BBQ in San Francisco, Alessandra Wood, who finds her own slice of carb heaven at Rosalind Bakery in Pacifica, and Candice Meng, who savors the aburasoba at Taishoken Ramen in San Mateo. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on “Check, Please! Bay Area”. I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ All cheering ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">You were fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Whoo! I never know the perfect noodle because we try to make better noodle every single day. We have flour and water, salt. And also, we put the buckwheat. We try to adjust water ratio in different seasons. So it’s been improved over 70 years. But it’s fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Speaking in Japanese ]\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 16, airs Thursday, February 26, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Smoke and bold flavors kick things off at \u003cstrong>Smokin’ D’s\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Sunset, where Texas-style barbecue meets Mexican and Asian flair. Plates land heavy with signature pulled pork, pork spare ribs, and smoked brisket tucked into fluffy bao — and classic sides like potato salad, all capped off with Banana Brulee Bliss for dessert. From there, it’s down the coast to Pacifica’s \u003cstrong>Rosalind Bakery\u003c/strong>, a bread-lover’s paradise known for iconic sesame-seed hoagie rolls, flaky chocolate almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast sandos layered with egg, pimiento cheese, and rosemary ham. The episode wraps up in San Mateo at \u003cstrong>Taishoken Ramen\u003c/strong>, where house-made noodles shine in dishes like Tokyo-style aburasoba, spicy tsukemen with rich dipping broth, yuzu shio ramen, and crispy takoyaki, delivering deep umami and hands-on slurping satisfaction.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23743\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23743\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_02-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Ryan Juan, Alessandra Wood and Candice Meng from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b2b2b\">Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://smokindsbbqsf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Smokin’ D’s BBQ\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.rosalindbakery.com/\">\u003cstrong>Rosalind Bakery\u003c/strong> (Rosalind Bakery)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.taishokenusa.com/san-mateo\">\u003cstrong>Taishoken Ramen \u003c/strong>(San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23744\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-2000x2445.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2445\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-2000x2445.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-160x196.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-768x939.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-1256x1536.jpg 1256w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2016_Wines-1675x2048.jpg 1675w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/wine/napa-valley/carneros-chardonnay-2024\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Frank Family Vineyards 2024 Chardonnay\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Carneros, California, $40\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>This is a winery with a rich legacy. The historic building was home to Larkmead Winery, built in 1884. In the late 1950s, the revered Hanns Kornell began making high-quality sparkling wine on the property, then in 1992, Rich Frank, formerly president of Disney Studios and Paramount Television, acquired the venerable property. Along with his television journalist wife, Leslie, they have taken starring roles in building a brand based on showcasing the best of Napa Valley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their Chardonnay is consistently one of my top Napa recommendations due to its balance, complexity and elegance. Hailing from the cool-climate Lewis Vineyard in Carneros, it satisfies Chard lovers from those seeking vibrant and fresh versions to those that adore a full-bodied white with ripe fruit, a sultry texture and balanced toasty notes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"http://rhysvineyards.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Rhys 2023 Pinot Noir\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Santa Cruz Mountains, California, $54\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The guiding principle at Rhys Vineyards is, as they say, to capture a sense of “somewhereness” in their estate-focused bottlings. To me, their wines perfectly express the elusive concept of terroir, which I refer to as the “taste of the place in the glass.” Rhys Vineyards’ various versions of Pinot Noir hail from both Mendocino County and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Though wines from this rugged appellation on California’s Central Coast may seem like a discovery, it has long been the birthplace of world-class wines crafted by respected producers such as Ridge and Mount Eden. Rhys Vineyards is the latest star to shine among those wine luminaries crafting wines with vines grown in the high-elevation, coastal-climate vineyards of these ancient mountains.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their 2023 Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir is a heralded vintage and will age gracefully for years, but it is hard not to immediately enjoy its vibrant purity of red fruit married with notes of wild herbs and a sleek, silky texture. For the price, you will not find a better bottle of California Pinot Noir.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.brownefamilyvineyards.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Browne Family Vineyards 2023 “On Fox Island” Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Columbia Valley, Washington, $25\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Browne Family Vineyards is an innovative and fun family-owned company. They are committed to making great wines at great prices primarily from Washington state. Andrew Browne founded the family-forward company as a tribute to his late grandfather, William Bitner Browne, who was a mentor, veteran and community leader.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Their main grape source is the Browne Estate Vineyard in the Spring Valley District of Walla Walla, where the focus is on Bordeaux-style reds and a roster of delicious whites. The wine brands under their umbrella include the whimsical “Do Epic Shit” line celebrating life’s adventurous moments, the charity-led “Forest Project” and numerous more. I’m enamored with their “On Fox Island” Cabernet Sauvignon, which was crafted to highlight the outdoor lifestyle the family leads living on the island. The appealing label depicts a salmon swimming upstream, which is an island highlight. This Cab’s dark-berry fruit flavors are complemented by notes of spice and a velvety texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Artisanal pastries in Pacifica. You could put anything on that sandwich bread and I will eat it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tex-Mex fusion in San Francisco. The best smoked barbecue I’ve ever had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And soupless ramen delights in San Mateo. The noodles were literally falling out of my son’s mouth while he was eating it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area”. -Giddy up. -Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area”, the show where Bay area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots, and the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the “Check, Please!” table today are design history professor Alessandra Wood, teacher and theater director Ryan Juan, and physical therapist Candice Meng. -Welcome, everyone. -[ All greeting ] Excited to be here. The pitmasters at Ryan’s go-to spot are pushing the limits of classic Texas barbecue, blending it with both Asian and Mexican influences. The payoff? Smoky, fall-off-the-bone meats bursting with cross-cultural flavor. Ooh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tucked away in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset, it’s Smokin’ D’s BBQ. -Yeah! [ Laughs ] -I’ll take a half pound. Oh, my God, look at this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> So good. Number 44. I grew up in San Francisco, which has always been known as a great food city. -For me, I grew up eating barbecue since I’m from Texas, and barbecue is just a way of life.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> When we started this, we just wanted to focus on things that we love to eat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Ramirez:\u003c/b> Taking a little Mexican, a little Asian, and a whole lot of Texan and mending them together. Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Ramirez:\u003c/b> So in Texas, we’re known for barbecuing our food low and slow. A lot of salt, a lot of pepper, and a little secret recipe that I can’t divulge. -It’s a little spicy. It’s got a kick. -Fun fact — I don’t even like barbecue, but I sure love a pork bun. -Woman: Oh, my God, look at that. -Woman #2: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> When we first started dating, I was like, let me bring you somewhere that I love and we’re going to have dim sum. And he had a pork bun and he was like, “Damn, this is good. Can we put brisket inside?” We actually smoke our brisket specifically for the bao. We mix it with a traditional barbecue sauce, so it’s sweet and tangy. The bread to meat ratio is a little bit different than what you would normally find in Chinatown, so you’re getting almost a quarter pound of meat inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-One of the things that incorporates my Mexican influence is the brisket tamale. We house make our masa as well as our salsa roja. You’re looking at my salsa roja maker right here. -Alright, man. -Thank you. I’ll see you later, bro. Appreciate it. We’re very small, so we don’t have a ton of seating. Even though there may be a little bit of a line, we get through it really quickly. You can also order ahead and it’ll be ready for you when you walk in. Nice to meet you. We’re right next to Golden Gate Park. You can walk there easily and have a picnic. I was born in the Sunset. I’m a native kid. What gives us so much pride and joy in this business is the people. We’ve really grown this community of customers. Really, it’s a family. -Came to get some brisky bao.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Chu:\u003c/b> We love seeing them day in and day out. Does daddy need to get you your own chips and queso? We really, truly have developed a neighborhood spot, which is exactly what we wanted to do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Alright, Ryan, what is it about this place? I mean, this is a small spot, right? Kind of a lot of takeaway happening. -How did you discover it? -Yeah. So my wife and I, we’ve never seen a Texas barbecue place in the Sunset District. And so we’d gone on a walk by there, and it just smelled fantastic. I’m like, we got to try something from here. So we get there, we get their smoked signature brisket, and the crust on it is amazing. It’s got this amazing spice rub on it. And this is probably the best smoked barbecue I’ve ever had. Did you get the brisket? Did you try the brisket? -Wood: I got a brisket sandwich. -Sbrocco: Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> That could be the best of both worlds.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> It was. It was so good because, you know, I was just kind of thinking like, oh, there’s going to be coleslaw on it, but instead of coleslaw, there were pickled onions. -Pickled red onions. -Juan: Oh, yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> And so they had this, like, beautiful tartness to them. Like the acidity that you wanted to cut through the brisket without the heaviness of coleslaw. Like, there wasn’t as heavy as you expected. And then pickles, which were great. It was a really nice sandwich. Candice, what was your experience? We ordered the pulled pork sandwich. I can never turn down a pulled pork sandwich. And it was…that brioche. It — Everything about it was so tasty and flavorful. And I thought whatever sauce they used on it didn’t overwhelm the meat. So you really got a good hit of that smokiness. So good, so good. And did you get anything with it like sides or…? We got the cornbread, which was enormous. It was like the size of my head. Oh, yeah, and I was so excited because the cornbread is baked in, like, muffin tins. So all of the bottom of it has this chewy crispiness, which is my favorite. Like, I’m a corner brownie person. So it was like — -I so am! I so am. I don’t let my kids touch the corners.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> Yes, and it was like a sweet cornbread with some jalapeños in it. So you had a little bit of spiciness, -and I loved the chewiness of it. -Yeah. And what did you get? I’m sure you got many dishes. -I did, yeah. -Sbrocco: Start with one. Well, I got a rack of ribs, which were delicious and I would say probably the best ribs I’ve had in the Bay area. They were really beautifully seasoned. They were not, like, fall off the bone, but they were really tender. Yeah, we did get the, uh, the potato salad as a side once. -Did you try that one? -It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah. [ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So is this one more kind of a little vinegary or…?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. There’s some egg into it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> It wasn’t like a mayo-y potato salad. It was a little bit fresher. A really good compliment to the meats. What was your second, third, or fourth dish?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>What we also got was the bao… -Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Yeah. -Meng: …with the brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Which is really their signature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Correct. And anything that can sort of fit in the palm of my hand easily I am game for. And it was delicious. I really liked the bake on the bao. I thought it had that really nice milk bun flavor that is very common. And so, the combination, it really, really did make sense. And what else did you have? The Korean cowboy bun, which was also really delicious. It was like spicy. You really could taste the gochujang in it. And so it had this — It left a nice flavor in your mouth wanting you to go back for more. But the bun sort of tamed it a little bit. It’s just a good name. Giddy up. -Yeah. -[ Laughter ] Korean cowboy. I love it. -Alright, Ryan, what about you? Any other dishes? The other thing we did have was the hot link. And that one’s really good. They smoke it perfectly, and then when they give it to you, they cut it up into bite sized pieces already. So it’s ready to go. And it’s hard because, like, when I go to pick it up, I have to stop myself from eating it on the way home. When you said that, I knew that that was going to happen. [ Laughter ] Yeah. Now, did you wash it down with anything? Did you have any drinks or…? Oh, no, we didn’t have any drinks. We — I always just end up getting more meat. But I want to ask you guys if there’s — about the banana brulée bliss. Did you guys happen to try it? Because for my thing, for desserts, like, if it’s too sweet, then it kind of ruins it. -I want something that’s just a little bit sweet. -Sbrocco: right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Because if it’s not too sweet, I’m going to get some later. So, [laughs] I wanna make sure. -But I haven’t had it yet. -No, it’s perfect if it’s not too sweet. You’ve had such intense, you know, savoriness. You want something just to — just a change of flavor, but not too much. And so did you guys happen to try the — -Any room? No. -No room. Yeah. No room after all the barbecue. -Just get more meat. -Sbrocco: Yeah, yeah. Well, it sounds like you all had a great time there. Yeah. And would go back. She’s like, “We go back all the time.” I just want to get the brisky bao. -[ Laughter ] -Alright. If you would like to try Smokin’ D’s BBQ, it’s located on Irving Street in San Francisco. And the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $30. At Alessandra’s hip modern bakery, sourdough is the star attraction, forming the base for inventive sandwiches stacked with seasonal produce and chef driven flavors. Located just blocks from the beach in Pacifica, it’s Rosalind Bakery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">-Rosalind Bakery is a community hub here in Pacifica. It’s art, it’s music, it’s delicious artisan food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">The first thing that you’re probably going to get hit with is the smell of all of the baked goods coming in and out of the oven, and then you’ll definitely notice the atmosphere and how welcoming it can be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I started the bakery in 2017, and was at great discontent with my career doing software development. I felt compelled to make a product with my hands. Bread is fascinating. It’s this hub of a wheel of life, of agriculture, art, math, and biology. -Check the pH level of the bread. Usually 4.2 is an ideal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Kosoy:\u003c/b> The item that I’m most proud of is the coastside sourdough. We’re about 1,000 feet from the ocean, and it’s always going to be a little bit more humid here, a little bit cooler. And that helps with our fermentation. And it develops that complex flavor in the bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I have my hoagie roll, which features semolina and sesame seeds as a flavor combination that I love. -It has such a great texture. -Kosoy: It’s amazing. We’ve developed a separate sourdough culture just for the croissants that has sugar added to it to help with the fermentation in that enriched dough. we’re making savory and sweet danishes, depending upon what ingredients we get from the farmer’s market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Rave:\u003c/b> We have a full espresso bar. We make our own syrups in-house. And all of our coffees are sourced from local roasters. What I hope most people feel like when they’re leaving is, “Man, that place is really cool. I would really like to go back sometime.” -Yeah. -Kosoy: A lot of love and passion in what we’re doing. I’ve dedicated my life to bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Kosoy:\u003c/b> Rosalind is my temple to bread!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Good job. Nicely done. Alright, Alessandra, this is — It’s not what you expect from a bakery, right? It’s kind of got a party vibe going on. -Absolutely. I go in there and I can’t stop myself from singing whatever songs they have blasting. Or sometimes it’s live music. -It’s just fun. Good energy. -Sbrocco: Yeah. One of my favorite things there is anything made on their hoagie bread. So the Rosalind hoagie, it’s this Italian hoagie. Just amazing. For anybody who’s an East Coaster, you know what a hoagie is. Like a big, long sub sandwich. That bread is so iconic to the East Coast. It’s soft on the inside. It has a light crust. It’s peppered in sesame seeds, but it has this really chewy texture. And then it’s filled with Italian meats, sharp provolone cheese, some nice, like, radicchio or red leaf lettuce to kind of elevate it a little bit. And then this Calabrian chili mayo, which gives it a touch of spice that’s like, you know, you just want to eat the whole thing. You’ve got everything in one spot. -Yes. -Sbrocco: Alright. What about you? What did you order, Ryan? So we got the con patate pizza. And it was baked on this, the most perfect focaccia bread ever. The focaccia was so soft and pillowy. And on the top, they had perfectly seasoned potatoes and the cheese. And they cooked it such that it had, like, a slight char to it at the top. It gives that extra flavor to it. It was just amazing. And it was a big piece, too. And so it’s like my wife and I could split that and like, okay. The only thing was, I wish I could take it home and warm it up so I could have it nice and hot. But I had to eat it right then and there. It was just so perfect. We’d gotten the breakfast sando as well, and in that it has, like, the egg, it has — We actually added mortadella. And what I love about that was they pan fried the mortadella a little bit. So it’s almost like bacon. -Wow. -Put bacon in anything, I’m all game. [ Laughs ] But then with that spicy sauce on it, I’m like, oh, my gosh. -That sandwich bread, that is what I’m most obsessed about at Rosalind Bakery. You could put anything on that sandwich bread and I will eat it. Ironically, my favorite thing there was the turkey sandwich because my son got it, and the turkey was moist and tender.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Which doesn’t always happen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Exactly. Right. A lot of turkey deli meat can be very dry, but that with the bread and whatever that dijonnaise that they put on it with the cheese, I mean, it was so good. -Any pastries or things you want to talk about? The cinnamon roll. That is — First of all, it’s huge. It’s like the size of my head. And it has sourdough in it. So you have, like, this sourdough feel to it filled with cinnamon and sugar. So the sugar caramelizes on the bottom. And then it has that classic cream cheese icing. But it’s huge. And it is — -So it’s a shareable item? -It’s shareable. I will eat it for a couple days with my kids. They will cry if they’re out of stock. When we get to the bakery and there are no cinnamon rolls, they literally will cry. They’re 3 and 5, so they’re allowed. They’re allowed. Okay. And then when we eat it all up, there may be tears, too, so… They’re like, “Oh, we wanted more.” -Sbrocco: Did you get any pastries? -We did. We got chocolate chip cookies. Because you can’t really ever go wrong with a chocolate chip cookie. And I think we got two and they were gone within about 30 seconds with eight hands between the family of four digging into the paper bag. And they were flavorful and thick and just so sweet and so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what else did you get? The olive oil cake. It’s a lemon poppy seed olive oil cake. And it’s vegan, actually. But you wouldn’t know. It is beautifully baked with these very crispy, chewy edges, which I love. People will request, and I’ve heard this. I always request a corner piece. I’ve heard others request a middle piece. But the edges get really brown and chewy, and it’s sweet, but it’s not overly sweet. You eat it and you have yourself wondering, like, how is this vegan? What’s in here? But olive oil cakes are so moist in general. It is so moist. Yeah, it’s moist and it feels a little bit decadent, but it’s just, like, really easy to eat. -Juan: Yeah. -Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> We got the chocolate almond croissant. And I love chocolate, my wife loves almond stuff. -So this was the — -Sbrocco: No brainer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> …thing made for us. So… [ Laughs ] But we had it, and we took a bite into it. It has, like, this powdered sugar thing on top of it. They don’t skimp. They have a lot of almonds on it, and there’s a lot of chocolate filling on the inside. And we bit into it, and I was like, oh, this is so good. We split it in half, and I told my wife, I’m like, “You should have gotten two of these and then get a third one for you.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">It was so good. I had a mocha, and I’m very sensitive to caffeine. And so if I have a little, like, I’m ready to go. This was — The mocha was a double shot of espresso. Wow. You must have been flying. Yeah. [ Laughs ] But it actually helped, because we’re having all this bread and all these carbohydrates. And the mocha kept us awake. And so I was ready to go. For me, cappuccino all the way. It’s my favorite thing to order from there, but it’s always, yeah, beautifully crafted, perfect foam. I like a good, strong coffee. So it’s, for me, perfect. Yeah. You know, I really had a nice time. Just, like, looking at all the merch in the store, and, yeah, it was very Pacifica. Like, I definitely got that beach, you know, relaxed beach vibe. My — Actually, my own sourdough baby at home is from Rosalind, so yeah, I got my sourdough starter from them. -Wait, they do that? -Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> [ Laughs ] Okay. [ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You’ve just given away —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Overlapping chatter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">Rosalind’s going to be cursing you. -[ Laughter ] -Yeah. Alright. I’ve had it for a few years, so I don’t know if they still do it. Alright. If you would like to try Rosalind Bakery, it’s located in the Manor Plaza in Pacifica. The average multicourse tab per person without drinks is around $20. Candice’s pick is the first US location for an iconic Tokyo-based ramen shop. Fresh, house-made noodles, broth simmered for hours, and layers of savory umami keep her whole family happily slurping to the last drop. Located in downtown San Mateo, it’s Taishoken Ramen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Speaking in Japanese ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sakaguchi:\u003c/b> Our restaurant is called Taishoken. We serve ramen and we are known as the birthplace of Tsukemen. Tsukemen means dipping noodle in Japanese. We serve noodle and hot broth separately. My grandfather and his cousin started Taishoken in 1951 Tokyo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Speaking in Japanese ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I really want to make my own noodle because the noodles is very important for texture and flavor. I brought special noodle machine from Japan, and we make noodle every single day in-house. Our main broth is tonkotsu broth. We cook over 24 hours. It makes broth very rich. First bite, just pick up some noodles and eat it to feel the flavor. And next, you just dip into the broth and slurp. It tastes really good. When I see the customer dump the dipping broth to the noodle, I was like, ah! But it’s been seven years, so I think they’re getting to know how to eat tsukemen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">I want to make customers happy, so I think the portion is kind of big. [ Chuckles ] My grandfather passed away, but I believe we carry on the legacy for making guests happy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">Alright, Candice, this kind of feels like a slice of Tokyo, huh? I have never been to Tokyo, but I’d like to think that by going to Taishoken, I have an opportunity to experience it. -Sbrocco: Yeah. -Meng: And, you know, sometimes I don’t necessarily want a really hot broth of ramen, especially on, like, a summer day. And when I saw the menu and they had a soupless-based ramen, the Tokyo Classic Aburasoba, it is delicious. It comes with this beautiful egg yolk on top. And underneath you have your pork char siu, your bamboo, your green onions, the noodles. But to me, what really brought it to that next level is this little cup of vinegar on the side. And you pour it on and you mix it in and it cuts through that richness. -That was it, I was hooked. -[ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> What did you have, Alessandra? So we had a few things, but one of my favorites was what my kids ordered, the yuzu shio ramen. And first of all, I have to tell you, when we sat down, they brought special cups for my kids who are 3 and 5, and they brought special utensils and bowls for them. So immediately they invited them to be really prestigious guests at the table, which was so special for them. So they got that ramen. They loved it. It was this vegetable ramen. It had a really beautiful clear, but earthy kind of herby broth. There was a piece of fried tofu that sucked up the broth so perfectly. And then there were herbs on top of it. It was just really nice and light, and like, the noodles were literally falling out of my son’s mouth while he was eating it, like, okay, this is good. I was putting some in my dish. We were all eating it. I was going to say, 3- and 5-year-olds, you know, -I would imagine. -Yes. Yeah, they loved it and they felt like -they were part of the party. -Yeah. Yeah. And what other dish did you have? We had the tsukemen, the spicy tsukemen, which was a soupless ramen. -It has a dipping sauce. -Meng: Dipping ramen. Yes, and so you had this beautiful noodle, and those were buckwheat noodles. So they were, like, a little thicker, chewier, but really delicious and hearty. And then the dipping sauce was almost like a gravy. Like, this spicy gravy that you put the noodles in. There were two types of pork. And everything just melded together to have a really beautiful, hearty dish that was not soup. You know, it’s was, like, different. You’re like, oh, I’m going for ramen, but it’s not soup. You don’t have to dip it if you didn’t want to. You could just go for the noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. What about you? So I got to say, when I first heard about this place, my wife and I had actually been there before. -Oh, really? -And it was — We didn’t have our best experience -eating there the first time. -Okay. But then I got to tell you, as a teacher, I always tell my kids, you can’t change what happens to you, but you can always change how you feel about it. -Yeah. -So we went there a second time. So much better. It was so good. I’m glad you recommended it. It was given a second chance. They could redeem themselves. Exactly. Exactly. It was so good. We got the Niku spicy ramen. I love spicy food, I love it. I can tell it’s spicy enough if it looks like I took a shower with my clothes on after. -I was just dripping. -Sbrocco: Sweating a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> But it was so good. It was a good spice level, a lot of heat to it. And then we got it with also the sand storm calamari appetizer. -Have you had that one yet? -Meng: Yes, that Koji ranch. -Juan: Mmm. Oh, yeah. -Meng: It is — I don’t know what is in it. -And the calamari is thick. -Juan: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> There are big chunks of calamari and the — Oh, the fry is so good. It’s not heavy and greasy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> It’s perfect, yeah. There’s, like the pepper to it, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Yes. And it’s not that spicy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Any other dish you want to talk about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> One of the other appetizers that we got was the cucumber green chili miso. -Mmm. -Juan: They have the sauce they put it on top of it. Makes it just a little bit spicy. There’s a little heat to it. It has this perfect crunch because they cut it up nice and fresh. It’s the perfect compliment, like, as you’re having all this broth and super spicy stuff. Have a little bite of the crunch there to cool it down. Cleanse the palate. Yeah. I think the takoyaki, it’s like little balls with octopus in them. The fry on the outside of it is not heavy. The inside is so flavorful. I don’t know how you make it, but it tasted like a creamy, savory mashed potato, I think that’s what it is, mixed in with little bits of, like, tender octopus. And then the okonomiyaki sauce really just tie it all together. We had had takoyaki, my wife and I had it in Osaka, and it was the closest we’ve had it. Like having it there, so… -It’s very authentic. -Yeah, yeah, yeah. -Absolutely. -Yeah. I also got the hiyayakko, which is a cold tofu dish. It comes with a huge pile of fried anchovies on top and red onions, with a ponzu sauce. And the tofu is firm and it’s got a great texture to it. It doesn’t, like, fall apart in your mouth like some tofus. -It is so good. -Any drinks to talk about? I didn’t have any drinks. I just drank more broth. -Sbrocco: Yeah. -[ Laughter ] I didn’t have any other drinks. -And I’m driving, so. -Sbrocco: Yeah. I think on a recent cold day, we got the hot sake. And that was really nice. They only have one kind of hot sake on the menu. -Sbrocco: Nice and warming. -Meng: Yeah, it was really good. And, you know, my kids, they always love the Shirley Temple. -Juan: Oh, yeah. [ Laughs ] -[ Overlapping chatter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> They make a little Shirley Temple there, so… -Sbrocco: That’s cute. -Meng: You can get that for your kids.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Wood:\u003c/b> We haven’t graduated to that yet. Want to get them eating without their hands. Alright. Was this affordable? I mean, you’ve gone quite a few times. Yeah, we go to Taishoken… At one point, I think my husband was taking them weekly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Juan:\u003c/b> Oh. Yeah. Any time there’s talk of ramen, it’s always Taishoken. -Juan: Yeah. -Sbrocco: That’s great. And you guys will be back it sounds like. -Oh, absolutely. -Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. -Bring me with you. -[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Nobody ever brings me. If you would like to try Taishoken Ramen, it’s located on East 4th Avenue in San Mateo, and the average multicourse tab per person without drinks is around $30. Looking for more Bay area bites you’ve just got to try? -[ Laughs ] -Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease. I have to thank my fantastic guests on this week’s show, Ryan Juan, who raves about the brisky baos at Smokin D’s BBQ in San Francisco, Alessandra Wood, who finds her own slice of carb heaven at Rosalind Bakery in Pacifica, and Candice Meng, who savors the aburasoba at Taishoken Ramen in San Mateo. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on “Check, Please! Bay Area”. I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">[ All cheering ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">You were fabulous, fabulous, fabulous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">\u003cb>Meng:\u003c/b> Whoo! I never know the perfect noodle because we try to make better noodle every single day. We have flour and water, salt. And also, we put the buckwheat. We try to adjust water ratio in different seasons. So it’s been improved over 70 years. But it’s fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 14, airs Thursday, February 12, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our guests head to Burlingame at \u003cstrong>Mykonos Meze\u003c/strong>, where Greek small plates are meant for sharing and lingering. Diners scoop up tzatziki with warm pita, savor charred souvlaki, and enjoy keftedes and rich moussaka, finishing with honey-soaked baklava and profiteroles. Next, we head to San Jose’s \u003cstrong>Trifecta\u003c/strong>, an intimate, high-energy spot blending Japanese technique with Filipino influence, where dishes like smoked hamachi tacos, scallop carpaccio with lychee, chawanmushi with longanisa, and pristine nigiri sets showcase the chefs’ precision and playful creativity. Finally, we head to Walnut Creek’s \u003cstrong>Montesacro\u003c/strong>, where the Roman-inspired pinsa takes center stage in a warm, bustling space. Guests enjoy mouthwatering flatbreads topped with soppressata alongside bucatini amatriciana, supplì al telefono, and classic tiramisu. To cap off the episode, reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003cstrong>Dandelion Chocolate’s 16th Street Factory\u003c/strong> for “Cecilia Tries It,” trying her hand at making caramel bonbons and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process from bean to bar.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23722 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Jamie Grisar, Josh Baldovino and Tony Martinez from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"background-color: transparent\">Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mykonosmeze.com/\">\u003cstrong>Mykonos Meze\u003c/strong> (Burlingame)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://trifectaomakase.com/\">\u003cstrong>Trifecta\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montesacro.com/about-walnut-creek\">\u003cstrong>Montesacro \u003c/strong>(Walnut Creek)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23723\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-2000x2667.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-2000x2667.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.anabawines.com/\">Anaba Wines\u003c/a> is not only a family producer of a rich roster of wines; it’s a place for discovery. If you’re in the Sonoma area, make sure to stop by the winery. Named for the cooling influence of the nearby San Pablo Bay and Pacific Ocean breezes, also called anabatic winds, the wines focus on elegance, complexity and vibrancy that comes from grapes allowed to ripen slowly on the vine. Careful crafting of those grapes into wine is Anaba’s signature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A visit to the property evokes a casual vibe that marries a sense of fun and playfulness with seriously delicious wines. Founded by John Sweazey, a businessman turned vintner, the winery was a longtime dream of his from days traveling the wine world. He wanted to capture and share the sense of family and camaraderie that comes from a passion for the culture of wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2024 “Turbine White” Blend\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Sonoma Valley, California, $36\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>This Rhone-inspired white is a unique blend of grapes such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc. A mouth-filling hit of citrus and melon notes led by aromas of honeysuckle, it’s an excellent alternative white to ring in any season of the year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Chardonnay, J McK Estate Vineyard\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Carneros, California, $64\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>This estate-grown Chardonnay, named after John Sweazey’s two children, John Michael and McKenna, is lush and creamy but balanced by racy acidity that leaves you with a thirst for more. It’s ideal paired alongside grilled fish or with a bite of brie cheese.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Pinot Noir\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Sonoma Coast, California, $54\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>The flagship Pinot of Anaba is a blend of some of the best vineyards planted in the cool Sonoma Coast appellation. Each vintage is a different blend of these vineyards, with the goal of making a stylishly sleek Pinot Noir that’s pure pleasure to sip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Grenache, Floria Marie Vineyard\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Russian River Valley, California, $54\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>Grenache is one of my favorite red grapes. Traditionally hailing from the southern Rhone Valley of France, it’s planted in select spots globally, including California. Anaba’s single-vineyard bottling is a powerfully spicy red packed with juicy fruit aromas and flavors wrapped in a sultry, smooth texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cstrong>Man #2\u003c/strong>: Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Authentic Greek mezes in Burlingame.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Salted, crispy, fluffy in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Roman pizzas and pasta in Walnut Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, boy, I went nuts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And contemporary omakase in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> The scallops are so soft. It’s almost like you’re eating a cloud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Boom. Boom, boom, boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Indistinct conversations ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Hi. I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area,” the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now, we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots. And the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the “Check, Please” table today are investor services representative Jamie Grisar, electrical lineman Tony Martinez, and marketing manager Joshua Baldovino. Welcome, everyone. Ready for fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tony’s choice specializes in small plates packed with big flavors. From tangy tzatziki, to grilled octopus, to warm flatbreads, the menu is a passport to the Aegean. So pour a little ouzo and get ready to say “opa” as we head to Burlingame, home to Mykonos Meze House.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> Mykonos Meze House is a Greek casual neighborhood eatery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Mykonos is like a party island and then the energies never end. Endless nightlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">I fell in love with the Greek food because of my mom, because moms are always the best. Meatballs — our favorite one. We are always cooking for lamb and meatballs at home. And I like always cooking barbecue. A live grill charbroil, I’m always using for mesquite. Our signature dish is Mykonos souvlaki. The souvlaki, we are using for prime tenderloin with the shallot onion together. The seasoning process is for two days to make them perfect. It’s gonna be melting in your mouth. Meze is the family-style sharing for the small appetizers, hot and cold. Our bar — We have many options. Specially, I like ouzo and tequila. But we have also wine and also other spirits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Together:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> What I’m always hearing from the people at the restaurant is, look for something living in there, something’s soul.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Ohh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> It feels like home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Tony. How many times have you been to this place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s gonna be over 500.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> 500?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> At least. I go there almost every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> That is amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Oh, I can see some Greekness going on in your tattoos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. My wife didn’t agree on this, but, you know, I got the Greek key on both sides, and I got the Parthenon, and I got Athena.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So you are Greek through and through?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yes. I’m infused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So what do you order when you walk in the door, you sit down, they say, “Hey, Tony, come. Here’s your table”?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The spreads. I usually do the spreads with the pita bread and the tzatziki’s in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They have pretty good spreads in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It really opens up your palate because there are so many dips. And the bread is nice and warm and fluffy. Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> So I got the keftedes, which I think is a classic dish that you have to get any time you go get Greek. That’s your benchmark. Half beef, half lamb. The way that they cooked it, it had a nice little crisp and char on the outside just from the grill, but on the inside was delicious. How they seasoned it was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So is there one dish that you just absolutely love and you order every time?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The chicken. It is grilled to perfection. It’s thighs. They’re real thin. So he puts Greek oregano, lemon, salt, and he just grills it over — It’s like a Pourgouri. And then he puts a little bed of tzatziki on it. And then with the pita bread, it’s heaven to me because that’s what I love. I love that, but, you know, that’s one of my favorites that I go for all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Did you have that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did not have the grilled chicken, but I did have a tenderloin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I was debating between the rib eye or the tenderloin when I got there, and I said, “You know what? I actually never order tenderloin. Let me try it.” And so it was these two tenderloin kebabs, grilled again. It was also plated on top of these roasted vegetables, which were delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I never eat all the vegetables, but actually that was maybe almost as good as the meat itself, ’cause the meat itself was tender, charred perfectly on the outside, and then the sauce that was on the bottom, I just kept scooping it with either the meat or the vegetables over and over.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So you got your veggies. I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what about you, Jamie?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> So you mentioned the rib eye, and I did end up getting the rib eye. And it’s plated beautifully. It’s on a wood cutting board. And then they light it on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Together:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Opa! Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s ouzo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Ah. That’s why you light it on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Got you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I’m glad she got to experience that, because that’s the whole idea there. And the “opa,” because they…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> It’s “opa” and ouzo!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it was awesome. The steak was — I got it medium rare. And so it was cooked perfectly. It had a beautiful sear on the outside and it came with these potatoes. Honestly, the potatoes were the star of the show. Better than the rib eye.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Salted. Crispy. Pillowy, fluffy in the middle. Could not ask for better potatoes. Honestly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They’re like steak fries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> They are. They’re thick. Oh, so good. We also got the lamb shank, so… And that was also extremely tender. That sauce — Oh, I could drink it. I could drink it. It was so good. I mean, I would just say it was like a Greek gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The moussaka is very good. It’s eggplant with potatoes and the Béchamel sauce. And it’s piping hot. So you got to wait. You got to let it breathe a little bit. So that gives you a chance to drink a little more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> It gives you a chance to drink something. So what did you have to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I’ve always liked the spicy margarita, but then it’s the White Shadow they always brought me because I like piña coladas. But it’s just, the only difference is vodka instead of Bacardi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Instead of rum. Mm-hmm. Okay. Did you have anything to drink alongside?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yeah. So I did a Paper Plane. So it’s a bourbon-based cocktail with some Aperol, and it was surprisingly refreshing. Normally you think of a whiskey cocktail as kind of being heavy and not so as refreshing, but this was a little bit of citrus to it with the Aperol. And so it was perfect for a weekend afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Did anybody have dessert? Or in the many times you’ve gone, have you done dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Many times.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Profiteroles. Those are the best because they’re, like, puffy, you know, cream puffs with vanilla ice cream and just with a little chocolate drizzled on top of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> With the little one, did you get to share dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> I did. We got baklava because it comes with ice cream. So good. Honey, pistachio. And the phyllo is actually pretty soft because it’s so soaked. Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Glasses clink ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> So there’s another thing about Mykonos that when it turns dark, Marco comes out, the lights dim down, and then he gets the light shows going, and then he has a smoker, too. And then the music goes up. So if you’re gonna go there and you want to have a lively time, it’s gonna be after 8:00.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You’re capturing the fun of the island.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s great. I wish I was there now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Me too. All right. If you would like to try Mykonos Meze House, it’s located on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $60. Joshua says his sleek little sushi spot is one of Silicon Valley’s true hidden gems. Offering creative takes on Japanese and Filipino favorites, fruit-forward cocktails, and a lively vibe, every meal is a true feast for the senses. Tucked away in southern San Jose’s Silver Creek area, it’s Trifecta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> Trifecta is a Japanese sushi restaurant with Filipino influence starring me, my brother Ryan, and our mom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Thank you guys. Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> Sharing food that we love.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> All right. Enjoy, guys. Woman #2: Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> When people think of sushi, they just think of raw fish, rolls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> We like to try not to be too traditional and bend the rules a little bit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> We like to kind of spice it up and add toppings to our nigiris.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> To the chefs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> We love to use, like, chicharrón and taro and use it as an added texture, depth, and crunch. But a lot of our sauces and flavors come from calamansi. So we do have our signature cold plates, like our yellowtail crudo, and bluefin tuna chili garlic — That’s probably our flagship dish. But a lot of Filipino dishes are hot. So, like, our short rib — a 72-hour braise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> The vibe is bustling. It’s cracking, it’s popping. We want to make sure our guests are taken care of, but we try to have fun at the same time and enjoy the moment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> This is a dream come true. This is our hometown. So providing, you know, to our own community the food that we love doing, it just means a lot to us. Out of all the places in the world, they chose to be here with us. And that’s a special moment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Joshua, talk to me about this place, because it’s an interesting blend, isn’t it, of flavors and cultures and cuisines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> It is. It’s these two Filipino brothers who have this traditional Japanese spot, but now they added a little bit of Filipino twist to it, so they get the best of both worlds now. If you’re going for the real exciting experience, you do omakase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right. Chef choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yes. Or you can do à la carte on the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did start with a cocktail at first. It was an espresso sesame sake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Ah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> That was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> So you get the hint of coffee, but you still have a nice sake, which brings this lightness to it. And then it has a sesame crisp on it, and it adds a nice little textural element.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, so you’ve got a cocktail in your glass and what goes with it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And then garlic edamame for me. If anyone’s been to Hawaii and has gotten any kind of garlic shrimp scampi, they have replicated that garlic sauce to a T. The edamame is just doused in it. And so you just can’t help but just take the entire bean and just get all the sauce and all the garlic. Maybe not great for the date after, but really good as you taste it through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right. And, Jamie, what about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We did the omakase. And so the first dish they brought out was oysters. And the first oyster was with a yuzu vinaigrette. And the second was with a wasabi vinaigrette. The wasabi was so nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Like, it didn’t burn your nose. It was just that right amount of spicy. And that yuzu was refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And then after that, it was the chawanmushi, which is a Japanese soufflé. And it was beautiful. It was silky and salty and sweet and with a Filipino twist, they put in longganisa. And so it had the crispy bits and it had a beautiful seared scallop on it, so you also had that buttery taste. Really delicious for the first two courses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> First two courses. All right. We’ll get back to you with more. What about you now, Tony? How was your experience?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It was great. The little tacos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> The hamachi tacos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They were delicious. Something about it. I’ve never had that flavor before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Have you had those before?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did. So the hamachi tacos are really nice ’cause it is. It’s a nice little starter, as well. It’s a wonton crisp taco. And then you’ll have a little bit of avocado within. It’s raw hamachi on top with some sauce and then a sliced jalapeño.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> But I never had the raw. The raw fish. And that got me going. And I was like, “wow, that was good.” That’s why the yellowtail came in effect. And my son brought me into that. With the jalapeño oil sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. So that’s what you had next.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Ooh, yes. Oh, that was delicious. It just melted in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cspan class=\"s1\">♪\u003c/span> Girl, can I talk to you? \u003cspan class=\"s1\">♪\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> And with Rex, the deejay, Rex, was there going. He was the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">He came to us and talked to us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You like party places. I can tell. He likes party spots. All right. And what else did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yeah. So if you don’t want to go all the way raw, part of the omakase set was seared albacore tuna in a ponzu sauce. Light. Refreshing. With that, you know, hint of lime. And then after that, it was a nigiri plate. And so it was four pieces of nigiri and their in-house-made tamago with an egg omelet. But it was really good. And each piece has toppings. And it did really enhance the flavor of each piece of nigiri that we did get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. And you’re shaking your head, going…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Oh, I mean, you have to get some sushi, for sure. So whether you’re doing sashimi or nigiri, you have to try it. And two of my other favorites — There’s a scallop carpaccio dish. And so they have scallops. That’s paired with some lychee fruit. And they have some citrus around the plate, too. It looks like a piece of art on the plate itself. And the scallops are so soft. It’s almost like you’re eating a cloud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> We had the tempura roll. You know, the tempura roll was meshed together with the unagi sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It was so good. So I’m a big fan of chicken. So when they said “fried chicken,” I said, “I got to have some of that.” And she brought it and it was so crispy and flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I’ve had the karaage there before, too. Right? Japanese fried chicken. But I think I’m always there for the seafood first. But the chicken is a nice change of pace, too. Did any of you guys get the short rib?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> No, I didn’t get the short rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Okay, the short rib, it’s a fun showstopper ’cause it gets plated almost like a tomahawk steak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> It’s super-thick. And then it’s all plated on top of a kare-kare sauce, which is a Filipino kind of peanut-based sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Mmm. So I got to go back for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And did you feel like you got a good deal? I mean, it can be expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> You know what? To me, the price doesn’t matter as long as you have fun. You know, that’s what matters — the experience. Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And in terms of value, I mean, omakase can get ridiculously expensive. And so if you’re looking for a high-end omakase without the crazy, crazy prices, this is definitely a good way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Excellent. If you would like to try Trifecta, it’s located on Silver Creek Valley Road in San Jose, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $70. Jamie is bringing us back to the Mediterranean, to a lively trattoria that’s captured her heart. From cloudlike pizzas, to savory supplì, every dish on the menu is rooted in Roman culinary tradition. Located in Walnut Creek, it’s Montesacro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> Montesacro, it’s one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Rome, outside of where I grew up, packed with life. I wanted to create an environment elegant, upscale, refined, very Italian. Hello.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Speaks Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Conversing in Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Our intention is to bring people together, share as much as possible as a family, as friends. How was everything today?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> Montesacro opened as the first pinsa place in the United States in 2015 in San Francisco. Pinsa is not pizza. It runs in the family of pizza, but it’s made from soy, rice, and wheat, which already makes it completely different than traditional pizza. It proofs for a minimum of 72 hours, and we stretch it à la minute over rice flour to give it a little extra crispiness after it’s cooked. It’s oval in shape. It’s not round or square. And that’s pinsa. Pinsa Romana. We have different appetizers, pastas — all homemade. Our cacio e pepe, I believe, is the closest to what I would expect to eat in Rome. The octopus appetizer is one of our highlights. It’s cooked to tender, simply dressed with the most amazing extra-virgin olive oil, and drizzled with some fresh oregano. With all due respect to Californian wines, which we absolutely love, we decided to feature only Italian wines made from indigenous grape varietals of Italy only. Salute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Salute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Speaks Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> My biggest hope with people experiencing Montesacro, once they go back home, is to say, “You’ve got to try this because it’s not the ordinary Italian restaurant. It’s something unique,” because it’s what we’re trying to achieve more than anything else. Create an experience that is memorable, that is forever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Jamie, talk about how you found this restaurant. I mean, there’s not a lot of Roman-inspired restaurants, and the food in Rome is the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Oh, totally the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Uh-huh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We were actually on the hunt for gnocchi. We just looked up “gnocchi” on Yelp, and there it was — Montesacro. And it was in a red sauce, which is kind of rare for the Bay Area. And we’re like, “We have to go.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what is it that you get besides the gnocchi?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We start with the supplì al telefono, which are these beautiful golden balls. They’re fried. They call it supplì al telefono because in the middle, it’s stuffed with mozzarella cheese. And so when you pull it open, you get that nice string of cheese and it looks like a telephone wire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it’s so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> To me, it’s like adult cheese sticks, you know? So you get the nice exterior, which has a nice crust to it, seasoned really well. And then, as you open it up, I mean, I judge the cheese sticks by the cheese pull. And so you can pull it and it does have that classic cheese pull and it was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. How about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, boy, I went nuts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Why does that not surprise me?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. I mean… Forget the salad. We go to the porchetta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Oh, that looks lovely. Woman #2: Oh, my goodness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Just savory. I love it. And they mixed it with the orange all day on that one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> The porchetta is really good. It was — I actually haven’t ordered it. The table next to us did, and I think they saw me eyeing their food and they said, “Do you want to try this?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> They did not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> I swear they did. No, this place is so friendly ’cause you’re sitting so close to one another. So you can kind of tell, like, “Oh, I like what’s on your plate. Oh, I don’t like what’s on your plate.” I do actually get another pasta dish. I get the Amatriciana, which is a bucatini with a spicy marinara sauce and guanciale. I can eat pounds and pounds of guanciale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It’s just a funkier pancetta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You have that little more earthy flavor than…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> But it melts right in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It does ’cause that fat cap is so big. Your mouth is coated in, like, fat, but it’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right. We are gonna talk about pinsas. So that’s really the heart of this place and what sets it apart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It is, yes. Different flour blend. So it’s almost lighter, chewier. And it gets really crisp. You get that nice char all around. We always, always get the [Haltingly] Tormarancia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Easy for you to say.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yes. Sure. Yes. It’s basically a souped-up Margherita pizza, but with spicy soppressata.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it’s lovely with the sweet tomato sauce and the spicy, salty meat. It’s just the perfect combination.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> We did the same one as you, but then we also established the baseline with the Margherita, ’cause I feel like you have to establish the baseline. But I agree — The dough was delicious and the Margherita itself, it definitely lands more on the heavier basil side. So if you love basil, then you’re really gonna enjoy this pinsa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay, what did you drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I went to the martini. It was the spicy G&C martini. It was Calabrese oil with the olive in it. This was the spicy, and one of the best, martinis I’ve ever had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Oh, that’s awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The best. And it was perfect with my pinsa. Perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> They do have a special cocktail, which is a pistachio espresso martini.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And the presentation of this is so pretty. Almost, like, a quarter of the glass had crushed pistachios on the outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Did you get a spoon?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I mean, I did just bite it off afterwards ’cause it was a nice nutty treat to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Yeah. Anybody have dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I got three of the desserts. And tiramisu — That’s the one I really love. When you bite into it, just don’t breathe in because you get the coffee. [ Breathes sharply] You get the coffee, and you start sneezing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yeah, the coffee, the cocoa powder down your throat. Like a beignet almost.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> That was like, “Oh, no.” But, you know. Then we had the chocolate torte.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Oh, man, look at that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Filled with fresh cream. I’m not a big chocolate guy, but that was pretty good. That was good. The last one was the pinsa filled with — They almost tried to copy a cannoli, but it missed the point to me because the tiramisu had me already.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, the tiramisu won. If you would like to try Montesacro, it’s located on Locust Street in Walnut Creek, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $45. And now reporter Cecilia Phillips has more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> We are so lucky to be able to come to Dandelion Chocolate today. And this place. I could smell it before we even walked in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. I ride my bike into work and I’ll be a block away. And even without seeing it, I can [Sniffs] I was like, “Ah, I’m getting close to work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Both laugh ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Tell me more about Dandelion Chocolate and the special things that you all do here with single-origin chocolate. Just two ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> That’s right. Cocoa beans and organic cane sugar. And what we call cocoa beans are actually not beans. They’re seeds of a tropical fruit called cacao. And each pod contains about 50 unique fruits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Mm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> So we source cocoa beans from about 20 or so unique locations around the world. And depending on the actual variety of fruit and where it grows and how it’s processed, there’s just endless possibilities. We roast the bean and we crack them, which creates little broken pieces we call nibs, and we grind those up and add sugar to that and grind the sugar in until that is fully refined, as well. We make chips and we make bars. And then we have a confectionery team that takes our chocolate and turns it into caramels and pralines and chocolate truffles. The fruit is fermented over a period of time. We do factory tours every day. We teach the basics of even tasting and how to appreciate the variations in different origins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Even someone like me can come in and learn, maybe, like, how to make a bonbon?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Yeah? All right, let’s do it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah, let’s do it. And you — Yeah. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, like that. Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> We’re all prepped up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. We’re making chocolate caramels today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Chocolate caramels. Nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> This is a Dandelion bonbon mold. And I already prepped it with tempered chocolate. It’s our Camino Verde, Ecuador origin. And I made the caramel filling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. Get it right down inside there. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. Whoa! All right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Whoa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Oh. What am I gonna do with the extra?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Ooh. [ Laughs ] Oh, hello.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Okay, so now the caramel has had some time to settle in, and it’s time to put chocolate on to cap it. Try not to put too much chocolate on. And bring it to the edge of the table. I’m gonna go… So the chocolate flows in and fills all the gaps. Boom. Right off the edge. So now they’re completely sealed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> It’s gonna take about 5, 10 minutes for the chocolate to crystallize, to firm up. Here we go. So we’re just gonna flip it upside down onto the table. So like that. And we’ll reveal the… Ah! You didn’t even know this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> What did you do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> So I took what’s called a transfer sheet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Transfer sheet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Right. It’s got a cocoa butter pattern on there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> These are so pretty. Yay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> All right. There’s a lot of caramel. Mmm. So good. I made bonbons. All right. I don’t think these two are gonna make the cut. So one for me, one for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> I want to thank my great guests on this week’s show — Jamie Grisar, who’s got of passion for pinsas at Montesacro in Walnut Creek; Tony Martinez, who craves the keftedes at Mykonos Meze House in Burlingame; and Joshua Baldovino, who savors the smoked hamachi at Trifecta in San Jose. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots, right here on “Check, Please! Bay Area.” I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers. And cheers to you all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Thank you for being such great guests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> We’re gonna pipe it in. We’re gonna fill the molds up to the tippy top. Boom. Boom, boom, boom, boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Boom. Boom. Boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> And then we’re gonna turn it upside down. And we’re gonna “bam, bam, bam!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Whoa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Get the chocolate to come out so we can just leave a thin shell. Beautiful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Nice. Wow!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Ah, looks amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Yeah, it looks perfect. Looks great. It’s gonna make a great bonbon.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 14, airs Thursday, February 12, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our guests head to Burlingame at \u003cstrong>Mykonos Meze\u003c/strong>, where Greek small plates are meant for sharing and lingering. Diners scoop up tzatziki with warm pita, savor charred souvlaki, and enjoy keftedes and rich moussaka, finishing with honey-soaked baklava and profiteroles. Next, we head to San Jose’s \u003cstrong>Trifecta\u003c/strong>, an intimate, high-energy spot blending Japanese technique with Filipino influence, where dishes like smoked hamachi tacos, scallop carpaccio with lychee, chawanmushi with longanisa, and pristine nigiri sets showcase the chefs’ precision and playful creativity. Finally, we head to Walnut Creek’s \u003cstrong>Montesacro\u003c/strong>, where the Roman-inspired pinsa takes center stage in a warm, bustling space. Guests enjoy mouthwatering flatbreads topped with soppressata alongside bucatini amatriciana, supplì al telefono, and classic tiramisu. To cap off the episode, reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003cstrong>Dandelion Chocolate’s 16th Street Factory\u003c/strong> for “Cecilia Tries It,” trying her hand at making caramel bonbons and getting a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process from bean to bar.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1920px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23722 size-full\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_02-1536x864.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Jamie Grisar, Josh Baldovino and Tony Martinez from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"background-color: transparent\">Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.mykonosmeze.com/\">\u003cstrong>Mykonos Meze\u003c/strong> (Burlingame)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://trifectaomakase.com/\">\u003cstrong>Trifecta\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.montesacro.com/about-walnut-creek\">\u003cstrong>Montesacro \u003c/strong>(Walnut Creek)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23723\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-2000x2667.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-2000x2667.jpg 2000w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2026/02/2014_Wines-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.anabawines.com/\">Anaba Wines\u003c/a> is not only a family producer of a rich roster of wines; it’s a place for discovery. If you’re in the Sonoma area, make sure to stop by the winery. Named for the cooling influence of the nearby San Pablo Bay and Pacific Ocean breezes, also called anabatic winds, the wines focus on elegance, complexity and vibrancy that comes from grapes allowed to ripen slowly on the vine. Careful crafting of those grapes into wine is Anaba’s signature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A visit to the property evokes a casual vibe that marries a sense of fun and playfulness with seriously delicious wines. Founded by John Sweazey, a businessman turned vintner, the winery was a longtime dream of his from days traveling the wine world. He wanted to capture and share the sense of family and camaraderie that comes from a passion for the culture of wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2024 “Turbine White” Blend\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Sonoma Valley, California, $36\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>This Rhone-inspired white is a unique blend of grapes such as Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Viognier and Picpoul Blanc. A mouth-filling hit of citrus and melon notes led by aromas of honeysuckle, it’s an excellent alternative white to ring in any season of the year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Chardonnay, J McK Estate Vineyard\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Carneros, California, $64\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>This estate-grown Chardonnay, named after John Sweazey’s two children, John Michael and McKenna, is lush and creamy but balanced by racy acidity that leaves you with a thirst for more. It’s ideal paired alongside grilled fish or with a bite of brie cheese.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Pinot Noir\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Sonoma Coast, California, $54\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>The flagship Pinot of Anaba is a blend of some of the best vineyards planted in the cool Sonoma Coast appellation. Each vintage is a different blend of these vineyards, with the goal of making a stylishly sleek Pinot Noir that’s pure pleasure to sip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Anaba 2022 Grenache, Floria Marie Vineyard\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Russian River Valley, California, $54\u003c/em>\u003cb>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>Grenache is one of my favorite red grapes. Traditionally hailing from the southern Rhone Valley of France, it’s planted in select spots globally, including California. Anaba’s single-vineyard bottling is a powerfully spicy red packed with juicy fruit aromas and flavors wrapped in a sultry, smooth texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cstrong>Man #2\u003c/strong>: Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Authentic Greek mezes in Burlingame.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Salted, crispy, fluffy in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Roman pizzas and pasta in Walnut Creek.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, boy, I went nuts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And contemporary omakase in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> The scallops are so soft. It’s almost like you’re eating a cloud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Boom. Boom, boom, boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Indistinct conversations ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Hi. I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area,” the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now, we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots. And the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the “Check, Please” table today are investor services representative Jamie Grisar, electrical lineman Tony Martinez, and marketing manager Joshua Baldovino. Welcome, everyone. Ready for fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Tony’s choice specializes in small plates packed with big flavors. From tangy tzatziki, to grilled octopus, to warm flatbreads, the menu is a passport to the Aegean. So pour a little ouzo and get ready to say “opa” as we head to Burlingame, home to Mykonos Meze House.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> Mykonos Meze House is a Greek casual neighborhood eatery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Mykonos is like a party island and then the energies never end. Endless nightlife.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">I fell in love with the Greek food because of my mom, because moms are always the best. Meatballs — our favorite one. We are always cooking for lamb and meatballs at home. And I like always cooking barbecue. A live grill charbroil, I’m always using for mesquite. Our signature dish is Mykonos souvlaki. The souvlaki, we are using for prime tenderloin with the shallot onion together. The seasoning process is for two days to make them perfect. It’s gonna be melting in your mouth. Meze is the family-style sharing for the small appetizers, hot and cold. Our bar — We have many options. Specially, I like ouzo and tequila. But we have also wine and also other spirits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Together:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> What I’m always hearing from the people at the restaurant is, look for something living in there, something’s soul.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Ohh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ustel:\u003c/b> It feels like home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Tony. How many times have you been to this place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s gonna be over 500.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> 500?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> At least. I go there almost every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> That is amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Oh, I can see some Greekness going on in your tattoos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. My wife didn’t agree on this, but, you know, I got the Greek key on both sides, and I got the Parthenon, and I got Athena.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So you are Greek through and through?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yes. I’m infused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So what do you order when you walk in the door, you sit down, they say, “Hey, Tony, come. Here’s your table”?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The spreads. I usually do the spreads with the pita bread and the tzatziki’s in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They have pretty good spreads in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It really opens up your palate because there are so many dips. And the bread is nice and warm and fluffy. Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> So I got the keftedes, which I think is a classic dish that you have to get any time you go get Greek. That’s your benchmark. Half beef, half lamb. The way that they cooked it, it had a nice little crisp and char on the outside just from the grill, but on the inside was delicious. How they seasoned it was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So is there one dish that you just absolutely love and you order every time?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The chicken. It is grilled to perfection. It’s thighs. They’re real thin. So he puts Greek oregano, lemon, salt, and he just grills it over — It’s like a Pourgouri. And then he puts a little bed of tzatziki on it. And then with the pita bread, it’s heaven to me because that’s what I love. I love that, but, you know, that’s one of my favorites that I go for all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Did you have that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did not have the grilled chicken, but I did have a tenderloin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I was debating between the rib eye or the tenderloin when I got there, and I said, “You know what? I actually never order tenderloin. Let me try it.” And so it was these two tenderloin kebabs, grilled again. It was also plated on top of these roasted vegetables, which were delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I never eat all the vegetables, but actually that was maybe almost as good as the meat itself, ’cause the meat itself was tender, charred perfectly on the outside, and then the sauce that was on the bottom, I just kept scooping it with either the meat or the vegetables over and over.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> So you got your veggies. I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what about you, Jamie?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> So you mentioned the rib eye, and I did end up getting the rib eye. And it’s plated beautifully. It’s on a wood cutting board. And then they light it on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Together:\u003c/b> Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Opa! Opa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s ouzo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Ah. That’s why you light it on fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Got you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I’m glad she got to experience that, because that’s the whole idea there. And the “opa,” because they…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> It’s “opa” and ouzo!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it was awesome. The steak was — I got it medium rare. And so it was cooked perfectly. It had a beautiful sear on the outside and it came with these potatoes. Honestly, the potatoes were the star of the show. Better than the rib eye.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Salted. Crispy. Pillowy, fluffy in the middle. Could not ask for better potatoes. Honestly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They’re like steak fries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> They are. They’re thick. Oh, so good. We also got the lamb shank, so… And that was also extremely tender. That sauce — Oh, I could drink it. I could drink it. It was so good. I mean, I would just say it was like a Greek gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The moussaka is very good. It’s eggplant with potatoes and the Béchamel sauce. And it’s piping hot. So you got to wait. You got to let it breathe a little bit. So that gives you a chance to drink a little more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> It gives you a chance to drink something. So what did you have to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I’ve always liked the spicy margarita, but then it’s the White Shadow they always brought me because I like piña coladas. But it’s just, the only difference is vodka instead of Bacardi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Instead of rum. Mm-hmm. Okay. Did you have anything to drink alongside?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yeah. So I did a Paper Plane. So it’s a bourbon-based cocktail with some Aperol, and it was surprisingly refreshing. Normally you think of a whiskey cocktail as kind of being heavy and not so as refreshing, but this was a little bit of citrus to it with the Aperol. And so it was perfect for a weekend afternoon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Did anybody have dessert? Or in the many times you’ve gone, have you done dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Many times.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Profiteroles. Those are the best because they’re, like, puffy, you know, cream puffs with vanilla ice cream and just with a little chocolate drizzled on top of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> With the little one, did you get to share dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> I did. We got baklava because it comes with ice cream. So good. Honey, pistachio. And the phyllo is actually pretty soft because it’s so soaked. Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Glasses clink ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> So there’s another thing about Mykonos that when it turns dark, Marco comes out, the lights dim down, and then he gets the light shows going, and then he has a smoker, too. And then the music goes up. So if you’re gonna go there and you want to have a lively time, it’s gonna be after 8:00.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You’re capturing the fun of the island.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It’s great. I wish I was there now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Me too. All right. If you would like to try Mykonos Meze House, it’s located on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $60. Joshua says his sleek little sushi spot is one of Silicon Valley’s true hidden gems. Offering creative takes on Japanese and Filipino favorites, fruit-forward cocktails, and a lively vibe, every meal is a true feast for the senses. Tucked away in southern San Jose’s Silver Creek area, it’s Trifecta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> Trifecta is a Japanese sushi restaurant with Filipino influence starring me, my brother Ryan, and our mom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Thank you guys. Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> Sharing food that we love.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> All right. Enjoy, guys. Woman #2: Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> When people think of sushi, they just think of raw fish, rolls.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> We like to try not to be too traditional and bend the rules a little bit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> We like to kind of spice it up and add toppings to our nigiris.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> To the chefs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> We love to use, like, chicharrón and taro and use it as an added texture, depth, and crunch. But a lot of our sauces and flavors come from calamansi. So we do have our signature cold plates, like our yellowtail crudo, and bluefin tuna chili garlic — That’s probably our flagship dish. But a lot of Filipino dishes are hot. So, like, our short rib — a 72-hour braise.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Ryan:\u003c/b> The vibe is bustling. It’s cracking, it’s popping. We want to make sure our guests are taken care of, but we try to have fun at the same time and enjoy the moment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Bradley:\u003c/b> This is a dream come true. This is our hometown. So providing, you know, to our own community the food that we love doing, it just means a lot to us. Out of all the places in the world, they chose to be here with us. And that’s a special moment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Joshua, talk to me about this place, because it’s an interesting blend, isn’t it, of flavors and cultures and cuisines.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> It is. It’s these two Filipino brothers who have this traditional Japanese spot, but now they added a little bit of Filipino twist to it, so they get the best of both worlds now. If you’re going for the real exciting experience, you do omakase.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right. Chef choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Yes. Or you can do à la carte on the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did start with a cocktail at first. It was an espresso sesame sake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Ah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> That was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> So you get the hint of coffee, but you still have a nice sake, which brings this lightness to it. And then it has a sesame crisp on it, and it adds a nice little textural element.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, so you’ve got a cocktail in your glass and what goes with it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And then garlic edamame for me. If anyone’s been to Hawaii and has gotten any kind of garlic shrimp scampi, they have replicated that garlic sauce to a T. The edamame is just doused in it. And so you just can’t help but just take the entire bean and just get all the sauce and all the garlic. Maybe not great for the date after, but really good as you taste it through.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right. And, Jamie, what about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We did the omakase. And so the first dish they brought out was oysters. And the first oyster was with a yuzu vinaigrette. And the second was with a wasabi vinaigrette. The wasabi was so nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Like, it didn’t burn your nose. It was just that right amount of spicy. And that yuzu was refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And then after that, it was the chawanmushi, which is a Japanese soufflé. And it was beautiful. It was silky and salty and sweet and with a Filipino twist, they put in longganisa. And so it had the crispy bits and it had a beautiful seared scallop on it, so you also had that buttery taste. Really delicious for the first two courses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> First two courses. All right. We’ll get back to you with more. What about you now, Tony? How was your experience?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It was great. The little tacos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> The hamachi tacos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> They were delicious. Something about it. I’ve never had that flavor before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Have you had those before?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I did. So the hamachi tacos are really nice ’cause it is. It’s a nice little starter, as well. It’s a wonton crisp taco. And then you’ll have a little bit of avocado within. It’s raw hamachi on top with some sauce and then a sliced jalapeño.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> But I never had the raw. The raw fish. And that got me going. And I was like, “wow, that was good.” That’s why the yellowtail came in effect. And my son brought me into that. With the jalapeño oil sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. So that’s what you had next.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Ooh, yes. Oh, that was delicious. It just melted in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cspan class=\"s1\">♪\u003c/span> Girl, can I talk to you? \u003cspan class=\"s1\">♪\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> And with Rex, the deejay, Rex, was there going. He was the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">He came to us and talked to us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You like party places. I can tell. He likes party spots. All right. And what else did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yeah. So if you don’t want to go all the way raw, part of the omakase set was seared albacore tuna in a ponzu sauce. Light. Refreshing. With that, you know, hint of lime. And then after that, it was a nigiri plate. And so it was four pieces of nigiri and their in-house-made tamago with an egg omelet. But it was really good. And each piece has toppings. And it did really enhance the flavor of each piece of nigiri that we did get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. And you’re shaking your head, going…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Oh, I mean, you have to get some sushi, for sure. So whether you’re doing sashimi or nigiri, you have to try it. And two of my other favorites — There’s a scallop carpaccio dish. And so they have scallops. That’s paired with some lychee fruit. And they have some citrus around the plate, too. It looks like a piece of art on the plate itself. And the scallops are so soft. It’s almost like you’re eating a cloud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> We had the tempura roll. You know, the tempura roll was meshed together with the unagi sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> It was so good. So I’m a big fan of chicken. So when they said “fried chicken,” I said, “I got to have some of that.” And she brought it and it was so crispy and flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I’ve had the karaage there before, too. Right? Japanese fried chicken. But I think I’m always there for the seafood first. But the chicken is a nice change of pace, too. Did any of you guys get the short rib?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> No, I didn’t get the short rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> Okay, the short rib, it’s a fun showstopper ’cause it gets plated almost like a tomahawk steak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> It’s super-thick. And then it’s all plated on top of a kare-kare sauce, which is a Filipino kind of peanut-based sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Mmm. So I got to go back for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And did you feel like you got a good deal? I mean, it can be expensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> You know what? To me, the price doesn’t matter as long as you have fun. You know, that’s what matters — the experience. Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And in terms of value, I mean, omakase can get ridiculously expensive. And so if you’re looking for a high-end omakase without the crazy, crazy prices, this is definitely a good way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. Excellent. If you would like to try Trifecta, it’s located on Silver Creek Valley Road in San Jose, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $70. Jamie is bringing us back to the Mediterranean, to a lively trattoria that’s captured her heart. From cloudlike pizzas, to savory supplì, every dish on the menu is rooted in Roman culinary tradition. Located in Walnut Creek, it’s Montesacro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> Montesacro, it’s one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Rome, outside of where I grew up, packed with life. I wanted to create an environment elegant, upscale, refined, very Italian. Hello.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Speaks Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Conversing in Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Our intention is to bring people together, share as much as possible as a family, as friends. How was everything today?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> Montesacro opened as the first pinsa place in the United States in 2015 in San Francisco. Pinsa is not pizza. It runs in the family of pizza, but it’s made from soy, rice, and wheat, which already makes it completely different than traditional pizza. It proofs for a minimum of 72 hours, and we stretch it à la minute over rice flour to give it a little extra crispiness after it’s cooked. It’s oval in shape. It’s not round or square. And that’s pinsa. Pinsa Romana. We have different appetizers, pastas — all homemade. Our cacio e pepe, I believe, is the closest to what I would expect to eat in Rome. The octopus appetizer is one of our highlights. It’s cooked to tender, simply dressed with the most amazing extra-virgin olive oil, and drizzled with some fresh oregano. With all due respect to Californian wines, which we absolutely love, we decided to feature only Italian wines made from indigenous grape varietals of Italy only. Salute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Salute.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Speaks Italian ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Gianluca:\u003c/b> My biggest hope with people experiencing Montesacro, once they go back home, is to say, “You’ve got to try this because it’s not the ordinary Italian restaurant. It’s something unique,” because it’s what we’re trying to achieve more than anything else. Create an experience that is memorable, that is forever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, Jamie, talk about how you found this restaurant. I mean, there’s not a lot of Roman-inspired restaurants, and the food in Rome is the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Oh, totally the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Uh-huh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We were actually on the hunt for gnocchi. We just looked up “gnocchi” on Yelp, and there it was — Montesacro. And it was in a red sauce, which is kind of rare for the Bay Area. And we’re like, “We have to go.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> And what is it that you get besides the gnocchi?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> We start with the supplì al telefono, which are these beautiful golden balls. They’re fried. They call it supplì al telefono because in the middle, it’s stuffed with mozzarella cheese. And so when you pull it open, you get that nice string of cheese and it looks like a telephone wire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it’s so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> To me, it’s like adult cheese sticks, you know? So you get the nice exterior, which has a nice crust to it, seasoned really well. And then, as you open it up, I mean, I judge the cheese sticks by the cheese pull. And so you can pull it and it does have that classic cheese pull and it was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay. How about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Oh, boy, I went nuts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Why does that not surprise me?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Yeah. I mean… Forget the salad. We go to the porchetta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Woman:\u003c/b> Oh, that looks lovely. Woman #2: Oh, my goodness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Just savory. I love it. And they mixed it with the orange all day on that one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> The porchetta is really good. It was — I actually haven’t ordered it. The table next to us did, and I think they saw me eyeing their food and they said, “Do you want to try this?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> They did not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> I swear they did. No, this place is so friendly ’cause you’re sitting so close to one another. So you can kind of tell, like, “Oh, I like what’s on your plate. Oh, I don’t like what’s on your plate.” I do actually get another pasta dish. I get the Amatriciana, which is a bucatini with a spicy marinara sauce and guanciale. I can eat pounds and pounds of guanciale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It’s just a funkier pancetta.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> You have that little more earthy flavor than…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> But it melts right in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It does ’cause that fat cap is so big. Your mouth is coated in, like, fat, but it’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right. We are gonna talk about pinsas. So that’s really the heart of this place and what sets it apart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> It is, yes. Different flour blend. So it’s almost lighter, chewier. And it gets really crisp. You get that nice char all around. We always, always get the [Haltingly] Tormarancia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Easy for you to say.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yes. Sure. Yes. It’s basically a souped-up Margherita pizza, but with spicy soppressata.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> And it’s lovely with the sweet tomato sauce and the spicy, salty meat. It’s just the perfect combination.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> We did the same one as you, but then we also established the baseline with the Margherita, ’cause I feel like you have to establish the baseline. But I agree — The dough was delicious and the Margherita itself, it definitely lands more on the heavier basil side. So if you love basil, then you’re really gonna enjoy this pinsa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Okay, what did you drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I went to the martini. It was the spicy G&C martini. It was Calabrese oil with the olive in it. This was the spicy, and one of the best, martinis I’ve ever had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Oh, that’s awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> The best. And it was perfect with my pinsa. Perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> They do have a special cocktail, which is a pistachio espresso martini.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> And the presentation of this is so pretty. Almost, like, a quarter of the glass had crushed pistachios on the outside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Did you get a spoon?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Baldovino:\u003c/b> I mean, I did just bite it off afterwards ’cause it was a nice nutty treat to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Yeah. Anybody have dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> I got three of the desserts. And tiramisu — That’s the one I really love. When you bite into it, just don’t breathe in because you get the coffee. [ Breathes sharply] You get the coffee, and you start sneezing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Grisar:\u003c/b> Yeah, the coffee, the cocoa powder down your throat. Like a beignet almost.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> That was like, “Oh, no.” But, you know. Then we had the chocolate torte.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Man:\u003c/b> Oh, man, look at that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Filled with fresh cream. I’m not a big chocolate guy, but that was pretty good. That was good. The last one was the pinsa filled with — They almost tried to copy a cannoli, but it missed the point to me because the tiramisu had me already.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> All right, the tiramisu won. If you would like to try Montesacro, it’s located on Locust Street in Walnut Creek, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $45. And now reporter Cecilia Phillips has more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> We are so lucky to be able to come to Dandelion Chocolate today. And this place. I could smell it before we even walked in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. I ride my bike into work and I’ll be a block away. And even without seeing it, I can [Sniffs] I was like, “Ah, I’m getting close to work.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Both laugh ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Tell me more about Dandelion Chocolate and the special things that you all do here with single-origin chocolate. Just two ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> That’s right. Cocoa beans and organic cane sugar. And what we call cocoa beans are actually not beans. They’re seeds of a tropical fruit called cacao. And each pod contains about 50 unique fruits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Mm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> So we source cocoa beans from about 20 or so unique locations around the world. And depending on the actual variety of fruit and where it grows and how it’s processed, there’s just endless possibilities. We roast the bean and we crack them, which creates little broken pieces we call nibs, and we grind those up and add sugar to that and grind the sugar in until that is fully refined, as well. We make chips and we make bars. And then we have a confectionery team that takes our chocolate and turns it into caramels and pralines and chocolate truffles. The fruit is fermented over a period of time. We do factory tours every day. We teach the basics of even tasting and how to appreciate the variations in different origins.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Even someone like me can come in and learn, maybe, like, how to make a bonbon?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Yeah? All right, let’s do it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah, let’s do it. And you — Yeah. Yeah. Oh, my gosh. Yeah, like that. Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> We’re all prepped up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. We’re making chocolate caramels today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Chocolate caramels. Nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> This is a Dandelion bonbon mold. And I already prepped it with tempered chocolate. It’s our Camino Verde, Ecuador origin. And I made the caramel filling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yeah. Get it right down inside there. Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze. Whoa! All right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Whoa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Oh. What am I gonna do with the extra?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p1\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">Ooh. [ Laughs ] Oh, hello.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">[ Laughs ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Okay, so now the caramel has had some time to settle in, and it’s time to put chocolate on to cap it. Try not to put too much chocolate on. And bring it to the edge of the table. I’m gonna go… So the chocolate flows in and fills all the gaps. Boom. Right off the edge. So now they’re completely sealed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> It’s gonna take about 5, 10 minutes for the chocolate to crystallize, to firm up. Here we go. So we’re just gonna flip it upside down onto the table. So like that. And we’ll reveal the… Ah! You didn’t even know this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> What did you do?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> So I took what’s called a transfer sheet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Transfer sheet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Right. It’s got a cocoa butter pattern on there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> These are so pretty. Yay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Yay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> All right. There’s a lot of caramel. Mmm. So good. I made bonbons. All right. I don’t think these two are gonna make the cut. So one for me, one for you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> I want to thank my great guests on this week’s show — Jamie Grisar, who’s got of passion for pinsas at Montesacro in Walnut Creek; Tony Martinez, who craves the keftedes at Mykonos Meze House in Burlingame; and Joshua Baldovino, who savors the smoked hamachi at Trifecta in San Jose. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots, right here on “Check, Please! Bay Area.” I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers. And cheers to you all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Martinez:\u003c/b> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Sbrocco:\u003c/b> Thank you for being such great guests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> We’re gonna pipe it in. We’re gonna fill the molds up to the tippy top. Boom. Boom, boom, boom, boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Boom. Boom. Boom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> And then we’re gonna turn it upside down. And we’re gonna “bam, bam, bam!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Whoa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Get the chocolate to come out so we can just leave a thin shell. Beautiful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Phillips:\u003c/b> Nice. Wow!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"p2\">\u003cb>Durfee:\u003c/b> Ah, looks amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ready to eat your way around the Bay? \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> keeps the season rolling with four weeks of bold flavors. From Kansas City-inspired barbecue in Napa to Swedish street food influenced by Middle Eastern flavors in Petaluma, the James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series returns this February with eateries that reflect the region’s ever-evolving food scene.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each week, three Bay Area locals sit down with host Leslie Sbrocco to champion their favorite restaurants, swap passionate opinions, and debate what makes a meal truly memorable. Along the way, viewers will dig into everything from playful and innovative takes on tacos in Oakland to Filipino-Japanese mashups in San Jose. Plus, reporter Cecilia Phillips goes behind the scenes at Dandelion Chocolate in San Francisco and finds a world of Latin flavors at G Spot Happy Tastebuds in San Jose.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don’t miss the last four new episodes of season 20, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9, starting on February 5.\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pull up a chair and bring your appetite! Here’s what’s on our plates this February:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://youtu.be/cqhOOxxZp9w\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 5\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Napa\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Stateline Road Smokehouse\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, chef Darryl Bell Jr. brings Kansas City-inspired barbecue to wine country rooted in Bell’s childhood memories and community traditions.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Stockhome\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Petaluma\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers a casual yet deeply personal take on Swedish street food influenced by Middle Eastern flavors — comfort food that reflects chef Roberth Sundell’s heritage and the multicultural spirit of modern-day Stockholm.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Financial District at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bar Sprezzatura\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a stylish Italian aperitivo spot inspired by Venice, diners sip classic cocktails and graze on cicchetti with flair against a glamorous backdrop that celebrates downtown San Francisco’s revival.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 12\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our guests head to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Burlingame\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Mykonos Meze\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where Greek small plates — think keftedes and rich moussaka — are meant for sharing and lingering.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Trifecta\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an intimate, high-energy spot blending Japanese technique with Filipino influence, dishes like smoked hamachi tacos and chawanmushi with longanisa showcase the chefs’ precision and playful creativity.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Roman-inspired pinsa takes center stage at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Walnut Creek\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Montesacro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where guests enjoy mouthwatering flatbreads topped with soppressata alongside bucatini amatriciana, supplì al telefono, and classic tiramisu. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Dandelion Chocolate\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s 16th Street Factory in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for “Cecilia Tries It,” getting a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process from bean to bar.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 19\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Danville\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sideboard\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a laid-back neighborhood spot where breakfasts are both comforting and creative: think asparagus-and-goat-cheese breakfast pudding, a stacked breakfast burger complete with a fried egg, and bakery-case favorites like ginger molasses cookies and lemon lavender teacakes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Tacos Oscar\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> keeps things playful and innovative, turning out charred broccoli tacos slicked with peanut sauce, sweet-and-savory camote tacos, and tostadas piled high with greens, all best enjoyed with chips and smoky salsa morita.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>New Eritrea\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, flaky mixed veggie and lentil sambusas give way to a vibrant vegetarian combo platter spread across injera flatbread, alongside other bold, East African bites — a communal, hands-on meal that invites you to tear, scoop, and share. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The episode wraps up as reporter Cecilia Phillips brings “Cecilia Tries It” to \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>G Spot Happy Tastebuds\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, exploring a hub of Latin-focused food trucks serving bold, crave-worthy dishes in a lively, communal setting.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 26\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Smoke and bold flavors kick things off at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Smokin’ D’s\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Sunset, where Texas-style barbecue meets Mexican and Asian flair: think pork spare ribs alongside smoked brisket tucked into fluffy bao.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Down the coast at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pacifica\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Rosalind Bakery\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, guests head to a bread-lover’s paradise known for iconic sesame-seed hoagie rolls, flaky chocolate almond croissants, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast sandos layered with egg, pimiento cheese, and rosemary ham.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Mateo\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Taishoken Ramen\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, house-made noodles shine in dishes like Tokyo-style aburasoba and spicy tsukemen with rich dipping broth, delivering deep umami and hands-on slurping satisfaction.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at\u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\"> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> For the upcoming season, we’re especially interested in your North Bay picks!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Financial District at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bar Sprezzatura\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a stylish Italian aperitivo spot inspired by Venice, diners sip classic cocktails and graze on cicchetti with flair against a glamorous backdrop that celebrates downtown San Francisco’s revival.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 12\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our guests head to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Burlingame\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Mykonos Meze\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where Greek small plates — think keftedes and rich moussaka — are meant for sharing and lingering.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Trifecta\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an intimate, high-energy spot blending Japanese technique with Filipino influence, dishes like smoked hamachi tacos and chawanmushi with longanisa showcase the chefs’ precision and playful creativity.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Roman-inspired pinsa takes center stage at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Walnut Creek\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Montesacro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where guests enjoy mouthwatering flatbreads topped with soppressata alongside bucatini amatriciana, supplì al telefono, and classic tiramisu. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Dandelion Chocolate\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s 16th Street Factory in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for “Cecilia Tries It,” getting a behind-the-scenes look at the chocolate-making process from bean to bar.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">February 19\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Danville\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sideboard\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a laid-back neighborhood spot where breakfasts are both comforting and creative: think asparagus-and-goat-cheese breakfast pudding, a stacked breakfast burger complete with a fried egg, and bakery-case favorites like ginger molasses cookies and lemon lavender teacakes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Tacos Oscar\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> keeps things playful and innovative, turning out charred broccoli tacos slicked with peanut sauce, sweet-and-savory camote tacos, and tostadas piled high with greens, all best enjoyed with chips and smoky salsa morita.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at \u003c/span>\u003cb>New Eritrea\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, flaky mixed veggie and lentil sambusas give way to a vibrant vegetarian combo platter spread across injera flatbread, alongside other bold, East African bites — a communal, hands-on meal that invites you to tear, scoop, and share. \u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">The 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Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at\u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\"> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> For the upcoming season, we’re especially interested in your North Bay picks!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ready for a culinary escape? \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> continues its 20th season with a delicious three-part spotlight on the Monterey Bay Area’s dynamic dining scene before returning to the Bay Area. The James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series returns this July with standout restaurants serving everything from smoky brisket and Thai street food to São Paulo-style stews and over-the-top hot dogs.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Each week, three Bay Area locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to recommend their favorite spots, swap stories, and dive into spirited food debates. This season serves up everything from vegetarian tasting menus in Pacific Grove to house-butchered meats in Seaside and seafood towers paired with ocean views, surf-town charm, and serious flavor in Monterey. Plus, Cecilia Tries It heads to Castroville for a tasting tour along the Monterey County Artichoke Trail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don’t miss the premiere of four new episodes, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9, starting on July 10.\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hungry for a preview? Here’s what’s on our plate this season:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c!-- iframe plugin v.4.3 wordpress.org/plugins/iframe/ -->\u003cbr>\n\u003ciframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"315\" height=\"560\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/zu6nM8Yqk90\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" scrolling=\"yes\" class=\"iframe-class\">\u003c/iframe>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 10\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Seaside\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Meatery Butchery & Eatery\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves up bold sandwiches, house-made sausages, and 18-hour smoked brisket from a chef who sources his meats with care.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Hanloh Thai Food \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">in downtown \u003c/span>\u003cb>Santa Cruz \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers seasonal Thai dishes like double-fried gai tod hat yai and steamed black cod in spicy lime broth, all inspired by the chef’s Thai-Californian roots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Schooners Monterey\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> delivers panoramic ocean views and sustainable seafood, including a saffron-tomato cioppino, Dungeness crab BLT rolls, and classic ice cream sundaes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 17\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>El Bistro by The Sea \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">brings a Mexican twist to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Carmel\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> breakfasts, with dishes like crème brûlée French toast, chilaquiles rojos, and chile relleno omelettes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pacific Grove \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">wows guests with creative vegetarian fare, including a crispy fried mushroom samplers, yellow coconut curry, and standout pizzas.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sampa Brazilian Kitchen\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Santa Cruz\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, diners savor São Paulo-inspired dishes like moqueca, vegan feijoada, and pão de queijo — all paired with tropical juices, local beers, and live music.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 24\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Woody’s at the Airport\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Monterey\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers elevated comfort food with runway views — think buttery sand dabs, honey chili wings, and “Wills Fargo” steak bites.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Lucy’s on Lighthouse\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pacific Grove\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves over-the-top hot dogs like the bacon-wrapped Asilomar and the pulled pork–topped Cobblestones dog, plus crispy tots with Lucy’s house sauce.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Home\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Soquel\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Chef Brad Briske crafts seasonal dishes from locally sourced ingredients — from fried chicken with anchovy aioli to candy cap mushroom panna cotta.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Castroville\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to explore the legacy and lore of the Monterey Bay Area’s most iconic vegetable: the humble artichoke.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 31\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Brezo\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> delights in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Albany\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with Latin-Californian comfort food like banana Kahlúa French toast, gorditas, and the juicy Brezo Burger.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Fillmore District, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Minnie Bell’s Soul Food Movement\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves rosemary fried chicken, brown butter cornbread, and mac and cheese rooted in Southern family tradition.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Rise Woodfire Pizza\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Mateo\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> turns a historic train station into a dining destination with wood-fired pies, rotisserie meats, and decadent desserts.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, Cecilia Phillips visits \u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>’s \u003cb>Japantown\u003c/b> for market-fresh bites and the vibrant sights and sounds of the \u003cb>Obon Festival\u003c/b>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 10\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Seaside\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Meatery Butchery & Eatery\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves up bold sandwiches, house-made sausages, and 18-hour smoked brisket from a chef who sources his meats with care.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Hanloh Thai Food \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">in downtown \u003c/span>\u003cb>Santa Cruz \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">offers seasonal Thai dishes like double-fried gai tod hat yai and steamed black cod in spicy lime broth, all inspired by the chef’s Thai-Californian roots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Schooners Monterey\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> delivers panoramic ocean views and sustainable seafood, including a saffron-tomato cioppino, Dungeness crab BLT rolls, and classic ice cream sundaes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 17\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>El Bistro by The Sea \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">brings a Mexican twist to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Carmel\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> breakfasts, with dishes like crème brûlée French toast, chilaquiles rojos, and chile relleno omelettes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Julia’s Vegetarian Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pacific Grove \u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">wows guests with creative vegetarian fare, including a crispy fried mushroom samplers, yellow coconut curry, and standout pizzas.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sampa Brazilian Kitchen\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Santa Cruz\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, diners savor São Paulo-inspired dishes like moqueca, vegan feijoada, and pão de queijo — all paired with tropical juices, local beers, and live music.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 24\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Woody’s at the Airport\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Monterey\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> offers elevated comfort food with runway views — think buttery sand dabs, honey chili wings, and “Wills Fargo” steak bites.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Lucy’s on Lighthouse\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pacific Grove\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves over-the-top hot dogs like the bacon-wrapped Asilomar and the pulled pork–topped Cobblestones dog, plus crispy tots with Lucy’s house sauce.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Home\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Soquel\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, Chef Brad Briske crafts seasonal dishes from locally sourced ingredients — from fried chicken with anchovy aioli to candy cap mushroom panna cotta.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, Cecilia Phillips heads to \u003c/span>\u003cb>Castroville\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to explore the legacy and lore of the Monterey Bay Area’s most iconic vegetable: the humble artichoke.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">July 31\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Brezo\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> delights in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Albany\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> with Latin-Californian comfort food like banana Kahlúa French toast, gorditas, and the juicy Brezo Burger.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Fillmore District, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Minnie Bell’s Soul Food Movement\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> serves rosemary fried chicken, brown butter cornbread, and mac and cheese rooted in Southern family tradition.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Rise Woodfire Pizza\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Mateo\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> turns a historic train station into a dining destination with wood-fired pies, rotisserie meats, and decadent desserts.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, Cecilia Phillips visits \u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>’s \u003cb>Japantown\u003c/b> for market-fresh bites and the vibrant sights and sounds of the \u003cb>Obon Festival\u003c/b>.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "check-please-bay-area-reviews-ethels-fancy-catos-ale-house-kiku-sushi",
"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Ethel's Fancy, Cato's Ale House, Kiku Sushi",
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"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Ethel’s Fancy, Cato’s Ale House, Kiku Sushi | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 1, airs Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome to the premiere of the 20th season of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>! This week’s episode starts in the heart of downtown Palo Alto at \u003cstrong>Ethel’s Fancy\u003c/strong>, where a Michelin-trained chef brings modern twists to Japanese American cuisine with a lively, shareable menu. In an inviting, modern space accented with playful touches, diners feast on charcoal-grilled prawns, richly flavored Brandt Farms beef striploin, and delicate black sesame soft serve. Over in Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue district, \u003cstrong>Cato’s Ale House\u003c/strong> has been a neighborhood institution since 1994, drawing in locals with its warm, wood-paneled interior and an ever-rotating selection of nearly two dozen craft beers. Favorites include the satisfying Retroburger, the melty, smoky pastrami sandwich, and the crispy-yet-juicy Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich. Finally, \u003cstrong>Kiku Sushi\u003c/strong> in Berkeley is known for both its pristine seafood alongside an extensive vegetarian and vegan sushi selection, making it a go-to for groups with diverse tastes. Whether it’s the eggplant-based fireman roll with a spicy kick, the buttery sake toro nigiri, or the satisfyingly crunchy crispy rice with avocado, Kiku offers something for every sushi lover.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23434\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23434\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Jason Stein, Imani Isles and Eddie Ng from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ethelsfancypa.com/\">\u003cstrong>Ethel’s Fancy\u003c/strong> (Palo Alto)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://catosalehouse.com/\">\u003cstrong>Cato’s Ale House\u003c/strong> (Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kikusushivegetarian.com/berkeley-page\">\u003cstrong>Kiku Sushi\u003c/strong> (Berkeley)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23435\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-800x829.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"829\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-800x829.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1020x1057.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-160x166.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-768x796.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1483x1536.png 1483w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1977x2048.png 1977w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1920x1989.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.corcellars.com\">Cor Cellars 2023 ‘AGO’ Tocai Friulano\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Columbia Gorge, Washington $30\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Cor Cellars was founded in 2004 by Luke Bradford and is now run alongside his wife, Meg. They have several different labels representing the brand including their distinctive lineup called AGO (meaning “before the present time”).This racy white is made with a famed northern Italian grape, Tocai Friulano, planted in the Columbia Gorge wine-growing area. Alluring aromas of white peaches draw you in for a taste that’s a touch earthy with a creamy texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"http://www.amosrome.com\">Amos Rome Vineyards 2023 Grüner Veltliner\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Lake Chelan, Washington $30\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Lake Chelan is known for its beautiful scenery and as a destination for outdoor activities. Lately, the viticultural area has also been gaining acclaim for its wines. The well-known Austrian grape, Grüner Veltliner, thrives in cooler climates producing crisp, bright whites. Planted in Amos Rome’s High Blossom Vineyard, this Grüner shines.This version from winemaker and owner Travis Clark, is zesty with hints of citrus, herbal notes, and a mouthwatering freshness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.devisonvintners.com\">Devison 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Evergreen Vineyard\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Columbia Valley, Washington $28\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The mantra of winery owners, Peter and Kelsey Devison, is “Texture. Tension. Terroir.” Three words that perfectly describe their lineup of singular wines including this world-class Sauvignon Blanc. Hailing from the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, it expresses minerality and citrus intensity layered with lushness. Though this is a serious Sauvignon Blanc that reminds me of classic French Sancerre, its whimsical label and succulent character make it seriously fun to sip.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"250\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"211\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Seasonal small plates in Palo Alto…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"252\" data-end=\"307\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"252\" data-end=\"264\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: I wish I had it in front of me right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"365\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"327\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: …pub classics on tap in Oakland…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"440\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"382\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I really like the Retroburger, kind of a perfect burger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"501\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"460\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: …and rockin’ sushi rolls in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"518\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: It’s just absolutely to die for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"572\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"614\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"631\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: This is the vibe. I’m enjoying the music. I’m enjoying the conversation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"740\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"725\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"769\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"757\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Life is…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"789\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"806\" data-end=\"821\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"1323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"841\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"904\">Check, Please! Bay Area,\u003c/em> the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now, we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots, and the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the \u003cem data-start=\"1147\" data-end=\"1163\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are tattoo artist Jason Stein, project manager Eddie Ng, and data analyst and model Imani Isles. Welcome, everyone. Are you ready for our fun show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1346\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1340\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1378\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1360\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Can’t wait.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1398\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: We kick things off with Eddie’s pick. Offering an elevated yet approachable menu of shareable plates in a hip, modern space, it’s the perfect place to throw a dinner party for his friends. Minus the cleanup. Located in downtown Palo Alto, it’s Ethel’s Fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1675\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1696\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: At Ethel’s Fancy, we wanted to keep it fun. It’s very evident when you walk in here that there’s a lot of energy going on. Open kitchen and an open fire and great hospitality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1961\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1882\">Man\u003c/strong>: Alrighty, guys. Here we got the miso-marinated cucumbers, Asian Shinko pears.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"2740\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"1982\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: This is a very personal restaurant named after my grandmother and my mom. I’m originally from Hawaii, born and raised on Maui. Because Hawaii is such a melting pot of different cultures, we take a lot of inspiration from different cuisines. Being Japanese-American, I definitely wanted to introduce a little bit of that into my cooking. Most of my training has been in French and Italian, but it’s hard not to get influenced by the things that I grew up eating and I love to eat. I always had a deep love for cooking growing up with my mom and my grandmother. There’s one dish in particular that we do. It’s a kampachi crudo, inspired by a Japanese senbei recipe that my mom used to make. You do it on a little yakitori cracker. A lot of textures going on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2780\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2751\">Woman\u003c/strong>: It’s amazing. It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"3486\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"2801\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: Growing up, I loved barbecues outside, and Japanese yakitori is like one of my favorite things to eat. We grill over wood and binchotan, which is Japanese charcoal, to impart that nice smoky flavor to everything. Another aspect I really wanted for the restaurant was having soft serve, because I love soft serve. We’re constantly changing those flavors up, and we pair it with fresh fruit in season. This is a black sesame crumble, frozen raspberries. While we take the food and the drinks very seriously, we don’t try to take ourselves seriously. We want it to be a really fun and interactive space. You see that…that nod from people, and you know that they’re having a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3503\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3505\" data-end=\"3524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3505\" data-end=\"3512\">Man\u003c/strong>: Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3526\" data-end=\"3608\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3526\" data-end=\"3544\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright, Eddie. Ethel’s Fancy. Sounds like such a unique spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"3744\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"3622\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah. I highly recommend you come here with a lot of people, at least four, just so you can try everything and share it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3764\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And what do you usually start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"4040\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"3815\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: We open with getting the bread. It’s this milk bread. It’s nice and golden on top, super piping warm. And they have this beautiful dab of butter or some sea salt that you could put on top of it. Honestly, you don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4042\" data-end=\"4190\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4042\" data-end=\"4057\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: We also started with the bread, and the bread is — I’ve had milk bread other places before. This was definitely something special.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4192\" data-end=\"4350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4192\" data-end=\"4207\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah. It just kind of melts in your mouth. I mean, it was super soft, and I think there was black sesame seeds, like, sprinkled on top of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4352\" data-end=\"4376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4352\" data-end=\"4367\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4378\" data-end=\"4465\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4378\" data-end=\"4393\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I mean, Ethel’s Fancy, like, yes, she is. Like, Ethel’s \u003cem data-start=\"4451\" data-end=\"4458\">fancy\u003c/em> Fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4467\" data-end=\"4489\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4467\" data-end=\"4482\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4491\" data-end=\"4525\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4491\" data-end=\"4506\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: It was very nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"4606\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"4545\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright, so after the rolls, where do you head on the menu?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4608\" data-end=\"4743\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4608\" data-end=\"4620\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: The menu is always constantly changing with the season, but if they do have it, you should get the hand-cut beef tartare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4745\" data-end=\"4770\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4745\" data-end=\"4760\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4772\" data-end=\"5070\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4772\" data-end=\"4784\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: There’s like, kind of a soy sauce-y umami essence to it. There was like a cracker that came with it that you could get that crunchy texture as you need it, contrasting with the soft tenderness of the meat. Just thinking about right now, like, I wish I had it in front of me right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5113\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5087\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: And the soft-boiled egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5115\" data-end=\"5181\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5115\" data-end=\"5130\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I can taste it the way that you’re describing it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5183\" data-end=\"5209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5183\" data-end=\"5195\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, the egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5260\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5226\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: That soy egg that it comes with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5262\" data-end=\"5299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5262\" data-end=\"5274\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Oh, the egg was —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5301\" data-end=\"5342\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5301\" data-end=\"5319\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You got this as well?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5344\" data-end=\"5426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5344\" data-end=\"5359\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah. It was amazing. Probably one of the best tartares I’ve had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5454\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5440\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5456\" data-end=\"5889\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5456\" data-end=\"5471\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: So good. We ordered the sesame pancake, which was really great. The pancake itself is almost like a mochi sort of chewy kind of thing with great sesame flavor. And then it came with this sauce that was sort of the star of it. It was a whipped cream with a smoked fish in it. It also had an avocado, which seems like it would be overkill on the creamy, whatever. But all the flavors complemented each other perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5936\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5909\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Imani’s shaking her head.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5938\" data-end=\"6237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5938\" data-end=\"5953\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I mean, it was sensational. I also had the pancakes, and they’re small. They’re a little more dense than you think they would be. That chili on the side really complemented. It wasn’t an overwhelming heat. I think it paired very nicely with the fish and the texture of the pancakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"130\" data-end=\"406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"130\" data-end=\"148\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Jason’s keeping it casual with his favorite place to kick back with a burger and a brew. His only challenge—deciding which craft beer to choose of the more than 20 on tap year-round. Located in Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue neighborhood, it’s Cato’s Ale House.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"408\" data-end=\"423\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"425\" data-end=\"450\">Woman: Thanks for coming!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"470\">Man: How you been?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"487\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"506\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: People are very intrigued by Cato’s when they come in. It looks like a house as it was and it was converted into a restaurant. There’s nooks and crannies for you to have an intimate date night. There is space for you to have a group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"743\" data-end=\"760\">Together: Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"777\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"1584\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"796\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: We have live music every Wednesday and Sunday. We have trivia every Monday evening. It’s a very comfortable space. Our menu is a hodgepodge of different things, so we have snackable, shareable plates, we have burgers, sandwiches. You can customize your own pizza. There’s something for everybody. My favorite thing on the menu is the Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich. The vinegar-based slaw is awesome. So a simple sandwich that just ends up blowing your mind. We’re really proud to serve 23 lines of craft beer. We were one of the first restaurants in the Bay Area to have Pliny the Elder from Russian River on draught permanently. We are happy to guide you. If you don’t know what kind of beer you’re looking for—malty, sweet, tart. And if you do, that’s great. We’ll get you ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1610\">[bell ringing, cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1820\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1629\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: You’ll notice that we have a standing bar where you’re going to bump elbows and mingle with the people you’re around, and we really do that to embrace and encourage interaction with guests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1854\">Woman: You gonna have some food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1856\" data-end=\"2514\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1856\" data-end=\"1873\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: Awesome. I’ve been coming to Cato’s since I was a child. I’ve been coming for the 30 years that we’ve been open. I started working here in the kitchen seven years ago, worked my way up to manager. And it’s just the best place to work with the best people. None of us feel like we’re working, honestly. It just feels like a place where we get to come hang out. We do get a lot of families in here—a lot of kids who we know by name, we watch them grow up, and they feel that Cato’s is theirs. I think that’s one of the most important things about Cato’s—it feels like it’s everybody’s space. It’s “my Cato’s.” To everybody, it’s “my Cato’s.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2570\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2534\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So, Jason, is this your go-to pub?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2587\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Pretty much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2632\">Man: I’ll take a Pliny.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2651\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: Pliny?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2661\" data-end=\"2671\">Man: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"3278\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"2688\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: It’s just got a very cozy atmosphere that you feel instantly comfortable in. A lot of places that are pubs, they’ll have a good selection of beer and, eh, they have food, you know? This place, they really focus on the food. And I really like the Retroburger. It’s got bacon on it—crisp, thick bacon. The bun is just right. You know, it’s not an overly fat brioche bun or something obtrusive. It’s just enough to sort of carry the burger. They cook it perfectly every time if you ask for it medium rare. The fries that come with it are great. Yeah, it’s kind of a perfect burger, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3310\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3298\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You agree?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3528\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3324\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, so I 100% agree with everything. I think the only thing I can add to it is it’s the kind of burger that you want to reach for so many napkins ’cause it’s so messy, but just in the best way possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3545\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3566\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: And I was just, like, grabbing the napkins, and I felt like so much joy just eating it. It was very substantial. Like, I couldn’t finish it. I wanted—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3762\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3738\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: It was a 20-napkin-er.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"4008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"3776\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Oh, definitely. Yes, yes. And they had this Chuseok porter, a local Oakland brewery called Dokkaebier. And I was so excited to try it because I hadn’t seen it anywhere else, and it’s a really great way to start off the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4025\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So they have a huge drink menu. I’m a cider girl myself, so I tried this like blue cosmic cider. Very citrus forward. It had a great taste to it and a great color as well. I think it brought a little fun to the night. And one of the standout dishes for me was the mac and cheese. I love a mac and cheese. I actually make a great mac and cheese—just a small plug. So this mac and cheese was—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4460\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4437\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So you judge harshly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4767\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4477\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I judge harshly. I know what I’m talking about. This mac and cheese was very creamy and it had some breadcrumbs on top that were just a good juxtaposition to the creamy and the crunchy. I think it had a great flavor as well, very well seasoned, so it kind of gave it this like homey feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4769\" data-end=\"4793\">Man: Hot, hot, hot, hot!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4795\" data-end=\"4846\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4795\" data-end=\"4810\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Did anybody go on Wednesday night?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4848\" data-end=\"4865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4848\" data-end=\"4860\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4867\" data-end=\"4887\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4867\" data-end=\"4882\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"4941\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"4904\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: They have live music on Wednesdays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"4989\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"4958\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Oh, yeah. I heard about that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4991\" data-end=\"5255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4991\" data-end=\"5006\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So it was very nice ’cause you’re just enjoying kind of this live band and you’re just like, hey, this is—this is the vibe. I’m enjoying the music. I’m enjoying the conversation. The drinks are flowing, the mac and cheese is creamy. I really like—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5257\" data-end=\"5295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5257\" data-end=\"5275\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5297\" data-end=\"5322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5297\" data-end=\"5312\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Life is—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5324\" data-end=\"5357\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5324\" data-end=\"5342\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"141\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"99\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Any other dishes you want to talk about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"143\" data-end=\"455\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"143\" data-end=\"158\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I really like their—actually, their bánh mì I think is great. They have a chicken bánh mì, and they also have a tofu bánh mì. They’re both lemongrass. And for a non-Vietnamese place, it’s a pretty solid bánh mì. Spicy, a little bit acidic. It’s got the pickled veggies on it. I think it’s great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"472\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Mmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"805\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"492\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: So my wife got the pastrami sandwich. Any time she sees it anywhere, she loves to try different pastrami sandwiches. The portion sizes are super generous. The bread was toasted beautifully, like you have the golden-brown exterior. The meat was packed high. She was really happy that she got to try it, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"1017\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"822\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So, I had the Hallelujah! sandwich. It’s a fried chicken sandwich with a spicy coleslaw and a lemon aioli. And it’s very messy, just like the burger, but equally delicious. I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1070\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1036\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: I’ve got a pepperoni pizza here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1210\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1087\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: My partner had the pizza, so there was, like, mushrooms, sausage on the pizza, and he did not have any complaints either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1268\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1230\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Did you have anything else to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1369\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1285\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I had the Irish Red Ale. Just balanced, you know, not too bitter. Yeah. Nice beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1389\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: No room for dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1428\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I’d just get the beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1469\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: The beer was a dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1496\" data-end=\"1540\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1496\" data-end=\"1508\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah, the beer was my dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1597\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1557\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah, exactly. Who has room, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1617\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And did you feel like this was an affordable place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1684\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, absolutely. I think it was such a great neighborhood spot to have to go to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"2091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1782\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: We actually went there, and we bumped into a friend of ours who lives in Oakland, and they were watching the Celtics game. So that’s a good opportunity as well. If you’re a huge sports fan, that’s another element of community. There’s no seats at the bar, but there are people yelling for their team to win.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2111\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Would you go back again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2151\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, absolutely. I would go back again. 100%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2214\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2241\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright. If you would like to try Cato’s Ale House, it’s located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2241\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Imani feels transported to Japan every time she steps into her\u003cbr>\nfavorite sushi bar. Featuring fish flown in daily, including a\u003cbr>\nmelt-on-your-tongue toro, it’s no wonder it’s become\u003cbr>\nher date night destination. Located in Berkeley, it’s Kiku Sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"506\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"293\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Kiku Sushi is bringing two worlds together in one place — vegetarian and fish at the same time and same place and make them happy. We are immigrants from Mongolia. We work in Japanese restaurant at the beginning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"527\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> After I went to the school, I teach my sister how to make sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"616\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Then we decided us open the sushi restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"683\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> I like working at the sushi bar. I want to see people happy when they get the fishes. They want to watch me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"816\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> This is the fireman roll. So this has avocado on the bottom with the eggplant a little bit torched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"937\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Good-quality fish comes from all over the world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1010\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Vegetables is endless vegetables we can use. On the menu, there is so many different things I love to eat. Always the sashimis, homemade black cod marinated. So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1198\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Rice is the most important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1250\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> We use short-grain sushi rice imported from Japan. We do have a special secret of making the sushi vinegars. The sushi rice, mixing is a very important part of it. When you’re mixing the rice, you don’t want to chop in through it. So that’s the reason the chef is mixing so that it doesn’t break the rice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1792\">Don’t be surprised, every time you come, depending on the season, we make different kind of vegetarian dishes. One of my favorite is the seaweed salad. We use six different kinds of seaweed with the homemade sauce, which is very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"2002\">Making sushi, it is kind of art. Everybody has a different style, different imaginations to make the plate look amazing. I’m glad I learned it. I’m one of the woman chef in the Bay Area. I’m very proud of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2014\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Chicken teriyaki.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2227\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2056\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> People after leave my restaurant, we would like to know them to be fully satisfied. They will remember what delicious food they had. Ohh! Thank you. Thank you for coming.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2227\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"169\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"120\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, so this is a date-night destination place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"383\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"187\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yes, for sure. It’s a very small, very intimate restaurant. There’s wood paneling on the walls and on the ceiling. The lights are kind of integrated within that wood paneling. It feels very cozy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"385\" data-end=\"761\">I started with the seaweed salad. It’s a beautiful, like, array of colors. You have some red, some burgundy, some green, of course, and it’s topped with sesame seeds. It’s a little bland, I would say. And how I spice it up is adding a little soy sauce, and that just perks it right up. It’s just a perfect starter, kind of awakens your palate and gets you ready for the sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"939\">My go-to dish is the negi toro. I really like a fatty tuna. It is just very buttery, very soft, melts in your mouth, topped with scallions. And it’s just absolutely to die for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"1221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"957\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Their fish was very fresh. I tried to get the negi toro. They were out of it, sadly, but I did get a salmon nigiri that was great, although they seared the salmon, which was really good. I normally prefer it raw, but I enjoyed it. It was great. It was very fatty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1328\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1239\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s salmon with salmon roe on top, and it’s, again, buttery, melts in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1561\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1346\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> And their nigiri are large, too. You get a big piece of fish. I had the escolar nigiri, which was amazing. The flavor of the fish was just so complex and fresh and perfect. And they put a little green onion on top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1585\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1579\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1987\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1600\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> My wife and I, we went for lunch. So what was really nice was that they had these different sets that you can pick from. So my wife got the sashimi lunch set, and there you can customize. If you didn’t want one fish, you could sub one out. So she had decided to get the chu-toro. She’s a big fan of fatty tuna. So everything that she got was really amazing. You could taste the quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2315\">So for myself, I actually decided to go a different direction. I did their nigiri vegetarian set. And so each nigiri was a different type of vegetable. And it was really amazing how they were able to nuance flavors out of those vegetables. Like, there was eggplant that was really amazing. That was just something really cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2542\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2333\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I tried the Kiku roll. And the Kiku roll was sensational. No wonder it’s their namesake because it had yams. It was very crunchy, very savory, deep fried as well. So it fills you up, and it’s just phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2829\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2560\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I had also off the vegetarian menu, the Fireman’s roll, which was, I thought, great. It had a spicy sauce and the eggplant was charred and smoky. The overall flavor was just this strong smoke profile, not like a sushi roll I’ve had anywhere before. It was tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2831\" data-end=\"2934\">Their vegetarian options were great. They had a crispy rice with sweet potato puree that was fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"3117\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"2952\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> We’ve also had the crispy rice with sweet potato and it was delicious. Very crunchy. Kind of gets stuck in your teeth a little bit. Take your time. But very savory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3141\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3129\">Woman:\u003c/strong> How was it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3168\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3157\">Young man:\u003c/strong> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3354\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3186\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I ordered the crispy rice with avocado. And I think I prefer the sweet potato just because of the sweetness, the juxtaposition of the savory rice and the sweet potato.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3372\">Young woman:\u003c/strong> That’s really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3410\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> It just kind of has a nice savory flavor in your mouth. And for dessert, I had the strawberry mochi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3521\">Man:\u003c/strong> Oh, that’s fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3556\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> The mochi is a kind of gummy texture. And then inside is strawberry ice cream. And it was just a nice, something sweet, something brief to have right after your dinner. I very much enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3770\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you get anything to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"4009\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"3822\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I usually get saké. This one was kind of milky. Very good creamy texture to it. And one of my favorite things about Kiku is that when you choose to order saké, you can choose your glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4011\" data-end=\"4032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4011\" data-end=\"4019\">All:\u003c/strong> [exclaiming]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4252\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4050\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> So they come to you and they give you, like, a series of, like, ornate glasses. And it’s just kind of this customization, like this choice that you didn’t know that you needed. But it was nice to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4254\" data-end=\"4291\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4254\" data-end=\"4267\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s pretty cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4359\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4309\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I also had sake. I didn’t get to choose my glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4380\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4369\">All:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4398\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4408\" data-end=\"4430\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4408\" data-end=\"4424\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Gasp!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4432\" data-end=\"4478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4432\" data-end=\"4451\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You weren’t on date night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4480\" data-end=\"4792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4480\" data-end=\"4496\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I guess not. Yeah. You know. But they did have these cool glasses that had a sort of thing in it that they could put ice in, so it kept it cold, but without it being in the saké. And they were pretty. But I could see that they had a lot of glasses around. So I guess, you know, one could choose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"4816\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"4810\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4818\" data-end=\"4843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4818\" data-end=\"4831\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4845\" data-end=\"4898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4845\" data-end=\"4861\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Well, let’s bring that up next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"4922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"4916\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4924\" data-end=\"4968\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4924\" data-end=\"4943\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You have to go together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4970\" data-end=\"4995\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4970\" data-end=\"4986\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4997\" data-end=\"5226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4997\" data-end=\"5013\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah. The service is also very cozy. Very, like, community oriented. I feel like the service was just checking in on you, making sure that you have everything and not overwhelming you with too many rules at once.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5280\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5247\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you feel that about service?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5600\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5295\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. You know, they were very attentive. They, you know, ask questions like, What were you interested in? They try to work with you, like with my wife, with the customization. I just thought they really wanted you to feel at home in their restaurant. And, you know, I think it goes a long way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5602\" data-end=\"5670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5602\" data-end=\"5621\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And sushi typically is a pricier meal, isn’t it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5688\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah, usually. They’re pretty reasonable, I thought.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5943\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5759\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> This is very accessible. Yeah. And I think that aspect of like the vegetarian menu as well kind of contributes to that accessibility. But it is not like crazy price range I would say.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"6074\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"5958\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> But you know, I definitely want to go back for a date night and try the saké. That sounds like a really great time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6076\" data-end=\"6110\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6076\" data-end=\"6092\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Highly recommend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6112\" data-end=\"6131\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6112\" data-end=\"6125\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6133\" data-end=\"6302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6133\" data-end=\"6152\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, if you would like to try Kiku Sushi, it’s located on Gilman Street in Berkeley, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"104\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites? You’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"184\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"175\">Cecilia:\u003c/strong> [laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"266\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"205\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Check out \u003cem data-start=\"216\" data-end=\"234\">Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"280\">Cecilia:\u003c/strong> [chuckles] Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"317\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — \u003cstrong data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"387\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>, who raves about the retro burger at Cato’s Ale House in Oakland, \u003cstrong data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"466\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>, who has no problem sharing the mouthwatering morsels at Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"556\" data-end=\"571\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>, who loves sipping saké at Kiku Sushi in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"801\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"715\" data-end=\"740\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. I’m Leslie Sbrocco and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"827\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"819\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"848\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Was reaching for your glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"903\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"895\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"921\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"913\">All:\u003c/strong> [laugh]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"950\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"942\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"967\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"969\" data-end=\"1519\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"969\" data-end=\"989\">Scott Nishiyama:\u003c/strong> One of the dishes that we’re most proud of is probably the milk bread. It started just from a regular Japanese milk bread, but we’ve added some twists to it. We use Rouge de Bordeaux flour that adds a delicious nuttiness and whole grain flavor to the bread. It also retains that nice fluffy texture. We pair it with a cultured butter that’s infused with Amazake, which is a Japanese rice drink. It comes out to the table nice and hot. The butter melts beautifully on it. And it flies out the door. We sell out almost every night.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Ethel's Fancy, Cato's Ale House, Kiku Sushi | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 1, airs Thursday, April 10, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome to the premiere of the 20th season of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>! This week’s episode starts in the heart of downtown Palo Alto at \u003cstrong>Ethel’s Fancy\u003c/strong>, where a Michelin-trained chef brings modern twists to Japanese American cuisine with a lively, shareable menu. In an inviting, modern space accented with playful touches, diners feast on charcoal-grilled prawns, richly flavored Brandt Farms beef striploin, and delicate black sesame soft serve. Over in Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue district, \u003cstrong>Cato’s Ale House\u003c/strong> has been a neighborhood institution since 1994, drawing in locals with its warm, wood-paneled interior and an ever-rotating selection of nearly two dozen craft beers. Favorites include the satisfying Retroburger, the melty, smoky pastrami sandwich, and the crispy-yet-juicy Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich. Finally, \u003cstrong>Kiku Sushi\u003c/strong> in Berkeley is known for both its pristine seafood alongside an extensive vegetarian and vegan sushi selection, making it a go-to for groups with diverse tastes. Whether it’s the eggplant-based fireman roll with a spicy kick, the buttery sake toro nigiri, or the satisfyingly crunchy crispy rice with avocado, Kiku offers something for every sushi lover.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23434\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23434\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Guests_02.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Jason Stein, Imani Isles and Eddie Ng from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ethelsfancypa.com/\">\u003cstrong>Ethel’s Fancy\u003c/strong> (Palo Alto)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://catosalehouse.com/\">\u003cstrong>Cato’s Ale House\u003c/strong> (Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kikusushivegetarian.com/berkeley-page\">\u003cstrong>Kiku Sushi\u003c/strong> (Berkeley)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-23435\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-800x829.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"829\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-800x829.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1020x1057.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-160x166.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-768x796.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1483x1536.png 1483w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1977x2048.png 1977w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2001_Wines-1920x1989.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.corcellars.com\">Cor Cellars 2023 ‘AGO’ Tocai Friulano\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Columbia Gorge, Washington $30\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Cor Cellars was founded in 2004 by Luke Bradford and is now run alongside his wife, Meg. They have several different labels representing the brand including their distinctive lineup called AGO (meaning “before the present time”).This racy white is made with a famed northern Italian grape, Tocai Friulano, planted in the Columbia Gorge wine-growing area. Alluring aromas of white peaches draw you in for a taste that’s a touch earthy with a creamy texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"http://www.amosrome.com\">Amos Rome Vineyards 2023 Grüner Veltliner\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Lake Chelan, Washington $30\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Lake Chelan is known for its beautiful scenery and as a destination for outdoor activities. Lately, the viticultural area has also been gaining acclaim for its wines. The well-known Austrian grape, Grüner Veltliner, thrives in cooler climates producing crisp, bright whites. Planted in Amos Rome’s High Blossom Vineyard, this Grüner shines.This version from winemaker and owner Travis Clark, is zesty with hints of citrus, herbal notes, and a mouthwatering freshness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"x_MsoNormal\">\u003cb>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.devisonvintners.com\">Devison 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Evergreen Vineyard\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003c/b>\u003cem>Columbia Valley, Washington $28\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The mantra of winery owners, Peter and Kelsey Devison, is “Texture. Tension. Terroir.” Three words that perfectly describe their lineup of singular wines including this world-class Sauvignon Blanc. Hailing from the Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, it expresses minerality and citrus intensity layered with lushness. Though this is a serious Sauvignon Blanc that reminds me of classic French Sancerre, its whimsical label and succulent character make it seriously fun to sip.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"250\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"211\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Seasonal small plates in Palo Alto…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"252\" data-end=\"307\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"252\" data-end=\"264\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: I wish I had it in front of me right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"365\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"309\" data-end=\"327\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: …pub classics on tap in Oakland…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"440\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"367\" data-end=\"382\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I really like the Retroburger, kind of a perfect burger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"501\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"442\" data-end=\"460\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: …and rockin’ sushi rolls in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"518\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: It’s just absolutely to die for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"554\" data-end=\"572\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"588\" data-end=\"614\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"631\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: This is the vibe. I’m enjoying the music. I’m enjoying the conversation.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"740\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"725\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"769\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"742\" data-end=\"757\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Life is…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"771\" data-end=\"789\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"806\" data-end=\"821\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"1323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"841\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"904\">Check, Please! Bay Area,\u003c/em> the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. Now, we have three guests, and each one recommends one of their favorite spots, and the other two go check them out to see what they think. Joining me at the \u003cem data-start=\"1147\" data-end=\"1163\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are tattoo artist Jason Stein, project manager Eddie Ng, and data analyst and model Imani Isles. Welcome, everyone. Are you ready for our fun show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1346\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1325\" data-end=\"1340\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1378\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1360\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Can’t wait.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1380\" data-end=\"1398\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: We kick things off with Eddie’s pick. Offering an elevated yet approachable menu of shareable plates in a hip, modern space, it’s the perfect place to throw a dinner party for his friends. Minus the cleanup. Located in downtown Palo Alto, it’s Ethel’s Fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1675\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1677\" data-end=\"1696\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: At Ethel’s Fancy, we wanted to keep it fun. It’s very evident when you walk in here that there’s a lot of energy going on. Open kitchen and an open fire and great hospitality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1961\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1882\">Man\u003c/strong>: Alrighty, guys. Here we got the miso-marinated cucumbers, Asian Shinko pears.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"2740\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1963\" data-end=\"1982\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: This is a very personal restaurant named after my grandmother and my mom. I’m originally from Hawaii, born and raised on Maui. Because Hawaii is such a melting pot of different cultures, we take a lot of inspiration from different cuisines. Being Japanese-American, I definitely wanted to introduce a little bit of that into my cooking. Most of my training has been in French and Italian, but it’s hard not to get influenced by the things that I grew up eating and I love to eat. I always had a deep love for cooking growing up with my mom and my grandmother. There’s one dish in particular that we do. It’s a kampachi crudo, inspired by a Japanese senbei recipe that my mom used to make. You do it on a little yakitori cracker. A lot of textures going on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2780\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2742\" data-end=\"2751\">Woman\u003c/strong>: It’s amazing. It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"3486\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"2801\">Scott Nishiyama\u003c/strong>: Growing up, I loved barbecues outside, and Japanese yakitori is like one of my favorite things to eat. We grill over wood and binchotan, which is Japanese charcoal, to impart that nice smoky flavor to everything. Another aspect I really wanted for the restaurant was having soft serve, because I love soft serve. We’re constantly changing those flavors up, and we pair it with fresh fruit in season. This is a black sesame crumble, frozen raspberries. While we take the food and the drinks very seriously, we don’t try to take ourselves seriously. We want it to be a really fun and interactive space. You see that…that nod from people, and you know that they’re having a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3488\" data-end=\"3503\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3505\" data-end=\"3524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3505\" data-end=\"3512\">Man\u003c/strong>: Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3526\" data-end=\"3608\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3526\" data-end=\"3544\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright, Eddie. Ethel’s Fancy. Sounds like such a unique spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"3744\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3610\" data-end=\"3622\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah. I highly recommend you come here with a lot of people, at least four, just so you can try everything and share it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3746\" data-end=\"3764\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And what do you usually start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"4040\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3803\" data-end=\"3815\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: We open with getting the bread. It’s this milk bread. It’s nice and golden on top, super piping warm. And they have this beautiful dab of butter or some sea salt that you could put on top of it. Honestly, you don’t need it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4042\" data-end=\"4190\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4042\" data-end=\"4057\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: We also started with the bread, and the bread is — I’ve had milk bread other places before. This was definitely something special.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4192\" data-end=\"4350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4192\" data-end=\"4207\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah. It just kind of melts in your mouth. I mean, it was super soft, and I think there was black sesame seeds, like, sprinkled on top of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4352\" data-end=\"4376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4352\" data-end=\"4367\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4378\" data-end=\"4465\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4378\" data-end=\"4393\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I mean, Ethel’s Fancy, like, yes, she is. Like, Ethel’s \u003cem data-start=\"4451\" data-end=\"4458\">fancy\u003c/em> Fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4467\" data-end=\"4489\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4467\" data-end=\"4482\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4491\" data-end=\"4525\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4491\" data-end=\"4506\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: It was very nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"4606\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4527\" data-end=\"4545\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright, so after the rolls, where do you head on the menu?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4608\" data-end=\"4743\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4608\" data-end=\"4620\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: The menu is always constantly changing with the season, but if they do have it, you should get the hand-cut beef tartare.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4745\" data-end=\"4770\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4745\" data-end=\"4760\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4772\" data-end=\"5070\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4772\" data-end=\"4784\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: There’s like, kind of a soy sauce-y umami essence to it. There was like a cracker that came with it that you could get that crunchy texture as you need it, contrasting with the soft tenderness of the meat. Just thinking about right now, like, I wish I had it in front of me right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5113\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5072\" data-end=\"5087\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: And the soft-boiled egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5115\" data-end=\"5181\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5115\" data-end=\"5130\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I can taste it the way that you’re describing it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5183\" data-end=\"5209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5183\" data-end=\"5195\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, the egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5260\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5211\" data-end=\"5226\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: That soy egg that it comes with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5262\" data-end=\"5299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5262\" data-end=\"5274\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Oh, the egg was —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5301\" data-end=\"5342\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5301\" data-end=\"5319\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You got this as well?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5344\" data-end=\"5426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5344\" data-end=\"5359\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah. It was amazing. Probably one of the best tartares I’ve had.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5454\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5428\" data-end=\"5440\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yes. Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5456\" data-end=\"5889\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5456\" data-end=\"5471\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: So good. We ordered the sesame pancake, which was really great. The pancake itself is almost like a mochi sort of chewy kind of thing with great sesame flavor. And then it came with this sauce that was sort of the star of it. It was a whipped cream with a smoked fish in it. It also had an avocado, which seems like it would be overkill on the creamy, whatever. But all the flavors complemented each other perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5936\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5909\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Imani’s shaking her head.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5938\" data-end=\"6237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5938\" data-end=\"5953\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I mean, it was sensational. I also had the pancakes, and they’re small. They’re a little more dense than you think they would be. That chili on the side really complemented. It wasn’t an overwhelming heat. I think it paired very nicely with the fish and the texture of the pancakes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"130\" data-end=\"406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"130\" data-end=\"148\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Jason’s keeping it casual with his favorite place to kick back with a burger and a brew. His only challenge—deciding which craft beer to choose of the more than 20 on tap year-round. Located in Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue neighborhood, it’s Cato’s Ale House.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"408\" data-end=\"423\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"425\" data-end=\"450\">Woman: Thanks for coming!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"452\" data-end=\"470\">Man: How you been?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"487\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"489\" data-end=\"506\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: People are very intrigued by Cato’s when they come in. It looks like a house as it was and it was converted into a restaurant. There’s nooks and crannies for you to have an intimate date night. There is space for you to have a group.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"743\" data-end=\"760\">Together: Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"762\" data-end=\"777\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"1584\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"796\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: We have live music every Wednesday and Sunday. We have trivia every Monday evening. It’s a very comfortable space. Our menu is a hodgepodge of different things, so we have snackable, shareable plates, we have burgers, sandwiches. You can customize your own pizza. There’s something for everybody. My favorite thing on the menu is the Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich. The vinegar-based slaw is awesome. So a simple sandwich that just ends up blowing your mind. We’re really proud to serve 23 lines of craft beer. We were one of the first restaurants in the Bay Area to have Pliny the Elder from Russian River on draught permanently. We are happy to guide you. If you don’t know what kind of beer you’re looking for—malty, sweet, tart. And if you do, that’s great. We’ll get you ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1610\">[bell ringing, cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1820\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1612\" data-end=\"1629\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: You’ll notice that we have a standing bar where you’re going to bump elbows and mingle with the people you’re around, and we really do that to embrace and encourage interaction with guests.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1854\">Woman: You gonna have some food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1856\" data-end=\"2514\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1856\" data-end=\"1873\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: Awesome. I’ve been coming to Cato’s since I was a child. I’ve been coming for the 30 years that we’ve been open. I started working here in the kitchen seven years ago, worked my way up to manager. And it’s just the best place to work with the best people. None of us feel like we’re working, honestly. It just feels like a place where we get to come hang out. We do get a lot of families in here—a lot of kids who we know by name, we watch them grow up, and they feel that Cato’s is theirs. I think that’s one of the most important things about Cato’s—it feels like it’s everybody’s space. It’s “my Cato’s.” To everybody, it’s “my Cato’s.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2570\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2516\" data-end=\"2534\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So, Jason, is this your go-to pub?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2587\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Pretty much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2632\">Man: I’ll take a Pliny.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2634\" data-end=\"2651\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: Pliny?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2661\" data-end=\"2671\">Man: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"3278\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2673\" data-end=\"2688\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: It’s just got a very cozy atmosphere that you feel instantly comfortable in. A lot of places that are pubs, they’ll have a good selection of beer and, eh, they have food, you know? This place, they really focus on the food. And I really like the Retroburger. It’s got bacon on it—crisp, thick bacon. The bun is just right. You know, it’s not an overly fat brioche bun or something obtrusive. It’s just enough to sort of carry the burger. They cook it perfectly every time if you ask for it medium rare. The fries that come with it are great. Yeah, it’s kind of a perfect burger, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3310\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3298\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You agree?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3528\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3324\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, so I 100% agree with everything. I think the only thing I can add to it is it’s the kind of burger that you want to reach for so many napkins ’cause it’s so messy, but just in the best way possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3530\" data-end=\"3545\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3566\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: And I was just, like, grabbing the napkins, and I felt like so much joy just eating it. It was very substantial. Like, I couldn’t finish it. I wanted—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3762\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3738\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: It was a 20-napkin-er.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"4008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3764\" data-end=\"3776\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Oh, definitely. Yes, yes. And they had this Chuseok porter, a local Oakland brewery called Dokkaebier. And I was so excited to try it because I hadn’t seen it anywhere else, and it’s a really great way to start off the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4025\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So they have a huge drink menu. I’m a cider girl myself, so I tried this like blue cosmic cider. Very citrus forward. It had a great taste to it and a great color as well. I think it brought a little fun to the night. And one of the standout dishes for me was the mac and cheese. I love a mac and cheese. I actually make a great mac and cheese—just a small plug. So this mac and cheese was—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4460\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4419\" data-end=\"4437\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So you judge harshly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4767\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4477\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: I judge harshly. I know what I’m talking about. This mac and cheese was very creamy and it had some breadcrumbs on top that were just a good juxtaposition to the creamy and the crunchy. I think it had a great flavor as well, very well seasoned, so it kind of gave it this like homey feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4769\" data-end=\"4793\">Man: Hot, hot, hot, hot!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4795\" data-end=\"4846\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4795\" data-end=\"4810\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Did anybody go on Wednesday night?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4848\" data-end=\"4865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4848\" data-end=\"4860\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4867\" data-end=\"4887\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4867\" data-end=\"4882\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"4941\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4889\" data-end=\"4904\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: They have live music on Wednesdays.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"4989\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4943\" data-end=\"4958\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Oh, yeah. I heard about that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4991\" data-end=\"5255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4991\" data-end=\"5006\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So it was very nice ’cause you’re just enjoying kind of this live band and you’re just like, hey, this is—this is the vibe. I’m enjoying the music. I’m enjoying the conversation. The drinks are flowing, the mac and cheese is creamy. I really like—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5257\" data-end=\"5295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5257\" data-end=\"5275\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5297\" data-end=\"5322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5297\" data-end=\"5312\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Life is—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5324\" data-end=\"5357\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5324\" data-end=\"5342\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Life is good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"141\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"81\" data-end=\"99\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Any other dishes you want to talk about?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"143\" data-end=\"455\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"143\" data-end=\"158\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I really like their—actually, their bánh mì I think is great. They have a chicken bánh mì, and they also have a tofu bánh mì. They’re both lemongrass. And for a non-Vietnamese place, it’s a pretty solid bánh mì. Spicy, a little bit acidic. It’s got the pickled veggies on it. I think it’s great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"472\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Mmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"805\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"480\" data-end=\"492\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: So my wife got the pastrami sandwich. Any time she sees it anywhere, she loves to try different pastrami sandwiches. The portion sizes are super generous. The bread was toasted beautifully, like you have the golden-brown exterior. The meat was packed high. She was really happy that she got to try it, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"1017\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"822\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: So, I had the Hallelujah! sandwich. It’s a fried chicken sandwich with a spicy coleslaw and a lemon aioli. And it’s very messy, just like the burger, but equally delicious. I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1070\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1019\" data-end=\"1036\">Cara Devereux\u003c/strong>: I’ve got a pepperoni pizza here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1210\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1072\" data-end=\"1087\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: My partner had the pizza, so there was, like, mushrooms, sausage on the pizza, and he did not have any complaints either.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1268\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1212\" data-end=\"1230\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Did you have anything else to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1369\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1285\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I had the Irish Red Ale. Just balanced, you know, not too bitter. Yeah. Nice beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1389\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: No room for dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1413\" data-end=\"1428\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: I’d just get the beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1454\" data-end=\"1469\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: The beer was a dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1496\" data-end=\"1540\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1496\" data-end=\"1508\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Yeah, the beer was my dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1597\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1557\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>: Yeah, exactly. Who has room, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1599\" data-end=\"1617\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And did you feel like this was an affordable place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1672\" data-end=\"1684\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, absolutely. I think it was such a great neighborhood spot to have to go to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"2091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1767\" data-end=\"1782\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: We actually went there, and we bumped into a friend of ours who lives in Oakland, and they were watching the Celtics game. So that’s a good opportunity as well. If you’re a huge sports fan, that’s another element of community. There’s no seats at the bar, but there are people yelling for their team to win.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2093\" data-end=\"2111\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Would you go back again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2151\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>: Oh, absolutely. I would go back again. 100%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2199\" data-end=\"2214\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2241\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Alright. If you would like to try Cato’s Ale House, it’s located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"2223\" data-end=\"2241\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Imani feels transported to Japan every time she steps into her\u003cbr>\nfavorite sushi bar. Featuring fish flown in daily, including a\u003cbr>\nmelt-on-your-tongue toro, it’s no wonder it’s become\u003cbr>\nher date night destination. Located in Berkeley, it’s Kiku Sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"506\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"293\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Kiku Sushi is bringing two worlds together in one place — vegetarian and fish at the same time and same place and make them happy. We are immigrants from Mongolia. We work in Japanese restaurant at the beginning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"527\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> After I went to the school, I teach my sister how to make sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"594\" data-end=\"616\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Then we decided us open the sushi restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"664\" data-end=\"683\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> I like working at the sushi bar. I want to see people happy when they get the fishes. They want to watch me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"816\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> This is the fireman roll. So this has avocado on the bottom with the eggplant a little bit torched.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"918\" data-end=\"937\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Good-quality fish comes from all over the world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1010\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Vegetables is endless vegetables we can use. On the menu, there is so many different things I love to eat. Always the sashimis, homemade black cod marinated. So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1198\">Jay Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> Rice is the most important.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1250\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> We use short-grain sushi rice imported from Japan. We do have a special secret of making the sushi vinegars. The sushi rice, mixing is a very important part of it. When you’re mixing the rice, you don’t want to chop in through it. So that’s the reason the chef is mixing so that it doesn’t break the rice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1792\">Don’t be surprised, every time you come, depending on the season, we make different kind of vegetarian dishes. One of my favorite is the seaweed salad. We use six different kinds of seaweed with the homemade sauce, which is very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"2002\">Making sushi, it is kind of art. Everybody has a different style, different imaginations to make the plate look amazing. I’m glad I learned it. I’m one of the woman chef in the Bay Area. I’m very proud of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2004\" data-end=\"2014\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Chicken teriyaki.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2227\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2056\">Sophia Batsaikhan:\u003c/strong> People after leave my restaurant, we would like to know them to be fully satisfied. They will remember what delicious food they had. Ohh! Thank you. Thank you for coming.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2227\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"250\" data-end=\"269\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"169\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"120\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, so this is a date-night destination place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"383\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"187\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yes, for sure. It’s a very small, very intimate restaurant. There’s wood paneling on the walls and on the ceiling. The lights are kind of integrated within that wood paneling. It feels very cozy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"385\" data-end=\"761\">I started with the seaweed salad. It’s a beautiful, like, array of colors. You have some red, some burgundy, some green, of course, and it’s topped with sesame seeds. It’s a little bland, I would say. And how I spice it up is adding a little soy sauce, and that just perks it right up. It’s just a perfect starter, kind of awakens your palate and gets you ready for the sushi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"763\" data-end=\"939\">My go-to dish is the negi toro. I really like a fatty tuna. It is just very buttery, very soft, melts in your mouth, topped with scallions. And it’s just absolutely to die for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"1221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"957\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Their fish was very fresh. I tried to get the negi toro. They were out of it, sadly, but I did get a salmon nigiri that was great, although they seared the salmon, which was really good. I normally prefer it raw, but I enjoyed it. It was great. It was very fatty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1328\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1239\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s salmon with salmon roe on top, and it’s, again, buttery, melts in your mouth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1561\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1346\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> And their nigiri are large, too. You get a big piece of fish. I had the escolar nigiri, which was amazing. The flavor of the fish was just so complex and fresh and perfect. And they put a little green onion on top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1585\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1579\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1987\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1600\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> My wife and I, we went for lunch. So what was really nice was that they had these different sets that you can pick from. So my wife got the sashimi lunch set, and there you can customize. If you didn’t want one fish, you could sub one out. So she had decided to get the chu-toro. She’s a big fan of fatty tuna. So everything that she got was really amazing. You could taste the quality.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1989\" data-end=\"2315\">So for myself, I actually decided to go a different direction. I did their nigiri vegetarian set. And so each nigiri was a different type of vegetable. And it was really amazing how they were able to nuance flavors out of those vegetables. Like, there was eggplant that was really amazing. That was just something really cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2542\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2333\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I tried the Kiku roll. And the Kiku roll was sensational. No wonder it’s their namesake because it had yams. It was very crunchy, very savory, deep fried as well. So it fills you up, and it’s just phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2829\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2544\" data-end=\"2560\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I had also off the vegetarian menu, the Fireman’s roll, which was, I thought, great. It had a spicy sauce and the eggplant was charred and smoky. The overall flavor was just this strong smoke profile, not like a sushi roll I’ve had anywhere before. It was tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2831\" data-end=\"2934\">Their vegetarian options were great. They had a crispy rice with sweet potato puree that was fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"3117\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2936\" data-end=\"2952\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> We’ve also had the crispy rice with sweet potato and it was delicious. Very crunchy. Kind of gets stuck in your teeth a little bit. Take your time. But very savory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3141\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3119\" data-end=\"3129\">Woman:\u003c/strong> How was it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3168\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3157\">Young man:\u003c/strong> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3354\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3170\" data-end=\"3186\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I ordered the crispy rice with avocado. And I think I prefer the sweet potato just because of the sweetness, the juxtaposition of the savory rice and the sweet potato.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3356\" data-end=\"3372\">Young woman:\u003c/strong> That’s really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3410\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> It just kind of has a nice savory flavor in your mouth. And for dessert, I had the strawberry mochi.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3513\" data-end=\"3521\">Man:\u003c/strong> Oh, that’s fire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3540\" data-end=\"3556\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> The mochi is a kind of gummy texture. And then inside is strawberry ice cream. And it was just a nice, something sweet, something brief to have right after your dinner. I very much enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3770\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you get anything to drink?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"4009\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3806\" data-end=\"3822\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> I usually get saké. This one was kind of milky. Very good creamy texture to it. And one of my favorite things about Kiku is that when you choose to order saké, you can choose your glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4011\" data-end=\"4032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4011\" data-end=\"4019\">All:\u003c/strong> [exclaiming]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4252\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4034\" data-end=\"4050\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> So they come to you and they give you, like, a series of, like, ornate glasses. And it’s just kind of this customization, like this choice that you didn’t know that you needed. But it was nice to have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4254\" data-end=\"4291\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4254\" data-end=\"4267\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s pretty cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4359\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4309\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I also had sake. I didn’t get to choose my glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4380\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4369\">All:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4398\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4408\" data-end=\"4430\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4408\" data-end=\"4424\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Gasp!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4432\" data-end=\"4478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4432\" data-end=\"4451\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You weren’t on date night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4480\" data-end=\"4792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4480\" data-end=\"4496\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> I guess not. Yeah. You know. But they did have these cool glasses that had a sort of thing in it that they could put ice in, so it kept it cold, but without it being in the saké. And they were pretty. But I could see that they had a lot of glasses around. So I guess, you know, one could choose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"4816\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4794\" data-end=\"4810\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4818\" data-end=\"4843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4818\" data-end=\"4831\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4845\" data-end=\"4898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4845\" data-end=\"4861\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Well, let’s bring that up next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"4922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4900\" data-end=\"4916\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4924\" data-end=\"4968\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4924\" data-end=\"4943\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You have to go together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4970\" data-end=\"4995\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4970\" data-end=\"4986\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4997\" data-end=\"5226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4997\" data-end=\"5013\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Yeah. The service is also very cozy. Very, like, community oriented. I feel like the service was just checking in on you, making sure that you have everything and not overwhelming you with too many rules at once.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5280\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5247\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you feel that about service?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5600\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5282\" data-end=\"5295\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. You know, they were very attentive. They, you know, ask questions like, What were you interested in? They try to work with you, like with my wife, with the customization. I just thought they really wanted you to feel at home in their restaurant. And, you know, I think it goes a long way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5602\" data-end=\"5670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5602\" data-end=\"5621\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And sushi typically is a pricier meal, isn’t it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5672\" data-end=\"5688\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Yeah, usually. They’re pretty reasonable, I thought.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5943\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5743\" data-end=\"5759\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> This is very accessible. Yeah. And I think that aspect of like the vegetarian menu as well kind of contributes to that accessibility. But it is not like crazy price range I would say.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"6074\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5945\" data-end=\"5958\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> But you know, I definitely want to go back for a date night and try the saké. That sounds like a really great time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6076\" data-end=\"6110\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6076\" data-end=\"6092\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Highly recommend.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6112\" data-end=\"6131\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6112\" data-end=\"6125\">Eddie Ng:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6133\" data-end=\"6302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6133\" data-end=\"6152\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, if you would like to try Kiku Sushi, it’s located on Gilman Street in Berkeley, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"104\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites? You’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"184\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"175\">Cecilia:\u003c/strong> [laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"266\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"205\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Check out \u003cem data-start=\"216\" data-end=\"234\">Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"280\">Cecilia:\u003c/strong> [chuckles] Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"298\" data-end=\"317\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — \u003cstrong data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"387\">Jason Stein\u003c/strong>, who raves about the retro burger at Cato’s Ale House in Oakland, \u003cstrong data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"466\">Eddie Ng\u003c/strong>, who has no problem sharing the mouthwatering morsels at Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"556\" data-end=\"571\">Imani Isles\u003c/strong>, who loves sipping saké at Kiku Sushi in Berkeley.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"801\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"715\" data-end=\"740\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. I’m Leslie Sbrocco and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"827\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"819\">Jason Stein:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"829\" data-end=\"848\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Was reaching for your glass.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"903\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"895\">Imani Isles:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"921\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"913\">All:\u003c/strong> [laugh]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"950\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"942\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"952\" data-end=\"967\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">For two decades, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has been your go-to guide for uncovering the Bay Area’s best dining spots and we’re celebrating this milestone with a fresh lineup in April! The James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series is back with fresh restaurant discoveries, from Michelin-level tasting menus to local comfort food favorites.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each week, three Bay Area locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their top restaurant picks, swap stories, and debate their dining experiences. From elegant, French-inspired tasting menus in San Jose, handmade pastas that transport you straight to Italy in Berkeley, and plant-based dishes that redefine expectations in Burlingame, this season is packed with bold flavors and must-try spots.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Get ready for a season packed with unforgettable meals, hidden gems, and lively food-loving guests. Catch four new episodes to kick off the season starting \u003c/span>\u003cb>April 10, Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hungry for a preview? Here’s what’s on our plate this season:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQ1qDqTFIXc\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>April 10\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Ethel’s Fancy\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Palo Alto\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a Michelin-trained chef puts a modern twist on Japanese American cuisine, serving up dishes like charcoal-grilled prawns and black sesame soft serve.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Cato’s Ale House\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> institution since 1994, keeps locals coming back with its rotating craft beer selection, the satisfying Retroburger, and the crispy-yet-juicy Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sushi lovers — both seafood fans and plant-based eaters — find something to love at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Kiku Sushi\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, known for its sake toro nigiri, crispy rice with avocado, and creative vegetarian rolls.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>April 17\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Big, bold breakfasts define \u003c/span>\u003cb>Skillet’z Cafe\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Fremont\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s historic Niles District, where locals enjoy caramel lattes alongside decadent Monte Cristo sandwiches, and Nutella-strawberry-banana pancakes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Peony Seafood\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Chinatown serves up a classic dim sum experience with handmade shrimp dumplings, salt-and-pepper custard tofu, and fried daikon cake wrapped in crispy rice noodles.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the fine-dining gem \u003c/span>\u003cb>Le Papillon\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> impresses with its elegant French-inspired tasting menus, featuring Dungeness crab soufflé, grilled beef tenderloin, and a stunning black sesame terrine.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” explores the \u003c/span>\u003cb>Niles Farmers Market\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, sampling fresh malasadas and savory hand pies while taking in the local vintage car scene.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>April 24\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">A taste of Hawaii awaits at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Benicia\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where the ultimate loco moco — beef patties, grilled Spam, and fried eggs — is a must-try alongside crispy kalua pork tots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Via del Corso\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> transports diners to central Italy with handmade pastas, slow-braised meats, and highlights like ravioli alla coda di bue and garlicky tagliolini alle vongole.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Curry Leaves Bistro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pleasanton\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, wok hei reigns supreme in smoky char kway teow, while crispy roti canai with fragrant chicken curry brings the bold flavors of Penang, Malaysia.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>May 1\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Kahnfections\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Mission District, the air is filled with the scent of buttery pastries, from chocolate croissants to indulgent bacon-cheddar-scallion biscuit sandwiches.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Burlingame\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Twelvemonth\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> redefines plant-based dining with creative vegetable-forward dishes like crispy maitake mushrooms and the umami-packed panzanella alla puttanesca.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Pucquio\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Rockridge neighborhood delivers vibrant Peruvian flavors, balancing citrus and spice in cebiche de pescado and showcasing deep, rich comfort in chupe de camarones.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” dives into the high-energy world of \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bhangra and Beats\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> festival pulsing with Punjabi rhythms, electrifying dance performances, and a bustling night bazaar.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">For two decades, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> has been your go-to guide for uncovering the Bay Area’s best dining spots and we’re celebrating this milestone with a fresh lineup in April! The James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series is back with fresh restaurant discoveries, from Michelin-level tasting menus to local comfort food favorites.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each week, three Bay Area locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their top restaurant picks, swap stories, and debate their dining experiences. From elegant, French-inspired tasting menus in San Jose, handmade pastas that transport you straight to Italy in Berkeley, and plant-based dishes that redefine expectations in Burlingame, this season is packed with bold flavors and must-try spots.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Get ready for a season packed with unforgettable meals, hidden gems, and lively food-loving guests. Catch four new episodes to kick off the season starting \u003c/span>\u003cb>April 10, Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hungry for a preview? Here’s what’s on our plate this season:\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutube'>\n \u003cspan class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__embedYoutubeInside'>\n \u003ciframe\n loading='lazy'\n class='utils-parseShortcode-shortcodes-__youtubeShortcode__youtubePlayer'\n type='text/html'\n src='//www.youtube.com/embed/MQ1qDqTFIXc'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/MQ1qDqTFIXc'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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lovers — both seafood fans and plant-based eaters — find something to love at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Kiku Sushi\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, known for its sake toro nigiri, crispy rice with avocado, and creative vegetarian rolls.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>April 17\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Big, bold breakfasts define \u003c/span>\u003cb>Skillet’z Cafe\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Fremont\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s historic Niles District, where locals enjoy caramel lattes alongside decadent Monte Cristo sandwiches, and Nutella-strawberry-banana pancakes.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Peony Seafood\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Chinatown serves up a classic dim sum experience with handmade shrimp dumplings, salt-and-pepper custard tofu, and fried daikon cake wrapped in crispy rice noodles.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Jose\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the fine-dining gem \u003c/span>\u003cb>Le Papillon\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> impresses with its elegant French-inspired tasting menus, featuring Dungeness crab soufflé, grilled beef tenderloin, and a stunning black sesame terrine.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” explores the \u003c/span>\u003cb>Niles Farmers Market\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, sampling fresh malasadas and savory hand pies while taking in the local vintage car scene.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>April 24\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">A taste of Hawaii awaits at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Benicia\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where the ultimate loco moco — beef patties, grilled Spam, and fried eggs — is a must-try alongside crispy kalua pork tots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s \u003c/span>\u003cb>Via del Corso\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> transports diners to central Italy with handmade pastas, slow-braised meats, and highlights like ravioli alla coda di bue and garlicky tagliolini alle vongole.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Curry Leaves Bistro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pleasanton\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, wok hei reigns supreme in smoky char kway teow, while crispy roti canai with fragrant chicken curry brings the bold flavors of Penang, Malaysia.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cb>May 1\u003c/b>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Kahnfections\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Mission District, the air is filled with the scent of buttery pastries, from chocolate croissants to indulgent bacon-cheddar-scallion biscuit sandwiches.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003c/span>\u003cb>Burlingame\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Twelvemonth\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> redefines plant-based dining with creative vegetable-forward dishes like crispy maitake mushrooms and the umami-packed panzanella alla puttanesca.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Pucquio\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Rockridge neighborhood delivers vibrant Peruvian flavors, balancing citrus and spice in cebiche de pescado and showcasing deep, rich comfort in chupe de camarones.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” dives into the high-energy world of \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bhangra and Beats\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> festival pulsing with Punjabi rhythms, electrifying dance performances, and a bustling night bazaar.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 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Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at \u003c/span>\u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease/apply\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">kqed.org/checkplease/apply\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">!\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Orchard City Kitchen, HiroNori Craft Ramen, Las Cazuelas",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 8, airs Wednesday, July 25, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check, Please! Bay Area is scoring big with three guests from \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bay FC\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>, the region’s first ever National Women’s Soccer League team! Diners kickoff at Michelin-recognized \u003cstrong>Orchard City Kitchen\u003c/strong> in Campbell, where New American dishes with bold flavors are inspired by a blend of different cultures, like garlic noodles and Korean fried chicken. Next, our guests get the ball rolling at \u003cstrong>HiroNori Craft Ramen\u003c/strong> in Cupertino where they deliver Japanese craft ramen with elaborately-flavored broth and artisan-crafted noodles. Lastly, they visit \u003cstrong>Las Cazuelas\u003c/strong> in San Jose’s historic Alameda District, an old school favorite that’s been offering delicious, affordable Mexican dishes to the community since 1960. Finally, reporter Cecilia Phillips racks up wins for her taste buds as she heads to Paypal Park to try food truck fare that fans enjoy on Bay FC game days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22277\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22277\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Toss Boade, Caprice Dydasco and Danielle Slaton from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://orchardcitykitchen.com\">\u003cstrong>\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"The Butter House (Seaside)\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":9153,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"9\":1,\"10\":1,\"11\":4,\"12\":0,\"16\":9}'>Orchard City Kitchen \u003c/span>\u003c/strong>(Campbell)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://hironori.com\">\u003cstrong>HiroNori Craft Ramen\u003c/strong> (Cupertino)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://lascazuelasrestaurants.com\">\u003cstrong>Las Cazuelas\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/paypal-park/\">\u003cstrong>Paypal Park Game Day Food Trucks \u003c/strong>(San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22268\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait.jpg 640w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait-160x200.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My name is Josh Decolongon, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/jdecolongon\">audience engagement producer\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. For this episode, I’m helping out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography\">host\u003c/a> Leslie Sbrocco with some tasting notes on the wine, beer and spirits the guests and Leslie had on set during the taping of the show!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22279\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-800x450.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-800x450.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-1020x574.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://digby-fine-english.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Digby NV “Fine English” Brut\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>England $45\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis Pinot-driven sparkler from England starts off with plum, red apple, and bits of Rainier cherry that open up to a streak of yeast and minerality. Dry and light-footed but present — not brash, but just enough footing to make its mark. Creamy mousse on the palate opening up to apple skin, almonds and cinnamon. Shows poise and restraint but not shy by any means. Great value!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.aqueria.com/en/vins/tavel/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Château de Aqueria 2021 Tavel\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Tavel, Rhône Valley, France $22\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nI’m not a fan of the plethora of rosés that tend to be overly elegant and offer nothing but crisp citrus and red fruit as background extras with no real main character. Tavel is where I head to for a safer gamble when it comes to complexity. This Grenache-based rosé centers around rhubarb and raspberry — something in the middle of ripe and vegetal, like eating berries during a summer hike through a forest. Weightier than one might expect on the palate, with cleansing and acidity and an earthy ending worthy of a charcuterie board or BBQ chicken. A steal for $22. Tip: drink this one closer to room temperature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://prosper-maufoux.com/en\">\u003cstrong>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Prosper Maufoux 2020 “Domaine Vigne au Roy” Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits\u003c/span>\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Côtes de Nuits, Bourgogne, France $30\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nIt can be really hard to find relatively affordable and characterful Pinot Noir from Burgundy, which can make sense given its temperamental nature. This hits the spot, though, with a combination of ripe strawberries and black cherries along with a hint of cola that, dare I say, almost gives it a hint of California. Dry and lithe, silky and fresh, opening up to an earthy savory quality. I wouldn’t pair this with a steak, but it’s versatile enough for a backyard BBQ.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 8, airs Wednesday, July 25, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Check, Please! Bay Area is scoring big with three guests from \u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bay FC\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>, the region’s first ever National Women’s Soccer League team! Diners kickoff at Michelin-recognized \u003cstrong>Orchard City Kitchen\u003c/strong> in Campbell, where New American dishes with bold flavors are inspired by a blend of different cultures, like garlic noodles and Korean fried chicken. Next, our guests get the ball rolling at \u003cstrong>HiroNori Craft Ramen\u003c/strong> in Cupertino where they deliver Japanese craft ramen with elaborately-flavored broth and artisan-crafted noodles. Lastly, they visit \u003cstrong>Las Cazuelas\u003c/strong> in San Jose’s historic Alameda District, an old school favorite that’s been offering delicious, affordable Mexican dishes to the community since 1960. Finally, reporter Cecilia Phillips racks up wins for her taste buds as she heads to Paypal Park to try food truck fare that fans enjoy on Bay FC game days.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22277\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22277\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Toss Boade, Caprice Dydasco and Danielle Slaton from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://orchardcitykitchen.com\">\u003cstrong>\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\" data-sheets-value='{\"1\":2,\"2\":\"The Butter House (Seaside)\"}' data-sheets-userformat='{\"2\":9153,\"3\":{\"1\":0},\"9\":1,\"10\":1,\"11\":4,\"12\":0,\"16\":9}'>Orchard City Kitchen \u003c/span>\u003c/strong>(Campbell)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://hironori.com\">\u003cstrong>HiroNori Craft Ramen\u003c/strong> (Cupertino)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://lascazuelasrestaurants.com\">\u003cstrong>Las Cazuelas\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://bayfc.com/paypal-park/\">\u003cstrong>Paypal Park Game Day Food Trucks \u003c/strong>(San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-22268\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait.jpg 640w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/joshdecolongonportrait-160x200.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>My name is Josh Decolongon, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/author/jdecolongon\">audience engagement producer\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. For this episode, I’m helping out \u003ca href=\"https://www.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography\">host\u003c/a> Leslie Sbrocco with some tasting notes on the wine, beer and spirits the guests and Leslie had on set during the taping of the show!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22279\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-800x450.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-800x450.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-1020x574.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/07/1908Wines.png 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://digby-fine-english.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Digby NV “Fine English” Brut\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>England $45\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis Pinot-driven sparkler from England starts off with plum, red apple, and bits of Rainier cherry that open up to a streak of yeast and minerality. Dry and light-footed but present — not brash, but just enough footing to make its mark. Creamy mousse on the palate opening up to apple skin, almonds and cinnamon. Shows poise and restraint but not shy by any means. Great value!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.aqueria.com/en/vins/tavel/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Château de Aqueria 2021 Tavel\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Tavel, Rhône Valley, France $22\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nI’m not a fan of the plethora of rosés that tend to be overly elegant and offer nothing but crisp citrus and red fruit as background extras with no real main character. Tavel is where I head to for a safer gamble when it comes to complexity. This Grenache-based rosé centers around rhubarb and raspberry — something in the middle of ripe and vegetal, like eating berries during a summer hike through a forest. Weightier than one might expect on the palate, with cleansing and acidity and an earthy ending worthy of a charcuterie board or BBQ chicken. A steal for $22. Tip: drink this one closer to room temperature.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://prosper-maufoux.com/en\">\u003cstrong>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">Prosper Maufoux 2020 “Domaine Vigne au Roy” Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits\u003c/span>\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits, Côtes de Nuits, Bourgogne, France $30\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nIt can be really hard to find relatively affordable and characterful Pinot Noir from Burgundy, which can make sense given its temperamental nature. This hits the spot, though, with a combination of ripe strawberries and black cherries along with a hint of cola that, dare I say, almost gives it a hint of California. Dry and lithe, silky and fresh, opening up to an earthy savory quality. I wouldn’t pair this with a steak, but it’s versatile enough for a backyard BBQ.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 18, episode 15, airs Thursday, February 15, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes, \u003c/a>and never miss an episode by \u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribing to the video podcast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">First up, guests are greeted by fragrant desi dishes in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill neighborhood. \u003cstrong>Kinara Fusion Kitchen\u003c/strong> features modern Indian and Pakistani favorites, from classic chicken tandoori to tikka chicken burgers. Then, with origins in 1990s San Francisco, \u003cstrong>It’s Italia\u003c/strong> in Half Moon Bay features fresh pastas, savory flatbreads and more in a cozy, charming space. Finally, in downtown Oakland, the seasonal ever-changing prix fixe menu at \u003cstrong>Delage\u003c/strong> boasts delicate and intricate California-inspired Japanese omakase with French techniques.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22112\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Thien Pham, Kimo Hogan and Andrea Sola from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kinarafusionkitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>Kinara Fusion Kitchen\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.itsitaliarestaurant.com/\">\u003cstrong>It’s Italia\u003c/strong> (Half Moon Bay)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.delageoakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Delage\u003c/strong> (Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-800x1067.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-800x1067.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1020x1360.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.avianawine.com\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2022 Aviana Verdejo\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Spain $20\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nAviana is a new line of wines from the legendary California winemaking dynasty began more than a century ago by Cesare Mondavi Sr. The “G4” (or fourth generation) of the family began Aviana in 2023 to create affordably delicious worldwide wines, blended with cutting edge technology and supporting women’s empowerment programs. This Spanish Verdejo is crisp with juicy fruit notes and a succulent finish. It pairs with fresh fish, salads, grilled vegetables, or simply sipping on a spring day. Want to experience more than the wine inside the bottle? Scan the QR code on the label and it comes alive telling a story on your screen. A new era for wine has begun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://barramundiwines.com.au\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 Barramundi Shiraz\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Victoria, Australia $13\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nWant fun in a bottle? Unscrew a Barramundi. This whimsical brand explains Aussie lingo with a translation page on the website where you can discover the meaning of terms such as: “Get Cracking” (to begin something) and “A fair suck of the Sav!” (an exclamation of amazement). You can also follow their raucous road trip photos on Instagram. With a lineup of wines that qualify as “good drops,” I recommend starting your exploration with their signature Shiraz. Rich, dark berry flavors are smacked with zesty freshness, making it a red to serve with burgers, pizza, and BBQ. It’s a ripper! (…that means great, btw).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacutrer.com\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $36\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis wine is a California classic. Sonoma-Cutrer was founded more than forty years ago focused on Chardonnay. Over two decades have passed since they expanded their Euro-centric elegance to Pinot Noir bottlings. Their single vineyard examples stand up to some of the best in the world. Their signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends the Owsley and Vine Hill vineyards capturing the complexity and purity of fruit from these iconic vineyards. Red berry aromas with hints of tea leaf and rose petal are followed by a silky texture that defines the best Pinots. Pair with pork loin and mushrooms, grilled salmon with pilaf or a pungent cheese and indulge your passion for Pinot.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 18, episode 15, airs Thursday, February 15, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes, \u003c/a>and never miss an episode by \u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribing to the video podcast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">First up, guests are greeted by fragrant desi dishes in San Francisco’s Lower Nob Hill neighborhood. \u003cstrong>Kinara Fusion Kitchen\u003c/strong> features modern Indian and Pakistani favorites, from classic chicken tandoori to tikka chicken burgers. Then, with origins in 1990s San Francisco, \u003cstrong>It’s Italia\u003c/strong> in Half Moon Bay features fresh pastas, savory flatbreads and more in a cozy, charming space. Finally, in downtown Oakland, the seasonal ever-changing prix fixe menu at \u003cstrong>Delage\u003c/strong> boasts delicate and intricate California-inspired Japanese omakase with French techniques.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22112\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22112\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Thien Pham, Kimo Hogan and Andrea Sola from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.kinarafusionkitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>Kinara Fusion Kitchen\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.itsitaliarestaurant.com/\">\u003cstrong>It’s Italia\u003c/strong> (Half Moon Bay)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.delageoakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Delage\u003c/strong> (Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22113\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-800x1067.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-800x1067.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1020x1360.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-160x213.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/02/1815_wines-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.avianawine.com\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2022 Aviana Verdejo\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Spain $20\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nAviana is a new line of wines from the legendary California winemaking dynasty began more than a century ago by Cesare Mondavi Sr. The “G4” (or fourth generation) of the family began Aviana in 2023 to create affordably delicious worldwide wines, blended with cutting edge technology and supporting women’s empowerment programs. This Spanish Verdejo is crisp with juicy fruit notes and a succulent finish. It pairs with fresh fish, salads, grilled vegetables, or simply sipping on a spring day. Want to experience more than the wine inside the bottle? Scan the QR code on the label and it comes alive telling a story on your screen. A new era for wine has begun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://barramundiwines.com.au\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 Barramundi Shiraz\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Victoria, Australia $13\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nWant fun in a bottle? Unscrew a Barramundi. This whimsical brand explains Aussie lingo with a translation page on the website where you can discover the meaning of terms such as: “Get Cracking” (to begin something) and “A fair suck of the Sav!” (an exclamation of amazement). You can also follow their raucous road trip photos on Instagram. With a lineup of wines that qualify as “good drops,” I recommend starting your exploration with their signature Shiraz. Rich, dark berry flavors are smacked with zesty freshness, making it a red to serve with burgers, pizza, and BBQ. It’s a ripper! (…that means great, btw).\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sonomacutrer.com\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 Sonoma-Cutrer Pinot Noir\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California $36\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis wine is a California classic. Sonoma-Cutrer was founded more than forty years ago focused on Chardonnay. Over two decades have passed since they expanded their Euro-centric elegance to Pinot Noir bottlings. Their single vineyard examples stand up to some of the best in the world. Their signature Russian River Valley Pinot Noir blends the Owsley and Vine Hill vineyards capturing the complexity and purity of fruit from these iconic vineyards. Red berry aromas with hints of tea leaf and rose petal are followed by a silky texture that defines the best Pinots. Pair with pork loin and mushrooms, grilled salmon with pilaf or a pungent cheese and indulge your passion for Pinot.\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizzeria, LUNA Mexican Kitchen, Shizen",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 18, episode 11, airs Thursday, January 18, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes, \u003c/a>and never miss an episode by \u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribing to the video podcast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">First up, diners check out the East Bay’s \u003cstrong>Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizzeria\u003c/strong> along San Pablo Avenue. This worker-owned and operated neighborhood gem serves up a rotating selection of satisfying seasonal pizzas and tasty pastries baked daily. Then, in the South Bay, Campbell’s \u003cstrong>LUNA Mexican Kitchen\u003c/strong> is home to traditional Mexican dishes in cozy digs using fresh, carefully curated ingredients, including masa made in-house using the ancestral method of nixtamalization. Finally, in San Francisco’s Mission District, \u003cstrong>Shizen\u003c/strong> perfects their inventive sushi rolls with local and seasonal ingredients, serving up traditional izakaya favorites with an entirely vegan, plant-based twist. Reporter Cecilia Phillips rounds out this week’s episode with a visit to the \u003cb>Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile\u003c/b>. Since 2014, this weekly pop-up has brought local bites, artists, libations and live music to the neighborhood.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22050\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22050\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Betty Magome, Joy Alexiou and Johannes Muckel from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.arizmendi-bakery.org/\">\u003cstrong>Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizzeria\u003c/strong> (Emeryville)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lunamexicankitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>LUNA Mexican Kitchen\u003c/strong> (Campbell)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.shizensf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Shizen\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sunsetmercantilesf.com/osfmm/\">\u003cstrong>Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22051\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-800x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"933\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-800x933.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1020x1189.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-160x187.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-768x895.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1318x1536.jpg 1318w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1757x2048.jpg 1757w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1920x2238.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.guigal.com/en/vins.php?id_millesime=27&id_produit=24\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône White\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>France $18\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nHidden treasures, when it comes to white wines, are those from the southern French appellation of Côtes du Rhône. Reds claim most of the fame from this region, but the beautifully blended blancs are among my white wine favorites. This one is worth twice the price. From the heralded producer, Guigal, it’s a blend of grapes including mostly Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Swirl the glass and smell notes of white flowers, pears and peaches followed by a sultry, creamy texture. It’s a white to open with roast chicken, sweet potato gratin or mushroom risotto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.jlohr.com/wines/2021-south-ridge-syrah\">\u003cstrong>2021 J. Lohr ‘South Ridge’ Syrah\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Paso Robles, California $15\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis wine ranks as my top value on the market today. Hailing from vineyards in rugged Paso Robles, the South Ridge Syrah sports complexity from blending Syrah grapes with splashes of its Rhone brethren including Grenache and Viognier. J. Lohr is celebrating their 50th year in 2024 and they’ve become a benchmark producer for wines from the sunny yet cool Central Coast. This deeply hued red explodes with floral, dark berry and licorice aromas with a plush yet vibrant mouthfeel. You’ll want to stock up for year-long enjoyment. It’s a seasonless sip, pairing as easily with winter stews as summer barbeque.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"http://www.drinkkally.com\">\u003cstrong>Kally ‘Golden Sparkler’\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>California $40\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nFor those who don’t partake in alcohol but still want to indulge their love of bubbly, check out the offerings from a California rising star, Kally. Their products use verjus as a base combined with other ingredients to create delicious wine alternatives. The Golden Sparkler is beautiful to look at and delectable to drink. Verjus is non-alcoholic juice pressed from young, tart grapes and this bottling uses Chardonnay grapes layered with green tea and jasmine extract. This creates a fresh, crisp fizz that sings with citrus and spicy flavors. At a mere 21 calories per glass and no alcohol, it’s a guilt-free pleasure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of m\u003c/i>\u003ci>y wine, beer and spirits tips for you \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/category/wine-tips/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here\u003c/a>.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 18, episode 11, airs Thursday, January 18, at 7:30 pm, on KQED 9. See other \u003ca href=\"http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">television airtimes, \u003c/a>and never miss an episode by \u003ca href=\"https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">subscribing to the video podcast\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">First up, diners check out the East Bay’s \u003cstrong>Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizzeria\u003c/strong> along San Pablo Avenue. This worker-owned and operated neighborhood gem serves up a rotating selection of satisfying seasonal pizzas and tasty pastries baked daily. Then, in the South Bay, Campbell’s \u003cstrong>LUNA Mexican Kitchen\u003c/strong> is home to traditional Mexican dishes in cozy digs using fresh, carefully curated ingredients, including masa made in-house using the ancestral method of nixtamalization. Finally, in San Francisco’s Mission District, \u003cstrong>Shizen\u003c/strong> perfects their inventive sushi rolls with local and seasonal ingredients, serving up traditional izakaya favorites with an entirely vegan, plant-based twist. Reporter Cecilia Phillips rounds out this week’s episode with a visit to the \u003cb>Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile\u003c/b>. Since 2014, this weekly pop-up has brought local bites, artists, libations and live music to the neighborhood.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_22050\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-22050\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-2048x1365.png 2048w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Guests-1920x1280.png 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Betty Magome, Joy Alexiou and Johannes Muckel from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.arizmendi-bakery.org/\">\u003cstrong>Arizmendi Emeryville Bakery & Pizzeria\u003c/strong> (Emeryville)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.lunamexicankitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>LUNA Mexican Kitchen\u003c/strong> (Campbell)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.shizensf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Shizen\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sunsetmercantilesf.com/osfmm/\">\u003cstrong>Outer Sunset Farmers Market & Mercantile\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_20123\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20123\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2019/04/Leslie-Headshot-Smokey-copy-800x540.jpg\" alt=\"Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine\" width=\"800\" height=\"540\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine \u003ccite>(Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco)\u003c/cite>\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">host\u003c/a> of \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22051\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-800x933.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"933\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-800x933.jpg 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1020x1189.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-160x187.jpg 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-768x895.jpg 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1318x1536.jpg 1318w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1757x2048.jpg 1757w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/01/1811_Wines-1920x2238.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.guigal.com/en/vins.php?id_millesime=27&id_produit=24\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>2021 E. Guigal, Côtes du Rhône White\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>France $18\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nHidden treasures, when it comes to white wines, are those from the southern French appellation of Côtes du Rhône. Reds claim most of the fame from this region, but the beautifully blended blancs are among my white wine favorites. This one is worth twice the price. From the heralded producer, Guigal, it’s a blend of grapes including mostly Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne. Swirl the glass and smell notes of white flowers, pears and peaches followed by a sultry, creamy texture. It’s a white to open with roast chicken, sweet potato gratin or mushroom risotto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"https://www.jlohr.com/wines/2021-south-ridge-syrah\">\u003cstrong>2021 J. Lohr ‘South Ridge’ Syrah\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Paso Robles, California $15\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nThis wine ranks as my top value on the market today. Hailing from vineyards in rugged Paso Robles, the South Ridge Syrah sports complexity from blending Syrah grapes with splashes of its Rhone brethren including Grenache and Viognier. J. Lohr is celebrating their 50th year in 2024 and they’ve become a benchmark producer for wines from the sunny yet cool Central Coast. This deeply hued red explodes with floral, dark berry and licorice aromas with a plush yet vibrant mouthfeel. You’ll want to stock up for year-long enjoyment. It’s a seasonless sip, pairing as easily with winter stews as summer barbeque.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003ca style=\"color: #339966\" href=\"http://www.drinkkally.com\">\u003cstrong>Kally ‘Golden Sparkler’\u003c/strong>\u003c/a>\u003c/span>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>California $40\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nFor those who don’t partake in alcohol but still want to indulge their love of bubbly, check out the offerings from a California rising star, Kally. Their products use verjus as a base combined with other ingredients to create delicious wine alternatives. The Golden Sparkler is beautiful to look at and delectable to drink. Verjus is non-alcoholic juice pressed from young, tart grapes and this bottling uses Chardonnay grapes layered with green tea and jasmine extract. This creates a fresh, crisp fizz that sings with citrus and spicy flavors. At a mere 21 calories per glass and no alcohol, it’s a guilt-free pleasure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ci>Thirsty for more beverage advice? You can find more of m\u003c/i>\u003ci>y wine, beer and spirits tips for you \u003ca href=\"http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/category/wine-tips/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">here\u003c/a>.\u003c/i>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"info": "What kind of no sabo word is Hyphenación? For us, it’s about living within a hyphenation. Like being a third-gen Mexican-American from the Texas border now living that Bay Area Chicano life. Like Xorje! Each week we bring together a couple of hyphenated Latinos to talk all about personal life choices: family, careers, relationships, belonging … everything is on the table. ",
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"info": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown brings listeners the wisdom of the former Governor, Mayor, and presidential candidate. Scott Shafer interviewed Brown for more than 40 hours, covering the former governor's life and half-century in the political game – and Brown has some lessons he'd like to share. ",
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"marketplace": {
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"info": "Our flagship program, helmed by Kai Ryssdal, examines what the day in money delivered, through stories, conversations, newsworthy numbers and more. Updated Monday through Friday at about 3:30 p.m. PT.",
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"mindshift": {
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"info": "The MindShift podcast explores the innovations in education that are shaping how kids learn. Hosts Ki Sung and Katrina Schwartz introduce listeners to educators, researchers, parents and students who are developing effective ways to improve how kids learn. We cover topics like how fed-up administrators are developing surprising tactics to deal with classroom disruptions; how listening to podcasts are helping kids develop reading skills; the consequences of overparenting; and why interdisciplinary learning can engage students on all ends of the traditional achievement spectrum. This podcast is part of the MindShift education site, a division of KQED News. KQED is an NPR/PBS member station based in San Francisco. You can also visit the MindShift website for episodes and supplemental blog posts or tweet us \u003ca href=\"https://twitter.com/MindShiftKQED\">@MindShiftKQED\u003c/a> or visit us at \u003ca href=\"/mindshift\">MindShift.KQED.org\u003c/a>",
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"order": 12
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"info": "For decades, the process for how police police themselves has been inconsistent – if not opaque. In some states, like California, these proceedings were completely hidden. After a new police transparency law unsealed scores of internal affairs files, our reporters set out to examine these cases and the shadow world of police discipline. On Our Watch brings listeners into the rooms where officers are questioned and witnesses are interrogated to find out who this system is really protecting. Is it the officers, or the public they've sworn to serve?",
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"perspectives": {
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"tagline": "Politics from a personal perspective",
"info": "Political Breakdown is a new series that explores the political intersection of California and the nation. Each week hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos are joined with a new special guest to unpack politics -- with personality — and offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics happens.",
"airtime": "THU 6:30pm-7pm",
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"possible": {
"id": "possible",
"title": "Possible",
"info": "Possible is hosted by entrepreneur Reid Hoffman and writer Aria Finger. Together in Possible, Hoffman and Finger lead enlightening discussions about building a brighter collective future. The show features interviews with visionary guests like Trevor Noah, Sam Altman and Janette Sadik-Khan. Possible paints an optimistic portrait of the world we can create through science, policy, business, art and our shared humanity. It asks: What if everything goes right for once? How can we get there? Each episode also includes a short fiction story generated by advanced AI GPT-4, serving as a thought-provoking springboard to speculate how humanity could leverage technology for good.",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm",
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"pri-the-world": {
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"title": "PRI's The World: Latest Edition",
"info": "Each weekday, host Marco Werman and his team of producers bring you the world's most interesting stories in an hour of radio that reminds us just how small our planet really is.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 2pm-3pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-World-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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},
"radiolab": {
"id": "radiolab",
"title": "Radiolab",
"info": "A two-time Peabody Award-winner, Radiolab is an investigation told through sounds and stories, and centered around one big idea. In the Radiolab world, information sounds like music and science and culture collide. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, the show is designed for listeners who demand skepticism, but appreciate wonder. WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Death, Sex & Money, On the Media and many more.",
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},
"reveal": {
"id": "reveal",
"title": "Reveal",
"info": "Created by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX, Reveal is public radios first one-hour weekly radio show and podcast dedicated to investigative reporting. Credible, fact based and without a partisan agenda, Reveal combines the power and artistry of driveway moment storytelling with data-rich reporting on critically important issues. The result is stories that inform and inspire, arming our listeners with information to right injustices, hold the powerful accountable and improve lives.Reveal is hosted by Al Letson and showcases the award-winning work of CIR and newsrooms large and small across the nation. In a radio and podcast market crowded with choices, Reveal focuses on important and often surprising stories that illuminate the world for our listeners.",
"airtime": "SAT 4pm-5pm",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.revealnews.org/episodes/",
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