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"content": "\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> officially turns 20 this fall! The beloved KQED James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series continues its 20th season with a pair of celebrity episodes featuring guest spots by current and former Golden State Warriors and prominent Bay Area storytellers, as well as an anniversary episode that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the program with highlights from the show’s history.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On October 30, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please!\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> welcomes former Golden State Warriors \u003c/span>\u003cb>Festus Ezeli\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Adonal Foyle\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, along with current player \u003c/span>\u003cb>Trayce Jackson-Davis\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. They’ll share some of their favorite spots where players and the team like to unwind and to celebrate. On November 6, the show will break from its traditional panel-style format with a documentary that looks back at 20 years. From casting to studio tapings to filming on location, the show’s producers spill the tea on what it takes to pull each episode together. Host \u003c/span>\u003cb>Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and former guests, including \u003c/span>\u003cb>Liam Mayclem\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Lyrics Born\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sister Roma\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, share thoughts on the show’s most memorable moments, both controversial and hilarious. And on November 13, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please!\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will gather three very different Bay Area storytellers at the dinner table — \u003c/span>\u003cb>Adam Savage\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, former \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mythbusters\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> host and current editor-in-chief of \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam Savage’s Tested\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on YouTube; \u003c/span>\u003cb>Ruby Ibarra\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, local rapper, producer and recent NPR Tiny Desk contest winner; and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Glynn Washington\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, co-creator and host of the radio and podcast series Snap Judgment, and its spinoff podcast series, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spooked\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">KQED launched \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on November 3, 2005 with a simple premise: to welcome local diners — not professional food critics — to share about their favorite restaurants. Each episode Leslie Sbrocco joins three Bay Area residents who recommend their “can’t miss” dining destinations. After anonymously visiting each other’s restaurant recommendations, the guests come on the show to champion, celebrate and critique their experiences with humor, enthusiasm and sincerity. Over the course of two decades, Check, Please! has introduced viewers to more than 800 restaurants across more than 300 episodes.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This fall, we’re leaving it all on the court: from cheesy Salvadoran pupusas at a beloved neighborhood spot, to pizza crafted by a three-time World Pizza Champion, to a look back over the two decades of KQED’s iconic show. Don’t miss the premiere of four new episodes, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9, starting on October 30\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>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>https://youtu.be/_3LSzLo5yF4\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">October 30 – Golden State Warriors Special Episode featuring Festus Ezeli, Adonal Foyle, Trayce Jackson-Davis\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>North Beach Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a historic Italian restaurant with vintage elegance, features housemade pastas and other standouts including hearty, creamy lasagna bolognese and classic chicken al mattone.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>House of Nanking\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in Chinatown, a beloved institution since the 1980s, dishes out Chinese-American favorites including the house sizzling fried rice and Nanking’s sesame chicken, both longtime fan favorites.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Bon Délire\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on the Embarcadero delivers French bistro fare with a modern twist, from buttery steak frites to their rich and tender duck confit, a tribute to owner Kais Boudizi’s Parisian roots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to the \u003c/span>\u003cb>Chase Center\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> where she digs into what Dub Nation is eating and soaks up the vibrant community energy.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 6 – 20th Anniversary Special\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a first-of-its-kind episode, \u003c/span>\u003cem>\u003cb>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/b>\u003c/em>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> celebrates twenty years on air with a look back at the moments that made it a local food institution. In this special documentary we’ll hear from dozens of former guests and restaurateurs, host Leslie Sbrocco and the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> producers as they spill the tea on everything from fiery debates to the program’s decades-long evolution.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 13 – Bay Area Storytellers\u003c/span> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> featuring Adam Savage, Ruby Ibarra, Glynn Washington\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Panchita’s Pupusería & Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘s Mission District, the beloved Salvadoran pupusa with curtido and salsa takes center stage in a late-night neighborhood staple since 1989.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Known for fun but familiar twists like their halo-halo milk tea and lechon sisig carbonara mac, it’s no surprise that \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Sarap Shop\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is located at the heart of the Pilipinas Cultural District in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s South of Market neighborhood.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">A carefully crafted prix fixe menu maps out Italian-American flavors at \u003c/span>\u003cb>MAMA Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where pork-and-beef meatballs, housemade sugo, and chocolate budino, are highlights for both savory and sweet lovers.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 20\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>DACHA\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Lower Nob Hill, pairs comforting Eastern European dishes with California flair like syrniki brulee and sweet or savory blinchiki, alongside an elaborate mixology program, in a sleek, modern setting.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In downtown \u003c/span>\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pizzeria da Lau\u003c/b>\u003cstrong>r\u003c/strong>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>a\u003c/strong> serves up something for every pizza lover — from New York to Detroit, Sicilian to grandma style — by Chef Laura Meyer, a three-time World Pizza Champion and the first woman and first American to win Italy’s teglia category.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003cb>Petaluma\u003c/b>, \u003cb>Brigitte Bistro\u003c/b> channels the flavors of Southern France through Chef Nick Ronan’s childhood memories — think soupe à l’oignon, steak tartare, and île flottante, all infused with a spirit of love and joie de vivre.\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? 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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> officially turns 20 this fall! The beloved KQED James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series continues its 20th season with a pair of celebrity episodes featuring guest spots by current and former Golden State Warriors and prominent Bay Area storytellers, as well as an anniversary episode that gives a behind-the-scenes look at the program with highlights from the show’s history.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">On October 30, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please!\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> welcomes former Golden State Warriors \u003c/span>\u003cb>Festus Ezeli\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Adonal Foyle\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, along with current player \u003c/span>\u003cb>Trayce Jackson-Davis\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">. They’ll share some of their favorite spots where players and the team like to unwind and to celebrate. On November 6, the show will break from its traditional panel-style format with a documentary that looks back at 20 years. From casting to studio tapings to filming on location, the show’s producers spill the tea on what it takes to pull each episode together. Host \u003c/span>\u003cb>Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and former guests, including \u003c/span>\u003cb>Liam Mayclem\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Lyrics Born\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Sister Roma\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, share thoughts on the show’s most memorable moments, both controversial and hilarious. And on November 13, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please!\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> will gather three very different Bay Area storytellers at the dinner table — \u003c/span>\u003cb>Adam Savage\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, former \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mythbusters\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> host and current editor-in-chief of \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Adam Savage’s Tested\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on YouTube; \u003c/span>\u003cb>Ruby Ibarra\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, local rapper, producer and recent NPR Tiny Desk contest winner; and \u003c/span>\u003cb>Glynn Washington\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, co-creator and host of the radio and podcast series Snap Judgment, and its spinoff podcast series, \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Spooked\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">KQED launched \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on November 3, 2005 with a simple premise: to welcome local diners — not professional food critics — to share about their favorite restaurants. Each episode Leslie Sbrocco joins three Bay Area residents who recommend their “can’t miss” dining destinations. After anonymously visiting each other’s restaurant recommendations, the guests come on the show to champion, celebrate and critique their experiences with humor, enthusiasm and sincerity. Over the course of two decades, Check, Please! has introduced viewers to more than 800 restaurants across more than 300 episodes.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">This fall, we’re leaving it all on the court: from cheesy Salvadoran pupusas at a beloved neighborhood spot, to pizza crafted by a three-time World Pizza Champion, to a look back over the two decades of KQED’s iconic show. Don’t miss the premiere of four new episodes, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9, starting on October 30\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>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\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/_3LSzLo5yF4'\n title='//www.youtube.com/embed/_3LSzLo5yF4'\n allowfullscreen='true'\n style='border:0;'>\u003c/iframe>\n \u003c/span>\n \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">October 30 – Golden State Warriors Special Episode featuring Festus Ezeli, Adonal Foyle, Trayce Jackson-Davis\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>North Beach Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, a historic Italian restaurant with vintage elegance, features housemade pastas and other standouts including hearty, creamy lasagna bolognese and classic chicken al mattone.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>House of Nanking\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in Chinatown, a beloved institution since the 1980s, dishes out Chinese-American favorites including the house sizzling fried rice and Nanking’s sesame chicken, both longtime fan favorites.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>Bon Délire\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> on the Embarcadero delivers French bistro fare with a modern twist, from buttery steak frites to their rich and tender duck confit, a tribute to owner Kais Boudizi’s Parisian roots.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In Cecilia Tries It, reporter Cecilia Phillips heads to the \u003c/span>\u003cb>Chase Center\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> where she digs into what Dub Nation is eating and soaks up the vibrant community energy.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 6 – 20th Anniversary Special\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In a first-of-its-kind episode, \u003c/span>\u003cem>\u003cb>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/b>\u003c/em>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> celebrates twenty years on air with a look back at the moments that made it a local food institution. In this special documentary we’ll hear from dozens of former guests and restaurateurs, host Leslie Sbrocco and the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> producers as they spill the tea on everything from fiery debates to the program’s decades-long evolution.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 13 – Bay Area Storytellers\u003c/span> \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> featuring Adam Savage, Ruby Ibarra, Glynn Washington\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">At \u003c/span>\u003cb>Panchita’s Pupusería & Restaurant\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">‘s Mission District, the beloved Salvadoran pupusa with curtido and salsa takes center stage in a late-night neighborhood staple since 1989.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Known for fun but familiar twists like their halo-halo milk tea and lechon sisig carbonara mac, it’s no surprise that \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Sarap Shop\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is located at the heart of the Pilipinas Cultural District in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s South of Market neighborhood.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">A carefully crafted prix fixe menu maps out Italian-American flavors at \u003c/span>\u003cb>MAMA Oakland\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, where pork-and-beef meatballs, housemade sugo, and chocolate budino, are highlights for both savory and sweet lovers.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">November 20\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cb>DACHA\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, in \u003c/span>\u003cb>San Francisco\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">’s Lower Nob Hill, pairs comforting Eastern European dishes with California flair like syrniki brulee and sweet or savory blinchiki, alongside an elaborate mixology program, in a sleek, modern setting.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">In downtown \u003c/span>\u003cb>Berkeley\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pizzeria da Lau\u003c/b>\u003cstrong>r\u003c/strong>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u003cstrong>a\u003c/strong> serves up something for every pizza lover — from New York to Detroit, Sicilian to grandma style — by Chef Laura Meyer, a three-time World Pizza Champion and the first woman and first American to win Italy’s teglia category.\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400\">In \u003cb>Petaluma\u003c/b>, \u003cb>Brigitte Bistro\u003c/b> channels the flavors of Southern France through Chef Nick Ronan’s childhood memories — think soupe à l’oignon, steak tartare, and île flottante, all infused with a spirit of love and joie de vivre.\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-brezo-minnie-bells-soul-movement-rise-woodfire-pizza-rotisserie",
"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Brezo, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie",
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"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Brezo, Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 8, airs Thursday, July 31, 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>We begin this episode at \u003cstrong>Brezo\u003c/strong>, a cheerful neighborhood spot known for its Latin-meets-Californian menus from sweet to savory. Diners enjoy banana Kahlúa French toast, gorditas stuffed with beans and meat, and the juicy Brezo Burger served with a bright bacon-garbanzo-tomato salad. Then it’s off to San Francisco’s Fillmore District, where \u003cstrong>Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement\u003c/strong> honors generations of Southern family cooking with a Bay Area twist. Don’t miss the rosemary fried chicken, creamy mac and cheese, and rich brown butter cornbread — a homecoming meal with history in every bite. The episode ends in downtown San Mateo at \u003cstrong>Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie\u003c/strong>, where a former finance professional-turned-pizzaiolo dishes out wood-fired pies and rotisserie meats in a stunning converted train station. Highlights include the housemade meatballs, tender beef back rib pizza, and a decadent brownie-stuffed cookie for dessert. Plus, in Cecilia Tries It, reporter Cecilia Philips dives into the rhythms, flavors, and reverence of \u003cstrong>San Jose’s Japantown\u003c/strong>, from fresh market finds to the drums and dances of the annual \u003cstrong>Obon Festival\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23557\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23557\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests.png 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests JG, Kristie Ramirez and Vanessa Guerra from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.brezorestaurant.com/\">\u003cstrong>Brezo\u003c/strong> (Albany)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://minniebellssoul.com/\">\u003cstrong>Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.risewoodfire.com/\">\u003cstrong>Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie \u003c/strong>(San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://jtownfarm.org/\">Japantown Farmers Market\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sjbetsuin.org/annual_obon_festival/\">Obon Festival \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>(San Jose)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"476\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Southern-style comforts in San Francisco?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>JG\u003c/strong>: It’s one of those places where you just feel at home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"576\" data-end=\"594\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Seasonal Cal-Mex fusion in Albany.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"633\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"651\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: The blueberry pancakes.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"698\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"708\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"726\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"698\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: And wood-fired favorites in San Mateo. I kind of went a little exotic with mine.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"839\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"857\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"873\" data-end=\"901\">“Check, Please! Bay Area.”\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>\u003cbr data-start=\"901\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"924\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Ooh, look at this. I’m never going to have anything more delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"996\">[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1032\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"1069\" data-end=\"1096\">“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=\"1337\" data-end=\"1351\">Check Please\u003c/em> table today are culture curator JG, HR manager Vanessa Guerra, and graphic designer and illustrator Kristie Ramirez. Welcome, everyone.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1508\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Hi, Leslie.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1543\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: How are you doing?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1566\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1566\" data-end=\"1584\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Let’s kick things off with Kristie’s go-to brunch spot. Offering a blend of both California and Latin specialties, fresh mimosas, and a sunny patio to soak it all in, it’s the perfect place when this mom of two under two needs her own “timeout.” Located in Albany’s Solano Avenue district, it’s Brezo.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1890\">[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1908\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1908\" data-end=\"1927\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Brezo is a family restaurant where we serve up a lot of just homey meals with a little Californian and Latin mix that makes people happy. Our menu here is a mix between me, a Californian, and him coming from Mexico.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2166\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Who had chilaquiles?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2191\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2191\" data-end=\"2210\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: I grew up on a farm, so we wanted to make everything fresh and everything from scratch. We use recipes that I’ve been developing for a long time. Like the pancakes, we make a blueberry butter for the top, so it’s like blueberry on blueberry. The polenta is like from when I was a kid, my dad used to make me polenta for breakfast. We like to cook it slow and low, and we put lots of cheese.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2602\" data-end=\"2605\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"2625\">Hector Hernandez\u003c/strong>: Lots.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2632\" data-end=\"2635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2654\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: The yummy part.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2674\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2674\" data-end=\"2694\">Hector Hernandez\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2704\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2704\" data-end=\"2716\">Customer\u003c/strong>: Wow. It’s so cheesy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2738\" data-end=\"2741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2760\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: On the Latin side, we have gordita, the sopes, chilaquiles — that’s more Mexico City. My favorite thing to cook is the braised lamb. It will take hours and hours to cook, but as soon as they come out, it’s the best thing ever. And then we have a little Latin. The chimichurri goes on top of it, and it’s like, that’s all the combination of us.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3106\" data-end=\"3109\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3109\" data-end=\"3128\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Here at Brezo, we welcome everybody. You can come for a date or you can come with your kids. We put a lot of love in our food.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3278\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: I love to put smiles on people’s faces. I couldn’t think of doing anything else. I think we’re, like, a really good team.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3401\" data-end=\"3404\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3404\" data-end=\"3422\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, Kristie, what’s unique about Brezo is it is this mixture of cultures, isn’t it?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3508\" data-end=\"3511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3511\" data-end=\"3530\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, definitely. You know, I love breakfast and I like the idea of using two different types of, kind of, my favorite food. I’ve gone all around the Bay Area trying to look for the best chilaquiles, and I think that they’re here. It’s a huge portion. It’s a perfect tomatillo sauce, the chips are always crisp. What makes it slightly different is they drizzle their own homemade salsa roja. So you’re kind of getting a mix of the two best worlds — the red sauce and the green sauce. I love ordering it with the egg over easy. Once you pop that little yolk and it kind of runs in, it adds like a buttery texture to the chilaquiles. So good. And it was kind of a girls day out, and so we had mimosas. I specifically had the peach cider mimosa. It was really light, bubbly, with a hint of the peach. I really enjoyed it and I think it complemented the chilaquiles really well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4407\" data-end=\"4410\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4410\" data-end=\"4428\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And it’s nice to have a cider.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4460\" data-end=\"4463\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4482\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Yeah, definitely.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4507\" data-end=\"4510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4510\" data-end=\"4528\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: What did you have when you went?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4565\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4565\" data-end=\"4583\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I had the woodland omelet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4611\" data-end=\"4614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4614\" data-end=\"4632\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4639\" data-end=\"4642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4642\" data-end=\"4660\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Vegetarian, full of provolone and lots and lots of grilled mushrooms, spinach, some garlic. It came with a nice portion of home fries and it was really delicious. It was huge. The portions are huge and so it was hard to finish. I only got through about half of that portion.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4936\" data-end=\"4939\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4939\" data-end=\"4957\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So you get two meals.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4980\" data-end=\"4983\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4983\" data-end=\"5001\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I got two meals. Yeah, exactly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5034\" data-end=\"5037\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5037\" data-end=\"5055\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, JG, what was your experience?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5097\" data-end=\"5100\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5106\">JG\u003c/strong>: The staff was really, really friendly. The food was amazing. I actually went for a dinner and they have a salad called the calico salad. It’s like a southwestern, romaine lettuce, it has a nice zesty chili lime dressing to it, and it had a right amount of crunch to it. I wish it had more chips because who doesn’t like a good chip? And a little bit more avocado, but the overall salad was really good. And I had the lamb shank which was super fall-of-the-bone tender. It had a polenta that was nice and creamy. It had a nice, interesting sauce to it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4482\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: You can never go wrong with their Mexican dishes as well. You know, when I’ve gone, their gorditas — they are handmade tortillas and they’re stuffed with meat, they have beans in them, their housemade salsa, cheese, lettuce. Very, very good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5902\" data-end=\"5905\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5905\" data-end=\"5923\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Very good. Did you have anything else? Did you try anything else?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5990\" data-end=\"5993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6601\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Well, we ordered a lot of food while we were there, so my sister got a cheeseburger that I had complete entrée envy over because it was on this huge brioche bun with tons of fun vegetables on it, bacon, cheese dripping off of it, huge burger. She could only get through about half, and then she got a really lovely side salad full of fresh veggies, garbanzo beans, cucumbers, and a delightful vinaigrette that was perfectly bright on the salad. Perfect accompaniment to that burger. And then my uncle, he got the blueberry pancakes, which were like–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6551\" data-end=\"6554\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6554\" data-end=\"6573\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6601\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Huge!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6608\" data-end=\"6611\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6611\" data-end=\"6629\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: The size of your plate.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6657\" data-end=\"6675\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah, the size of the plate, and there’s three of them. They had the blueberries folded into the batter, which was great. Tons of blueberries on top. I think it even had blueberries in the butter, which was a nice touch. And we got the Kahlua banana French toast, and that was also a fan favorite. It was nice and crispy, bananas — sweet, kind of that flambé style, and it was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6554\" data-end=\"6573\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: One thing I also did want to note that we had the scones. Oh, my God. They are so good. The scone itself was very fluffy. Cut in half, it was filled with a cream. And then it had a really nice preserve on it. And I felt like it was a great balance, because the acidity of that preserve really cut through that sweetness and heaviness of that cream.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7414\" data-end=\"7417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7417\" data-end=\"7435\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now come on, JG, you’re getting a little breakfast envy over there, aren’t you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7516\" data-end=\"7519\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7519\" data-end=\"7525\">JG\u003c/strong>: I’m not an egg fan, actually, so I’m super limited with breakfast. So, like, I didn’t know that chilaquiles was that fire. I would get that without the egg ’cause I’ve done that before. I wish I would have definitely got the chilaquiles, ’cause now the way you explain it, I’m like, okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7815\" data-end=\"7818\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7818\" data-end=\"7836\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Well, you can always go back.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7867\" data-end=\"7870\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7870\" data-end=\"7876\">JG\u003c/strong>: Oh yeah, definitely. For sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"7818\" data-end=\"7836\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You can always go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"7870\" data-end=\"7876\">JG\u003c/strong>: And like I said, the staff was really cool. Definitely nice to know that there’s scones there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"8186\" data-end=\"8204\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We were super disappointed ’cause I wanted to try that scone, but they sold out, so it must be very popular.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8136\" data-end=\"8139\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8139\" data-end=\"8158\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Oh, yeah. It’s so good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8183\" data-end=\"8186\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8186\" data-end=\"8204\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, I’m sure.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8219\" data-end=\"8222\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8222\" data-end=\"8241\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Go back for that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8260\" data-end=\"8263\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8263\" data-end=\"8281\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah, we’ll have to do that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8311\" data-end=\"8314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8314\" data-end=\"8332\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, if you would like to try Brezo, it’s located on Solano Avenue in Albany. The average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $65.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8487\" data-end=\"8490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8490\" data-end=\"8508\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: JG’s local favorite dishes up Southern classics paired with an equally warm side of hospitality. Whenever he’s craving the chef’s signature fried chicken and rich mac and cheese, he heads to San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, home to Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8781\" data-end=\"8784\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"575\">Fernay McPherson\u003c/strong>: Soul food can be any type of cuisine. It’s just what resonates to people in their spirit, in their souls. It’s comfort food, you know? So I want people to feel that comfort when they’re eating it. Minnie is my great aunt, and Lillie Bell was my grandmother. Everything is food that I learned to cook from them with just little twists and spins that I learned over the years. I grew up going to church, and after church it was fried chicken, you know, dinners that people wanted. So I wanted to do something that just really resonated with my childhood, something that was scratch-made. But I also wanted to put a little twist on it, so that’s where my rosemary fried chicken came from. We have all your classic Southern sides, which is collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, which is my favorite. So we’re going to put that brown butter in slowly so that we don’t cook our eggs. The brown butter in our cornbread just adds another layer of flavor that really has people thinking, “What is this?” Like, what’s in this cornbread? I hear people say, “I don’t even like cornbread, but this is some good cornbread.” The Fillmore is the neighborhood that I was born and raised in. My great aunt Minnie and my grandmother, when they migrated here, they saw a different Fillmore. The fact that I am able to open up this Black-owned restaurant in a historic, Black-owned neighborhood, to be here and represent that bygone era is just so important.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2019\" data-end=\"2022\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2034\">Customer\u003c/strong>: How you doing?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2053\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2053\" data-end=\"2073\">Fernay McPherson\u003c/strong>: When people come in here and they tell me how proud they are, how they have a space that feels like home to them, it makes me feel good that I’m able to do that. I’m here. I’m home. I appreciate everybody. Thank you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2291\" data-end=\"2294\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2294\" data-end=\"2312\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, JG, have you been a fan of Chef Fernay for a long time?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2374\" data-end=\"2377\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2383\">JG\u003c/strong>: For a good moment, um, she was actually in Emeryville prior to, at the public market. That’s kind of, like, where I found it randomly one day. But honestly, I think that it has a different flavor and just energy coming from the Fillmore District because of, historically, where she’s from. It’s just one of those places where you just feel at home. And the rosemary fried chicken is something that’s just — I think is very unique with the brine. Leg and thighs is my go-to. So sometimes four is not enough, unfortunately, so I usually get like an eight piece. They have a house hot sauce that they make. It has a nice, like–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3011\" data-end=\"3014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3032\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Kick to it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3045\" data-end=\"3048\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3054\">JG\u003c/strong>: It’s just a nice kick to it, yeah. Like a nice kick. And they come with sides whether you get the four or the eight, And the yams has a nice sweet nutmeg, cinnamon, whatever it is, that I just imagine that yams would be ’cause growing up my grandma used to put vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in it. And just like a big hug, actually.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3396\" data-end=\"3399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3417\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, now tell me about that mac and cheese that goes with it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3489\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3489\" data-end=\"3495\">JG\u003c/strong>: The mac and cheese is definitely her signature.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3544\" data-end=\"3547\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3565\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3572\" data-end=\"3575\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3575\" data-end=\"3581\">JG\u003c/strong>: And that’s one of the few places that I enjoy the mac and cheese in public because of the layers of cheese and how gooey it is.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3710\" data-end=\"3713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3713\" data-end=\"3732\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, so I have to agree. The mac and cheese was super cheesy, very creamy. But for me, the braised greens were the star of the show. Perfect seasoning, the broth was really good, like, I basically killed that by myself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Those were the best collard greens, braised collard greens I’ve ever had. They were delicious. We got the pickled vegetables also, They house make them, it’s in a quick pickle. And there is four or five different kinds of vegetables in there that really also helped cut the richness of the chicken, along with the richness of the collard greens and the hot sauces and everything. It was really great on the palate. Loved those.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4385\" data-end=\"4403\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Did you get fried chicken?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We did. We got the fried chicken and the wings in a hot honey sauce. And the wings were a huge portion of these, like, six or eight dinosaur-sized wings. And when we saw those come out first, I thought, “Oh dear, we probably over-ordered again.” And we only got through about half of those before we started moving on to the four-piece chicken that we ordered.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4814\" data-end=\"4817\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4817\" data-end=\"4835\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Right, and fried chicken for you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4870\" data-end=\"4873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: You know, I’m not a huge fried chicken fan and that place made me a fan.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"4969\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4969\" data-end=\"4987\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay, there we go. High praise.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5020\" data-end=\"5023\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I have to say that rosemary, the seasoning, it’s just so unique to me. Also, we’re, like, hot sauce people, so we have to add hot sauce. But, you know, the chicken can stand alone without the hot sauce also.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5250\" data-end=\"5253\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5253\" data-end=\"5271\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, and did you have anything to drink?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5319\" data-end=\"5322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, I actually had the sangria and it was really refreshing, light, paired really well with that chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">JG\u003c/strong>: I like that their wine menu is from Black vendors as well, which is pretty cool. That kind of encompasses that Fillmore energy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5577\" data-end=\"5580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5580\" data-end=\"5598\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right. Did you have dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5632\" data-end=\"5635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5635\" data-end=\"5654\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I did, I had their banana pudding, which was kind of like a crème brûlée. It was the fusion that I didn’t know that I needed so badly in my life. Me and my husband were, like, fighting for the last bite of it. You know, it had that beautiful crème brûlée that you crack into. It was, like, super creamy. Never experienced a dessert like that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5998\" data-end=\"6001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6001\" data-end=\"6019\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We had the sour cream pound cake that had a caramel drizzle on it, and some homemade whipped cream on the side. Came with a bunch of strawberries and it was so good. It wasn’t too sweet. It wasn’t too dense. It was perfect and kind of had to hide it at the very, very back of my fridge when I got home so nobody else would gobble it down later that night but me. So, delicious. Highly–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6407\" data-end=\"6410\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6410\" data-end=\"6428\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Had no calories either.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6453\" data-end=\"6456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6456\" data-end=\"6474\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Zero calories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6589\">JG: \u003c/strong>I don’t know if you guys got the cornbread.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6534\" data-end=\"6537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6537\" data-end=\"6555\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: The cornbread was good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6589\">JG\u003c/strong>: The honey butter cornbread is definitely where it’s at, too. I’m not a big dessert fan personally, so I usually opt out of desserts.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6723\" data-end=\"6726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6726\" data-end=\"6744\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Well, you got cornbread and yams.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6779\" data-end=\"6782\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6782\" data-end=\"6788\">JG\u003c/strong>: I got yams. I think I got enough sugar for the day. And the vibe there, to me, is what you think of the Harlem of the West would be. I think it brings a different light into a neighborhood that really needs some light on it, and it has a really historical, happy thing to say about culture. So that’s the reason why I like going there, ’cause for me, it’s nostalgic. It has great music, great people, and it brings people together in a way that I think people in San Francisco should be together.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7286\" data-end=\"7289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7385\" data-end=\"7403\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I mean, the vibe in there is really comfortable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6726\" data-end=\"6744\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>It’s about hospitality.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7382\" data-end=\"7385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7385\" data-end=\"7403\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Hospitality all the way. It was a wonderful little restaurant. It’s small, but it felt very big and a lot of spirit. And the personality of it was great.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7558\" data-end=\"7561\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7561\" data-end=\"7579\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, I think you got some fans, JG.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7622\" data-end=\"7625\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7625\" data-end=\"7643\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7650\" data-end=\"7653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7653\" data-end=\"7671\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: If you would like to try Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, It’s located on Fillmore Street in San Francisco, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $45.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7850\" data-end=\"7853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7853\" data-end=\"7871\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Vanessa says any way you slice it, her restaurant serves some of the Bay Area’s most delectable wood-fired pizzas. But that’s just a small part of the draw for her. The high ceilings, lively bar, and family-friendly vibe, all make for a great night out, no matter what the occasion. Located in San Mateo, it’s Rise Woodfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"504\" data-end=\"519\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: The cuisine at Rise Woodfire is Italian American comfort food, as well as American comfort food. All the things that we grew up on with a chef’s touch.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"675\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"692\">Susan Payrovi\u003c/strong>: We decided to call this Rise because Omid has been working on his dough for seven years.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"782\" data-end=\"785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"785\" data-end=\"800\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: There’s four flours that make up the pizza dough. It has wheat germ in it, rye in it, it also has whole wheat, and then it has a high-powered, high-gluten flour. This dough has already seen four rises. The fifth rise is when it goes in the oven, and that’s the final rise. You can make a pretty good pizza at home, but there’s no competing with giant 5,000 pound brick oven from Naples, Italy. We use almond wood. It just adds another layer of flavor. This is our prosciutto slicer. It is actually hand-cranked. We want it to go nice and slow and give us paper thin prosciutto. My love affair with the menu or any individual item kind of rotates in and out. Our prime rib is awesome. Sometimes I’m all about just a straight-up Napoli pizza, other times it’s all about the wings.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1580\" data-end=\"1583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1583\" data-end=\"1600\">Susan Payrovi\u003c/strong>: I actually love the chicken. It has a really good flavor to it. You know, the white meat is great, the dark meat is great, and the different sauces. A big hit is the chimichurri.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1798\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: We love being here at the train station. The ambiance of this place with the 40-foot ceilings, I think we got the largest, tallest bar, maybe in the peninsula. [Laughs] One of the funny things that happens here is sometimes the conductors will give us a phone call and place a pizza order, and then we’ll have it ready for them, and then they’ll just run in and throw a 20 down, and grab it and jump back into the train and take off. I’ve eaten thousands of pizzas and I’m still not tired of it. Yummy! There’s a lot of things to disagree about, but pizza has no enemies. [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2383\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2383\" data-end=\"2390\">All\u003c/strong>: Cheers!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2402\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2420\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, Vanessa, they do a very large menu here, don’t they?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2482\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2482\" data-end=\"2500\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: They do. Pretty eclectic menu.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2535\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2535\" data-end=\"2553\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And is that one of the reasons you love it so much?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2627\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I do. My daughter is a vegan, my son’s a full carnivore, and there’s something on the menu for all of us there. We always start with the prosciutto and arugula pizza. Their crust is nice and chewy and especially love the delicate slicing on the prosciutto. I love the meatballs. The meatballs are absolutely delicious. They’re soft, they’re in a very savory, robust meat sauce. It comes with a very delicate crostini. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the richness of the meatballs.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3109\" data-end=\"3112\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3131\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I actually started also with meatballs, and I have to say that I loved them. I feel like that tomato sauce was what made that meatball.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3268\" data-end=\"3271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3271\" data-end=\"3289\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Isn’t it good?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3305\" data-end=\"3308\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3308\" data-end=\"3327\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: It’s so good. You can just scoop up that sauce. And the meatballs are perfectly seasoned.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3418\" data-end=\"3421\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3421\" data-end=\"3427\">JG\u003c/strong>: Unfortunately, I didn’t have the best meatball experience.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3487\" data-end=\"3490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3490\" data-end=\"3508\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, no.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3517\" data-end=\"3520\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3520\" data-end=\"3526\">JG\u003c/strong>: The bread was nice and warm, but the meatballs was kind of lukewarm, kind of cold. And I know that’s something that’s fixable, and I did get pizza. I actually went with the back rib and arugula pizza. The white sauce was really good. The beef rib was super tender, the crust was nice and chewy, and it’s actually a good shareable pizza for like two people.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3884\" data-end=\"3887\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3887\" data-end=\"3905\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And did you wash that down with anything?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3948\" data-end=\"3951\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3951\" data-end=\"3957\">JG\u003c/strong>: I actually had a Mezcal club soda ’cause that’s usually my default cocktail. Their mezcal was a really good well, two limes, that’s like my Sprite — a spicy Sprite. That’s kind of what I rock with.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4156\" data-end=\"4159\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4178\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I actually had the Lovely Locomotive. I thought it was great. It’s a gin-based drink with a peach puree. The gin wasn’t so strong, and it paired well with that puree. I got the lemon pesto shrimp pizza. I kind of went a little exotic with mine. And it was beautiful. It was really, really bright. It was garnished with this, like, dried lemon on top, it had chili flakes, and when you would bite into it, it had whole garlic that would kind of like pop in your mouth and give you kind of this sweetness.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4683\" data-end=\"4686\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4686\" data-end=\"4704\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, and they’ve got a whole selection of grilled items, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4775\" data-end=\"4778\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4778\" data-end=\"4796\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, they do. They have prime rib Thursday through Sunday, they have Scottish salmon, chicken, and that lovely wood-fired rotisserie.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4930\" data-end=\"4933\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4933\" data-end=\"4952\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: My husband got the Pitman chicken. I had a few bites. It was extremely tender. But the thing that got my attention was actually the coleslaw. It had like a horseradish sauce. So it was a very bold flavor. And my husband said that was probably the favorite thing that he got.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5231\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5231\" data-end=\"5249\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Was the coleslaw?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5268\" data-end=\"5271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5271\" data-end=\"5290\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Was the coleslaw, yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5315\" data-end=\"5318\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5318\" data-end=\"5336\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5343\" data-end=\"5346\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5346\" data-end=\"5364\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Their hummus is also delicious. They make their own pita bread, they put the hummus with Persian cucumbers, feta, some tomatoes to give it a little texture.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5522\" data-end=\"5525\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5543\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Nice. Did you have any dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5576\" data-end=\"5579\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5579\" data-end=\"5597\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Celebration cake. We had the chocolate celebration cake. And it is wonderful. Nice chocolatey flavor. I think they put a little bit of coffee or espresso in there to balance out the richness of the cake. It’s served with a scoop of ice cream, and we’re usually fighting over finishing up that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5892\" data-end=\"5895\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5895\" data-end=\"5901\">JG\u003c/strong>: I got the chocolate chip cookie brownie situation. Yeah, that’s delicious. I wish the cookie was sweeter, but the texture, the brownie, and everything was definitely nice.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6074\" data-end=\"6077\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6077\" data-end=\"6095\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And what about the atmosphere?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6127\" data-end=\"6130\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6130\" data-end=\"6149\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I love the atmosphere. The restaurant itself is really lovely and it’s right there next to the train.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6252\" data-end=\"6255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6261\">JG\u003c/strong>: What makes it unique is actually the space. The patio is really beautiful. There’s a lot of natural light that’s inside. My biggest disappointment is I was just kind of standing there for a little bit, and it was really not that busy. And I’m, like, I’m just waiting to sit down.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6542\" data-end=\"6545\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6545\" data-end=\"6563\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Was it an off night?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6585\" data-end=\"6588\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6594\">JG\u003c/strong>: Could have been an off night.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6625\" data-end=\"6628\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6628\" data-end=\"6646\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We’ve always had great customer service and friendly waiters.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6709\" data-end=\"6712\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6712\" data-end=\"6718\">JG\u003c/strong>: But that was just my personal experience, but I would definitely give it another chance for sure. I think it’s a very good large group setting spot because the menu is so vast, and I love how it’s close to public transit too, you know what I mean, and it’s free parking. You know, I live in San Francisco. Free parking is not the norm. Some free 90 minute parking, or I could take Caltrain and pull up and it’s right there. So it’s easy for people to get to as well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7186\" data-end=\"7189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7189\" data-end=\"7207\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Excellent. If you would like to try Rise Woodfire, it’s located on B Street in San Mateo, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"268\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"185\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: And now reporter Cecilia Phillips has more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"272\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"479\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"294\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So we’re here in San Jose at the Japantown Farmers Market, and the Obon Festival is happening. But this is a really awesome place to visit year round. What makes this area so special?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"498\">Jennifer Rast\u003c/strong>: It’s the most historic of the three Japantowns in the United States. We’re tiny, but mighty. We’ve got a lot of legacy businesses. My family’s been in Japantown for five generations doing agriculture in the Valley, so agriculture means everything to us. The Obon Festival is kind of like our version of Day of the Dead. It celebrates our ancestors. We dance, we have games, and then some foods over there as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"952\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"935\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Excellent food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"978\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"971\">Jennifer Rast\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"982\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1075\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1004\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Mogu mogu means, like, “num num” in English. Like chowing down sound.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1077\" data-end=\"1114\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1077\" data-end=\"1096\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: Like, nyom-nyom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1206\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1136\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Nyom-nyom. Yes. So then I’m hoping that your food is yum-yum, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1242\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1227\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: Very yum yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1244\" data-end=\"1271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1244\" data-end=\"1264\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1292\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: We do make a beef curry sando, which is Wagyu beef with curry sauce that I make, a little bit of potato, one with the cheddar cheese, one with red cabbage pickle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1458\" data-end=\"1516\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1458\" data-end=\"1478\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Whoa! Delicious. Mogu mogu. Yum yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1518\" data-end=\"1601\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1518\" data-end=\"1538\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So you’ve been doing the Obon and doing tempura for 20 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1603\" data-end=\"1643\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1603\" data-end=\"1619\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Close to 30 years now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1702\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1665\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Oh my gosh. Hot, fresh, fried food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1754\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1720\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: That’s what we’re talking about.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1810\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1776\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It is not cool here in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"2099\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"1828\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: No, no, no, but we keep it cool. We got the good music going, we got the good refreshments. Yeah, we’re good. So today what we’re cooking is the tempura. Onions, we got green beans, we got zucchini, some yams, and one shrimp on top, and then there’s your dipping sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2101\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2101\" data-end=\"2138\">Wayne Kogura and Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2182\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2165\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Cheers it. Top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2204\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So it’s light, airy, not too heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2266\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2259\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Nope.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2288\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Not oily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2317\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Yep.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2362\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2345\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2364\" data-end=\"2562\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2364\" data-end=\"2384\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So we’re at the Obon Festival, and it’s all about remembering ancestors. Do you have anything that comes to your mind when you think of, like, ancestral dishes, family history?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2579\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: That would be our guava cake. My grandparents owned Aki’s Bakery in Japantown and they were here for many years. So we brought our guava cake, and this is what Aki’s Bakery was known for. And we do the same thing just with a little twist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2841\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Ooh, look at this. The cake is so light. I’m never going to have anything more delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"3034\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2949\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: This is Imagawayaki, a Japanese pancake sandwich with red bean paste in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3149\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3056\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So this is a very traditional dish? Is it a dessert? Is it like a breakfast? Is it a snack?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3265\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3166\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: I’ve had it at all times of the day, but we’ll call it a dessert just because of how sweet it is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3328\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3287\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Mmm! They smell so good. These are hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"3356\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"3345\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: They are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3358\" data-end=\"3375\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3358\" data-end=\"3366\">Both\u003c/strong>: Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3377\" data-end=\"3425\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3377\" data-end=\"3397\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Oh, my gosh, it’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3442\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Fluffy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3473\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It’s so fluffy. And the red bean paste has only a little bit of sweetness. It’s actually pretty savory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3595\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3604\" data-end=\"3670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3604\" data-end=\"3624\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Half dessert, half you can have at any time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3672\" data-end=\"3730\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3672\" data-end=\"3687\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Yeah. I want these all the time actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3732\" data-end=\"3746\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3732\" data-end=\"3746\">Both laugh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3748\" data-end=\"4237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3748\" data-end=\"3766\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show. JG, who raves about the rosemary fried chicken at Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement in San Francisco. Vanessa Guerra, lover of all things smoky and charred at Rise Woodfire in San Mateo. And Kristie Ramirez, who dreams of mimosas on the patio at Brezo in Albany. 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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4246\">All\u003c/strong>: Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4304\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4275\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Cheers. I hope you had fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4306\" data-end=\"4343\">[Conversation continues indistinctly]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4345\" data-end=\"4456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4345\" data-end=\"4370\">Man\u003c/strong>: The temple here is a religious center. It’s one of the largest in the United States.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4554\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4478\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Tell me about the little tags that are hanging around. What do those mean?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4581\">Man\u003c/strong>: People make a tag during the festival time honoring their ancestor or someone that they’ve lost.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4701\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Are there any specific foods that you think about when you think about family?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4783\" data-end=\"5071\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4783\" data-end=\"4808\">Man\u003c/strong>: Oh, definitely tempura. I mean, it’s something that you can snack on, it’s something that you can just eat. It’s fried, which always makes everything good. It definitely feels like home. So, yeah, that’s probably one of the ones that I think about all the time.\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 8, airs Thursday, July 31, 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>We begin this episode at \u003cstrong>Brezo\u003c/strong>, a cheerful neighborhood spot known for its Latin-meets-Californian menus from sweet to savory. Diners enjoy banana Kahlúa French toast, gorditas stuffed with beans and meat, and the juicy Brezo Burger served with a bright bacon-garbanzo-tomato salad. Then it’s off to San Francisco’s Fillmore District, where \u003cstrong>Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement\u003c/strong> honors generations of Southern family cooking with a Bay Area twist. Don’t miss the rosemary fried chicken, creamy mac and cheese, and rich brown butter cornbread — a homecoming meal with history in every bite. The episode ends in downtown San Mateo at \u003cstrong>Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie\u003c/strong>, where a former finance professional-turned-pizzaiolo dishes out wood-fired pies and rotisserie meats in a stunning converted train station. Highlights include the housemade meatballs, tender beef back rib pizza, and a decadent brownie-stuffed cookie for dessert. Plus, in Cecilia Tries It, reporter Cecilia Philips dives into the rhythms, flavors, and reverence of \u003cstrong>San Jose’s Japantown\u003c/strong>, from fresh market finds to the drums and dances of the annual \u003cstrong>Obon Festival\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23557\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 1620px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-23557\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1620\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests.png 1620w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/07/2008_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1620px) 100vw, 1620px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests JG, Kristie Ramirez and Vanessa Guerra from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.brezorestaurant.com/\">\u003cstrong>Brezo\u003c/strong> (Albany)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://minniebellssoul.com/\">\u003cstrong>Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.risewoodfire.com/\">\u003cstrong>Rise Woodfire Pizza & Rotisserie \u003c/strong>(San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cstrong>\u003ca href=\"https://jtownfarm.org/\">Japantown Farmers Market\u003c/a> and \u003ca href=\"https://www.sjbetsuin.org/annual_obon_festival/\">Obon Festival \u003c/a>\u003c/strong>(San Jose)\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"476\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Southern-style comforts in San Francisco?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>JG\u003c/strong>: It’s one of those places where you just feel at home.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"576\" data-end=\"594\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Seasonal Cal-Mex fusion in Albany.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"633\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"651\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: The blueberry pancakes.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"676\" data-end=\"679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"698\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"708\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"726\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"733\" data-end=\"736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"679\" data-end=\"698\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: And wood-fired favorites in San Mateo. I kind of went a little exotic with mine.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"836\" data-end=\"839\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"857\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"873\" data-end=\"901\">“Check, Please! Bay Area.”\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>\u003cbr data-start=\"901\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"904\" data-end=\"924\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Ooh, look at this. I’m never going to have anything more delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"996\">[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1011\" data-end=\"1014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1032\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"1069\" data-end=\"1096\">“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=\"1337\" data-end=\"1351\">Check Please\u003c/em> table today are culture curator JG, HR manager Vanessa Guerra, and graphic designer and illustrator Kristie Ramirez. Welcome, everyone.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1490\" data-end=\"1508\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Hi, Leslie.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1521\" data-end=\"1524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1524\" data-end=\"1543\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: How are you doing?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1566\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1566\" data-end=\"1584\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Let’s kick things off with Kristie’s go-to brunch spot. Offering a blend of both California and Latin specialties, fresh mimosas, and a sunny patio to soak it all in, it’s the perfect place when this mom of two under two needs her own “timeout.” Located in Albany’s Solano Avenue district, it’s Brezo.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1890\">[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1905\" data-end=\"1908\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1908\" data-end=\"1927\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Brezo is a family restaurant where we serve up a lot of just homey meals with a little Californian and Latin mix that makes people happy. Our menu here is a mix between me, a Californian, and him coming from Mexico.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2166\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Who had chilaquiles?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2191\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2191\" data-end=\"2210\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: I grew up on a farm, so we wanted to make everything fresh and everything from scratch. We use recipes that I’ve been developing for a long time. Like the pancakes, we make a blueberry butter for the top, so it’s like blueberry on blueberry. The polenta is like from when I was a kid, my dad used to make me polenta for breakfast. We like to cook it slow and low, and we put lots of cheese.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2602\" data-end=\"2605\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2605\" data-end=\"2625\">Hector Hernandez\u003c/strong>: Lots.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2632\" data-end=\"2635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2654\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: The yummy part.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2674\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2674\" data-end=\"2694\">Hector Hernandez\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2704\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2704\" data-end=\"2716\">Customer\u003c/strong>: Wow. It’s so cheesy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2738\" data-end=\"2741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2760\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: On the Latin side, we have gordita, the sopes, chilaquiles — that’s more Mexico City. My favorite thing to cook is the braised lamb. It will take hours and hours to cook, but as soon as they come out, it’s the best thing ever. And then we have a little Latin. The chimichurri goes on top of it, and it’s like, that’s all the combination of us.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3106\" data-end=\"3109\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3109\" data-end=\"3128\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: Here at Brezo, we welcome everybody. You can come for a date or you can come with your kids. We put a lot of love in our food.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3278\">Heather Mervine\u003c/strong>: I love to put smiles on people’s faces. I couldn’t think of doing anything else. I think we’re, like, a really good team.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3401\" data-end=\"3404\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3404\" data-end=\"3422\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, Kristie, what’s unique about Brezo is it is this mixture of cultures, isn’t it?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3508\" data-end=\"3511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3511\" data-end=\"3530\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, definitely. You know, I love breakfast and I like the idea of using two different types of, kind of, my favorite food. I’ve gone all around the Bay Area trying to look for the best chilaquiles, and I think that they’re here. It’s a huge portion. It’s a perfect tomatillo sauce, the chips are always crisp. What makes it slightly different is they drizzle their own homemade salsa roja. So you’re kind of getting a mix of the two best worlds — the red sauce and the green sauce. I love ordering it with the egg over easy. Once you pop that little yolk and it kind of runs in, it adds like a buttery texture to the chilaquiles. So good. And it was kind of a girls day out, and so we had mimosas. I specifically had the peach cider mimosa. It was really light, bubbly, with a hint of the peach. I really enjoyed it and I think it complemented the chilaquiles really well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4407\" data-end=\"4410\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4410\" data-end=\"4428\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And it’s nice to have a cider.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4460\" data-end=\"4463\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4482\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah. Yeah, definitely.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4507\" data-end=\"4510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4510\" data-end=\"4528\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: What did you have when you went?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4562\" data-end=\"4565\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4565\" data-end=\"4583\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I had the woodland omelet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4611\" data-end=\"4614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4614\" data-end=\"4632\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4639\" data-end=\"4642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4642\" data-end=\"4660\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Vegetarian, full of provolone and lots and lots of grilled mushrooms, spinach, some garlic. It came with a nice portion of home fries and it was really delicious. It was huge. The portions are huge and so it was hard to finish. I only got through about half of that portion.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4936\" data-end=\"4939\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4939\" data-end=\"4957\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: So you get two meals.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4980\" data-end=\"4983\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4983\" data-end=\"5001\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I got two meals. Yeah, exactly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5034\" data-end=\"5037\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5037\" data-end=\"5055\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, JG, what was your experience?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5097\" data-end=\"5100\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5106\">JG\u003c/strong>: The staff was really, really friendly. The food was amazing. I actually went for a dinner and they have a salad called the calico salad. It’s like a southwestern, romaine lettuce, it has a nice zesty chili lime dressing to it, and it had a right amount of crunch to it. I wish it had more chips because who doesn’t like a good chip? And a little bit more avocado, but the overall salad was really good. And I had the lamb shank which was super fall-of-the-bone tender. It had a polenta that was nice and creamy. It had a nice, interesting sauce to it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4463\" data-end=\"4482\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: You can never go wrong with their Mexican dishes as well. You know, when I’ve gone, their gorditas — they are handmade tortillas and they’re stuffed with meat, they have beans in them, their housemade salsa, cheese, lettuce. Very, very good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5902\" data-end=\"5905\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5905\" data-end=\"5923\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Very good. Did you have anything else? Did you try anything else?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5990\" data-end=\"5993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6601\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Well, we ordered a lot of food while we were there, so my sister got a cheeseburger that I had complete entrée envy over because it was on this huge brioche bun with tons of fun vegetables on it, bacon, cheese dripping off of it, huge burger. She could only get through about half, and then she got a really lovely side salad full of fresh veggies, garbanzo beans, cucumbers, and a delightful vinaigrette that was perfectly bright on the salad. Perfect accompaniment to that burger. And then my uncle, he got the blueberry pancakes, which were like–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6551\" data-end=\"6554\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6554\" data-end=\"6573\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Huge.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6601\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Huge!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6608\" data-end=\"6611\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6611\" data-end=\"6629\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: The size of your plate.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6657\" data-end=\"6675\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah, the size of the plate, and there’s three of them. They had the blueberries folded into the batter, which was great. Tons of blueberries on top. I think it even had blueberries in the butter, which was a nice touch. And we got the Kahlua banana French toast, and that was also a fan favorite. It was nice and crispy, bananas — sweet, kind of that flambé style, and it was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6554\" data-end=\"6573\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: One thing I also did want to note that we had the scones. Oh, my God. They are so good. The scone itself was very fluffy. Cut in half, it was filled with a cream. And then it had a really nice preserve on it. And I felt like it was a great balance, because the acidity of that preserve really cut through that sweetness and heaviness of that cream.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7414\" data-end=\"7417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7417\" data-end=\"7435\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now come on, JG, you’re getting a little breakfast envy over there, aren’t you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7516\" data-end=\"7519\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7519\" data-end=\"7525\">JG\u003c/strong>: I’m not an egg fan, actually, so I’m super limited with breakfast. So, like, I didn’t know that chilaquiles was that fire. I would get that without the egg ’cause I’ve done that before. I wish I would have definitely got the chilaquiles, ’cause now the way you explain it, I’m like, okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7815\" data-end=\"7818\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7818\" data-end=\"7836\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Well, you can always go back.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7867\" data-end=\"7870\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7870\" data-end=\"7876\">JG\u003c/strong>: Oh yeah, definitely. For sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"7818\" data-end=\"7836\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: You can always go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"7870\" data-end=\"7876\">JG\u003c/strong>: And like I said, the staff was really cool. Definitely nice to know that there’s scones there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"8186\" data-end=\"8204\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We were super disappointed ’cause I wanted to try that scone, but they sold out, so it must be very popular.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8136\" data-end=\"8139\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8139\" data-end=\"8158\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Oh, yeah. It’s so good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8183\" data-end=\"8186\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8186\" data-end=\"8204\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, I’m sure.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8219\" data-end=\"8222\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8222\" data-end=\"8241\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Go back for that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8260\" data-end=\"8263\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8263\" data-end=\"8281\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah, we’ll have to do that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8311\" data-end=\"8314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8314\" data-end=\"8332\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, if you would like to try Brezo, it’s located on Solano Avenue in Albany. The average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $65.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8487\" data-end=\"8490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8490\" data-end=\"8508\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: JG’s local favorite dishes up Southern classics paired with an equally warm side of hospitality. Whenever he’s craving the chef’s signature fried chicken and rich mac and cheese, he heads to San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, home to Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"8781\" data-end=\"8784\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"575\">Fernay McPherson\u003c/strong>: Soul food can be any type of cuisine. It’s just what resonates to people in their spirit, in their souls. It’s comfort food, you know? So I want people to feel that comfort when they’re eating it. Minnie is my great aunt, and Lillie Bell was my grandmother. Everything is food that I learned to cook from them with just little twists and spins that I learned over the years. I grew up going to church, and after church it was fried chicken, you know, dinners that people wanted. So I wanted to do something that just really resonated with my childhood, something that was scratch-made. But I also wanted to put a little twist on it, so that’s where my rosemary fried chicken came from. We have all your classic Southern sides, which is collard greens, mac and cheese, cornbread, which is my favorite. So we’re going to put that brown butter in slowly so that we don’t cook our eggs. The brown butter in our cornbread just adds another layer of flavor that really has people thinking, “What is this?” Like, what’s in this cornbread? I hear people say, “I don’t even like cornbread, but this is some good cornbread.” The Fillmore is the neighborhood that I was born and raised in. My great aunt Minnie and my grandmother, when they migrated here, they saw a different Fillmore. The fact that I am able to open up this Black-owned restaurant in a historic, Black-owned neighborhood, to be here and represent that bygone era is just so important.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2019\" data-end=\"2022\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2022\" data-end=\"2034\">Customer\u003c/strong>: How you doing?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2050\" data-end=\"2053\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2053\" data-end=\"2073\">Fernay McPherson\u003c/strong>: When people come in here and they tell me how proud they are, how they have a space that feels like home to them, it makes me feel good that I’m able to do that. I’m here. I’m home. I appreciate everybody. Thank you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2291\" data-end=\"2294\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2294\" data-end=\"2312\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, JG, have you been a fan of Chef Fernay for a long time?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2374\" data-end=\"2377\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2383\">JG\u003c/strong>: For a good moment, um, she was actually in Emeryville prior to, at the public market. That’s kind of, like, where I found it randomly one day. But honestly, I think that it has a different flavor and just energy coming from the Fillmore District because of, historically, where she’s from. It’s just one of those places where you just feel at home. And the rosemary fried chicken is something that’s just — I think is very unique with the brine. Leg and thighs is my go-to. So sometimes four is not enough, unfortunately, so I usually get like an eight piece. They have a house hot sauce that they make. It has a nice, like–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3011\" data-end=\"3014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3032\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Kick to it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3045\" data-end=\"3048\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3048\" data-end=\"3054\">JG\u003c/strong>: It’s just a nice kick to it, yeah. Like a nice kick. And they come with sides whether you get the four or the eight, And the yams has a nice sweet nutmeg, cinnamon, whatever it is, that I just imagine that yams would be ’cause growing up my grandma used to put vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg in it. And just like a big hug, actually.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3396\" data-end=\"3399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3399\" data-end=\"3417\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, now tell me about that mac and cheese that goes with it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3486\" data-end=\"3489\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3489\" data-end=\"3495\">JG\u003c/strong>: The mac and cheese is definitely her signature.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3544\" data-end=\"3547\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3565\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3572\" data-end=\"3575\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3575\" data-end=\"3581\">JG\u003c/strong>: And that’s one of the few places that I enjoy the mac and cheese in public because of the layers of cheese and how gooey it is.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3710\" data-end=\"3713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3713\" data-end=\"3732\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, so I have to agree. The mac and cheese was super cheesy, very creamy. But for me, the braised greens were the star of the show. Perfect seasoning, the broth was really good, like, I basically killed that by myself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Those were the best collard greens, braised collard greens I’ve ever had. They were delicious. We got the pickled vegetables also, They house make them, it’s in a quick pickle. And there is four or five different kinds of vegetables in there that really also helped cut the richness of the chicken, along with the richness of the collard greens and the hot sauces and everything. It was really great on the palate. Loved those.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4382\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4385\" data-end=\"4403\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Did you get fried chicken?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4434\" data-end=\"4452\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We did. We got the fried chicken and the wings in a hot honey sauce. And the wings were a huge portion of these, like, six or eight dinosaur-sized wings. And when we saw those come out first, I thought, “Oh dear, we probably over-ordered again.” And we only got through about half of those before we started moving on to the four-piece chicken that we ordered.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4814\" data-end=\"4817\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4817\" data-end=\"4835\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Right, and fried chicken for you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4870\" data-end=\"4873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: You know, I’m not a huge fried chicken fan and that place made me a fan.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"4969\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4969\" data-end=\"4987\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay, there we go. High praise.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5020\" data-end=\"5023\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I have to say that rosemary, the seasoning, it’s just so unique to me. Also, we’re, like, hot sauce people, so we have to add hot sauce. But, you know, the chicken can stand alone without the hot sauce also.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5250\" data-end=\"5253\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5253\" data-end=\"5271\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, and did you have anything to drink?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5319\" data-end=\"5322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Yeah, I actually had the sangria and it was really refreshing, light, paired really well with that chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"4873\" data-end=\"4892\">JG\u003c/strong>: I like that their wine menu is from Black vendors as well, which is pretty cool. That kind of encompasses that Fillmore energy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5577\" data-end=\"5580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5580\" data-end=\"5598\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right. Did you have dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5632\" data-end=\"5635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5635\" data-end=\"5654\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I did, I had their banana pudding, which was kind of like a crème brûlée. It was the fusion that I didn’t know that I needed so badly in my life. Me and my husband were, like, fighting for the last bite of it. You know, it had that beautiful crème brûlée that you crack into. It was, like, super creamy. Never experienced a dessert like that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5998\" data-end=\"6001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6001\" data-end=\"6019\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We had the sour cream pound cake that had a caramel drizzle on it, and some homemade whipped cream on the side. Came with a bunch of strawberries and it was so good. It wasn’t too sweet. It wasn’t too dense. It was perfect and kind of had to hide it at the very, very back of my fridge when I got home so nobody else would gobble it down later that night but me. So, delicious. Highly–\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6407\" data-end=\"6410\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6410\" data-end=\"6428\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Had no calories either.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6453\" data-end=\"6456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6456\" data-end=\"6474\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Zero calories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6589\">JG: \u003c/strong>I don’t know if you guys got the cornbread.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6534\" data-end=\"6537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6537\" data-end=\"6555\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: The cornbread was good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6580\" data-end=\"6583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6583\" data-end=\"6589\">JG\u003c/strong>: The honey butter cornbread is definitely where it’s at, too. I’m not a big dessert fan personally, so I usually opt out of desserts.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6723\" data-end=\"6726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6726\" data-end=\"6744\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Well, you got cornbread and yams.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6779\" data-end=\"6782\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6782\" data-end=\"6788\">JG\u003c/strong>: I got yams. I think I got enough sugar for the day. And the vibe there, to me, is what you think of the Harlem of the West would be. I think it brings a different light into a neighborhood that really needs some light on it, and it has a really historical, happy thing to say about culture. So that’s the reason why I like going there, ’cause for me, it’s nostalgic. It has great music, great people, and it brings people together in a way that I think people in San Francisco should be together.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7286\" data-end=\"7289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7385\" data-end=\"7403\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I mean, the vibe in there is really comfortable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong data-start=\"6726\" data-end=\"6744\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>It’s about hospitality.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7382\" data-end=\"7385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7385\" data-end=\"7403\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Hospitality all the way. It was a wonderful little restaurant. It’s small, but it felt very big and a lot of spirit. And the personality of it was great.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7558\" data-end=\"7561\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7561\" data-end=\"7579\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, I think you got some fans, JG.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7622\" data-end=\"7625\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7625\" data-end=\"7643\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7650\" data-end=\"7653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7653\" data-end=\"7671\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: If you would like to try Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement, It’s located on Fillmore Street in San Francisco, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $45.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7850\" data-end=\"7853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7853\" data-end=\"7871\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Vanessa says any way you slice it, her restaurant serves some of the Bay Area’s most delectable wood-fired pizzas. But that’s just a small part of the draw for her. The high ceilings, lively bar, and family-friendly vibe, all make for a great night out, no matter what the occasion. Located in San Mateo, it’s Rise Woodfire.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"504\" data-end=\"519\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: The cuisine at Rise Woodfire is Italian American comfort food, as well as American comfort food. All the things that we grew up on with a chef’s touch.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"672\" data-end=\"675\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"675\" data-end=\"692\">Susan Payrovi\u003c/strong>: We decided to call this Rise because Omid has been working on his dough for seven years.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"782\" data-end=\"785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"785\" data-end=\"800\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: There’s four flours that make up the pizza dough. It has wheat germ in it, rye in it, it also has whole wheat, and then it has a high-powered, high-gluten flour. This dough has already seen four rises. The fifth rise is when it goes in the oven, and that’s the final rise. You can make a pretty good pizza at home, but there’s no competing with giant 5,000 pound brick oven from Naples, Italy. We use almond wood. It just adds another layer of flavor. This is our prosciutto slicer. It is actually hand-cranked. We want it to go nice and slow and give us paper thin prosciutto. My love affair with the menu or any individual item kind of rotates in and out. Our prime rib is awesome. Sometimes I’m all about just a straight-up Napoli pizza, other times it’s all about the wings.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1580\" data-end=\"1583\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1583\" data-end=\"1600\">Susan Payrovi\u003c/strong>: I actually love the chicken. It has a really good flavor to it. You know, the white meat is great, the dark meat is great, and the different sauces. A big hit is the chimichurri.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1780\" data-end=\"1783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1783\" data-end=\"1798\">Omid Zahedi\u003c/strong>: We love being here at the train station. The ambiance of this place with the 40-foot ceilings, I think we got the largest, tallest bar, maybe in the peninsula. [Laughs] One of the funny things that happens here is sometimes the conductors will give us a phone call and place a pizza order, and then we’ll have it ready for them, and then they’ll just run in and throw a 20 down, and grab it and jump back into the train and take off. I’ve eaten thousands of pizzas and I’m still not tired of it. Yummy! There’s a lot of things to disagree about, but pizza has no enemies. [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2383\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2383\" data-end=\"2390\">All\u003c/strong>: Cheers!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2399\" data-end=\"2402\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2420\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Now, Vanessa, they do a very large menu here, don’t they?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2482\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2482\" data-end=\"2500\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: They do. Pretty eclectic menu.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2532\" data-end=\"2535\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2535\" data-end=\"2553\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And is that one of the reasons you love it so much?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2609\" data-end=\"2627\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: I do. My daughter is a vegan, my son’s a full carnivore, and there’s something on the menu for all of us there. We always start with the prosciutto and arugula pizza. Their crust is nice and chewy and especially love the delicate slicing on the prosciutto. I love the meatballs. The meatballs are absolutely delicious. They’re soft, they’re in a very savory, robust meat sauce. It comes with a very delicate crostini. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the richness of the meatballs.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3109\" data-end=\"3112\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3131\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I actually started also with meatballs, and I have to say that I loved them. I feel like that tomato sauce was what made that meatball.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3268\" data-end=\"3271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3271\" data-end=\"3289\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Isn’t it good?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3305\" data-end=\"3308\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3308\" data-end=\"3327\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: It’s so good. You can just scoop up that sauce. And the meatballs are perfectly seasoned.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3418\" data-end=\"3421\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3421\" data-end=\"3427\">JG\u003c/strong>: Unfortunately, I didn’t have the best meatball experience.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3487\" data-end=\"3490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3490\" data-end=\"3508\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, no.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3517\" data-end=\"3520\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3520\" data-end=\"3526\">JG\u003c/strong>: The bread was nice and warm, but the meatballs was kind of lukewarm, kind of cold. And I know that’s something that’s fixable, and I did get pizza. I actually went with the back rib and arugula pizza. The white sauce was really good. The beef rib was super tender, the crust was nice and chewy, and it’s actually a good shareable pizza for like two people.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3884\" data-end=\"3887\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3887\" data-end=\"3905\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And did you wash that down with anything?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3948\" data-end=\"3951\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3951\" data-end=\"3957\">JG\u003c/strong>: I actually had a Mezcal club soda ’cause that’s usually my default cocktail. Their mezcal was a really good well, two limes, that’s like my Sprite — a spicy Sprite. That’s kind of what I rock with.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4156\" data-end=\"4159\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4178\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I actually had the Lovely Locomotive. I thought it was great. It’s a gin-based drink with a peach puree. The gin wasn’t so strong, and it paired well with that puree. I got the lemon pesto shrimp pizza. I kind of went a little exotic with mine. And it was beautiful. It was really, really bright. It was garnished with this, like, dried lemon on top, it had chili flakes, and when you would bite into it, it had whole garlic that would kind of like pop in your mouth and give you kind of this sweetness.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4683\" data-end=\"4686\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4686\" data-end=\"4704\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: All right, and they’ve got a whole selection of grilled items, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4775\" data-end=\"4778\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4778\" data-end=\"4796\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Oh, they do. They have prime rib Thursday through Sunday, they have Scottish salmon, chicken, and that lovely wood-fired rotisserie.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4930\" data-end=\"4933\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4933\" data-end=\"4952\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: My husband got the Pitman chicken. I had a few bites. It was extremely tender. But the thing that got my attention was actually the coleslaw. It had like a horseradish sauce. So it was a very bold flavor. And my husband said that was probably the favorite thing that he got.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5231\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5231\" data-end=\"5249\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Was the coleslaw?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5268\" data-end=\"5271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5271\" data-end=\"5290\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: Was the coleslaw, yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5315\" data-end=\"5318\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5318\" data-end=\"5336\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5343\" data-end=\"5346\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5346\" data-end=\"5364\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Their hummus is also delicious. They make their own pita bread, they put the hummus with Persian cucumbers, feta, some tomatoes to give it a little texture.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5522\" data-end=\"5525\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5543\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Nice. Did you have any dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5576\" data-end=\"5579\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5579\" data-end=\"5597\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: Celebration cake. We had the chocolate celebration cake. And it is wonderful. Nice chocolatey flavor. I think they put a little bit of coffee or espresso in there to balance out the richness of the cake. It’s served with a scoop of ice cream, and we’re usually fighting over finishing up that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5892\" data-end=\"5895\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5895\" data-end=\"5901\">JG\u003c/strong>: I got the chocolate chip cookie brownie situation. Yeah, that’s delicious. I wish the cookie was sweeter, but the texture, the brownie, and everything was definitely nice.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6074\" data-end=\"6077\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6077\" data-end=\"6095\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: And what about the atmosphere?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6127\" data-end=\"6130\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6130\" data-end=\"6149\">Kristie Ramirez\u003c/strong>: I love the atmosphere. The restaurant itself is really lovely and it’s right there next to the train.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6252\" data-end=\"6255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6261\">JG\u003c/strong>: What makes it unique is actually the space. The patio is really beautiful. There’s a lot of natural light that’s inside. My biggest disappointment is I was just kind of standing there for a little bit, and it was really not that busy. And I’m, like, I’m just waiting to sit down.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6542\" data-end=\"6545\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6545\" data-end=\"6563\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Was it an off night?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6585\" data-end=\"6588\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6594\">JG\u003c/strong>: Could have been an off night.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6625\" data-end=\"6628\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6628\" data-end=\"6646\">Vanessa Guerra\u003c/strong>: We’ve always had great customer service and friendly waiters.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6709\" data-end=\"6712\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6712\" data-end=\"6718\">JG\u003c/strong>: But that was just my personal experience, but I would definitely give it another chance for sure. I think it’s a very good large group setting spot because the menu is so vast, and I love how it’s close to public transit too, you know what I mean, and it’s free parking. You know, I live in San Francisco. Free parking is not the norm. Some free 90 minute parking, or I could take Caltrain and pull up and it’s right there. So it’s easy for people to get to as well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"7186\" data-end=\"7189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7189\" data-end=\"7207\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Excellent. If you would like to try Rise Woodfire, it’s located on B Street in San Mateo, and the average multi-course tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"268\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"165\" data-end=\"185\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: And now reporter Cecilia Phillips has more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"270\" data-end=\"272\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"479\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"274\" data-end=\"294\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So we’re here in San Jose at the Japantown Farmers Market, and the Obon Festival is happening. But this is a really awesome place to visit year round. What makes this area so special?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"498\">Jennifer Rast\u003c/strong>: It’s the most historic of the three Japantowns in the United States. We’re tiny, but mighty. We’ve got a lot of legacy businesses. My family’s been in Japantown for five generations doing agriculture in the Valley, so agriculture means everything to us. The Obon Festival is kind of like our version of Day of the Dead. It celebrates our ancestors. We dance, we have games, and then some foods over there as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"952\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"935\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Excellent food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"978\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"954\" data-end=\"971\">Jennifer Rast\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"980\" data-end=\"982\">♪♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1075\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"984\" data-end=\"1004\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Mogu mogu means, like, “num num” in English. Like chowing down sound.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1077\" data-end=\"1114\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1077\" data-end=\"1096\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: Like, nyom-nyom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1206\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1136\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Nyom-nyom. Yes. So then I’m hoping that your food is yum-yum, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1242\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1208\" data-end=\"1227\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: Very yum yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1244\" data-end=\"1271\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1244\" data-end=\"1264\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1292\">Jennifer Kimura\u003c/strong>: We do make a beef curry sando, which is Wagyu beef with curry sauce that I make, a little bit of potato, one with the cheddar cheese, one with red cabbage pickle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1458\" data-end=\"1516\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1458\" data-end=\"1478\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Whoa! Delicious. Mogu mogu. Yum yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1518\" data-end=\"1601\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1518\" data-end=\"1538\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So you’ve been doing the Obon and doing tempura for 20 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1603\" data-end=\"1643\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1603\" data-end=\"1619\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Close to 30 years now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1702\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1645\" data-end=\"1665\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Oh my gosh. Hot, fresh, fried food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1754\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1720\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: That’s what we’re talking about.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1810\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1776\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It is not cool here in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"2099\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1812\" data-end=\"1828\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: No, no, no, but we keep it cool. We got the good music going, we got the good refreshments. Yeah, we’re good. So today what we’re cooking is the tempura. Onions, we got green beans, we got zucchini, some yams, and one shrimp on top, and then there’s your dipping sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2101\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2101\" data-end=\"2138\">Wayne Kogura and Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2182\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2149\" data-end=\"2165\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Cheers it. Top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2184\" data-end=\"2204\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So it’s light, airy, not too heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2266\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2259\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Nope.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2268\" data-end=\"2288\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Not oily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2301\" data-end=\"2317\">Wayne Kogura\u003c/strong>: Yep.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2362\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2325\" data-end=\"2345\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2364\" data-end=\"2562\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2364\" data-end=\"2384\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So we’re at the Obon Festival, and it’s all about remembering ancestors. Do you have anything that comes to your mind when you think of, like, ancestral dishes, family history?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2579\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: That would be our guava cake. My grandparents owned Aki’s Bakery in Japantown and they were here for many years. So we brought our guava cake, and this is what Aki’s Bakery was known for. And we do the same thing just with a little twist.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2841\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Ooh, look at this. The cake is so light. I’m never going to have anything more delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"3034\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2934\" data-end=\"2949\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: This is Imagawayaki, a Japanese pancake sandwich with red bean paste in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3149\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3036\" data-end=\"3056\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: So this is a very traditional dish? Is it a dessert? Is it like a breakfast? Is it a snack?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3265\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3151\" data-end=\"3166\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: I’ve had it at all times of the day, but we’ll call it a dessert just because of how sweet it is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3328\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3287\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Mmm! They smell so good. These are hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"3356\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3330\" data-end=\"3345\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: They are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3358\" data-end=\"3375\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3358\" data-end=\"3366\">Both\u003c/strong>: Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3377\" data-end=\"3425\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3377\" data-end=\"3397\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Oh, my gosh, it’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3442\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Fluffy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3453\" data-end=\"3473\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: It’s so fluffy. And the red bean paste has only a little bit of sweetness. It’s actually pretty savory.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3595\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3604\" data-end=\"3670\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3604\" data-end=\"3624\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Half dessert, half you can have at any time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3672\" data-end=\"3730\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3672\" data-end=\"3687\">Kristie Tam\u003c/strong>: Yeah. I want these all the time actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3732\" data-end=\"3746\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3732\" data-end=\"3746\">Both laugh\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3748\" data-end=\"4237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3748\" data-end=\"3766\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show. JG, who raves about the rosemary fried chicken at Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement in San Francisco. Vanessa Guerra, lover of all things smoky and charred at Rise Woodfire in San Mateo. And Kristie Ramirez, who dreams of mimosas on the patio at Brezo in Albany. 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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4239\" data-end=\"4246\">All\u003c/strong>: Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4304\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4257\" data-end=\"4275\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>: Cheers. I hope you had fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4306\" data-end=\"4343\">[Conversation continues indistinctly]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4345\" data-end=\"4456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4345\" data-end=\"4370\">Man\u003c/strong>: The temple here is a religious center. It’s one of the largest in the United States.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4554\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4458\" data-end=\"4478\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Tell me about the little tags that are hanging around. What do those mean?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4556\" data-end=\"4581\">Man\u003c/strong>: People make a tag during the festival time honoring their ancestor or someone that they’ve lost.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4681\" data-end=\"4701\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>: Are there any specific foods that you think about when you think about family?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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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? 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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\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>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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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-kahnfections-twelvemonth-pucquio",
"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Kahnfections, Twelvemonth, Pucquio",
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"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Kahnfections, Twelvemonth, Pucquio | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 4, airs Thursday, May 1, 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>Nestled in San Francisco’s Mission District, \u003cstrong>Kahnfections\u003c/strong> is a beloved bakery that fills the air with the mouthwatering scents of butter and sugar each morning. Regulars swear by the chocolate croissants, glazed cinnamon rolls, and the indulgent bacon-cheddar-scallion biscuit sandwiches, each made with the kind of care that only a true neighborhood spot can offer. Down the Peninsula in Burlingame, \u003cstrong>Twelvemonth\u003c/strong> is elevating sustainable and plant-based dining in a sleek and elegant space. Diners are treated to creative, vegetable-driven dishes like crispy maitake mushrooms, the umami-packed panzanella alla puttanesca, and a surprisingly rich potted pudding served with chocolate custard, edible “soil” and hazelnut praline. Finally, in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, \u003cstrong>Pucquio\u003c/strong> transports diners to Peru with its vibrant flavors that feature indigenous ingredients. The cebiche de pescado, featuring pristine fish and sweet potato bathed in citrus and spice, is a masterclass in balance, while the chupe de camarones, a rich, deeply comforting shrimp bisque, showcases the depth of Peruvian cuisine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23481\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23481 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Manali Gokhale, Chris Carroll and Liza Fiorentinos from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://kahnfections.com/\">\u003cstrong>Kahnfections\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.twelvemonthburlingame.com/\">\u003cstrong>Twelvemonth\u003c/strong> (Burlingame)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pucquio.com/\">\u003cstrong>Pucquio \u003c/strong>(Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"247\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"202\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Breakfast biscuit heaven in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"268\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> It’s so fantastically buttery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"363\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"320\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Plant-forward fine dining in Burlingame…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"386\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I said, “What, what, what, what?” It’s really unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"512\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"467\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And contemporary Peruvian plates in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"572\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"532\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> You realize, “Holy cow, it’s all gone.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"574\" data-end=\"669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"574\" data-end=\"593\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"634\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> Like eating the top of the muffin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"690\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"722\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1257\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"743\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"805\">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=\"1047\" data-end=\"1063\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are clean-energy program manager \u003cstrong data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1127\">Manali Gokhale\u003c/strong>, plant business owner \u003cstrong data-start=\"1150\" data-end=\"1170\">Liza Fiorentinos\u003c/strong>, and high school teacher \u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1213\">Chris Carroll\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone. Ready for a great show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1282\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1277\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1305\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yes, absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1586\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1343\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Manali’s breakfast spot is proof-positive that good things come in small packages. It’s a tiny bakery that packs big flavors into hot, buttery, build-your-own biscuit sandwiches. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, it’s Kahnfections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1603\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1605\" data-end=\"1691\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1605\" data-end=\"1614\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> I think a bakery can really be a community gathering spot. It is happy food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1702\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> Nobody comes into a bakery in a bad mood. Or if they do, they tend to leave in a much better mood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1818\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"2224\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1829\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> Kahnfections is kind of old-school American meets French. Our best seller, carrot cake, was kind of the impetus behind what was going to be at Kahnfections. But then when I went to pastry school, I really fell in love with croissants and making them. And we do 10 different varieties. Our scones are baked with a house-made scone glaze, just that finishing touch that put it right over the top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2235\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> It’s really hard to find a good breakfast sandwich, particularly on a buttermilk biscuit, and that’s kind of a thing we’ve become known for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2513\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2387\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> We make our eggs fresh to order in a kind of French omelet style, so that it takes on a little bit of a soufflé-like texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2589\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2525\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Each breakfast sandwich roughly gets about one and a half eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2600\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> I think the key to a good biscuit is not overworking the dough and doing it by hand. We make about 1,200 biscuits every week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"2768\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"2737\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> That’s 50,000 biscuits a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2779\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> That’s a lot of biscuits. That’s a lot of butter. Some of our most loyal customers are the four-legged variety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2893\" data-end=\"2944\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2893\" data-end=\"2902\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> Yeah, we do have house-made dog biscuits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"3012\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"2955\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> People tell us that their dogs bring them to the bakery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3023\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> We do like the furry friends. We have people who come by every day. This is their morning coffee spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3153\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3138\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Vanilla latte?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3164\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> They’ll grab a table and they’ll be out there for an hour and a half, and we love that. We’ve been approached, “Oh, you know, do you want to do, like, a ghost kitchen where you can make your sandwiches and we’ll deliver them out everywhere?” I was like, “No, we don’t want to do that.” We like to see people eat the food and get satisfaction out of it. We get satisfaction out of them getting satisfaction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3573\" data-end=\"3701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3573\" data-end=\"3582\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> We just really love that we’ve become part of these people’s lives. We appreciate them so much and they appreciate us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3703\" data-end=\"3718\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3836\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3739\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Manali, when you go for breakfast, do you tend towards the sweet or the savory or a mixture?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3838\" data-end=\"4358\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3838\" data-end=\"3857\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Ideally, I really like to have both, and they actually have a pretty wide variety of your classic pastries, you know, croissants, muffins, scones. But what made me really fall in love with it is their breakfast sandwich. It’s an egg and cheese on a biscuit. But this is no ordinary biscuit. It’s almost indescribable but I’m going to try. It’s soft, it’s fluffy, it’s so fantastically buttery and also really generously sized. The other thing I really like about it is that it’s totally customizable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4370\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Bacon and egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4671\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4406\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I usually go for their dill, Swiss, and scallion biscuit. Then I’ll get cheddar cheese. And then for the spread, I go back and forth between either the garlic aioli or the lemon aioli. I think they both pack a lot of flavor. Just depends what I’m feeling that day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4727\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4692\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Depends if you’re kissing anybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4729\" data-end=\"4831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4729\" data-end=\"4748\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yes, exactly. Yeah. I’m curious. Did you guys get the sandwich when you guys went?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4879\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4852\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You got to have a biscuit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4881\" data-end=\"5195\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4881\" data-end=\"4902\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I didn’t get the sandwich, but I must have ordered like five biscuits and three of the scones. And my favorite was the bacon cheddar scallion. It was unbelievable. I don’t usually have bacon. It was delicious. It was bready without being over-chewy. Just absolutely delicious. What about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5197\" data-end=\"5922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5197\" data-end=\"5215\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> 100% the biscuit sandwich. I got the traditional buttermilk biscuit with egg, added bacon with the garlic spread. And there are hamburgers that are smaller than this. And I think for me, what is super key about that is just how fluffy and light and delicious that egg was. And by the way, I feel like I’m a bacon connoisseur. The bacon there was particularly thick and crispy. Absolutely fantastic. I could tell that I was eating at a wonderful place, just by virtue of sitting next to these two gentlemen who got their sandwiches, opened up their bags, and made this guttural noise. It wasn’t — It wasn’t a word. It was sort of like a grunt. And I heard nothing from these guys for like five, six minutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"6161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"5943\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I totally sympathize with those cavemen because the sandwiches come wrapped in foil, and it just feels like you’re unwrapping a present. Like, you tear it open. It’s hot. It’s fresh out the oven. Absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6163\" data-end=\"6276\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6163\" data-end=\"6181\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> We went back the next day just to say how wonderful this place was. We went back the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6278\" data-end=\"6323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6278\" data-end=\"6297\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That is a true testament.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6325\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6325\" data-end=\"6343\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely, absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"7014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"6388\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> That makes me so happy. They also have a mushroom Gruyère croissant. It’s a square croissant and the crust is just perfectly flaky, like you want a croissant to be, really buttery with a very generous amount of filling in the middle. And the mushroom and Gruyère is such a great combination. They also have a cute little individual quiche of the day, and the crust is nice and thin, but still really flaky and buttery, so you get a good ratio of filling to crust. And the filling is really custardy soft, and they have a different flavor every day, so you never know what you’re going to get. But I haven’t gone wrong so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7016\" data-end=\"7243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7016\" data-end=\"7034\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> The weekends is where you can get a cinnamon roll, and the icing that is on top of that cinnamon roll is baseball-like. It’s almost the size of a baseball itself, on top of this incredibly rich cinnamon roll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7245\" data-end=\"7303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7245\" data-end=\"7264\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Are you an unwinder of cinnamon rolls?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7305\" data-end=\"7494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7305\" data-end=\"7323\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> No. Knife through the middle, knife through the middle of that. I want all of those flavors all at once — the middle of that bun, the icing that’s on top all in one bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7496\" data-end=\"7522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7496\" data-end=\"7506\">Woman:\u003c/strong> It’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7524\" data-end=\"7826\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7524\" data-end=\"7545\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I had the sour cherry almond scone. And what I love about it — I don’t like things that are, like, super sweet. And this was just the right touch of savory and sweet. There was a pop of almond in it. The cherries had like a nice chew to them and it was just a nice, crumbly scone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7828\" data-end=\"7913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7828\" data-end=\"7847\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, what did you get to drink with it? Are you a coffee drinker?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7915\" data-end=\"8020\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7915\" data-end=\"7936\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I am a coffee drinker. I got a delicious iced caffè latte with oat milk. Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8022\" data-end=\"8314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8022\" data-end=\"8041\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I’m actually not a big coffee drinker, but they have a really good European-style hot chocolate. Very decadent. It’s really thick, super chocolaty. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. So the richness isn’t overwhelming. It’s still manageable. And yeah, delicious on a cold day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8316\" data-end=\"8659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8316\" data-end=\"8334\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> They have a pain au chocolat there. I loved the chocolate that was inside of it. There was a ton of it. I think the downfall of those kinds of pastries is that there’s not enough chocolate. At Kahnfections, they really do ensure that you get an incredible bite of chocolate with every bite of pain au chocolat that you have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8661\" data-end=\"9059\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8661\" data-end=\"8680\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> They also have these fantastic mini cupcakes. My favorite is their carrot cake one. A great balance of frosting to cake, which I feel is very important for a cupcake and just packed full of raisins and spices. Super moist, really delicious, and just a tiny little bite. So, you know, if you’re already really full from your sandwich, you’re not going to put things over the top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9061\" data-end=\"9559\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9061\" data-end=\"9079\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I think one thing to note is there is a place to sit inside, but other than that, if you want to dine there, you are sitting outside. And on the morning that we went, it was a little bit chilly, so I had a tall cup of coffee. They had heavy cream, which is how I take my coffee, and it was perfect. As a matter of fact, they were kind enough to top it off a little bit when the breakfast sandwich arrived. Just another reason why this is a place I will return to again and again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9561\" data-end=\"9622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9561\" data-end=\"9582\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I would definitely go back. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9648\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9642\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> 100%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9650\" data-end=\"9677\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9650\" data-end=\"9671\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9679\" data-end=\"9853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9679\" data-end=\"9698\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Kahnfections, it’s located on 20th Street in San Francisco, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $20.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"353\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"117\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Liza’s passion is plant-focused interior design. She loves to fill homes and workspaces with living art, so it’s no wonder her favorite restaurant has an equally plant-centric approach. Located in downtown Burlingame, it’s Twelvemonth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"370\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"387\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I think a lot of people have this general notion of vegan cuisine sort of being bland and just a lot of vegetables. When I set out to create Twelvemonth, I really wanted to create a destination for all of life’s occasions where the food was sort of incidentally plant-based. You know, it’s delicious, nutritious, and hey, it’s all plants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"757\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"736\">Man:\u003c/strong> Mm, mm, that’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"759\" data-end=\"1176\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"759\" data-end=\"774\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I love our cuisine. It’s sort of global fusion through a California lens. I think a lot about sustainability. We really focus on microseasonal food and just truly unlock every flavor. This features Brentwood corn. It was picked this morning. We’re not the type of place that makes a tomato taste like fish. We’re the type of place that makes you say, “That’s the best tomato I’ve ever had in my life.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1193\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1188\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1485\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1210\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> Other important aspects of sustainability come down to trying to use every part of everything, as well as reuse components that other places might consider, you know, used up. My favorite item in the menu is our bean stew. I intend to never, ever, ever take it off the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1508\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1495\">Man:\u003c/strong> Good, buddy?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1510\" data-end=\"2240\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1510\" data-end=\"1525\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I love it. It’s a very long cooking process, but lots of love and thought along the way. If you’re thoughtful with every step from your broth to the finish, you can just infuse tons of flavor. We have a beautiful bar that has three lovely private rooms off them, and then our main dining room is just this huge, glorious space. But another thing I love about the space is actually the acoustics. There’s not as much echoing or loudness as you might expect. You can still have an intimate dinner with whoever. I hope when people experience Twelvemonth, it changes their opinion of vegan cuisine so they realize that plant-based food can be delicious. My favorite review is, “I’m an omnivore, but I love this place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2424\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2261\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Liza, it’s interesting that we’re getting, I think, more and more restaurants that are solely plant-focused and plant-forward. How did you discover this spot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2712\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2447\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So a friend of mine called me because I had been plant-based for a while and she said, “Have you been to that new place Twelvemonth in Burlingame?” And I said, “No, what, what, what, what?” And I immediately made a reservation and went over there. It is fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2733\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you start with, with a menu of that size?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"3100\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2806\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Our go-to is definitely the bean stew. It’s in a tomato broth. It’s got some kale and other spices and focaccia, which, oh, my God, just melts in your mouth. So, it gives you the impression that you’re eating beef. But it’s not. There’s nothing. It’s all plant-based. It’s really unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3526\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3121\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also started with the bean stew. And can I just say from the first bite I was transported to another world. It was amazing. And I don’t eat a lot of meat, so maybe I’m not the best person to say this, but this tastes really meaty. It’s like very smoky. It has this really deep, rich flavor. This is so much more than just a pot of beans. So much more has gone into this to make it taste so incredible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3528\" data-end=\"3888\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3528\" data-end=\"3546\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I really want to highlight their breaded mushrooms — very lightly breaded, dusted with a little bit of chili powder and the dip that it comes with, very similar to an aioli with a bit of spice. Not too much heat, but maybe a few seconds after your first or second bite. The mushrooms are an absolute don’t miss out because it was incredible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3890\" data-end=\"4372\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3890\" data-end=\"3909\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got the panzanella alla puttanesca. First of all, I love a bread-based salad. You really can’t go wrong there. But it’s focaccia and a lot of fresh tomato. And somehow the focaccia really absorbs all the delicious flavors and juice from the tomato, but still stays really crisp. And it has these crispy capers and pickled cucumbers in it. So you just have all these different bursts of flavor and different textures. It’s just this really fresh-tasting salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4395\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I go for the charred cabbage salad. It’s, of course, extremely healthy. It’s got a nice little bite to it. The texture of it is great. The spice of it is really good. Did you try that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4933\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4600\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I didn’t, but I had what’s called the BBQ, the barbecue plate, which — meat eater from the Midwest — I know what I think I’m looking at, but it is actually a plate of lentils, and it comes with a barbecue sauce paired with some greens and some pears. And for me, the very first bite was a bit unique, certainly because I know what —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4935\" data-end=\"4977\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4935\" data-end=\"4954\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> “This isn’t barbecue!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4979\" data-end=\"5086\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4979\" data-end=\"4997\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> It’s not barbecue. By the second and third bite, I was eating just this incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5107\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> As one of our entrées, we shared the corn pasta, which was amazing. It had so much fresh corn flavor. The sauce was so flavorful, and you had a lot in every bite. And there was this coconut feta on top, which added a little bit of extra flavor. They also had these Cajun corn cracklins over the top, which added a little bit of extra crunch and flavor to the dish. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5863\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5510\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> My neighbor had the Japanese curry tofu served with rice, and the server comes out and pours the curry on top of the pieces of tofu. A little bit spicy, but certainly not something that would turn people off. It was a G-rated curry, as it were. [laughs] But again, a completely unique dish. And it made me forget that I was at a plant-based restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5865\" data-end=\"6048\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5865\" data-end=\"5884\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I had the not paella, which was like paella, but not. It’s actually just socarrat, which is the rice that’s, like, at the bottom of the pan and gets really crispy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6050\" data-end=\"6089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6050\" data-end=\"6069\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s the best part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6220\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6110\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> It’s the best part. And they just — they only have that in the dish. They just get rid of all the rest of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6222\" data-end=\"6281\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6222\" data-end=\"6241\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s like eating the top of the muffin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6283\" data-end=\"6586\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6283\" data-end=\"6302\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. And then it had really colorful sauces. It was a broccoli mayo and a romesco sauce. Had this, like, red and green going on and had lots of veggies in it. It was super crispy and just delicious. I’d never seen anything like that before. I was really impressed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6661\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6607\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to sip alongside your meal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6663\" data-end=\"6854\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6663\" data-end=\"6684\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I did. The flower spritz is delicious. Non-alcoholic elderflower, butterfly pea flower, some lemon, and club soda. Absolutely so refreshing, even actually in the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6856\" data-end=\"6884\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6856\" data-end=\"6866\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh! I like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6886\" data-end=\"7151\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6886\" data-end=\"6904\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I had a drink called The Garden Party, which is made with a little bit of sparkling water, but flavors of cucumber and mint and some apple cider vinegar. Extremely refreshing. So for someone who doesn’t consume alcohol, this was a great beverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7216\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7172\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. More food. What else did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7218\" data-end=\"7493\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7218\" data-end=\"7239\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Dessert. We have got to talk about the dessert. The chocolate dessert actually comes in a little flower pot near and dear to my heart. And a little shovel. You can’t — Like, we are all grabbing for it. It’s quite rich and dense and absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7495\" data-end=\"7540\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7495\" data-end=\"7514\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And creatively presented.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7542\" data-end=\"7576\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7542\" data-end=\"7563\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Beautifully.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7578\" data-end=\"7827\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7578\" data-end=\"7597\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also got the toasted red miso cake, which was a little bit on the salty side for me, but still delicious, really unique flavors. And it came with this berry coulis, which was a really great way to kind of balance out the miso.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7829\" data-end=\"8068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7829\" data-end=\"7847\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I didn’t have room for dessert. I will have to go back to try some of these because it sounds incredible, but it also goes to show just how great the meal itself was because I was so satisfied that I just couldn’t do it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8070\" data-end=\"8229\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8070\" data-end=\"8089\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I thought each dish was so creative. Really, things I hadn’t tried before, and I would definitely recommend it to friends and family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8231\" data-end=\"8403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8231\" data-end=\"8250\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Twelvemonth, it’s located on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"369\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"132\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Chris is a big meat and potatoes guy, and he’s now found a Peruvian take on that classic combination that he can’t get enough of. Anytime he’s craving a savory lomo saltado, he heads to Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, home to Pucquio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"386\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"1120\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"407\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> I’m making the dressing for the potato for your next course. The flavors of Peru are limitless. There are different regions. There’s the coast, there’s sea, there’s land, there’s highlands. As a Peruvian and as a cook, we want to send a message to the people. We wanted to introduce them to our culture. The kitchen of Pucquio tries to evoke all the flavors from Peru, from most of the staple dishes that we have there, but since we’re in California, we added an additional twist to it. A good example of that will be the tacu-tacu de mariscos, our interpretation of a classic Peruvian dish, but made completely different with beurre blanc on it and different elements that we get from our “stash” in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1141\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> One of the most representative dishes in our cuisine is the ceviche, without a doubt. It’s a ritual. The Mochicas probably were the first humans to start fishing and marinate raw fish. We admire and appreciate more about the freshness of the fish itself and how the nuances of that fish are brought by combining with the spice and citrus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1821\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1501\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> One of our desserts, bombitas de carretilla, it brings me a lot of memories from my childhood in every aspect. Similar to a beignet, but we stuff it with fermented sweet potato and dulce de leche. My favorite item on the menu is every single one of them. They’re like my kids. I might have a favorite. I won’t tell you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"2112\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"1842\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> The name of the restaurant, Pucquio, is Quechua for “spring water,” and for us it’s a reflection of something pure and transparent, which is our mission to our community. Hello, hello. I really hope they feel touched, satisfied, happy, and raving about this restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2129\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2150\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Chris, talk about what’s unique about this space, right? A very intimate dining room and that open sort of kitchen feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2295\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> For sure. One thing about Pucquio that I love is that the interior seats about 18 people. It is very small.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2424\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> You know where to find me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2581\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2471\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> And there are four seats at the pass where you can sit and watch the chef and the sous chef work their magic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2686\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2602\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So what do you get when you walk in that door and you start smelling all that food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"3248\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"2706\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> The first thing we have is the cebiche de clásico. This dish is made with a wonderfully flavored rockfish. It sits on a bed of greens with some red onions and Peruvian nuts that give every bite that you have just a little bit of crunch, a little bit of texture. They serve this dish with a relatively large spoon. But for me, because I think lifting the plate and drinking from it is a bit rude, I can at least scoop some of that citric juice and just sort of finish my ceviche with that, which is a great way to end that particular starter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3250\" data-end=\"3504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3250\" data-end=\"3269\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also started with the cebiche de pescado, and it was amazing. And I especially loved how the marinade is, as you said, very, very acidic. I felt the sweet potato really balanced that out and made it overall a really delicious dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3525\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you use the big spoon too?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3577\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I did use the big spoon to get the extra juice. And the Peruvian corn is so fun. I’ve never seen corn kernels that big before, but it really adds that extra bite and fun texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3758\" data-end=\"3918\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3758\" data-end=\"3779\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So actually, I just want to jump in and talk about Kevin, who was actually our welcome wagon when we first got there. He is exceptional…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"3962\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"3930\">Kevin:\u003c/strong> This is coming from Susanville.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3964\" data-end=\"4367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3964\" data-end=\"3985\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> …describing everything because it was one of my first times having Peruvian cuisine. So, my appetizer was the cebiche de truchae, which actually had a little bit of skin. It had fennel, yucca, and a little bit of caviar. And I loved there was a lot of acidity to it, but it was a combination of like the lemon and lime and some of the green leaves, which made it extremely tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4369\" data-end=\"4412\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4369\" data-end=\"4388\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about you, Manali?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4840\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4433\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got two entrées, so one of them was the arroz de mariscos, which was a Peruvian take on paella. Delicious. It had Gulf prawns, squid, and rockfish in it. And the arroz, the rice had squid ink in it as well, so it was super creamy. It had that fun, you know, dark black color that you get with squid ink. Really incredible. And, again, it had that Peruvian corn in it that I’m just totally obsessed with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4842\" data-end=\"4929\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4842\" data-end=\"4863\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Kevin actually explained that there are 84 types of corn in Peru.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4964\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4950\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> That’s a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"5007\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"4987\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yeah. That’s a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5009\" data-end=\"5482\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5009\" data-end=\"5028\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Our second one, we got the tacu-tacu de mariscos, which was more of a rice and beans dish. They sound very similar, both like rice with different types of seafood, but very different in terms of the flavor. The rice and beans were cooked so perfectly. The beans were really tender. And it came with this beurre vert, which was this very herbaceous green sauce that was also very creamy and went great with the very fresh seafood that was served with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5484\" data-end=\"5747\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5484\" data-end=\"5505\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So, we also had the chupe de camarones, which is — it’s like a cross between like a shrimp bisque and a shrimp chowder, and it comes with like a poached egg. It comes with some rice, and it’s a complex taste. It’s delicious. Don’t miss that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5749\" data-end=\"5808\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5749\" data-end=\"5768\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. From the ceviche, what’s next?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5810\" data-end=\"6207\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5810\" data-end=\"5828\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> It is definitely a meat-centric, protein-centric restaurant. And so the lomo saltado is a marinated steak served with steak fries, white rice, some marinated tomatoes and onions, and if you wish, you can get a fried egg on top of the rice, so you can have all these various flavors in each bite that you have of the lomo saltado. And then you realize, “Holy cow, it’s all gone.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6209\" data-end=\"6264\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6209\" data-end=\"6228\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> This isn’t just steak and potatoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6266\" data-end=\"6300\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6266\" data-end=\"6284\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6351\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6321\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any other main dishes to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6353\" data-end=\"6862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6353\" data-end=\"6371\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Yes, the adobo de chancho is a pork dish that when you are served this dish, Kevin will bring you your silverware, which is a fork and a spoon. Rarely, if ever, have I gone to a restaurant where there is no knife, because the pork is so soft and tender that you use the spoon with the fork to break it apart, and then it’s paired with these braised beans, small pieces of pork belly, and red onions that create this multi-textural bite. And it’s melt-in-your-mouth pork, an incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6864\" data-end=\"6891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6864\" data-end=\"6883\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"7197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"6911\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> They have a beverage called the maracuya, which is a passion fruit drink. And that to me is a sipping drink that you can enjoy throughout the entire meal. I say that as someone who often gets two with every dining experience, but it’s fantastically sweet and rich as a beverage can be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7199\" data-end=\"7391\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7199\" data-end=\"7218\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I had the spritz del dia, which I guess was kind of an aperitivo of the day. Delicious. Had a nice flavor. It was very light, refreshing, and went well with the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7393\" data-end=\"7693\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7393\" data-end=\"7414\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So, we wanted to have a Chardonnay, which Kevin said they don’t carry, and he made a recommendation, and it was such an amazing recommendation. I want to say it’s called the Rebolledo. I’m not sure about the pronunciation. We ended up having two bottles. That’s how good it was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7695\" data-end=\"7745\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7695\" data-end=\"7713\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> That’s awesome. That’s awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7747\" data-end=\"7843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7747\" data-end=\"7766\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Can’t remember the name after the first bottle. Alright. Desserts. Desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7845\" data-end=\"8148\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7845\" data-end=\"7864\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got the bombitas, which were these little doughnut holes. They were so fresh. Super hot. They were filled with dulce de leche and then came with a pisco crème anglaise, which was great because it had just a little bit of sour to kind of cut through the sweetness of the doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8150\" data-end=\"8205\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8150\" data-end=\"8169\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It sounds like a must-have dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8207\" data-end=\"8233\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8207\" data-end=\"8228\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8235\" data-end=\"8267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8235\" data-end=\"8254\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8269\" data-end=\"8362\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8269\" data-end=\"8290\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> That was my must-have dessert as well. Like, the four of us split that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8364\" data-end=\"8411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8364\" data-end=\"8383\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So would you go back again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8413\" data-end=\"8446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8413\" data-end=\"8434\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8448\" data-end=\"8685\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8448\" data-end=\"8467\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah. I totally agree with you. It was an interesting experience where it felt like a very upscale experience. But at the same time, I felt like I was in someone’s home. It was — It’s hard to balance those two things.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8687\" data-end=\"8731\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8687\" data-end=\"8706\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Quite a passion project.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8733\" data-end=\"8763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8733\" data-end=\"8751\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8765\" data-end=\"8952\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8765\" data-end=\"8784\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Pucquio, it’s located on College Avenue in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood. The average tab per person without drinks is around $45.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8954\" data-end=\"9090\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8954\" data-end=\"8973\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9092\" data-end=\"9604\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9092\" data-end=\"9111\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — \u003cstrong data-start=\"9166\" data-end=\"9184\">Manali Gokhale\u003c/strong>, lover of the hot buttermilk biscuits at Kahnfections in San Francisco, \u003cstrong data-start=\"9257\" data-end=\"9277\">Liza Fiorentinos\u003c/strong>, who savors every drop of bean stew at Twelvemonth in Burlingame, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"9348\" data-end=\"9365\">Chris Carroll\u003c/strong>, who adores the adobo de chancho at Pucquio in Oakland. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"9513\" data-end=\"9539\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"9544\" data-end=\"9562\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9606\" data-end=\"9622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9606\" data-end=\"9614\">All:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9885\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9633\">Judy Khan:\u003c/strong> We just really enjoy doing whatever we can to make people happy. We usually have at least two cakes in the pastry case, mini cupcakes, mini tarts, the typical cookies and brownies, and things like that. I really enjoy watching people enjoy their food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9887\" data-end=\"9923\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9887\" data-end=\"9897\">Woman:\u003c/strong> This sandwich is so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9925\" data-end=\"9962\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9925\" data-end=\"9934\">Judy Khan:\u003c/strong> That’s what does it for me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9964\" data-end=\"10004\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9964\" data-end=\"9972\">Man:\u003c/strong> Do the whole thing in one bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"10006\" data-end=\"10053\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"10006\" data-end=\"10017\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> One bite’s a little much, actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"10055\" data-end=\"10077\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"10055\" data-end=\"10066\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\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 4, airs Thursday, May 1, 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>Nestled in San Francisco’s Mission District, \u003cstrong>Kahnfections\u003c/strong> is a beloved bakery that fills the air with the mouthwatering scents of butter and sugar each morning. Regulars swear by the chocolate croissants, glazed cinnamon rolls, and the indulgent bacon-cheddar-scallion biscuit sandwiches, each made with the kind of care that only a true neighborhood spot can offer. Down the Peninsula in Burlingame, \u003cstrong>Twelvemonth\u003c/strong> is elevating sustainable and plant-based dining in a sleek and elegant space. Diners are treated to creative, vegetable-driven dishes like crispy maitake mushrooms, the umami-packed panzanella alla puttanesca, and a surprisingly rich potted pudding served with chocolate custard, edible “soil” and hazelnut praline. Finally, in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, \u003cstrong>Pucquio\u003c/strong> transports diners to Peru with its vibrant flavors that feature indigenous ingredients. The cebiche de pescado, featuring pristine fish and sweet potato bathed in citrus and spice, is a masterclass in balance, while the chupe de camarones, a rich, deeply comforting shrimp bisque, showcases the depth of Peruvian cuisine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23481\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23481 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/05/2004_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Manali Gokhale, Chris Carroll and Liza Fiorentinos from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://kahnfections.com/\">\u003cstrong>Kahnfections\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.twelvemonthburlingame.com/\">\u003cstrong>Twelvemonth\u003c/strong> (Burlingame)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.pucquio.com/\">\u003cstrong>Pucquio \u003c/strong>(Oakland)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"247\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"183\" data-end=\"202\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Breakfast biscuit heaven in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"299\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"268\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> It’s so fantastically buttery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"363\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"320\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Plant-forward fine dining in Burlingame…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"365\" data-end=\"386\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I said, “What, what, what, what?” It’s really unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"512\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"448\" data-end=\"467\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And contemporary Peruvian plates in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"572\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"532\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> You realize, “Holy cow, it’s all gone.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"574\" data-end=\"669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"574\" data-end=\"593\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"608\" data-end=\"634\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> Like eating the top of the muffin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"690\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"707\" data-end=\"722\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"1257\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"724\" data-end=\"743\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"779\" data-end=\"805\">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=\"1047\" data-end=\"1063\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are clean-energy program manager \u003cstrong data-start=\"1109\" data-end=\"1127\">Manali Gokhale\u003c/strong>, plant business owner \u003cstrong data-start=\"1150\" data-end=\"1170\">Liza Fiorentinos\u003c/strong>, and high school teacher \u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1213\">Chris Carroll\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone. Ready for a great show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1282\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1277\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1322\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1284\" data-end=\"1305\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yes, absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1586\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1343\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Manali’s breakfast spot is proof-positive that good things come in small packages. It’s a tiny bakery that packs big flavors into hot, buttery, build-your-own biscuit sandwiches. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, it’s Kahnfections.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1588\" data-end=\"1603\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1605\" data-end=\"1691\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1605\" data-end=\"1614\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> I think a bakery can really be a community gathering spot. It is happy food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1702\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> Nobody comes into a bakery in a bad mood. Or if they do, they tend to leave in a much better mood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1803\" data-end=\"1818\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"2224\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1820\" data-end=\"1829\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> Kahnfections is kind of old-school American meets French. Our best seller, carrot cake, was kind of the impetus behind what was going to be at Kahnfections. But then when I went to pastry school, I really fell in love with croissants and making them. And we do 10 different varieties. Our scones are baked with a house-made scone glaze, just that finishing touch that put it right over the top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2235\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> It’s really hard to find a good breakfast sandwich, particularly on a buttermilk biscuit, and that’s kind of a thing we’ve become known for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2513\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2378\" data-end=\"2387\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> We make our eggs fresh to order in a kind of French omelet style, so that it takes on a little bit of a soufflé-like texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2589\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2515\" data-end=\"2525\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Each breakfast sandwich roughly gets about one and a half eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2600\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> I think the key to a good biscuit is not overworking the dough and doing it by hand. We make about 1,200 biscuits every week.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"2768\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2728\" data-end=\"2737\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> That’s 50,000 biscuits a year.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2779\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> That’s a lot of biscuits. That’s a lot of butter. Some of our most loyal customers are the four-legged variety.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2893\" data-end=\"2944\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2893\" data-end=\"2902\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> Yeah, we do have house-made dog biscuits.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"3012\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"2955\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> People tell us that their dogs bring them to the bakery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3014\" data-end=\"3023\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> We do like the furry friends. We have people who come by every day. This is their morning coffee spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3153\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3138\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Vanilla latte?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3155\" data-end=\"3164\">Mark Kahn:\u003c/strong> They’ll grab a table and they’ll be out there for an hour and a half, and we love that. We’ve been approached, “Oh, you know, do you want to do, like, a ghost kitchen where you can make your sandwiches and we’ll deliver them out everywhere?” I was like, “No, we don’t want to do that.” We like to see people eat the food and get satisfaction out of it. We get satisfaction out of them getting satisfaction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3573\" data-end=\"3701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3573\" data-end=\"3582\">Judy Kahn:\u003c/strong> We just really love that we’ve become part of these people’s lives. We appreciate them so much and they appreciate us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3703\" data-end=\"3718\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3836\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3720\" data-end=\"3739\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Manali, when you go for breakfast, do you tend towards the sweet or the savory or a mixture?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3838\" data-end=\"4358\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3838\" data-end=\"3857\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Ideally, I really like to have both, and they actually have a pretty wide variety of your classic pastries, you know, croissants, muffins, scones. But what made me really fall in love with it is their breakfast sandwich. It’s an egg and cheese on a biscuit. But this is no ordinary biscuit. It’s almost indescribable but I’m going to try. It’s soft, it’s fluffy, it’s so fantastically buttery and also really generously sized. The other thing I really like about it is that it’s totally customizable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4360\" data-end=\"4370\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Bacon and egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4671\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4406\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I usually go for their dill, Swiss, and scallion biscuit. Then I’ll get cheddar cheese. And then for the spread, I go back and forth between either the garlic aioli or the lemon aioli. I think they both pack a lot of flavor. Just depends what I’m feeling that day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4727\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4692\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Depends if you’re kissing anybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4729\" data-end=\"4831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4729\" data-end=\"4748\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yes, exactly. Yeah. I’m curious. Did you guys get the sandwich when you guys went?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4879\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4833\" data-end=\"4852\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You got to have a biscuit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4881\" data-end=\"5195\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4881\" data-end=\"4902\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I didn’t get the sandwich, but I must have ordered like five biscuits and three of the scones. And my favorite was the bacon cheddar scallion. It was unbelievable. I don’t usually have bacon. It was delicious. It was bready without being over-chewy. Just absolutely delicious. What about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5197\" data-end=\"5922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5197\" data-end=\"5215\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> 100% the biscuit sandwich. I got the traditional buttermilk biscuit with egg, added bacon with the garlic spread. And there are hamburgers that are smaller than this. And I think for me, what is super key about that is just how fluffy and light and delicious that egg was. And by the way, I feel like I’m a bacon connoisseur. The bacon there was particularly thick and crispy. Absolutely fantastic. I could tell that I was eating at a wonderful place, just by virtue of sitting next to these two gentlemen who got their sandwiches, opened up their bags, and made this guttural noise. It wasn’t — It wasn’t a word. It was sort of like a grunt. And I heard nothing from these guys for like five, six minutes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"6161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5924\" data-end=\"5943\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I totally sympathize with those cavemen because the sandwiches come wrapped in foil, and it just feels like you’re unwrapping a present. Like, you tear it open. It’s hot. It’s fresh out the oven. Absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6163\" data-end=\"6276\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6163\" data-end=\"6181\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> We went back the next day just to say how wonderful this place was. We went back the next day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6278\" data-end=\"6323\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6278\" data-end=\"6297\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That is a true testament.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6325\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6325\" data-end=\"6343\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely, absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"7014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6369\" data-end=\"6388\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> That makes me so happy. They also have a mushroom Gruyère croissant. It’s a square croissant and the crust is just perfectly flaky, like you want a croissant to be, really buttery with a very generous amount of filling in the middle. And the mushroom and Gruyère is such a great combination. They also have a cute little individual quiche of the day, and the crust is nice and thin, but still really flaky and buttery, so you get a good ratio of filling to crust. And the filling is really custardy soft, and they have a different flavor every day, so you never know what you’re going to get. But I haven’t gone wrong so far.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7016\" data-end=\"7243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7016\" data-end=\"7034\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> The weekends is where you can get a cinnamon roll, and the icing that is on top of that cinnamon roll is baseball-like. It’s almost the size of a baseball itself, on top of this incredibly rich cinnamon roll.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7245\" data-end=\"7303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7245\" data-end=\"7264\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Are you an unwinder of cinnamon rolls?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7305\" data-end=\"7494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7305\" data-end=\"7323\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> No. Knife through the middle, knife through the middle of that. I want all of those flavors all at once — the middle of that bun, the icing that’s on top all in one bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7496\" data-end=\"7522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7496\" data-end=\"7506\">Woman:\u003c/strong> It’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7524\" data-end=\"7826\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7524\" data-end=\"7545\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I had the sour cherry almond scone. And what I love about it — I don’t like things that are, like, super sweet. And this was just the right touch of savory and sweet. There was a pop of almond in it. The cherries had like a nice chew to them and it was just a nice, crumbly scone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7828\" data-end=\"7913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7828\" data-end=\"7847\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, what did you get to drink with it? Are you a coffee drinker?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7915\" data-end=\"8020\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7915\" data-end=\"7936\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I am a coffee drinker. I got a delicious iced caffè latte with oat milk. Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8022\" data-end=\"8314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8022\" data-end=\"8041\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I’m actually not a big coffee drinker, but they have a really good European-style hot chocolate. Very decadent. It’s really thick, super chocolaty. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. So the richness isn’t overwhelming. It’s still manageable. And yeah, delicious on a cold day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8316\" data-end=\"8659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8316\" data-end=\"8334\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> They have a pain au chocolat there. I loved the chocolate that was inside of it. There was a ton of it. I think the downfall of those kinds of pastries is that there’s not enough chocolate. At Kahnfections, they really do ensure that you get an incredible bite of chocolate with every bite of pain au chocolat that you have.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8661\" data-end=\"9059\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8661\" data-end=\"8680\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> They also have these fantastic mini cupcakes. My favorite is their carrot cake one. A great balance of frosting to cake, which I feel is very important for a cupcake and just packed full of raisins and spices. Super moist, really delicious, and just a tiny little bite. So, you know, if you’re already really full from your sandwich, you’re not going to put things over the top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9061\" data-end=\"9559\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9061\" data-end=\"9079\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I think one thing to note is there is a place to sit inside, but other than that, if you want to dine there, you are sitting outside. And on the morning that we went, it was a little bit chilly, so I had a tall cup of coffee. They had heavy cream, which is how I take my coffee, and it was perfect. As a matter of fact, they were kind enough to top it off a little bit when the breakfast sandwich arrived. Just another reason why this is a place I will return to again and again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9561\" data-end=\"9622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9561\" data-end=\"9582\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I would definitely go back. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9648\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9642\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> 100%.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9650\" data-end=\"9677\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9650\" data-end=\"9671\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9679\" data-end=\"9853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9679\" data-end=\"9698\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Kahnfections, it’s located on 20th Street in San Francisco, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $20.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"353\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"98\" data-end=\"117\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Liza’s passion is plant-focused interior design. She loves to fill homes and workspaces with living art, so it’s no wonder her favorite restaurant has an equally plant-centric approach. Located in downtown Burlingame, it’s Twelvemonth.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"355\" data-end=\"370\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"726\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"372\" data-end=\"387\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I think a lot of people have this general notion of vegan cuisine sort of being bland and just a lot of vegetables. When I set out to create Twelvemonth, I really wanted to create a destination for all of life’s occasions where the food was sort of incidentally plant-based. You know, it’s delicious, nutritious, and hey, it’s all plants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"757\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"728\" data-end=\"736\">Man:\u003c/strong> Mm, mm, that’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"759\" data-end=\"1176\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"759\" data-end=\"774\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I love our cuisine. It’s sort of global fusion through a California lens. I think a lot about sustainability. We really focus on microseasonal food and just truly unlock every flavor. This features Brentwood corn. It was picked this morning. We’re not the type of place that makes a tomato taste like fish. We’re the type of place that makes you say, “That’s the best tomato I’ve ever had in my life.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1193\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1188\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1485\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1210\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> Other important aspects of sustainability come down to trying to use every part of everything, as well as reuse components that other places might consider, you know, used up. My favorite item in the menu is our bean stew. I intend to never, ever, ever take it off the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1508\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1495\">Man:\u003c/strong> Good, buddy?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1510\" data-end=\"2240\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1510\" data-end=\"1525\">Bob Trahan:\u003c/strong> I love it. It’s a very long cooking process, but lots of love and thought along the way. If you’re thoughtful with every step from your broth to the finish, you can just infuse tons of flavor. We have a beautiful bar that has three lovely private rooms off them, and then our main dining room is just this huge, glorious space. But another thing I love about the space is actually the acoustics. There’s not as much echoing or loudness as you might expect. You can still have an intimate dinner with whoever. I hope when people experience Twelvemonth, it changes their opinion of vegan cuisine so they realize that plant-based food can be delicious. My favorite review is, “I’m an omnivore, but I love this place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2424\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2261\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Liza, it’s interesting that we’re getting, I think, more and more restaurants that are solely plant-focused and plant-forward. How did you discover this spot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2712\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2426\" data-end=\"2447\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So a friend of mine called me because I had been plant-based for a while and she said, “Have you been to that new place Twelvemonth in Burlingame?” And I said, “No, what, what, what, what?” And I immediately made a reservation and went over there. It is fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2733\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you start with, with a menu of that size?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"3100\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2785\" data-end=\"2806\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Our go-to is definitely the bean stew. It’s in a tomato broth. It’s got some kale and other spices and focaccia, which, oh, my God, just melts in your mouth. So, it gives you the impression that you’re eating beef. But it’s not. There’s nothing. It’s all plant-based. It’s really unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3526\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3102\" data-end=\"3121\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also started with the bean stew. And can I just say from the first bite I was transported to another world. It was amazing. And I don’t eat a lot of meat, so maybe I’m not the best person to say this, but this tastes really meaty. It’s like very smoky. It has this really deep, rich flavor. This is so much more than just a pot of beans. So much more has gone into this to make it taste so incredible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3528\" data-end=\"3888\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3528\" data-end=\"3546\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I really want to highlight their breaded mushrooms — very lightly breaded, dusted with a little bit of chili powder and the dip that it comes with, very similar to an aioli with a bit of spice. Not too much heat, but maybe a few seconds after your first or second bite. The mushrooms are an absolute don’t miss out because it was incredible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3890\" data-end=\"4372\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3890\" data-end=\"3909\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got the panzanella alla puttanesca. First of all, I love a bread-based salad. You really can’t go wrong there. But it’s focaccia and a lot of fresh tomato. And somehow the focaccia really absorbs all the delicious flavors and juice from the tomato, but still stays really crisp. And it has these crispy capers and pickled cucumbers in it. So you just have all these different bursts of flavor and different textures. It’s just this really fresh-tasting salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4374\" data-end=\"4395\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I go for the charred cabbage salad. It’s, of course, extremely healthy. It’s got a nice little bite to it. The texture of it is great. The spice of it is really good. Did you try that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4933\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4582\" data-end=\"4600\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I didn’t, but I had what’s called the BBQ, the barbecue plate, which — meat eater from the Midwest — I know what I think I’m looking at, but it is actually a plate of lentils, and it comes with a barbecue sauce paired with some greens and some pears. And for me, the very first bite was a bit unique, certainly because I know what —\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4935\" data-end=\"4977\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4935\" data-end=\"4954\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> “This isn’t barbecue!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4979\" data-end=\"5086\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4979\" data-end=\"4997\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> It’s not barbecue. By the second and third bite, I was eating just this incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5490\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5107\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> As one of our entrées, we shared the corn pasta, which was amazing. It had so much fresh corn flavor. The sauce was so flavorful, and you had a lot in every bite. And there was this coconut feta on top, which added a little bit of extra flavor. They also had these Cajun corn cracklins over the top, which added a little bit of extra crunch and flavor to the dish. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5863\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5492\" data-end=\"5510\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> My neighbor had the Japanese curry tofu served with rice, and the server comes out and pours the curry on top of the pieces of tofu. A little bit spicy, but certainly not something that would turn people off. It was a G-rated curry, as it were. [laughs] But again, a completely unique dish. And it made me forget that I was at a plant-based restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5865\" data-end=\"6048\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5865\" data-end=\"5884\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I had the not paella, which was like paella, but not. It’s actually just socarrat, which is the rice that’s, like, at the bottom of the pan and gets really crispy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6050\" data-end=\"6089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6050\" data-end=\"6069\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s the best part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6220\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6091\" data-end=\"6110\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> It’s the best part. And they just — they only have that in the dish. They just get rid of all the rest of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6222\" data-end=\"6281\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6222\" data-end=\"6241\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s like eating the top of the muffin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6283\" data-end=\"6586\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6283\" data-end=\"6302\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah. Exactly. Exactly. And then it had really colorful sauces. It was a broccoli mayo and a romesco sauce. Had this, like, red and green going on and had lots of veggies in it. It was super crispy and just delicious. I’d never seen anything like that before. I was really impressed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6661\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6588\" data-end=\"6607\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to sip alongside your meal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6663\" data-end=\"6854\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6663\" data-end=\"6684\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> I did. The flower spritz is delicious. Non-alcoholic elderflower, butterfly pea flower, some lemon, and club soda. Absolutely so refreshing, even actually in the winter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6856\" data-end=\"6884\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6856\" data-end=\"6866\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh! I like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6886\" data-end=\"7151\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6886\" data-end=\"6904\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I had a drink called The Garden Party, which is made with a little bit of sparkling water, but flavors of cucumber and mint and some apple cider vinegar. Extremely refreshing. So for someone who doesn’t consume alcohol, this was a great beverage.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7216\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7153\" data-end=\"7172\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. More food. What else did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7218\" data-end=\"7493\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7218\" data-end=\"7239\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Dessert. We have got to talk about the dessert. The chocolate dessert actually comes in a little flower pot near and dear to my heart. And a little shovel. You can’t — Like, we are all grabbing for it. It’s quite rich and dense and absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7495\" data-end=\"7540\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7495\" data-end=\"7514\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And creatively presented.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7542\" data-end=\"7576\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7542\" data-end=\"7563\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Beautifully.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7578\" data-end=\"7827\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7578\" data-end=\"7597\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also got the toasted red miso cake, which was a little bit on the salty side for me, but still delicious, really unique flavors. And it came with this berry coulis, which was a really great way to kind of balance out the miso.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7829\" data-end=\"8068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7829\" data-end=\"7847\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> I didn’t have room for dessert. I will have to go back to try some of these because it sounds incredible, but it also goes to show just how great the meal itself was because I was so satisfied that I just couldn’t do it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8070\" data-end=\"8229\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8070\" data-end=\"8089\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I thought each dish was so creative. Really, things I hadn’t tried before, and I would definitely recommend it to friends and family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8231\" data-end=\"8403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8231\" data-end=\"8250\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Twelvemonth, it’s located on Lorton Avenue in Burlingame, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $75.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"369\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"113\" data-end=\"132\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Chris is a big meat and potatoes guy, and he’s now found a Peruvian take on that classic combination that he can’t get enough of. Anytime he’s craving a savory lomo saltado, he heads to Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood, home to Pucquio.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"371\" data-end=\"386\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"1120\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"407\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> I’m making the dressing for the potato for your next course. The flavors of Peru are limitless. There are different regions. There’s the coast, there’s sea, there’s land, there’s highlands. As a Peruvian and as a cook, we want to send a message to the people. We wanted to introduce them to our culture. The kitchen of Pucquio tries to evoke all the flavors from Peru, from most of the staple dishes that we have there, but since we’re in California, we added an additional twist to it. A good example of that will be the tacu-tacu de mariscos, our interpretation of a classic Peruvian dish, but made completely different with beurre blanc on it and different elements that we get from our “stash” in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1122\" data-end=\"1141\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> One of the most representative dishes in our cuisine is the ceviche, without a doubt. It’s a ritual. The Mochicas probably were the first humans to start fishing and marinate raw fish. We admire and appreciate more about the freshness of the fish itself and how the nuances of that fish are brought by combining with the spice and citrus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1821\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1482\" data-end=\"1501\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> One of our desserts, bombitas de carretilla, it brings me a lot of memories from my childhood in every aspect. Similar to a beignet, but we stuff it with fermented sweet potato and dulce de leche. My favorite item on the menu is every single one of them. They’re like my kids. I might have a favorite. I won’t tell you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"2112\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"1842\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> The name of the restaurant, Pucquio, is Quechua for “spring water,” and for us it’s a reflection of something pure and transparent, which is our mission to our community. Hello, hello. I really hope they feel touched, satisfied, happy, and raving about this restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2129\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2150\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Chris, talk about what’s unique about this space, right? A very intimate dining room and that open sort of kitchen feel.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2277\" data-end=\"2295\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> For sure. One thing about Pucquio that I love is that the interior seats about 18 people. It is very small.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2424\">Carlos Moreira:\u003c/strong> You know where to find me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2581\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2453\" data-end=\"2471\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> And there are four seats at the pass where you can sit and watch the chef and the sous chef work their magic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2686\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2583\" data-end=\"2602\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So what do you get when you walk in that door and you start smelling all that food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"3248\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2688\" data-end=\"2706\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> The first thing we have is the cebiche de clásico. This dish is made with a wonderfully flavored rockfish. It sits on a bed of greens with some red onions and Peruvian nuts that give every bite that you have just a little bit of crunch, a little bit of texture. They serve this dish with a relatively large spoon. But for me, because I think lifting the plate and drinking from it is a bit rude, I can at least scoop some of that citric juice and just sort of finish my ceviche with that, which is a great way to end that particular starter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3250\" data-end=\"3504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3250\" data-end=\"3269\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We also started with the cebiche de pescado, and it was amazing. And I especially loved how the marinade is, as you said, very, very acidic. I felt the sweet potato really balanced that out and made it overall a really delicious dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3506\" data-end=\"3525\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you use the big spoon too?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3577\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> I did use the big spoon to get the extra juice. And the Peruvian corn is so fun. I’ve never seen corn kernels that big before, but it really adds that extra bite and fun texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3758\" data-end=\"3918\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3758\" data-end=\"3779\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So actually, I just want to jump in and talk about Kevin, who was actually our welcome wagon when we first got there. He is exceptional…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"3962\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3920\" data-end=\"3930\">Kevin:\u003c/strong> This is coming from Susanville.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3964\" data-end=\"4367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3964\" data-end=\"3985\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> …describing everything because it was one of my first times having Peruvian cuisine. So, my appetizer was the cebiche de truchae, which actually had a little bit of skin. It had fennel, yucca, and a little bit of caviar. And I loved there was a lot of acidity to it, but it was a combination of like the lemon and lime and some of the green leaves, which made it extremely tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4369\" data-end=\"4412\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4369\" data-end=\"4388\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about you, Manali?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4840\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4433\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got two entrées, so one of them was the arroz de mariscos, which was a Peruvian take on paella. Delicious. It had Gulf prawns, squid, and rockfish in it. And the arroz, the rice had squid ink in it as well, so it was super creamy. It had that fun, you know, dark black color that you get with squid ink. Really incredible. And, again, it had that Peruvian corn in it that I’m just totally obsessed with.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4842\" data-end=\"4929\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4842\" data-end=\"4863\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Kevin actually explained that there are 84 types of corn in Peru.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4964\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4950\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> That’s a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"5007\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4966\" data-end=\"4987\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yeah. That’s a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5009\" data-end=\"5482\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5009\" data-end=\"5028\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Our second one, we got the tacu-tacu de mariscos, which was more of a rice and beans dish. They sound very similar, both like rice with different types of seafood, but very different in terms of the flavor. The rice and beans were cooked so perfectly. The beans were really tender. And it came with this beurre vert, which was this very herbaceous green sauce that was also very creamy and went great with the very fresh seafood that was served with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5484\" data-end=\"5747\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5484\" data-end=\"5505\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So, we also had the chupe de camarones, which is — it’s like a cross between like a shrimp bisque and a shrimp chowder, and it comes with like a poached egg. It comes with some rice, and it’s a complex taste. It’s delicious. Don’t miss that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5749\" data-end=\"5808\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5749\" data-end=\"5768\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. From the ceviche, what’s next?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5810\" data-end=\"6207\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5810\" data-end=\"5828\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> It is definitely a meat-centric, protein-centric restaurant. And so the lomo saltado is a marinated steak served with steak fries, white rice, some marinated tomatoes and onions, and if you wish, you can get a fried egg on top of the rice, so you can have all these various flavors in each bite that you have of the lomo saltado. And then you realize, “Holy cow, it’s all gone.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6209\" data-end=\"6264\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6209\" data-end=\"6228\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> This isn’t just steak and potatoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6266\" data-end=\"6300\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6266\" data-end=\"6284\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6351\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6321\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any other main dishes to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6353\" data-end=\"6862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6353\" data-end=\"6371\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Yes, the adobo de chancho is a pork dish that when you are served this dish, Kevin will bring you your silverware, which is a fork and a spoon. Rarely, if ever, have I gone to a restaurant where there is no knife, because the pork is so soft and tender that you use the spoon with the fork to break it apart, and then it’s paired with these braised beans, small pieces of pork belly, and red onions that create this multi-textural bite. And it’s melt-in-your-mouth pork, an incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6864\" data-end=\"6891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6864\" data-end=\"6883\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"7197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"6911\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> They have a beverage called the maracuya, which is a passion fruit drink. And that to me is a sipping drink that you can enjoy throughout the entire meal. I say that as someone who often gets two with every dining experience, but it’s fantastically sweet and rich as a beverage can be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7199\" data-end=\"7391\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7199\" data-end=\"7218\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I had the spritz del dia, which I guess was kind of an aperitivo of the day. Delicious. Had a nice flavor. It was very light, refreshing, and went well with the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7393\" data-end=\"7693\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7393\" data-end=\"7414\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> So, we wanted to have a Chardonnay, which Kevin said they don’t carry, and he made a recommendation, and it was such an amazing recommendation. I want to say it’s called the Rebolledo. I’m not sure about the pronunciation. We ended up having two bottles. That’s how good it was.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7695\" data-end=\"7745\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7695\" data-end=\"7713\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> That’s awesome. That’s awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7747\" data-end=\"7843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7747\" data-end=\"7766\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Can’t remember the name after the first bottle. Alright. Desserts. Desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"7845\" data-end=\"8148\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"7845\" data-end=\"7864\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> We got the bombitas, which were these little doughnut holes. They were so fresh. Super hot. They were filled with dulce de leche and then came with a pisco crème anglaise, which was great because it had just a little bit of sour to kind of cut through the sweetness of the doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8150\" data-end=\"8205\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8150\" data-end=\"8169\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It sounds like a must-have dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8207\" data-end=\"8233\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8207\" data-end=\"8228\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8235\" data-end=\"8267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8235\" data-end=\"8254\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8269\" data-end=\"8362\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8269\" data-end=\"8290\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> That was my must-have dessert as well. Like, the four of us split that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8364\" data-end=\"8411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8364\" data-end=\"8383\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So would you go back again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8413\" data-end=\"8446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8413\" data-end=\"8434\">Liza Fiorentinos:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8448\" data-end=\"8685\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8448\" data-end=\"8467\">Manali Gokhale:\u003c/strong> Yeah. I totally agree with you. It was an interesting experience where it felt like a very upscale experience. But at the same time, I felt like I was in someone’s home. It was — It’s hard to balance those two things.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8687\" data-end=\"8731\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8687\" data-end=\"8706\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Quite a passion project.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8733\" data-end=\"8763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8733\" data-end=\"8751\">Chris Carroll:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8765\" data-end=\"8952\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8765\" data-end=\"8784\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. If you would like to try Pucquio, it’s located on College Avenue in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood. The average tab per person without drinks is around $45.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"8954\" data-end=\"9090\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"8954\" data-end=\"8973\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9092\" data-end=\"9604\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9092\" data-end=\"9111\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — \u003cstrong data-start=\"9166\" data-end=\"9184\">Manali Gokhale\u003c/strong>, lover of the hot buttermilk biscuits at Kahnfections in San Francisco, \u003cstrong data-start=\"9257\" data-end=\"9277\">Liza Fiorentinos\u003c/strong>, who savors every drop of bean stew at Twelvemonth in Burlingame, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"9348\" data-end=\"9365\">Chris Carroll\u003c/strong>, who adores the adobo de chancho at Pucquio in Oakland. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"9513\" data-end=\"9539\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"9544\" data-end=\"9562\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then. Cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9606\" data-end=\"9622\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9606\" data-end=\"9614\">All:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9885\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9624\" data-end=\"9633\">Judy Khan:\u003c/strong> We just really enjoy doing whatever we can to make people happy. We usually have at least two cakes in the pastry case, mini cupcakes, mini tarts, the typical cookies and brownies, and things like that. I really enjoy watching people enjoy their food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9887\" data-end=\"9923\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9887\" data-end=\"9897\">Woman:\u003c/strong> This sandwich is so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9925\" data-end=\"9962\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9925\" data-end=\"9934\">Judy Khan:\u003c/strong> That’s what does it for me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"9964\" data-end=\"10004\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"9964\" data-end=\"9972\">Man:\u003c/strong> Do the whole thing in one bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"10006\" data-end=\"10053\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"10006\" data-end=\"10017\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> One bite’s a little much, actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"slug": "check-please-bay-area-reviews-got-plate-lunch-via-del-corso-curry-leaves-bistro",
"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Got Plate Lunch, Via del Corso, Curry Leaves Bistro",
"publishDate": 1745547944,
"format": "video",
"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Got Plate Lunch, Via del Corso, Curry Leaves Bistro | KQED",
"labelTerm": {
"term": 9339,
"site": "checkplease"
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 3, airs Thursday, April 24, 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>Just steps from Benicia’s waterfront, \u003cstrong>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/strong> brings a taste of Hawaii to the North Bay, serving up island-style comfort food with an extra helping of aloha. Diners dig into da “Mixed Plate”, featuring a little bit of everything, along with crispy kalua pork tots and the rich, savory ultimate loco moco, complete with beef patties, grilled Spam, and fried eggs. Nestled in the heart of North Berkeley, \u003cstrong>Via del Corso\u003c/strong> brings the flavors of central Italy to the Bay Area, with handmade pastas, slow-braised meats, and a menu inspired by the country’s diverse culinary regions. The ravioli alla coda di bue, stuffed with slow-braised oxtail, and the garlicky tagliolini alle vongole are standouts, while the creme caramel di zucca — a pumpkin custard with cranberry compote — makes for a perfect sweet finish. Rounding out the episode, \u003cstrong>Curry Leaves Bistro\u003c/strong> in Pleasanton takes guests on a journey through the vibrant street food of Penang, Malaysia. The bold, smoky char kway teow, wok-fried with prawns and bursting with wok hei — the inimitable flavor imparted by the wok — is a must-try, as is the crispy roti canai served with fragrant chicken curry. To cap off the episode, reporter Cecilia Phillips immerses herself in the high-energy world of \u003cstrong>Bhangra and Beats\u003c/strong>, a San Francisco festival that brings together pulsating Punjabi rhythms, electrifying dance performances, and a vibrant night bazaar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23469\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23469 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Dashini Jeyathurai, Erin Hurd and Rashawn Moore from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.gotplatelunchca.com/\">\u003cstrong>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/strong> (Benicia)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.viadelcorso.net/\">\u003cstrong>Via del Corso\u003c/strong> (Berkeley)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.curryleavesbistro.com/\">\u003cstrong>Curry Leaves Bistro \u003c/strong>(Pleasanton)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bhangraandbeats.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bhangra and Beats\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-23465\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-800x450.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-800x450.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-1020x574.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://presquilewine.com/wines/aligote/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #008000\">\u003cstrong>Presqu’ile 2023 Aligoté\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Santa Maria Valley, California $36\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nFor those who are into finding wine discoveries, this is one to put on your list. The family-owned winery is in the beautiful Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County. Hailing from the Presqu’ile Vineyard, which is situated among the top vineyards of California (think Sanford and Benedict and Bien Nacido), their debut Aligoté is a complex yet approachable white. The grape is known in France’s Burgundy region but less well known across the world. To taste such a unique variety in California is a treat. Alluring fresh lime aromas followed by tart lemon cream flavors, the dry, crisp white lingers on the palate. Don’t miss the eye-catching, artist-designed label that pays homage to the family’s Mississippi Gulf Coast roots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://domaineedem.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #008000\">\u003cstrong>Domaine EdeM 2024 “N.0 (ROSÆ)” Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>La Mancha, Spain $27\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nOne of the hottest trends in wine is offerings with no alcohol. This new entry into the market is a quality-driven yet quaffable creation. It honors Elena Maza, the wife of Nicolás Catena, head of Argentina’s most famous wine family. Elena requested that her daughter, Laura Catena, and the Catena Institute of Wine craft “something lighter than traditional wine yet enjoyable as an aperitif before dinner.” This ethereal sipper is made with Airén grape juice from Toledo, Spain, using a specialized process that removes alcohol at low temperatures. Rose petals are then infused before bottling to capture a floral, citrus tanginess that makes your mouth water. A perfect aperitif and a refreshing drink on warm summer days for picnics and poolside.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"158\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hawaiian comfort food in Benicia…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"158\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> The soy sauce, the umami, the sweetness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>Trattoria classics in Berkeley… Everything is better with butter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"305\" data-end=\"351\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> This type of butter? Yes. Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And Malaysian curries in Pleasanton.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"809\">Dashini Jeyathurai: \u003c/strong>It’s like the Malaysian embassy of the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"473\" data-end=\"499\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"520\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> You can tell when someone likes it based on how much of a sip they take. That was a sip!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"639\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"625\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> It’s so good!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"1137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"660\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"722\">Check, Please! Bay Area,\u003c/em> the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. 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=\"959\" data-end=\"975\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today, are Senior Director \u003cstrong data-start=\"1009\" data-end=\"1031\">Dashini Jeyathurai\u003c/strong>, healthcare administrator \u003cstrong data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1075\">Rashawn Moore\u003c/strong>, and facilities coordinator \u003cstrong data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1117\">Erin Hurd\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1147\">All:\u003c/strong> Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1194\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1179\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Are you ready?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1207\">Guests:\u003c/strong> We’re ready. We’re so excited to dive in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1582\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1270\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Let’s do it. Alright, it’s time to say aloha to Erin’s favorite lunchtime hangout. Offering island classics like fresh poke, spam musubi, and loco moco just steps from the beach, it’s the perfect place to satisfy her Hawaiian comfort food cravings. Located along the waterfront in Benicia, it’s Got Plate Lunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1599\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1612\">Server:\u003c/strong> I have your loco moco!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1637\" data-end=\"1662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1637\" data-end=\"1651\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1681\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> The aloha spirit in Hawaii is probably like no other place in the world. How are you guys doing? You brought the whole baseball team! We try to represent more of an island vibe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1890\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1874\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Happy birthday!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1918\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1902\">Group:\u003c/strong> Happy birthday!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"2311\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"1937\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Slower paced, more relaxed. Got Plate Lunch is a restaurant that brings back the flavors of Hawaii that my wife and I grew up with. Plate lunch is a multicultural food. Japanese, Chinese, Filipino… It’s derived from the days of the plantation workers, all different ethnicities, eating lunch together, and they didn’t know how to communicate. But through lunch, they did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2415\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2323\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Plate lunch is two scoops of rice, meat entree, and mac salad. Everything we make is fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2535\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2434\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Fresh ahi poke… Bath time, kimchi. Our Kalua pork and cabbage is smoked, slow cooked for 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2537\" data-end=\"2571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2537\" data-end=\"2550\">Customer:\u003c/strong> This is my favorite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2673\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2583\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> So, it’s flavorful, moist, and what we say in Hawaii… That means, like, it literally…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2711\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2689\">Customers:\u003c/strong> Delicious. Delicious!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"3018\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"2730\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> I love to eat the loco moco. I eat it five or six times a week. Ground beef patties seared on the flat top placed on top of rice with two over-easy eggs, and then smothered in our own proprietary brown gravy. It’s fabulous. [Chuckles] It’s fabulous. I’m getting hungry thinking about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3020\" data-end=\"3035\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3037\" data-end=\"3185\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3037\" data-end=\"3054\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> In Benicia, I think there’s three or four restaurants with a true water view, and everybody tells us that we’ve got the best view.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3187\" data-end=\"3292\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3187\" data-end=\"3197\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> We get to see the sunset every night, so be comfortable and enjoy the view and enjoy the food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3405\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3313\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Erin. Got Plate Lunch started out as a food truck. Is that how you first found it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3984\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3421\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Actually, no. I actually found them at their brick and mortar store. I was just craving some really good Hawaiian food that wasn’t a chain restaurant, and had those comfort foods that I look for. My favorite dish is absolutely, hands down, the ultimate loco moco that they have because it is so simple, yet so delicious. Two scoops of rice and two hamburger patties on the ultimate, actually, and two pieces of spam, and then two runny eggs, and then you top that with some brown gravy and a side of mac salad. And it is just all the calories, but all delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3986\" data-end=\"4033\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3986\" data-end=\"4005\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And a carb lover’s delight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4035\" data-end=\"4061\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4035\" data-end=\"4049\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4104\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4082\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Carb lover’s delight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> I’ll usually start with a salad. I was going to be basic with, like, a regular garden one, but I’m like, no, let’s not be basic. What I had was the grilled pineapple salad and three different types of leaves, green leaves, and then they just grill the pineapple and then they make, like, a garlic pineapple vinaigrette. I even asked them, I was like, “What do y’all put in here?” And they were like, “We can’t tell you!” And then, I’m tasting it, I’m like, “I know exactly what that is.” So, I’m going to try to make it at home. I haven’t yet, but it was so good. I love the smokiness from the grilled pineapple. I’ve never had that on a salad before and it was amazing. And then, I had the loaded tater tots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"809\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Ooh, I got that, too!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"984\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> So good, with the smokiness from the meat, and it had, like, honey mustard sauce, but then it had a lot of tang and really upped it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1073\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1009\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I loved how crispy those were. I like the salad idea next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1124\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1089\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> You go straight for the loco moco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1277\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1149\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Oh, I absolutely do. I mean, I do have, there’s the spam muwasabi, and so, that has a actual wasabi aioli that they put on top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1298\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s a little creative twist, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1444\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1353\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it has that little bit of kick, but not too much, from the wasabi. And it’s amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1803\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1469\">Rashawn Moore: \u003c/strong> I got the Portuguese sausage musubi. It was so good, not like normal musubi. It comes with the rice on the top and the bottom, has a little bit of a sweet teriyaki sauce in the middle, and then, it’s wrapped in seaweed. The Portuguese sausage has a little bit of a smokiness and the sweetness, and it’s just really, really delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"2129\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1819\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I also had Da Mixed Plate, which has Portuguese sausage, there’s spam, and then there’s also some teriyaki chicken, and it’s just perfectly grilled, loaded with the soy sauce, the umami, the sweetness. And that chicken just has the perfect amount of char on it to where it gives it flavor, but not bitterness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1469\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I also had an udon noodle dish which came with vegetables. We had cabbage, peppers… This one was a little more on the sweet side for me. I would love something a little bit more savory, but we took it home, added some hot sauce to it, and got it to my flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2432\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2462\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I do get the saimin, which is very Hawaiian, traditional. It is just like this big bowl of these egg noodle saimin, and it has slices of spam. It just has all of this umami and flavor. It’s just so delicious, it takes me right back to Hawaii.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2707\" data-end=\"2794\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2707\" data-end=\"2726\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And they do have sort of Hawaiian drinks, and Hawaiian, you know…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2814\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2909\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2835\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah. The last time that I went, they had something called the sun mosas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2911\" data-end=\"2935\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2911\" data-end=\"2930\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ooh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"3032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"2951\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> So, they had a flight of mimosas that were mixed with different flavors of wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3034\" data-end=\"3096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3034\" data-end=\"3053\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’ll really put you in the island mood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3133\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3112\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Oh, yes. Absolutely!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3527\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3158\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I got one of the ube mochi desserts, which was really delicious. I brought my 7-year-old with me, and so there had to be a dessert ordered at the end of the meal. One of the things that I noticed about this place was that it reminded me so much of, like, restaurants that I’d gone to in Hawaii. It’s a really great, like, chill island vibe restaurant, which was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3547\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> I went there right when it opened, and within the next 20 minutes, it was packed. And a place that’s so far away and by itself, you wouldn’t expect it to be super, super packed, but they was coming in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3928\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3770\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright! If you would like to go to Got Plate Lunch, it’s located on West 9th Street in Benicia, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"387\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"97\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Rashawn’s a culinary school grad who dreams of having his own restaurant one day. In the meantime, he’s happy to perch right up at the counter at his neighborhood trattoria, watching the chefs prepare all the classic Italian fare his heart desires. Located in Berkeley, it’s Via del Corso.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"755\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"409\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> Via del Corso is a neighborhood restaurant. Come in, relax, and just have a great time. Via del Corso is a boulevard in Rome. A lot of the regions of Italy have their names on the streets that come into that boulevard. It’s a landmark in Rome. When we opened the restaurant, we thought we didn’t want to just cook one region, but all over Italy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"915\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"776\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> We’ve been working together for about 22 years. He’s from Emilia-Romagna. My grandfather was from Tuscany. So, we argue about seasoning…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1156\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"937\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> My dad’s from Sicily. I do a lot of southern Italian cooking, as well. My cooking started when I was a really young age from my grandma. We used to make ravioli during holidays. The love of food, that’s how we started.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1630\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1177\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> These are beautiful truffles. We use products that a lot of people cut corners on. Prosciutto di San Daniele that’s 20 years, not 10 years. Burrata that’s made by a women-owned cooperative in Puglia and it’s just to die for. Real aceto balsamico tradizionale. We make pasta uovo, which is fresh egg pasta. One of the signature dishes is tagliatelle al ragù. People call it bolognese, but it is not bolognese. It’s a ragù from the countryside of Emilia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1692\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1652\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> My grandma used to cook me tagliatelle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1764\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1713\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> People go nuts for that. We really like that dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1786\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> Can’t take that off of the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"2350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1840\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> Yeah, that’s right. Our wine list is exclusively Italian, which is rare in California. Wine is part of the meal in Italy. We had to have a glass of wine before we left the table when we were 7 years old in my family. The biggest comments we get from people is that it’s such a great vibe. People tell me that almost every night. It’s a small place, and yes, it’s a little bit loud, but the food speaks for itself. We’re trying to really ring the real memory bells of Italy cooked here in Berkeley, California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2352\" data-end=\"2502\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2352\" data-end=\"2371\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Fantastic. That’s fantastic. Alright, Rashawn, is this the next best thing to, you know, being on a trip to Florence or something?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2522\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Might even be better.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2569\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2647\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2600\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> You have to deal with the hassle of the plane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2649\" data-end=\"2699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2649\" data-end=\"2668\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. No plane rides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2719\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Being born and raised in Berkeley, you know, I’ve watched a bunch of different restaurants come and go. This one has been there for years. Great chefs, great service, great wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2944\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you order first?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"3241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"2964\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> So, I always start with the lattuga, and it’s almost like a Caesar salad, but heavy on the citrus and the lemon. It also comes with the parmesan cheese on top. This romaine lettuce is really crisp. There’s not a wilted leaf in there at all. Very lightly dressed. It’s perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3301\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3262\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. Did you start with the salad?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3303\" data-end=\"3392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3303\" data-end=\"3317\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I did not start with the salad, but I did have the burrata and prosciutto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3443\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3413\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You can’t go wrong with that!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3445\" data-end=\"3739\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3445\" data-end=\"3459\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> You cannot, it’s drizzled with this aged balsamic that’s sweet, yet has a little bit of tang to kind of balance out the creaminess of the cheese. And then, the saltiness of the prosciutto. It’s a healthy portion, too. I split it with my dining partner, and we just devoured that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3760\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What did you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"3877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"3810\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I think it’s a trend. Erin and I are not starting with the salads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3901\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3890\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3903\" data-end=\"4129\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3903\" data-end=\"3926\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I got the crostone. This came with a mound of tuna, beans, and I love the amount of herbs that they had on this because it gave it a really citrusy, bright flavor and that really gets your palate going.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4150\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Where did you move to after that first delicious burrata?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4639\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4224\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had the tagliolini alle vongole. It was just filled with so many manila clams, and the fresh pasta was to die for. It was absolutely my favorite. Just had all this, like, buttery, winey sauce. Definitely a shareable amount. You know, we had expressed that we were going to be sharing our dishes a little bit, so they were more than happy to bring over an extra plate, some extra forks, just extremely hospitable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4641\" data-end=\"4678\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4641\" data-end=\"4660\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, good service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4706\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4694\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"231\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"67\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> My go-to dish is the pollo alla sostanza. It’s a chicken breast cooked in brown butter, and it’s perfectly crisp on the outside and very, very juicy in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"256\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> You know when you’re at a Mexican restaurant and the fajitas come out and there’s the sizzling sound — that had that effect because you bring that out and everyone looks at what you’re ordering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"453\" data-end=\"576\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"453\" data-end=\"471\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> And there’s that nuttiness that you get with the brown butter. And it’s perfect for that bread, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"578\" data-end=\"631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"578\" data-end=\"597\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Everything is better with butter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"647\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah. This type of butter? Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"812\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"699\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yeah. And it comes with a slice of lemon. So, you can just squeeze that right on top, and it really balances it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"1078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"832\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Another dish I had was the braised oxtail stuffed ravioli. It has, like, really great savory flavors complemented by white wine sauce. Another one of those dishes that people are like, “I want that,” you know, from the other table. It was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1462\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1103\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> And I also got another pasta dish, something called torchio, and this was a really interesting pasta, I’d never had it before, and it came with leeks, as well as chanterelle mushrooms. But what surprised me was the butternut squash in there. So, it added this sweet flavor that I wasn’t really expecting with the pasta. But another one that I really enjoyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1582\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1478\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had a seasonal mocktail that they had listed. It was a Bellini-type cocktail and it was so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1602\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> The bartender’s really knowledgeable, too, so you can go up to him and just be like, “Hey, these are my flavors,” and Justin literally will put a whole bunch of ideas in your head and you’re like, “Whatever, I’ll try everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1889\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, did you have room for dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1917\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1905\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1950\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1938\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"2235\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"1966\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had the affogato — vanilla, so I went classic. And the little shot of espresso, I love that it came separate because I was able to pour a little bit on, eat a little bit, pour a little bit more, finish it, but then I definitely drank out of that little dessert bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2265\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2256\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2570\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2281\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> It was so good! I also had the creme caramel di zucca, and it was so delicious. It was like this pumpkin cheesecake sprinkled with crushed Amaretti cookies, as well as two big pieces of Amaretti cookies right next to it, beautiful dessert, and it was such a perfect ending to our evening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2591\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like, you know, it was a reasonably priced restaurant for the atmosphere and for the quality of the food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2880\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2729\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Especially for the standard of service that they provide and the quality of food. That was, like, a perfect date night kind of restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2882\" data-end=\"3096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2882\" data-end=\"2900\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> What I noticed when I walked in immediately was just how buzzy the vibe of the restaurant was. It just was like a really warm energy that translated through the whole restaurant, so I loved that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3163\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3117\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it saves you the money of going to Italy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3194\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3176\">Guests:\u003c/strong> Right! [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3196\" data-end=\"3224\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3196\" data-end=\"3210\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> We love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"3398\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"3245\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Via del Corso, it’s located on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around $70.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"427\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"104\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s been more than 20 years since Dashini moved to America from her native Malaysia, and in all that time, she’s dreamt of finding a restaurant offering authentic flavors of home. Luckily, she’s finally found a spot that serves up all her childhood favorites. Located in the heart of Pleasanton, it’s Curry Leaves Bistro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"444\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"463\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Curry Leaves Bistro is a Malaysian restaurant specializing in Malaysian street food. Mee rebus. I’m originally from an island called Penang. You ask any Malaysian, you know, “When someone says Penang, what is the first thing that you say?” They’ll say “Food.” We like our gravy a little bit thick. Truth be told, we eat seven or eight times a day. It’s just the way we are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"854\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"1237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"873\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Defining Malaysian food is not an easy task. There are so many cultures and influences from all over the world. You want something savory, something sweet, you want something spicy, there’s something for everyone. Curry leaf is something that all cultures in Malaysia primarily use. The Indian, Chinese, Malay, and the Peranakan cultures, they all use curry leaf.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1256\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> One of my favorite things to cook is char koay teow. It is a flat rice noodle similar to Pad Thai. Char koay teow is a favorite of everybody in Malaysia. Drinks are part of the Malaysian cuisine, but you know, our most popular item, which is the teh tarik, which is literally translated to “pulled tea.” We mix them and cool them down by pouring from one cup to the other cup as high as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1692\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1665\">Group:\u003c/strong> Wow! [cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1707\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1737\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Don’t change a thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1774\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Okay, okay, okay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"2084\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1811\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> The best compliment that I can get from any Malaysian who comes in here is like, “Wow, this is just like going back home to eat. Now, I don’t have to fly back to eat.” Your regular. It makes me feel good that I’ve done justice to our national food and to my favorite dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2101\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2122\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Dashini, it’s been a challenge for you, hasn’t it, to find real Malaysian cuisine?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2483\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2234\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> It has been. I tend to try and get the adjacent cuisines like Thai food, et cetera, but it’s not the same, and I’ve been on the hunt, and I finally chanced upon Curry Leaves Bistro and lo and behold, it’s like the Malaysian embassy of the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2496\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2528\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You found it! You found it!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2599\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2581\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I found it, yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2620\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what is it? What do you, you know, draws you in the door?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"3163\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2707\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Oh, the dish that brings me into that restaurant is char koay teow, which is a childhood favorite. And char means, sort of, stir-fried. And it’s rice noodles cooked with soy sauce, bean sprouts, green chives in there, tons of shrimp, which I love. This real flavor from the wok that it’s cooked in — that sense of, I think it’s called wok hei — and that is something that char koay teow from Curry Leaves Bistro has in spades. So, that’s one of my go-tos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3230\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3184\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what did you start with when you went in?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3413\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3255\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, as a starter, I had the roti canai, which is, like, the roti crispy bread paired with the curry. And I have a weakness for, like, layered crispy bread…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3415\" data-end=\"3447\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3415\" data-end=\"3434\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Who doesn’t?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3449\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3449\" data-end=\"3472\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Right, exactly. And it was so buttery. And then, you just dip it right in that curry, and it was so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3598\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Super delicious to just dip it inside the curry that had a piece of chicken in it that was an actual piece of chicken with a bone still in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3754\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"4120\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"3785\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Like, it was great bang for your buck for just this one plate. And I also had the mee goreng, and it is kind of like a Chinese chow mein. That’s what it reminded me of. It came with a healthy portion of shrimp, and calamari, and just beansprouts for crunch, and green onions for freshness. And it was just a delicious, delicious meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4723\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4145\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, one of the dishes that I really like to also get there is called nasi kandar. And that means carried rice, and it was brought to Malaysia by Indian immigrants who would sell rice on wooden poles. And so, that rice dish comes with a beautiful curry as well as a side of pickles. So, it’s a nice complement to the spiciness of the curry. Always comes with some kind of protein, I get it with chicken, but my daughter is vegetarian and so she got it with tofu and really enjoyed it. And we got something called mee rebus, which was a noodle dish that came with a potato gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4725\" data-end=\"4775\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4725\" data-end=\"4742\">Jai Kandayah:\u003c/strong> It’s a sweet potato based gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4777\" data-end=\"4953\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4777\" data-end=\"4800\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Sounds dodgy, but it’s actually very good. And on top of it was a couple of crispy shrimp. It has udon vibes, but yes, I went to town on that, loved it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4955\" data-end=\"5008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4955\" data-end=\"4974\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have any of those dishes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5059\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5024\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I didn’t have any of those dishes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5098\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5080\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But now you know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5175\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5114\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. And I will get everything that you just said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5177\" data-end=\"5211\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5177\" data-end=\"5200\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Next time!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"164\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I also got a fried chicken, kind of traditional fried chicken, but spiced very well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"268\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> We double fry our chicken so that it is moist and crispy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"401\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"346\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> And yeah, it’s really simple, but it’s really crunchy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"422\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And is that a Malaysian traditional dish or no?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"512\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"489\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> We love fried chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"536\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"525\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"555\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> You know, I mean, in Malaysia, you could get fried chicken for breakfast. So, you can eat it any time of the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"689\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> It was the spices that really got me. You know, it’s not seasoned how a normal fried chicken…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"818\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"804\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"960\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"838\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> You know? It definitely had the seasons from Malaysia. Then, I got a rose drink. Very smooth, almost like horchata vibes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"999\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"985\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Yes! Bandung?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1001\" data-end=\"1167\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1001\" data-end=\"1019\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Bandung, yes, exactly. It was so different because I’ve never had a floral drink. I got a large, and it was just like, I have to drink all of this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1305\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1192\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, I tried it, and I’m not much of a floral kind of person, but you know who drank all of it was my 3-year-old!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1329\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1318\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1433\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1354\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> She said, “Ooh, it’s a pink, pretty drink! And it tastes sweet and delicious!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1454\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you feel like the portions were big? Just right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1543\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1527\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Decently sized.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1545\" data-end=\"1580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1545\" data-end=\"1568\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1601\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you bring any home or did you eat it all there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1683\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1669\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I ate it all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1707\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1696\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1709\" data-end=\"1782\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1709\" data-end=\"1728\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, it’s a real discovery, isn’t it, for everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1820\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1807\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I love that!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1841\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And hard for you to find! It was hard for you to find.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1969\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1921\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> It was hard to find but now we’ve got our spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"1993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"1982\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2174\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2014\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Curry Leaves Bistro, it’s located on Las Positas Boulevard in Pleasanton, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2195\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And now, reporter \u003cstrong data-start=\"2214\" data-end=\"2234\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong> samples South Asian treats and beats in the heart of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2325\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Bhangra and Beats is an all-ages free night market that celebrates South Asian culture through food, through music, through dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2496\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2473\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Lift them up and walk!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2673\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2519\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I heard that tonight’s celebration was especially important because this is the first time that San Francisco has put on an event that celebrates Diwali.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2961\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2690\">Vicki Virk:\u003c/strong> Yes, Diwali is a time to reflect, come together, give thanks, and to remember the beautiful things in life. There is such a massive population of South Asians in the Bay Area, and to be able to have their culture celebrated at a platform like this is absolutely amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2963\" data-end=\"2978\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"3111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"2995\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> New Delhi Restaurant is a mixed immigrant family legacy business serving the most freaking Dey-licious Indian food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3178\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3134\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Dey-licious. A play on your last name, Dey?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3207\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3195\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3236\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3230\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3238\" data-end=\"3372\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3238\" data-end=\"3253\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> This is called joy bomb. A rice ball covered with panko batter and fried. And you will be so joyful, you will tear up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3374\" data-end=\"3441\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3374\" data-end=\"3395\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, okay, alright! Somebody grab me a tissue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3458\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Then you can do, screw the light bulb, pet the dog.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3512\" data-end=\"3552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3512\" data-end=\"3533\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Is that the dance?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3581\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3569\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Dance move!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3583\" data-end=\"3624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3583\" data-end=\"3604\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So, it goes like…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3652\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3641\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Like that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3695\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3675\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Yeah! There you go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3697\" data-end=\"3759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3697\" data-end=\"3718\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Alright, so I’ve danced. Now, can I eat?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3761\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3761\" data-end=\"3776\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3842\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3804\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I do feel myself starting to tear up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3869\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3859\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3871\" data-end=\"3900\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3871\" data-end=\"3882\">Guests:\u003c/strong> That’s beautiful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"3934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"3923\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3936\" data-end=\"4001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3936\" data-end=\"3947\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Wahjeewah specializes in Indian barbecue street food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4081\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4024\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So, Wahjeewah, what does the name of your business mean?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4094\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> It’s an expression, when you eat something amazing, you’re like, “Wow, that’s fantastic.” When you’re satisfied, your heart speaks like “wahjeewah.” This is the lamb kebab. We wrapped it in a naan bread that we cooked fresh here. It has some pickled onions, some chutney on the side for some heat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4394\" data-end=\"4507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4394\" data-end=\"4415\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Here we go! Honestly, like, the lamb is so tender. Oh, my gosh, this is wahjeewah for sure!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4509\" data-end=\"4836\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4509\" data-end=\"4520\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Barfia is a unique Indian confections and dessert business. Barfia’s almost like a fudge, but it’s not made out of chocolate. It’s made out of dried milk powder, ghee, and sugar. Here we have khoya, raspberry white chocolate, peanut butter, ube, Oreo, mango coconut, pistachio, celebration cake, and orange blossom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4838\" data-end=\"4891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4838\" data-end=\"4859\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Happy Diwali! Here we go, okay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4893\" data-end=\"4916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4893\" data-end=\"4904\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"5008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"4939\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s a really light, very subtle flavor of pistachio. Mm, delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5021\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Delicious, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5062\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> That’s so good!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5099\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> Naya Delights is all about the love of rose. And these days, I find a way to infuse it into every little thing I can. Here, we’ve got our rose chai — oat milk, chai latte, and then we add some rose water and rose syrup to really give it that rose flavor. We top it with crushed pistachios and fresh rose petals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5413\" data-end=\"5523\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5413\" data-end=\"5434\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> You’re in pink. I got a little pink here. And a pink straw. Wow, you’re really on brand.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5553\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5544\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> [laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5555\" data-end=\"5617\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5555\" data-end=\"5576\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh, it’s so light. I want more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5619\" data-end=\"5629\">[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5631\" data-end=\"5646\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5648\" data-end=\"6152\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5648\" data-end=\"5667\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my fabulous guests on this week’s show, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5724\" data-end=\"5746\">Dashini Jeyathurai\u003c/strong>, who shared a taste of Malaysia at Curry Leaves Bistro in Pleasanton, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5834\">Rashawn Moore\u003c/strong>, who can’t get enough of the butter-basted chicken at Via del Corso in Berkeley, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"5920\" data-end=\"5933\">Erin Hurd\u003c/strong>, lover of the loco moco at Got Plate Lunch in Benicia. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"6080\" data-end=\"6106\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"6111\" data-end=\"6129\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong> and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6199\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6173\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers! Did you have fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6201\" data-end=\"6225\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6201\" data-end=\"6219\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6227\" data-end=\"6253\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6227\" data-end=\"6241\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6274\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6266\">Guests:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6276\" data-end=\"6300\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6276\" data-end=\"6290\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Whoo-hoo!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6323\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Bhangra and Beats is a brainchild of Into the Streets, a non-stop Bhangra. It’s so time to come together, eat good food, dress up in beautiful clothing and just celebrate being together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6512\" data-end=\"6533\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6512\" data-end=\"6522\">Woman:\u003c/strong> And dance!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6535\" data-end=\"6567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6535\" data-end=\"6556\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> And dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6569\" data-end=\"6652\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6569\" data-end=\"6590\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Can you teach me, like, one dance move so I have something…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6722\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6669\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. So, clap, clap, dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6724\" data-end=\"6778\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6724\" data-end=\"6745\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh! Am I doing Bhangra?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6780\" data-end=\"6817\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6780\" data-end=\"6795\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> You’re doing Bhangra!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6819\" data-end=\"6841\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6819\" data-end=\"6830\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6843\" data-end=\"6914\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6843\" data-end=\"6858\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> All else fails, you just have to bounce your shoulders.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6916\" data-end=\"6979\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6916\" data-end=\"6937\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Just bounce the shoulders. I can do that.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Got Plate Lunch, Via del Corso, Curry Leaves Bistro | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 20, episode 3, airs Thursday, April 24, 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>Just steps from Benicia’s waterfront, \u003cstrong>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/strong> brings a taste of Hawaii to the North Bay, serving up island-style comfort food with an extra helping of aloha. Diners dig into da “Mixed Plate”, featuring a little bit of everything, along with crispy kalua pork tots and the rich, savory ultimate loco moco, complete with beef patties, grilled Spam, and fried eggs. Nestled in the heart of North Berkeley, \u003cstrong>Via del Corso\u003c/strong> brings the flavors of central Italy to the Bay Area, with handmade pastas, slow-braised meats, and a menu inspired by the country’s diverse culinary regions. The ravioli alla coda di bue, stuffed with slow-braised oxtail, and the garlicky tagliolini alle vongole are standouts, while the creme caramel di zucca — a pumpkin custard with cranberry compote — makes for a perfect sweet finish. Rounding out the episode, \u003cstrong>Curry Leaves Bistro\u003c/strong> in Pleasanton takes guests on a journey through the vibrant street food of Penang, Malaysia. The bold, smoky char kway teow, wok-fried with prawns and bursting with wok hei — the inimitable flavor imparted by the wok — is a must-try, as is the crispy roti canai served with fragrant chicken curry. To cap off the episode, reporter Cecilia Phillips immerses herself in the high-energy world of \u003cstrong>Bhangra and Beats\u003c/strong>, a San Francisco festival that brings together pulsating Punjabi rhythms, electrifying dance performances, and a vibrant night bazaar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23469\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23469 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Guests_b.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Dashini Jeyathurai, Erin Hurd and Rashawn Moore from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.gotplatelunchca.com/\">\u003cstrong>Got Plate Lunch\u003c/strong> (Benicia)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.viadelcorso.net/\">\u003cstrong>Via del Corso\u003c/strong> (Berkeley)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.curryleavesbistro.com/\">\u003cstrong>Curry Leaves Bistro \u003c/strong>(Pleasanton)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bhangraandbeats.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bhangra and Beats\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-23465\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-800x450.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-800x450.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-1020x574.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-160x90.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-768x432.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines-1536x864.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/04/2003_Wines.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>\u003ca href=\"https://presquilewine.com/wines/aligote/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #008000\">\u003cstrong>Presqu’ile 2023 Aligoté\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Santa Maria Valley, California $36\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nFor those who are into finding wine discoveries, this is one to put on your list. The family-owned winery is in the beautiful Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County. Hailing from the Presqu’ile Vineyard, which is situated among the top vineyards of California (think Sanford and Benedict and Bien Nacido), their debut Aligoté is a complex yet approachable white. The grape is known in France’s Burgundy region but less well known across the world. To taste such a unique variety in California is a treat. Alluring fresh lime aromas followed by tart lemon cream flavors, the dry, crisp white lingers on the palate. Don’t miss the eye-catching, artist-designed label that pays homage to the family’s Mississippi Gulf Coast roots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://domaineedem.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #008000\">\u003cstrong>Domaine EdeM 2024 “N.0 (ROSÆ)” Dealcoholized Sparkling Rosé\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>La Mancha, Spain $27\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nOne of the hottest trends in wine is offerings with no alcohol. This new entry into the market is a quality-driven yet quaffable creation. It honors Elena Maza, the wife of Nicolás Catena, head of Argentina’s most famous wine family. Elena requested that her daughter, Laura Catena, and the Catena Institute of Wine craft “something lighter than traditional wine yet enjoyable as an aperitif before dinner.” This ethereal sipper is made with Airén grape juice from Toledo, Spain, using a specialized process that removes alcohol at low temperatures. Rose petals are then infused before bottling to capture a floral, citrus tanginess that makes your mouth water. A perfect aperitif and a refreshing drink on warm summer days for picnics and poolside.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"158\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hawaiian comfort food in Benicia…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"158\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> The soy sauce, the umami, the sweetness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"139\" data-end=\"303\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>Trattoria classics in Berkeley… Everything is better with butter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"305\" data-end=\"351\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> This type of butter? Yes. Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And Malaysian curries in Pleasanton.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"809\">Dashini Jeyathurai: \u003c/strong>It’s like the Malaysian embassy of the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"499\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"372\">Leslie Sbrocco: \u003c/strong>Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"473\" data-end=\"499\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"520\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> You can tell when someone likes it based on how much of a sip they take. That was a sip!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"639\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"625\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> It’s so good!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"1137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"641\" data-end=\"660\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"722\">Check, Please! Bay Area,\u003c/em> the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. 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=\"959\" data-end=\"975\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today, are Senior Director \u003cstrong data-start=\"1009\" data-end=\"1031\">Dashini Jeyathurai\u003c/strong>, healthcare administrator \u003cstrong data-start=\"1058\" data-end=\"1075\">Rashawn Moore\u003c/strong>, and facilities coordinator \u003cstrong data-start=\"1104\" data-end=\"1117\">Erin Hurd\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1139\" data-end=\"1147\">All:\u003c/strong> Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1194\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1179\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Are you ready?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1207\">Guests:\u003c/strong> We’re ready. We’re so excited to dive in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1582\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1251\" data-end=\"1270\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Let’s do it. Alright, it’s time to say aloha to Erin’s favorite lunchtime hangout. Offering island classics like fresh poke, spam musubi, and loco moco just steps from the beach, it’s the perfect place to satisfy her Hawaiian comfort food cravings. Located along the waterfront in Benicia, it’s Got Plate Lunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1599\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1635\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1601\" data-end=\"1612\">Server:\u003c/strong> I have your loco moco!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1637\" data-end=\"1662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1637\" data-end=\"1651\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Thank you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1681\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> The aloha spirit in Hawaii is probably like no other place in the world. How are you guys doing? You brought the whole baseball team! We try to represent more of an island vibe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1890\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1874\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Happy birthday!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1918\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1892\" data-end=\"1902\">Group:\u003c/strong> Happy birthday!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"2311\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"1937\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Slower paced, more relaxed. Got Plate Lunch is a restaurant that brings back the flavors of Hawaii that my wife and I grew up with. Plate lunch is a multicultural food. Japanese, Chinese, Filipino… It’s derived from the days of the plantation workers, all different ethnicities, eating lunch together, and they didn’t know how to communicate. But through lunch, they did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2415\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2323\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Plate lunch is two scoops of rice, meat entree, and mac salad. Everything we make is fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2535\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2417\" data-end=\"2434\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> Fresh ahi poke… Bath time, kimchi. Our Kalua pork and cabbage is smoked, slow cooked for 24 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2537\" data-end=\"2571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2537\" data-end=\"2550\">Customer:\u003c/strong> This is my favorite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2673\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2573\" data-end=\"2583\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> So, it’s flavorful, moist, and what we say in Hawaii… That means, like, it literally…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2711\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2689\">Customers:\u003c/strong> Delicious. Delicious!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"3018\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"2730\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> I love to eat the loco moco. I eat it five or six times a week. Ground beef patties seared on the flat top placed on top of rice with two over-easy eggs, and then smothered in our own proprietary brown gravy. It’s fabulous. [Chuckles] It’s fabulous. I’m getting hungry thinking about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3020\" data-end=\"3035\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3037\" data-end=\"3185\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3037\" data-end=\"3054\">Myk Bigornia:\u003c/strong> In Benicia, I think there’s three or four restaurants with a true water view, and everybody tells us that we’ve got the best view.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3187\" data-end=\"3292\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3187\" data-end=\"3197\">Jamie Bigornia:\u003c/strong> We get to see the sunset every night, so be comfortable and enjoy the view and enjoy the food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3405\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3294\" data-end=\"3313\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Erin. Got Plate Lunch started out as a food truck. Is that how you first found it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3984\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3407\" data-end=\"3421\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Actually, no. I actually found them at their brick and mortar store. I was just craving some really good Hawaiian food that wasn’t a chain restaurant, and had those comfort foods that I look for. My favorite dish is absolutely, hands down, the ultimate loco moco that they have because it is so simple, yet so delicious. Two scoops of rice and two hamburger patties on the ultimate, actually, and two pieces of spam, and then two runny eggs, and then you top that with some brown gravy and a side of mac salad. And it is just all the calories, but all delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3986\" data-end=\"4033\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3986\" data-end=\"4005\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And a carb lover’s delight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4035\" data-end=\"4061\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4035\" data-end=\"4049\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4104\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4063\" data-end=\"4082\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Carb lover’s delight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> I’ll usually start with a salad. I was going to be basic with, like, a regular garden one, but I’m like, no, let’s not be basic. What I had was the grilled pineapple salad and three different types of leaves, green leaves, and then they just grill the pineapple and then they make, like, a garlic pineapple vinaigrette. I even asked them, I was like, “What do y’all put in here?” And they were like, “We can’t tell you!” And then, I’m tasting it, I’m like, “I know exactly what that is.” So, I’m going to try to make it at home. I haven’t yet, but it was so good. I love the smokiness from the grilled pineapple. I’ve never had that on a salad before and it was amazing. And then, I had the loaded tater tots.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"786\" data-end=\"809\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Ooh, I got that, too!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"984\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"833\" data-end=\"851\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> So good, with the smokiness from the meat, and it had, like, honey mustard sauce, but then it had a lot of tang and really upped it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1073\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"986\" data-end=\"1009\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I loved how crispy those were. I like the salad idea next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1124\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1089\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> You go straight for the loco moco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1277\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1126\" data-end=\"1149\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Oh, I absolutely do. I mean, I do have, there’s the spam muwasabi, and so, that has a actual wasabi aioli that they put on top.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1279\" data-end=\"1298\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s a little creative twist, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1444\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1339\" data-end=\"1353\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it has that little bit of kick, but not too much, from the wasabi. And it’s amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1803\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1469\">Rashawn Moore: \u003c/strong> I got the Portuguese sausage musubi. It was so good, not like normal musubi. It comes with the rice on the top and the bottom, has a little bit of a sweet teriyaki sauce in the middle, and then, it’s wrapped in seaweed. The Portuguese sausage has a little bit of a smokiness and the sweetness, and it’s just really, really delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"2129\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1819\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I also had Da Mixed Plate, which has Portuguese sausage, there’s spam, and then there’s also some teriyaki chicken, and it’s just perfectly grilled, loaded with the soy sauce, the umami, the sweetness. And that chicken just has the perfect amount of char on it to where it gives it flavor, but not bitterness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2131\" data-end=\"2411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1446\" data-end=\"1469\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I also had an udon noodle dish which came with vegetables. We had cabbage, peppers… This one was a little more on the sweet side for me. I would love something a little bit more savory, but we took it home, added some hot sauce to it, and got it to my flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2432\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Unbelievable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2705\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2448\" data-end=\"2462\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I do get the saimin, which is very Hawaiian, traditional. It is just like this big bowl of these egg noodle saimin, and it has slices of spam. It just has all of this umami and flavor. It’s just so delicious, it takes me right back to Hawaii.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2707\" data-end=\"2794\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2707\" data-end=\"2726\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And they do have sort of Hawaiian drinks, and Hawaiian, you know…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2814\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2909\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2821\" data-end=\"2835\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah. The last time that I went, they had something called the sun mosas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2911\" data-end=\"2935\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2911\" data-end=\"2930\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ooh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"3032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"2951\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> So, they had a flight of mimosas that were mixed with different flavors of wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3034\" data-end=\"3096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3034\" data-end=\"3053\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’ll really put you in the island mood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3133\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3112\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Oh, yes. Absolutely!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3527\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3135\" data-end=\"3158\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I got one of the ube mochi desserts, which was really delicious. I brought my 7-year-old with me, and so there had to be a dessert ordered at the end of the meal. One of the things that I noticed about this place was that it reminded me so much of, like, restaurants that I’d gone to in Hawaii. It’s a really great, like, chill island vibe restaurant, which was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3529\" data-end=\"3547\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> I went there right when it opened, and within the next 20 minutes, it was packed. And a place that’s so far away and by itself, you wouldn’t expect it to be super, super packed, but they was coming in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3928\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3770\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright! If you would like to go to Got Plate Lunch, it’s located on West 9th Street in Benicia, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"387\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"78\" data-end=\"97\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Rashawn’s a culinary school grad who dreams of having his own restaurant one day. In the meantime, he’s happy to perch right up at the counter at his neighborhood trattoria, watching the chefs prepare all the classic Italian fare his heart desires. Located in Berkeley, it’s Via del Corso.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"755\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"389\" data-end=\"409\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> Via del Corso is a neighborhood restaurant. Come in, relax, and just have a great time. Via del Corso is a boulevard in Rome. A lot of the regions of Italy have their names on the streets that come into that boulevard. It’s a landmark in Rome. When we opened the restaurant, we thought we didn’t want to just cook one region, but all over Italy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"915\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"776\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> We’ve been working together for about 22 years. He’s from Emilia-Romagna. My grandfather was from Tuscany. So, we argue about seasoning…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"1156\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"937\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> My dad’s from Sicily. I do a lot of southern Italian cooking, as well. My cooking started when I was a really young age from my grandma. We used to make ravioli during holidays. The love of food, that’s how we started.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1630\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1177\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> These are beautiful truffles. We use products that a lot of people cut corners on. Prosciutto di San Daniele that’s 20 years, not 10 years. Burrata that’s made by a women-owned cooperative in Puglia and it’s just to die for. Real aceto balsamico tradizionale. We make pasta uovo, which is fresh egg pasta. One of the signature dishes is tagliatelle al ragù. People call it bolognese, but it is not bolognese. It’s a ragù from the countryside of Emilia.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1692\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1652\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> My grandma used to cook me tagliatelle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1764\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1713\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> People go nuts for that. We really like that dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1766\" data-end=\"1786\">Massimo Orlando:\u003c/strong> Can’t take that off of the menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"2350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1840\">Peter Chastain:\u003c/strong> Yeah, that’s right. Our wine list is exclusively Italian, which is rare in California. Wine is part of the meal in Italy. We had to have a glass of wine before we left the table when we were 7 years old in my family. The biggest comments we get from people is that it’s such a great vibe. People tell me that almost every night. It’s a small place, and yes, it’s a little bit loud, but the food speaks for itself. We’re trying to really ring the real memory bells of Italy cooked here in Berkeley, California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2352\" data-end=\"2502\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2352\" data-end=\"2371\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Fantastic. That’s fantastic. Alright, Rashawn, is this the next best thing to, you know, being on a trip to Florence or something?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2504\" data-end=\"2522\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Might even be better.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2569\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2647\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2600\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> You have to deal with the hassle of the plane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2649\" data-end=\"2699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2649\" data-end=\"2668\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. No plane rides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2701\" data-end=\"2719\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Being born and raised in Berkeley, you know, I’ve watched a bunch of different restaurants come and go. This one has been there for years. Great chefs, great service, great wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2944\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you order first?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"3241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2946\" data-end=\"2964\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> So, I always start with the lattuga, and it’s almost like a Caesar salad, but heavy on the citrus and the lemon. It also comes with the parmesan cheese on top. This romaine lettuce is really crisp. There’s not a wilted leaf in there at all. Very lightly dressed. It’s perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3301\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3262\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. Did you start with the salad?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3303\" data-end=\"3392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3303\" data-end=\"3317\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I did not start with the salad, but I did have the burrata and prosciutto.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3443\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3394\" data-end=\"3413\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You can’t go wrong with that!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3445\" data-end=\"3739\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3445\" data-end=\"3459\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> You cannot, it’s drizzled with this aged balsamic that’s sweet, yet has a little bit of tang to kind of balance out the creaminess of the cheese. And then, the saltiness of the prosciutto. It’s a healthy portion, too. I split it with my dining partner, and we just devoured that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3741\" data-end=\"3760\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What did you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"3877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3787\" data-end=\"3810\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I think it’s a trend. Erin and I are not starting with the salads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3901\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3890\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3903\" data-end=\"4129\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3903\" data-end=\"3926\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I got the crostone. This came with a mound of tuna, beans, and I love the amount of herbs that they had on this because it gave it a really citrusy, bright flavor and that really gets your palate going.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4131\" data-end=\"4150\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Where did you move to after that first delicious burrata?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4639\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4224\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had the tagliolini alle vongole. It was just filled with so many manila clams, and the fresh pasta was to die for. It was absolutely my favorite. Just had all this, like, buttery, winey sauce. Definitely a shareable amount. You know, we had expressed that we were going to be sharing our dishes a little bit, so they were more than happy to bring over an extra plate, some extra forks, just extremely hospitable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4641\" data-end=\"4678\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4641\" data-end=\"4660\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, good service.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4706\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4680\" data-end=\"4694\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"231\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"67\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> My go-to dish is the pollo alla sostanza. It’s a chicken breast cooked in brown butter, and it’s perfectly crisp on the outside and very, very juicy in the middle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"451\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"233\" data-end=\"256\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> You know when you’re at a Mexican restaurant and the fajitas come out and there’s the sizzling sound — that had that effect because you bring that out and everyone looks at what you’re ordering.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"453\" data-end=\"576\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"453\" data-end=\"471\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> And there’s that nuttiness that you get with the brown butter. And it’s perfect for that bread, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"578\" data-end=\"631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"578\" data-end=\"597\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Everything is better with butter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"679\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"633\" data-end=\"647\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah. This type of butter? Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"812\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"681\" data-end=\"699\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yeah. And it comes with a slice of lemon. So, you can just squeeze that right on top, and it really balances it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"1078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"814\" data-end=\"832\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Another dish I had was the braised oxtail stuffed ravioli. It has, like, really great savory flavors complemented by white wine sauce. Another one of those dishes that people are like, “I want that,” you know, from the other table. It was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1462\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1103\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> And I also got another pasta dish, something called torchio, and this was a really interesting pasta, I’d never had it before, and it came with leeks, as well as chanterelle mushrooms. But what surprised me was the butternut squash in there. So, it added this sweet flavor that I wasn’t really expecting with the pasta. But another one that I really enjoyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1582\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1478\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had a seasonal mocktail that they had listed. It was a Bellini-type cocktail and it was so delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1584\" data-end=\"1602\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> The bartender’s really knowledgeable, too, so you can go up to him and just be like, “Hey, these are my flavors,” and Justin literally will put a whole bunch of ideas in your head and you’re like, “Whatever, I’ll try everything.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1889\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1834\" data-end=\"1853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, did you have room for dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1917\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1891\" data-end=\"1905\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1950\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1938\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"2235\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1952\" data-end=\"1966\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I had the affogato — vanilla, so I went classic. And the little shot of espresso, I love that it came separate because I was able to pour a little bit on, eat a little bit, pour a little bit more, finish it, but then I definitely drank out of that little dessert bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2265\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2237\" data-end=\"2256\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2570\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2267\" data-end=\"2281\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> It was so good! I also had the creme caramel di zucca, and it was so delicious. It was like this pumpkin cheesecake sprinkled with crushed Amaretti cookies, as well as two big pieces of Amaretti cookies right next to it, beautiful dessert, and it was such a perfect ending to our evening.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2572\" data-end=\"2591\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like, you know, it was a reasonably priced restaurant for the atmosphere and for the quality of the food?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2880\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2729\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Especially for the standard of service that they provide and the quality of food. That was, like, a perfect date night kind of restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2882\" data-end=\"3096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2882\" data-end=\"2900\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> What I noticed when I walked in immediately was just how buzzy the vibe of the restaurant was. It just was like a really warm energy that translated through the whole restaurant, so I loved that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3163\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3098\" data-end=\"3117\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it saves you the money of going to Italy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3194\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3176\">Guests:\u003c/strong> Right! [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3196\" data-end=\"3224\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3196\" data-end=\"3210\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> We love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"3398\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3226\" data-end=\"3245\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Via del Corso, it’s located on Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around $70.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"427\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"85\" data-end=\"104\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s been more than 20 years since Dashini moved to America from her native Malaysia, and in all that time, she’s dreamt of finding a restaurant offering authentic flavors of home. Luckily, she’s finally found a spot that serves up all her childhood favorites. Located in the heart of Pleasanton, it’s Curry Leaves Bistro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"444\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"463\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Curry Leaves Bistro is a Malaysian restaurant specializing in Malaysian street food. Mee rebus. I’m originally from an island called Penang. You ask any Malaysian, you know, “When someone says Penang, what is the first thing that you say?” They’ll say “Food.” We like our gravy a little bit thick. Truth be told, we eat seven or eight times a day. It’s just the way we are.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"839\" data-end=\"854\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"1237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"856\" data-end=\"873\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Defining Malaysian food is not an easy task. There are so many cultures and influences from all over the world. You want something savory, something sweet, you want something spicy, there’s something for everyone. Curry leaf is something that all cultures in Malaysia primarily use. The Indian, Chinese, Malay, and the Peranakan cultures, they all use curry leaf.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1239\" data-end=\"1256\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> One of my favorite things to cook is char koay teow. It is a flat rice noodle similar to Pad Thai. Char koay teow is a favorite of everybody in Malaysia. Drinks are part of the Malaysian cuisine, but you know, our most popular item, which is the teh tarik, which is literally translated to “pulled tea.” We mix them and cool them down by pouring from one cup to the other cup as high as possible.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1692\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1665\">Group:\u003c/strong> Wow! [cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1694\" data-end=\"1707\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1737\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> Don’t change a thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1761\" data-end=\"1774\">Customer:\u003c/strong> Okay, okay, okay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"2084\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1794\" data-end=\"1811\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> The best compliment that I can get from any Malaysian who comes in here is like, “Wow, this is just like going back home to eat. Now, I don’t have to fly back to eat.” Your regular. It makes me feel good that I’ve done justice to our national food and to my favorite dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2086\" data-end=\"2101\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2122\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, Dashini, it’s been a challenge for you, hasn’t it, to find real Malaysian cuisine?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2483\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2234\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> It has been. I tend to try and get the adjacent cuisines like Thai food, et cetera, but it’s not the same, and I’ve been on the hunt, and I finally chanced upon Curry Leaves Bistro and lo and behold, it’s like the Malaysian embassy of the Bay Area.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2485\" data-end=\"2496\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2528\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You found it! You found it!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2599\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2581\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I found it, yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2601\" data-end=\"2620\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what is it? What do you, you know, draws you in the door?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"3163\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2707\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Oh, the dish that brings me into that restaurant is char koay teow, which is a childhood favorite. And char means, sort of, stir-fried. And it’s rice noodles cooked with soy sauce, bean sprouts, green chives in there, tons of shrimp, which I love. This real flavor from the wok that it’s cooked in — that sense of, I think it’s called wok hei — and that is something that char koay teow from Curry Leaves Bistro has in spades. So, that’s one of my go-tos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3230\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3165\" data-end=\"3184\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what did you start with when you went in?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3413\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3232\" data-end=\"3255\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, as a starter, I had the roti canai, which is, like, the roti crispy bread paired with the curry. And I have a weakness for, like, layered crispy bread…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3415\" data-end=\"3447\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3415\" data-end=\"3434\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Who doesn’t?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3449\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3449\" data-end=\"3472\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Right, exactly. And it was so buttery. And then, you just dip it right in that curry, and it was so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3741\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3598\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Super delicious to just dip it inside the curry that had a piece of chicken in it that was an actual piece of chicken with a bone still in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3743\" data-end=\"3754\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"4120\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3767\" data-end=\"3785\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Like, it was great bang for your buck for just this one plate. And I also had the mee goreng, and it is kind of like a Chinese chow mein. That’s what it reminded me of. It came with a healthy portion of shrimp, and calamari, and just beansprouts for crunch, and green onions for freshness. And it was just a delicious, delicious meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4723\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4122\" data-end=\"4145\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, one of the dishes that I really like to also get there is called nasi kandar. And that means carried rice, and it was brought to Malaysia by Indian immigrants who would sell rice on wooden poles. And so, that rice dish comes with a beautiful curry as well as a side of pickles. So, it’s a nice complement to the spiciness of the curry. Always comes with some kind of protein, I get it with chicken, but my daughter is vegetarian and so she got it with tofu and really enjoyed it. And we got something called mee rebus, which was a noodle dish that came with a potato gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4725\" data-end=\"4775\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4725\" data-end=\"4742\">Jai Kandayah:\u003c/strong> It’s a sweet potato based gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4777\" data-end=\"4953\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4777\" data-end=\"4800\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Sounds dodgy, but it’s actually very good. And on top of it was a couple of crispy shrimp. It has udon vibes, but yes, I went to town on that, loved it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4955\" data-end=\"5008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4955\" data-end=\"4974\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have any of those dishes?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5059\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5024\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I didn’t have any of those dishes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5098\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5061\" data-end=\"5080\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But now you know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5175\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5100\" data-end=\"5114\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. And I will get everything that you just said.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5177\" data-end=\"5211\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5177\" data-end=\"5200\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Next time!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"150\" data-end=\"164\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I also got a fried chicken, kind of traditional fried chicken, but spiced very well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"251\" data-end=\"268\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> We double fry our chicken so that it is moist and crispy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"401\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"346\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> And yeah, it’s really simple, but it’s really crunchy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"403\" data-end=\"422\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And is that a Malaysian traditional dish or no?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"512\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"489\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> We love fried chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"536\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"514\" data-end=\"525\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"538\" data-end=\"555\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> You know, I mean, in Malaysia, you could get fried chicken for breakfast. So, you can eat it any time of the day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"785\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"671\" data-end=\"689\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> It was the spices that really got me. You know, it’s not seasoned how a normal fried chicken…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"818\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"787\" data-end=\"804\">Rounak Dumra:\u003c/strong> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"960\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"820\" data-end=\"838\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> You know? It definitely had the seasons from Malaysia. Then, I got a rose drink. Very smooth, almost like horchata vibes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"999\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"985\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Yes! Bandung?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1001\" data-end=\"1167\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1001\" data-end=\"1019\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Bandung, yes, exactly. It was so different because I’ve never had a floral drink. I got a large, and it was just like, I have to drink all of this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1305\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1192\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> So, I tried it, and I’m not much of a floral kind of person, but you know who drank all of it was my 3-year-old!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1329\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1307\" data-end=\"1318\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1433\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1331\" data-end=\"1354\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> She said, “Ooh, it’s a pink, pretty drink! And it tastes sweet and delicious!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1511\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1454\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you feel like the portions were big? Just right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1543\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1513\" data-end=\"1527\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Decently sized.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1545\" data-end=\"1580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1545\" data-end=\"1568\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1601\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you bring any home or did you eat it all there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1683\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1669\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> I ate it all.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1707\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1685\" data-end=\"1696\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1709\" data-end=\"1782\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1709\" data-end=\"1728\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, it’s a real discovery, isn’t it, for everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1820\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1784\" data-end=\"1807\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> I love that!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1822\" data-end=\"1841\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And hard for you to find! It was hard for you to find.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1969\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1898\" data-end=\"1921\">Dashini Jeyathurai:\u003c/strong> It was hard to find but now we’ve got our spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"1993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"1982\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2174\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2014\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Curry Leaves Bistro, it’s located on Las Positas Boulevard in Pleasanton, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2195\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And now, reporter \u003cstrong data-start=\"2214\" data-end=\"2234\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong> samples South Asian treats and beats in the heart of San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2456\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2304\" data-end=\"2325\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Bhangra and Beats is an all-ages free night market that celebrates South Asian culture through food, through music, through dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2496\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2473\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Lift them up and walk!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2673\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2498\" data-end=\"2519\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I heard that tonight’s celebration was especially important because this is the first time that San Francisco has put on an event that celebrates Diwali.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2961\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2675\" data-end=\"2690\">Vicki Virk:\u003c/strong> Yes, Diwali is a time to reflect, come together, give thanks, and to remember the beautiful things in life. There is such a massive population of South Asians in the Bay Area, and to be able to have their culture celebrated at a platform like this is absolutely amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2963\" data-end=\"2978\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"3111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2980\" data-end=\"2995\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> New Delhi Restaurant is a mixed immigrant family legacy business serving the most freaking Dey-licious Indian food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3178\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3134\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Dey-licious. A play on your last name, Dey?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3207\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3180\" data-end=\"3195\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3236\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3209\" data-end=\"3230\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3238\" data-end=\"3372\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3238\" data-end=\"3253\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> This is called joy bomb. A rice ball covered with panko batter and fried. And you will be so joyful, you will tear up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3374\" data-end=\"3441\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3374\" data-end=\"3395\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, okay, alright! Somebody grab me a tissue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3443\" data-end=\"3458\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Then you can do, screw the light bulb, pet the dog.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3512\" data-end=\"3552\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3512\" data-end=\"3533\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Is that the dance?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3581\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3554\" data-end=\"3569\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Dance move!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3583\" data-end=\"3624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3583\" data-end=\"3604\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So, it goes like…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3652\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3641\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Like that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3695\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3675\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Yeah! There you go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3697\" data-end=\"3759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3697\" data-end=\"3718\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Alright, so I’ve danced. Now, can I eat?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3761\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3761\" data-end=\"3776\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3842\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3804\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I do feel myself starting to tear up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3869\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3859\">Ranjan Dey:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3871\" data-end=\"3900\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3871\" data-end=\"3882\">Guests:\u003c/strong> That’s beautiful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"3934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3902\" data-end=\"3923\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"3936\" data-end=\"4001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3936\" data-end=\"3947\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Wahjeewah specializes in Indian barbecue street food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4081\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4024\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So, Wahjeewah, what does the name of your business mean?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4392\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4083\" data-end=\"4094\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> It’s an expression, when you eat something amazing, you’re like, “Wow, that’s fantastic.” When you’re satisfied, your heart speaks like “wahjeewah.” This is the lamb kebab. We wrapped it in a naan bread that we cooked fresh here. It has some pickled onions, some chutney on the side for some heat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4394\" data-end=\"4507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4394\" data-end=\"4415\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Here we go! Honestly, like, the lamb is so tender. Oh, my gosh, this is wahjeewah for sure!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4509\" data-end=\"4836\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4509\" data-end=\"4520\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Barfia is a unique Indian confections and dessert business. Barfia’s almost like a fudge, but it’s not made out of chocolate. It’s made out of dried milk powder, ghee, and sugar. Here we have khoya, raspberry white chocolate, peanut butter, ube, Oreo, mango coconut, pistachio, celebration cake, and orange blossom.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4838\" data-end=\"4891\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4838\" data-end=\"4859\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Happy Diwali! Here we go, okay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4893\" data-end=\"4916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4893\" data-end=\"4904\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"5008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4918\" data-end=\"4939\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s a really light, very subtle flavor of pistachio. Mm, delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5010\" data-end=\"5021\">Vendor:\u003c/strong> Delicious, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5062\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> That’s so good!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5411\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5080\" data-end=\"5099\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> Naya Delights is all about the love of rose. And these days, I find a way to infuse it into every little thing I can. Here, we’ve got our rose chai — oat milk, chai latte, and then we add some rose water and rose syrup to really give it that rose flavor. We top it with crushed pistachios and fresh rose petals.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5413\" data-end=\"5523\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5413\" data-end=\"5434\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> You’re in pink. I got a little pink here. And a pink straw. Wow, you’re really on brand.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5553\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5525\" data-end=\"5544\">Aurum Kathuria:\u003c/strong> [laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5555\" data-end=\"5617\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5555\" data-end=\"5576\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh, it’s so light. I want more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5619\" data-end=\"5629\">[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5631\" data-end=\"5646\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"5648\" data-end=\"6152\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5648\" data-end=\"5667\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my fabulous guests on this week’s show, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5724\" data-end=\"5746\">Dashini Jeyathurai\u003c/strong>, who shared a taste of Malaysia at Curry Leaves Bistro in Pleasanton, \u003cstrong data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5834\">Rashawn Moore\u003c/strong>, who can’t get enough of the butter-basted chicken at Via del Corso in Berkeley, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"5920\" data-end=\"5933\">Erin Hurd\u003c/strong>, lover of the loco moco at Got Plate Lunch in Benicia. Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"6080\" data-end=\"6106\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"6111\" data-end=\"6129\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong> and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6199\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6154\" data-end=\"6173\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers! Did you have fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6201\" data-end=\"6225\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6201\" data-end=\"6219\">Rashawn Moore:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6227\" data-end=\"6253\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6227\" data-end=\"6241\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6274\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6255\" data-end=\"6266\">Guests:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6276\" data-end=\"6300\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6276\" data-end=\"6290\">Erin Hurd:\u003c/strong> Whoo-hoo!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6510\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6302\" data-end=\"6323\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Bhangra and Beats is a brainchild of Into the Streets, a non-stop Bhangra. It’s so time to come together, eat good food, dress up in beautiful clothing and just celebrate being together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6512\" data-end=\"6533\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6512\" data-end=\"6522\">Woman:\u003c/strong> And dance!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6535\" data-end=\"6567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6535\" data-end=\"6556\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> And dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6569\" data-end=\"6652\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6569\" data-end=\"6590\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Can you teach me, like, one dance move so I have something…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6722\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6654\" data-end=\"6669\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay. So, clap, clap, dance.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6724\" data-end=\"6778\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6724\" data-end=\"6745\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh! Am I doing Bhangra?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6780\" data-end=\"6817\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6780\" data-end=\"6795\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> You’re doing Bhangra!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6819\" data-end=\"6841\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6819\" data-end=\"6830\">Guests:\u003c/strong> [laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp class=\"\" data-start=\"6843\" data-end=\"6914\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6843\" data-end=\"6858\">Instructor:\u003c/strong> All else fails, you just have to bounce your shoulders.\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\">, 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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",
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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 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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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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Gumbo Social, The Bungalow Kitchen, Pomet",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 16, airs Thursday, February 27, 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\">First up, \u003cstrong>Gumbo Social\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood brings soulful comfort food to the table with a creative, ever-changing menu. Crowd favorites include dirty gumbo fries loaded with bold flavors, their hearty and satisfying gumbo ya-ya, and scrumptious shrimp po’boys served with tangy coleslaw. Next, \u003cstrong>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong> by Michael Mina in Tiburon pairs stunning waterfront views with a decadent menu including oak-grilled branzino, lobster pot pie, and crème brûlée French toast that seamlessly complements the restaurant’s charming ambiance. Finally, \u003cstrong>Pomet\u003c/strong>, located on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, offers a fresh take on farm-to-table dining with inventive, seasonal offerings. Diners are treated to Hokkaido milk bread rolls, “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta, and char siu short rib, each dish crafted with local ingredients and infused with global inspiration.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23389\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23389 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Sarah Oh, George Andrews and Leslie Griffin Robertson from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.gumbosocial.com/\">\u003cstrong>Gumbo Social\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://bungalowkitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong> (Tiburon)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://pomet-oakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Pomet\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-23390\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-800x1067.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-800x1067.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-1020x1360.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-160x213.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-768x1024.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://villamariawines.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cb>Villa Maria 2024 “Private Bin” Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/b>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Marlborough, New Zealand $17\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nCrack open a bottle of this youthfully fresh white and be transported to New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc — the famed grape of the island nation — expresses juicy citrus notes with a touch of herbal complexity in Villa Maria’s delicious “Private Bin” wine. Blending grapes from myriad vineyards stretching across the South Island’s Marlborough region, the “Private Bin” sauvignon blanc comes alive in the glass, overflowing with aromas of passionfruit and lemon-lime brightness. A vinous ray of sunshine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://pasqua.it/wines/11-minutes/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Pasqua 2023 “11 Minutes” Rosé\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Trevenezie IGT, Italy $20\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Pasqua Wines is a historic Veronese family producer founded in 1925. This beautiful bottle of pink looks modern and classic with packaging that will impress. Yet it’s the wine inside that is the real star. Made with grapes such as corvina, syrah, and carmenère, the name “11 Minutes” refers to the amount of time the skins of the red grapes have in contact with the pressed grape juice, which imbues a hint of pink color and red berry character. Floral, juicy, and spicy, it’s a unique rosé to explore and enjoy all year long.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"125\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> American soul food in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"196\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They call you, and you just have to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"260\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …Bohemian brunch with a view in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"325\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> You feel like you’ve left the spa and you’re on vacation.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"386\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"405\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and farm-to-table fare in Oakland.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"459\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> It is truly seasonal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"484\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"503\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"544\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> Seems to me like you should be eating that with your hands.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"604\" data-end=\"607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"626\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I haven’t tried yet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"647\" data-end=\"650\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"650\" data-end=\"669\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] No, no, no. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"990\">Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"764\">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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1576\">Joining me at the \u003cem data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1026\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are program manager \u003cstrong data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1071\">Sarah Oh\u003c/strong>, business communications advisor \u003cstrong data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1133\">Leslie Griffin Robertson\u003c/strong>, and marketing strategist \u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1178\">George Andrews\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone. Are you excited to be here?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1229\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1248\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So happy to be here.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1269\" data-end=\"1272\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1301\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> You bet. Yeah. Very excited.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1333\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1333\" data-end=\"1352\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Leslie is letting the good times roll with her pick. It’s a soul food spot featuring a rotating menu of Southern-style gumbo with a California twist. Located in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1573\">Gumbo Social\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1578\" data-end=\"1595\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1760\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1605\">Man:\u003c/strong> I don’t think I’ve ever had gumbo like this before.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1657\" data-end=\"1660\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1670\">Woman:\u003c/strong> It is so good. My eyes are rolling to the back of my head. Oh!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1736\" data-end=\"1749\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"1779\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1781\" data-end=\"2122\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1781\" data-end=\"1798\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> I firmly believe that gumbo should be America’s national dish. It is a dish that really encompasses multiple cultures. You have the African, you have the Cajun and Creole. There’s a lot of French influence, a touch of Spanish as well. So you have multiple cultures kind of binding together to create this incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2456\">We’re here at 5176 3rd Street out in Bayview. I wanted to use Gumbo Social as an opportunity to bring folks to this neighborhood, to see a different part of San Francisco that they normally don’t see. It’s a place where I’m from. It’s a place that I think deserves to have light shined on it in regards from a culinary standpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"3187\">I’m heavily opinionated when it comes to gumbo. There’s some dos and don’ts. I firmly believe that a gumbo should always have okra in it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2595\" data-end=\"2598\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2598\" data-end=\"2611\">Woman #3:\u003c/strong> Got the chicken in there, the okra. Like, the long pieces, not the chunks.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2689\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2689\" data-end=\"2706\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Sausage in there for sure.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2749\">Woman #4:\u003c/strong> This is amazing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2766\" data-end=\"2769\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2786\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> We like to try to hit it middle of the road from the spice standpoint. We want to be able to tickle the palate a little bit but not be too spicy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"2935\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2935\" data-end=\"2948\">Woman #5:\u003c/strong> Out of 10, what do you score it? 10 out of 10?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2995\" data-end=\"2998\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2998\" data-end=\"3015\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> If you don’t want Mr. Gumbo to come to your house, please don’t put corn in your gumbo. It is against the law. Penal code 779825. I’ll come arrest you. Citizen’s arrest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3189\" data-end=\"3575\">One of the things we love to do at Gumbo Social is host a great party. And so we are bringing in folks to do a gumbo tasting.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3314\" data-end=\"3317\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3330\">Woman #6:\u003c/strong> I’m here to eat.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3350\" data-end=\"3363\">Woman #7:\u003c/strong> We have a pork gumbo with fried chicharrón on top.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3414\" data-end=\"3417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3417\" data-end=\"3434\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> The new one, the gumbo z’herbes.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3470\" data-end=\"3478\">Man:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3484\" data-end=\"3487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3487\" data-end=\"3504\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> And then folks actually get to vote on what their favorite gumbo is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3577\" data-end=\"4069\">My mom, she’s the person that really taught me how to cook. She’s always kind of coming through, spot-checking the gumbo, making sure that the seasonings are on par.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3745\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3745\" data-end=\"3758\">Woman #3:\u003c/strong> Now, this is gumbo.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3778\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3781\" data-end=\"3798\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> And then just helping me push the boundaries of the food. One of the things that we focus on is being really versatile. So we do events, catering. Farmers markets are like a really great home base for us.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4006\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4006\" data-end=\"4017\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah, so much.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4036\" data-end=\"4039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4039\" data-end=\"4056\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4071\" data-end=\"4189\">One of my favorite pieces is people who haven’t had gumbo in a long time, taste it, and then it’s kind of that look.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4191\" data-end=\"4208\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4493\">And then when they go back in… And usually the pinkie’s out when they’re going in, and so then you know you got something.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4334\" data-end=\"4337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4348\">Man #3:\u003c/strong> Mmm! Oh! Mm.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4364\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4364\" data-end=\"4381\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> My goal is to get a bowl of gumbo in every household in America. That’s my goal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4465\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4465\" data-end=\"4478\">Woman #8:\u003c/strong> Get into it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4495\" data-end=\"6610\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4495\" data-end=\"4514\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, now, Leslie, gumbo is pretty specific. Are you a gumbo lover because of traveling? Or just that you love the flavor?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4635\" data-end=\"4638\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4638\" data-end=\"4667\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I love the flavors, I love spice, I love things that, at their very best, take a couple days to really come into themselves. I get the classic gumbo—chicken and sausage and the holy trinity, which is celery, onion, and bell pepper, that just makes it this incredibly dense, rich bed of flavor.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4961\" data-end=\"4964\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4964\" data-end=\"4983\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> The gumbo was so fantastic. Savory and rich and herbaceous. A lot of thyme in there. Very generous on the chicken and the sliced sausage. The only thing I was missing was a little bit more okra, but I would have it any day of the week.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5219\" data-end=\"5222\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5222\" data-end=\"5241\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, are you an okra lover?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5269\" data-end=\"5272\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5272\" data-end=\"5285\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I’m an okra lover. I didn’t have that thought though, when I had the gumbo. But I also loved it. It’s just spicy enough. And I loved the classic presentation of the rice. It was just, you know, like, very elegant, but no fuss. A mound of rice in the middle. I got the small and wished I had gotten a large.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5595\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5595\" data-end=\"5624\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They sell it in a quart size, and you can take it home. And I will say it freezes beautifully as well. Like, if you can’t get to Gumbo Social for your gumbo, you can actually pack it up and have it later.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5829\" data-end=\"5832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5832\" data-end=\"5851\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I wish it came in gallons.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5878\" data-end=\"5881\">[ Laughter ]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5893\" data-end=\"5896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5896\" data-end=\"5915\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It was that good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5933\" data-end=\"5936\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5936\" data-end=\"5955\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> It really was.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5970\" data-end=\"5973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5973\" data-end=\"6002\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It really is. I usually get the shrimp po’boy on the side. That is just scrumptious. Very generous serving of shrimp. Delicious sauce. Comes on a nice soft roll. I’m a dunker, so kind of the perfect dunking situation with the gumbo. That may be heresy to some, I don’t know, but I think it’s delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6305\" data-end=\"6308\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6308\" data-end=\"6321\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had to get the hoecake…\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6349\" data-end=\"6352\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6352\" data-end=\"6371\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Oh, okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6381\" data-end=\"6384\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6384\" data-end=\"6397\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> …which was delicious to eat with the gumbo. I love anything that’s corn-based. It was a nice texture contrast. Usually I get a side like that and think I’ll just have a bite of it. I finished the whole thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"414\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I had the vegan greens, which are both vegan and gluten-free, and it’s a really beautiful braise of kale, pinto beans and chickpeas, kidney beans, so you get a lot of different textures, as well as a lot of the spices that they have in the gumbo. But I wish it came in as large of a bowl as the gumbo. I could eat that all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"416\" data-end=\"3253\">So every once in a while I get an email from Gumbo Social. And this one was the “siren song of the dirty fries,” which is something that’s, I gather, not always on the menu. And, oh, my goodness, you guys, they’re really good fries smothered in a cheese situation that is more than just cheese. I think maybe the configuration of it is a little bit secret. And despite having consumed a bowl of gumbo, an entire shrimp po’boy, then out come the dirty fries, and my husband and I went at those too.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"913\" data-end=\"916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"935\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You didn’t happen to be there for that hat trick, did you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"994\" data-end=\"997\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1016\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> No, no. I missed that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1042\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1042\" data-end=\"1055\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> What makes them siren fries? Is there something spicy?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1110\" data-end=\"1113\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1142\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Just that they call you and you just have to come.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1196\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1209\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Oh, I see.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1220\" data-end=\"1223\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1242\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> The siren song.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1261\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1290\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> The way they were described in the email was like, “Come to me…”\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1357\" data-end=\"1360\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1379\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Pull you down into the ocean.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1412\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1412\" data-end=\"1441\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. And my husband and I agreed that they were worth the drive.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1516\" data-end=\"1519\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1519\" data-end=\"1538\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have any dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1568\" data-end=\"1571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1590\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I did take home a slice of lemon pound cake that was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1657\" data-end=\"1676\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, you looked at me so funny. You looked at me like, “I did it. Yes, I did it.”\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"1762\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"1781\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I did. I did. And it had a really delicious, intense lemon flavor. You know, great icing, not too sweet, but beautifully soft pound cake.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1922\" data-end=\"1951\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I have not ever had the pound cake, but I must put in a word on the untraditional dessert of the Brussels sprouts, which are crispy fried with some apple. Oh! These things are phenomenal. If you’re a Brussels sprouts for dessert kind of person, which I’m really not.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2240\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I can’t tell you that I know a lot of those people.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2292\" data-end=\"2295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2324\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yeah. Me neither, so… But they are highly recommended. Absolutely delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2403\" data-end=\"2406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2425\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And this is a casual place, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2460\" data-end=\"2463\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2463\" data-end=\"2482\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah, very casual, very comfortable. They had good music on.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2543\" data-end=\"2546\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2559\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Great art on the walls too. There’s some really nice iconic pictures of jazz artists and historic figures.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2666\" data-end=\"2669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2669\" data-end=\"2688\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So did you get good value out of this place?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2749\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Talk about a substantial, hearty, satisfying meal that is not going to impact your wallet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2852\" data-end=\"2855\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2855\" data-end=\"2874\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you’re gonna go back, George, and bring home more?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2929\" data-end=\"2932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"2951\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely going to hit up the farmers market. We’ll see, if I’m in the neighborhood again, though, I’m going to swing by.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3081\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3100\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, if you would like to try \u003cstrong data-start=\"3132\" data-end=\"3148\">Gumbo Social\u003c/strong>, it’s located on 3rd Street in San Francisco. The average tab per person without drinks is around $30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3255\" data-end=\"3521\">George’s favorite brunch spot is all about location, location, location. He spent many a Sunday there, sipping Pimm’s cups, lounging on the patio, and soaking up the stellar bay views. Commanding a prime spot on the docks of Tiburon, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"3494\" data-end=\"3518\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3523\" data-end=\"3540\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3542\" data-end=\"3770\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3542\" data-end=\"3562\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> \u003cem data-start=\"3563\" data-end=\"3585\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> by Michael Mina. We want to feel like a clubhouse, you know. We want the community to come over, relax with us, indulge in our coastal Californian cuisine and wonderful sips as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3772\" data-end=\"3789\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3791\" data-end=\"4077\">Our brunch menu—it’s a two-course prix fixe. You have about 10 options for your appetizers and an equal amount for your entrées.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3922\" data-end=\"3932\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Mmm!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3937\" data-end=\"3940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3940\" data-end=\"3960\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> We have an open-fire grill. It’s oak wood that we feed throughout the night to provide that flavor for our steaks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4079\" data-end=\"4096\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"5057\">We have an array of seafood. We have tuna, sea bass, branzino. We fly in fish from Japan. Our sushi chef, \u003cstrong data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4217\">Chef Yama\u003c/strong>, will call up the market in Japan and see whatever he can get as fresh as possible and arrive here overnight.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4327\" data-end=\"4330\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4330\" data-end=\"4344\">Chef Yama:\u003c/strong> This rice I buy from Japan.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4372\" data-end=\"4375\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4375\" data-end=\"4395\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> The lobster pot pie—it’s a Chef Mina classic dish. A domed puff pastry, and then we’ll crack it tableside, place it on the bottom, and then rebuild that lobster for you. We love to do that extra detail. We want to show the guests what we do in the kitchen, to say this is what we have and why and the story. And it’s just beautiful. I would say like a symphony just all working together, you know.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4793\" data-end=\"4796\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4796\" data-end=\"4809\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4828\" data-end=\"4831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4831\" data-end=\"4851\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> We want to create an atmosphere where it’s relaxing. You get to just take a quick ferry ride over. You get the breeze. You get the warmth. As foggy as it may be in the city, it’s always sunny in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5059\" data-end=\"5076\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"7015\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"5097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, George, you live in the city, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5139\" data-end=\"5142\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5142\" data-end=\"5161\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I do.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5167\" data-end=\"5170\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5170\" data-end=\"5189\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you get foggy sometimes. And is that why you’re so drawn to sunny Tiburon?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5267\" data-end=\"5270\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5270\" data-end=\"5289\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> It is. It’s like a mini vacation. And that’s why it’s so perfect to go for brunch. You get into your nice big easy chair on the patio. Everything’s kind of these muted coral and sage-green tones, and you just feel like you’ve left the spa and you’re on vacation and you’re ready to have a cocktail. So the first thing that I get is the Pimm’s cup. I love something that’s herby, I love something that’s gin-based, a little fizzy. But, you know, it’s not too potent, so you can have a few and you’re just relaxing. It’s like time has stopped.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5831\" data-end=\"5834\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5834\" data-end=\"5853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, you got Pimm’s cup in hand. What is the first thing you order?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5927\" data-end=\"5930\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5930\" data-end=\"5949\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> The first thing that I like to order is the butter lettuce and hearts of palm salad. And it comes out on this big long tray, and you think that they’re bringing it to someone else because there’s no way this whole salad could be just for me. It’s velvety soft butter lettuce cups with Brokaw avocado and the sliced hearts of palm, segmented grapefruit. And it’s just a wonderfully refreshing way to start the meal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6364\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6380\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> The theme for me at \u003cem data-start=\"6401\" data-end=\"6419\">Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> was, like, tableside appeal. Everything kind of has this big tableside presence.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6500\" data-end=\"6503\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6503\" data-end=\"6511\">Man:\u003c/strong> So we have the sashimi-grade ahi tuna. There’s a quail egg on top with Maldon sea salt.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6599\" data-end=\"6602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6602\" data-end=\"6615\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had the tuna tartare to start, which is visually so lovely. You have the Asian pear, the mint. There’s some sesame oil on there, chilies, all kind of chopped in these cute little piles, and someone tosses it tableside for you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6844\" data-end=\"6847\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6847\" data-end=\"6866\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s breakfast and a show.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"6896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6896\" data-end=\"6909\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Breakfast and a show.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6931\" data-end=\"6934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6934\" data-end=\"6942\">Man:\u003c/strong> And there we go. Michael Mina’s tuna tartare.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6988\" data-end=\"6991\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6991\" data-end=\"7002\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> Wonderful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"2403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"73\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We went for the lobster pot pie, which, talk about tableside appeal. It comes out in this beautiful copper pot with, you know, the flaky crust on top. The meat was succulent and tasty. The vegetables, what I really appreciated, tasted really fresh, like someone had just chopped them and threw them in. A slight acidity would have been nice to kind of cut through the cream, but the sauce was really rich, and it was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"504\" data-end=\"523\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"533\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"562\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I had regrets. I saw it. We had already ordered, and then I saw that roll by, and I was like, “Oh, I missed a bet there,” because it truly is stunningly beautiful. But we did order an assortment of appetizers, and our very favorite one was the jalapeño lobster toasts.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"831\" data-end=\"834\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"834\" data-end=\"853\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"861\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"890\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They’re like a rolled-up kind of thing. It wasn’t—I was expecting something flat on a toast. And this was so much more than that and so much better than that. Delightful little bit of spice, but not too much. Just a really nice blend and balance.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1140\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1140\" data-end=\"1159\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what other dishes did you have?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1198\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1198\" data-end=\"1227\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I had the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Also phenomenal. Standard Benedict in terms of English muffin and an egg and hollandaise sauce, but the addition of the smoked salmon was really nice, and it came with a side of crispy potatoes that was really, really good. I also had the steak frites, which is sort of a basic dish—it’s meat and potatoes—but this one was really special. It was a filet prepared absolutely perfectly, nice béarnaise sauce, good fries. We were super happy with it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1722\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1741\" data-is-only-node=\"\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Where I’ve been going lately is to the oak-grilled branzino. And this one comes out in a beautiful stoneware bowl on a bed of orzo with little baby French lentils and a nice piquant tomato sauce. Beautiful piece of branzino with the skin still a little bit crisp. But the flesh is so tender, and it’s just a dream to eat.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2066\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2079\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I think the tip is, at \u003cem data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2121\">Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em>, you go and you see everything…\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2158\" data-end=\"2187\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Watch.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2194\" data-end=\"2197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2197\" data-end=\"2210\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> …and then you go back a second time.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2249\" data-end=\"2252\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2252\" data-end=\"2281\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yep.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2302\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We were tempted by the oyster shooters that were going by. Again, just, you know, couldn’t say no.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2419\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"3926\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2429\">Man:\u003c/strong> This is the way you do it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2456\" data-end=\"2459\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2459\" data-end=\"2469\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Here we go. Whoo-hoo!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2494\" data-end=\"2507\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> And I also had a Bloody Mary, which had the same kind of tomato-based spicy mix that was part of the oyster shooter.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2624\" data-end=\"2627\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2656\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> For dessert, I had the espresso martini, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Not groundbreaking in terms of, like, special adds or anything, but in terms of just being well prepared, it was perfection.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2862\" data-end=\"2865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2865\" data-end=\"2878\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We shared the crème brûlée French toast, which to me tasted like dessert. It had the sweet inside. I didn’t get too much of a crème brûlée taste, but it was still delicious and sweet and decadent.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. And how was the service?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3137\" data-end=\"3166\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Oh, the service was spectacular. Like you said, there was so much tableside action, and they were very, very attentive. Overall, yeah, no complaints on service at all. It was really nicely done.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3361\" data-end=\"3364\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3364\" data-end=\"3383\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you feel like this is an every Sunday if you can.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3437\" data-end=\"3440\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3440\" data-end=\"3459\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I don’t go every Sunday, although I wish that I could. But, yeah, it’s more of like a once-a-month place, you know, when the fog is getting me down. Just hop across the bridge and, you know, have—\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3656\" data-end=\"3659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3659\" data-end=\"3678\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And treat yourself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3698\" data-end=\"3701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3701\" data-end=\"3720\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3735\" data-end=\"3738\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3738\" data-end=\"3757\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, well, if you would like to try \u003cem data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"3822\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em>, it’s located on Main Street in Tiburon. And the average tab per person without drinks is around $85.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3928\" data-end=\"4182\">Sarah’s favorite restaurant offers the quintessential farm-to-table experience. The new California menu is driven by whatever’s in season at the owner’s orchards along with other family-owned farms. Located on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"4170\" data-end=\"4179\">Pomet\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4184\" data-end=\"4201\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4221\">Aomboon Deasy:\u003c/strong> Ooh, now the best part, right? \u003cem data-start=\"4253\" data-end=\"4260\">Pomet\u003c/em> is the truest definition of “farm to table” when it comes to California cuisine. We have access to some of the best ingredients and some of the most unique flavors. A mustard-miso dressing, avocados. I chose the name \u003cem data-start=\"4478\" data-end=\"4485\">Pomet\u003c/em> because it means “orchard” in an old Roman language. It also stems from the word of “pomology,” which is the study and cultivation of fruit and nut trees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4644\" data-end=\"4943\">\u003cem data-start=\"4644\" data-end=\"4651\">Pomet\u003c/em> wouldn’t be here without Kalayada and James, my parents, who started the farm \u003cstrong data-start=\"4730\" data-end=\"4748\">K & J Orchards\u003c/strong>. Nectarines, peaches, cherries, persimmons. We get to highlight what we grow, and the kitchen gets to make even look more beautiful and taste even better than it really is in its natural form.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4962\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4964\" data-end=\"5566\">The recipes are a culmination of the collaboration of the chef and the kitchen staff and also a little bit of input from me.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5091\" data-end=\"5099\">Man:\u003c/strong> That is really good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5123\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5123\" data-end=\"5141\">Aomboon Deasy:\u003c/strong> They are dishes that we remember growing up and what our parents, our grandparents used to cook, and influence of many cultures. The wood that we use to cook our food here is mostly all fruit wood. It brings a little bit of that earthiness to each of the plates. In a way, the tree is the full circle of life. We harvest the fruit from it, but then we use the rest of it to cook the food that is presented here at \u003cem data-start=\"5556\" data-end=\"5563\">Pomet\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5568\" data-end=\"5965\">One of the things that \u003cem data-start=\"5591\" data-end=\"5598\">Pomet\u003c/em> does is, at the end of every meal, they get to have a piece of fruit for them to experience like they just walked out of the orchard, to really enjoy as their last bite as they say thank you, and we say thank you to them. Their faces when they try something and they’re just mesmerized by the taste and the freshness, brings me joy that we’ve done something right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"7197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"5986\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Sarah, you know the phrase “farm to table” is so overused sometimes. I mean, this really is about “orchard to table.” This is—this is the real deal, isn’t it?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6156\" data-end=\"6159\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6159\" data-end=\"6172\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> That’s the perfect way of putting it. When you look at the menu, what I love is they’ll feature the farms’ names. It’s something that it’s so subtle and small, but it makes a really big difference, I think, in understanding where the food comes from.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6423\" data-end=\"6426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6426\" data-end=\"6445\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6452\" data-end=\"6455\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6455\" data-end=\"6468\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I always start with the seasonal salad. It is truly seasonal, so it will depend on what fruits are in season. I went recently and I got little gem lettuces with peaches and just a really light vinaigrette that doesn’t overpower the fruit or the lettuces. You can even taste the sweetness of the lettuce.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6772\" data-end=\"6775\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6775\" data-end=\"6794\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> One of the best starters for me was the smashed cucumber salad. And the cucumbers are all sliced in different directions, so you kind of get some different textures, right? But they’re sitting in a soy milk and sesame broth, and it’s all topped with a little bit of chili oil. So I found myself trying to push away my tablemates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"5624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. You wanted all the cucumbers to yourself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"128\" data-end=\"131\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"150\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I wanted them all to myself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"182\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"201\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] What about you, Leslie?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"266\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Every single dish had something jazzy going on, something creative. We had the crispy duck appetizer, and we also had the duck entrée. They were very different. The appetizer was kind of a little explosion of flavors. We’re kind of like knocking each other’s forks out of the way.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"550\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"569\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So we also had the duck appetizer, and it came with a crisp little apple slaw with it. And the sauce was kind of a pomegranate and gochujang glaze. Perfectly crisp. My tablemate, other than myself and my fiancé, we were a table of three, is vegetarian, so I only had to share with one person.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"884\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"915\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I was also celebrating my birthday, so I got to—yeah, I got to kind of pull rank a little bit on whichever dishes that I wanted.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1047\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1060\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> This is more of a side, but I love the rolls. They have these Hokkaido milk bread rolls. So fluffy. Nice chew when you bite into it, and they serve it with this incredible butter. One time I finished the rolls and there was leftover butter and I asked the waiter if I could take the butter home, it was that good. It’s very velvety and soft, and it’s great for sopping up those juices from the cucumber or other appetizers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1506\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> We did all starters, actually. So the graffiti eggplant dip was so fabulous. Perfectly smooth, rich, kind of like a mapo mushroom sauce over the top. A wonderful cool cream on the side, with semolina crackers, which were kind of like big, long shards—looked like broken glass but made of semolina. We were all fighting over that one as well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1851\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"1870\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It was a battle, I’m guessing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1904\" data-end=\"1933\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It was perfection. Every single mouthful at that place, no matter what we ordered, was outstanding.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2033\" data-end=\"2036\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2049\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I forget that it’s a starter. I always think of it as a main dish because it’s so substantial.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2166\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Another star for us was the ugly mushroom pasta. A symphony of mushrooms, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2247\" data-end=\"2250\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2250\" data-end=\"2269\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And all ugly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2283\" data-end=\"2286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2305\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Well, I would say beautiful.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2334\" data-end=\"2337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2337\" data-end=\"2366\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I thought it was gorgeous.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2396\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2409\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Spectacular, though.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2433\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2452\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> And then once you kind of get below that layer, you have these little boats of pasta filled with even more mushroom, luscious sauce underneath. It was a dream.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2612\" data-end=\"2615\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2634\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you’re agreeing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2687\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Oh, that’s the dish that we will all really remember. Everything at this restaurant was special. We had the char siu pork, which was a pork belly. This was like silk in your mouth. Beautifully prepared, just the right amount of seasoning. And it came with this hot mustard, which was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2982\" data-end=\"2985\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2985\" data-end=\"2998\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had the salmon. The quality of the salmon is such that all they did was serve it with some stuffed peppers. Very fresh. And it was the perfect pairing of the sweetness from the peppers with the richness of the salmon. It’s super simple. Just a great fish.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3278\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to drink with this?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3324\" data-end=\"3327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3356\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I did. I had the housemade rose geranium spritzer. I’m an herb gardener myself, so of course I had to try that, and it was perfect. Like, it did not beat you over the head with rose geranium. You had to get about halfway down the spritzer in order to get it, and then when it came, it was perfect.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3676\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Oh, nice.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3686\" data-end=\"3689\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3689\" data-end=\"3708\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Well, is it too early to talk about dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3775\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It never is. No.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3792\" data-end=\"3795\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3795\" data-end=\"3814\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So if I could go back and just have this peach galette, I would, and it would be the only thing that I ate for the rest of my life. It was a beautiful mound of peaches sitting atop a very crisp puff pastry, beautifully pleated and studded with sanding sugar so it’s extra crisp. And then sitting above is the real star that makes it so amazing, which is the yogurt semifreddo. And as soon as it touches your tongue, it just dissipates completely. But it brought it all together.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4296\" data-end=\"4325\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I got to put in a word for the chocolate cake. OMG, you guys. Texturally, it was almost like a cross between pudding and cake. Not too sweet. Perfectly balanced flavors and five people going at it with spoons.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4535\" data-end=\"4538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4538\" data-end=\"4557\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4569\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4598\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It was—it was perfection.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4624\" data-end=\"4627\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4627\" data-end=\"4646\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And how was the service?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4671\" data-end=\"4674\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4703\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I can’t put enough emphasis on the service, too, because we were seated in the outside area. So there were heaters to make sure we were warm. And sometimes when you get seated outside, you get forgotten a little bit. Not at this place.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4939\" data-end=\"4942\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4942\" data-end=\"4961\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You agree?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4972\" data-end=\"4975\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4975\" data-end=\"4994\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I definitely agree. I will be going back next year for my birthday and probably a number of times in between.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5104\" data-end=\"5107\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5107\" data-end=\"5136\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> My husband has already asked for it for his birthday next year, so it’s gonna become a birthday destination.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5245\" data-end=\"5248\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5248\" data-end=\"5267\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I would say that’s high praise.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5299\" data-end=\"5302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5302\" data-end=\"5315\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> That’s what I like. You know, you can go for your birthday, you can go for a Friday night meal. And it really does have this cozy, inviting feel.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5461\" data-end=\"5464\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5464\" data-end=\"5483\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try \u003cem data-start=\"5509\" data-end=\"5516\">Pomet\u003c/em>, it’s located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $80.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5626\" data-end=\"5744\">Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out \u003cem data-start=\"5692\" data-end=\"5710\">Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5746\" data-end=\"6081\">I have to thank my incredibly articulate guests on this week’s show—Sarah Oh, who appreciates the farm-driven menu at \u003cem data-start=\"5864\" data-end=\"5871\">Pomet\u003c/em> in Oakland; Leslie Griffin Robertson, who always takes home an extra bowl from \u003cem data-start=\"5951\" data-end=\"5965\">Gumbo Social\u003c/em> in San Francisco; and George Andrews, who pairs his branzino with bay views at \u003cem data-start=\"6045\" data-end=\"6067\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6083\" data-end=\"6427\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"6174\" data-end=\"6200\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers. And cheers to you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6270\" data-end=\"6273\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6273\" data-end=\"6286\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6294\" data-end=\"6297\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6297\" data-end=\"6316\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6324\" data-end=\"6327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6327\" data-end=\"6346\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have fun?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6364\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6386\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6392\" data-end=\"6395\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6395\" data-end=\"6414\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yes! Whee!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6429\" data-end=\"6457\">[Indistinct conversations]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6459\" data-end=\"6956\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6459\" data-end=\"6476\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Me and gumbo are in a heavy marriage together. Her and I, we’ve been seeing each other for quite some time. [Laughs] The social piece I thought was really important because typically when you have gumbo, you’re having it with people you love and care about. So if you’re having a tough day, the gumbo should ease the tension of the conversation. I’ve never seen anyone have a fight when a bowl of gumbo is present. Only rough argument’s when, who’s gonna get the last crab leg?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6958\" data-end=\"6972\">[ Laughter ]\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 16, airs Thursday, February 27, 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\">First up, \u003cstrong>Gumbo Social\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood brings soulful comfort food to the table with a creative, ever-changing menu. Crowd favorites include dirty gumbo fries loaded with bold flavors, their hearty and satisfying gumbo ya-ya, and scrumptious shrimp po’boys served with tangy coleslaw. Next, \u003cstrong>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong> by Michael Mina in Tiburon pairs stunning waterfront views with a decadent menu including oak-grilled branzino, lobster pot pie, and crème brûlée French toast that seamlessly complements the restaurant’s charming ambiance. Finally, \u003cstrong>Pomet\u003c/strong>, located on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, offers a fresh take on farm-to-table dining with inventive, seasonal offerings. Diners are treated to Hokkaido milk bread rolls, “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta, and char siu short rib, each dish crafted with local ingredients and infused with global inspiration.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23389\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23389 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Sarah Oh, George Andrews and Leslie Griffin Robertson from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.gumbosocial.com/\">\u003cstrong>Gumbo Social\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://bungalowkitchen.com/\">\u003cstrong>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong> (Tiburon)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://pomet-oakland.com/\">\u003cstrong>Pomet\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-23390\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-800x1067.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-800x1067.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-1020x1360.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-160x213.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-768x1024.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1916_Wines.png 1536w\" 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>\u003ca href=\"https://villamariawines.com/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cb>Villa Maria 2024 “Private Bin” Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/b>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Marlborough, New Zealand $17\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nCrack open a bottle of this youthfully fresh white and be transported to New Zealand. Sauvignon blanc — the famed grape of the island nation — expresses juicy citrus notes with a touch of herbal complexity in Villa Maria’s delicious “Private Bin” wine. Blending grapes from myriad vineyards stretching across the South Island’s Marlborough region, the “Private Bin” sauvignon blanc comes alive in the glass, overflowing with aromas of passionfruit and lemon-lime brightness. A vinous ray of sunshine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://pasqua.it/wines/11-minutes/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Pasqua 2023 “11 Minutes” Rosé\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Trevenezie IGT, Italy $20\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>Pasqua Wines is a historic Veronese family producer founded in 1925. This beautiful bottle of pink looks modern and classic with packaging that will impress. Yet it’s the wine inside that is the real star. Made with grapes such as corvina, syrah, and carmenère, the name “11 Minutes” refers to the amount of time the skins of the red grapes have in contact with the pressed grape juice, which imbues a hint of pink color and red berry character. Floral, juicy, and spicy, it’s a unique rosé to explore and enjoy all year long.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp> \u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"125\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> American soul food in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"167\" data-end=\"196\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They call you, and you just have to come.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"260\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …Bohemian brunch with a view in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"106\" data-end=\"701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"306\" data-end=\"325\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> You feel like you’ve left the spa and you’re on vacation.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"383\" data-end=\"386\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"386\" data-end=\"405\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and farm-to-table fare in Oakland.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"446\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"446\" data-end=\"459\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> It is truly seasonal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"484\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"503\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem data-start=\"518\" data-end=\"544\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> Seems to me like you should be eating that with your hands.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"604\" data-end=\"607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"626\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I haven’t tried yet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"647\" data-end=\"650\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"650\" data-end=\"669\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] No, no, no. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"703\" data-end=\"990\">Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"764\">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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"992\" data-end=\"1576\">Joining me at the \u003cem data-start=\"1010\" data-end=\"1026\">Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are program manager \u003cstrong data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1071\">Sarah Oh\u003c/strong>, business communications advisor \u003cstrong data-start=\"1105\" data-end=\"1133\">Leslie Griffin Robertson\u003c/strong>, and marketing strategist \u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1178\">George Andrews\u003c/strong>. Welcome, everyone. Are you excited to be here?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1226\" data-end=\"1229\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1229\" data-end=\"1248\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So happy to be here.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1269\" data-end=\"1272\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1272\" data-end=\"1301\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> You bet. Yeah. Very excited.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1330\" data-end=\"1333\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1333\" data-end=\"1352\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Leslie is letting the good times roll with her pick. It’s a soul food spot featuring a rotating menu of Southern-style gumbo with a California twist. Located in San Francisco’s Bayview neighborhood, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"1557\" data-end=\"1573\">Gumbo Social\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1578\" data-end=\"1595\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1760\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1597\" data-end=\"1605\">Man:\u003c/strong> I don’t think I’ve ever had gumbo like this before.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1657\" data-end=\"1660\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1660\" data-end=\"1670\">Woman:\u003c/strong> It is so good. My eyes are rolling to the back of my head. Oh!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1733\" data-end=\"1736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1736\" data-end=\"1749\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"1779\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1781\" data-end=\"2122\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1781\" data-end=\"1798\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> I firmly believe that gumbo should be America’s national dish. It is a dish that really encompasses multiple cultures. You have the African, you have the Cajun and Creole. There’s a lot of French influence, a touch of Spanish as well. So you have multiple cultures kind of binding together to create this incredible dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2456\">We’re here at 5176 3rd Street out in Bayview. I wanted to use Gumbo Social as an opportunity to bring folks to this neighborhood, to see a different part of San Francisco that they normally don’t see. It’s a place where I’m from. It’s a place that I think deserves to have light shined on it in regards from a culinary standpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"3187\">I’m heavily opinionated when it comes to gumbo. There’s some dos and don’ts. I firmly believe that a gumbo should always have okra in it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2595\" data-end=\"2598\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2598\" data-end=\"2611\">Woman #3:\u003c/strong> Got the chicken in there, the okra. Like, the long pieces, not the chunks.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2689\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2689\" data-end=\"2706\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Sausage in there for sure.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2749\">Woman #4:\u003c/strong> This is amazing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2766\" data-end=\"2769\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2769\" data-end=\"2786\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> We like to try to hit it middle of the road from the spice standpoint. We want to be able to tickle the palate a little bit but not be too spicy.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"2935\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2935\" data-end=\"2948\">Woman #5:\u003c/strong> Out of 10, what do you score it? 10 out of 10?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2995\" data-end=\"2998\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2998\" data-end=\"3015\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> If you don’t want Mr. Gumbo to come to your house, please don’t put corn in your gumbo. It is against the law. Penal code 779825. I’ll come arrest you. Citizen’s arrest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3189\" data-end=\"3575\">One of the things we love to do at Gumbo Social is host a great party. And so we are bringing in folks to do a gumbo tasting.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3314\" data-end=\"3317\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3330\">Woman #6:\u003c/strong> I’m here to eat.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3347\" data-end=\"3350\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3350\" data-end=\"3363\">Woman #7:\u003c/strong> We have a pork gumbo with fried chicharrón on top.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3414\" data-end=\"3417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3417\" data-end=\"3434\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> The new one, the gumbo z’herbes.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3467\" data-end=\"3470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3470\" data-end=\"3478\">Man:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3484\" data-end=\"3487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3487\" data-end=\"3504\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> And then folks actually get to vote on what their favorite gumbo is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3577\" data-end=\"4069\">My mom, she’s the person that really taught me how to cook. She’s always kind of coming through, spot-checking the gumbo, making sure that the seasonings are on par.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3742\" data-end=\"3745\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3745\" data-end=\"3758\">Woman #3:\u003c/strong> Now, this is gumbo.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3778\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3781\" data-end=\"3798\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> And then just helping me push the boundaries of the food. One of the things that we focus on is being really versatile. So we do events, catering. Farmers markets are like a really great home base for us.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4003\" data-end=\"4006\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4006\" data-end=\"4017\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah, so much.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4036\" data-end=\"4039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4039\" data-end=\"4056\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Thank you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4071\" data-end=\"4189\">One of my favorite pieces is people who haven’t had gumbo in a long time, taste it, and then it’s kind of that look.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4191\" data-end=\"4208\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4210\" data-end=\"4493\">And then when they go back in… And usually the pinkie’s out when they’re going in, and so then you know you got something.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4334\" data-end=\"4337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4337\" data-end=\"4348\">Man #3:\u003c/strong> Mmm! Oh! Mm.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4364\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4364\" data-end=\"4381\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> My goal is to get a bowl of gumbo in every household in America. That’s my goal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4462\" data-end=\"4465\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4465\" data-end=\"4478\">Woman #8:\u003c/strong> Get into it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4495\" data-end=\"6610\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4495\" data-end=\"4514\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So, now, Leslie, gumbo is pretty specific. Are you a gumbo lover because of traveling? Or just that you love the flavor?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4635\" data-end=\"4638\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4638\" data-end=\"4667\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I love the flavors, I love spice, I love things that, at their very best, take a couple days to really come into themselves. I get the classic gumbo—chicken and sausage and the holy trinity, which is celery, onion, and bell pepper, that just makes it this incredibly dense, rich bed of flavor.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4961\" data-end=\"4964\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4964\" data-end=\"4983\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> The gumbo was so fantastic. Savory and rich and herbaceous. A lot of thyme in there. Very generous on the chicken and the sliced sausage. The only thing I was missing was a little bit more okra, but I would have it any day of the week.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5219\" data-end=\"5222\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5222\" data-end=\"5241\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, are you an okra lover?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5269\" data-end=\"5272\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5272\" data-end=\"5285\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I’m an okra lover. I didn’t have that thought though, when I had the gumbo. But I also loved it. It’s just spicy enough. And I loved the classic presentation of the rice. It was just, you know, like, very elegant, but no fuss. A mound of rice in the middle. I got the small and wished I had gotten a large.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5595\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5595\" data-end=\"5624\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They sell it in a quart size, and you can take it home. And I will say it freezes beautifully as well. Like, if you can’t get to Gumbo Social for your gumbo, you can actually pack it up and have it later.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5829\" data-end=\"5832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5832\" data-end=\"5851\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I wish it came in gallons.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5878\" data-end=\"5881\">[ Laughter ]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5893\" data-end=\"5896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5896\" data-end=\"5915\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It was that good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5933\" data-end=\"5936\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5936\" data-end=\"5955\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> It really was.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5970\" data-end=\"5973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5973\" data-end=\"6002\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It really is. I usually get the shrimp po’boy on the side. That is just scrumptious. Very generous serving of shrimp. Delicious sauce. Comes on a nice soft roll. I’m a dunker, so kind of the perfect dunking situation with the gumbo. That may be heresy to some, I don’t know, but I think it’s delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6305\" data-end=\"6308\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6308\" data-end=\"6321\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had to get the hoecake…\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6349\" data-end=\"6352\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6352\" data-end=\"6371\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Oh, okay.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6381\" data-end=\"6384\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6384\" data-end=\"6397\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> …which was delicious to eat with the gumbo. I love anything that’s corn-based. It was a nice texture contrast. Usually I get a side like that and think I’ll just have a bite of it. I finished the whole thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"414\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I had the vegan greens, which are both vegan and gluten-free, and it’s a really beautiful braise of kale, pinto beans and chickpeas, kidney beans, so you get a lot of different textures, as well as a lot of the spices that they have in the gumbo. But I wish it came in as large of a bowl as the gumbo. I could eat that all the time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"416\" data-end=\"3253\">So every once in a while I get an email from Gumbo Social. And this one was the “siren song of the dirty fries,” which is something that’s, I gather, not always on the menu. And, oh, my goodness, you guys, they’re really good fries smothered in a cheese situation that is more than just cheese. I think maybe the configuration of it is a little bit secret. And despite having consumed a bowl of gumbo, an entire shrimp po’boy, then out come the dirty fries, and my husband and I went at those too.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"913\" data-end=\"916\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"916\" data-end=\"935\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You didn’t happen to be there for that hat trick, did you?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"994\" data-end=\"997\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1016\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> No, no. I missed that.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1039\" data-end=\"1042\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1042\" data-end=\"1055\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> What makes them siren fries? Is there something spicy?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1110\" data-end=\"1113\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1113\" data-end=\"1142\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Just that they call you and you just have to come.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1196\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1196\" data-end=\"1209\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Oh, I see.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1220\" data-end=\"1223\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1223\" data-end=\"1242\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> The siren song.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1258\" data-end=\"1261\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1290\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> The way they were described in the email was like, “Come to me…”\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1357\" data-end=\"1360\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1379\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Pull you down into the ocean.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1409\" data-end=\"1412\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1412\" data-end=\"1441\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. And my husband and I agreed that they were worth the drive.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1516\" data-end=\"1519\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1519\" data-end=\"1538\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have any dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1568\" data-end=\"1571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1590\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I did take home a slice of lemon pound cake that was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1657\" data-end=\"1676\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, you looked at me so funny. You looked at me like, “I did it. Yes, I did it.”\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1759\" data-end=\"1762\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"1781\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I did. I did. And it had a really delicious, intense lemon flavor. You know, great icing, not too sweet, but beautifully soft pound cake.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1922\" data-end=\"1951\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I have not ever had the pound cake, but I must put in a word on the untraditional dessert of the Brussels sprouts, which are crispy fried with some apple. Oh! These things are phenomenal. If you’re a Brussels sprouts for dessert kind of person, which I’m really not.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2240\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I can’t tell you that I know a lot of those people.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2292\" data-end=\"2295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2324\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yeah. Me neither, so… But they are highly recommended. Absolutely delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2403\" data-end=\"2406\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2425\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And this is a casual place, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2460\" data-end=\"2463\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2463\" data-end=\"2482\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah, very casual, very comfortable. They had good music on.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2543\" data-end=\"2546\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2546\" data-end=\"2559\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Great art on the walls too. There’s some really nice iconic pictures of jazz artists and historic figures.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2666\" data-end=\"2669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2669\" data-end=\"2688\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So did you get good value out of this place?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2736\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2736\" data-end=\"2749\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. Talk about a substantial, hearty, satisfying meal that is not going to impact your wallet.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2852\" data-end=\"2855\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2855\" data-end=\"2874\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you’re gonna go back, George, and bring home more?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2929\" data-end=\"2932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2932\" data-end=\"2951\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I’m definitely going to hit up the farmers market. We’ll see, if I’m in the neighborhood again, though, I’m going to swing by.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3081\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3081\" data-end=\"3100\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, if you would like to try \u003cstrong data-start=\"3132\" data-end=\"3148\">Gumbo Social\u003c/strong>, it’s located on 3rd Street in San Francisco. The average tab per person without drinks is around $30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3255\" data-end=\"3521\">George’s favorite brunch spot is all about location, location, location. He spent many a Sunday there, sipping Pimm’s cups, lounging on the patio, and soaking up the stellar bay views. Commanding a prime spot on the docks of Tiburon, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"3494\" data-end=\"3518\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3523\" data-end=\"3540\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3542\" data-end=\"3770\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3542\" data-end=\"3562\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> \u003cem data-start=\"3563\" data-end=\"3585\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> by Michael Mina. We want to feel like a clubhouse, you know. We want the community to come over, relax with us, indulge in our coastal Californian cuisine and wonderful sips as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3772\" data-end=\"3789\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3791\" data-end=\"4077\">Our brunch menu—it’s a two-course prix fixe. You have about 10 options for your appetizers and an equal amount for your entrées.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3922\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3922\" data-end=\"3932\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Mmm!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3937\" data-end=\"3940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3940\" data-end=\"3960\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> We have an open-fire grill. It’s oak wood that we feed throughout the night to provide that flavor for our steaks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4079\" data-end=\"4096\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"5057\">We have an array of seafood. We have tuna, sea bass, branzino. We fly in fish from Japan. Our sushi chef, \u003cstrong data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4217\">Chef Yama\u003c/strong>, will call up the market in Japan and see whatever he can get as fresh as possible and arrive here overnight.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4327\" data-end=\"4330\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4330\" data-end=\"4344\">Chef Yama:\u003c/strong> This rice I buy from Japan.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4372\" data-end=\"4375\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4375\" data-end=\"4395\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> The lobster pot pie—it’s a Chef Mina classic dish. A domed puff pastry, and then we’ll crack it tableside, place it on the bottom, and then rebuild that lobster for you. We love to do that extra detail. We want to show the guests what we do in the kitchen, to say this is what we have and why and the story. And it’s just beautiful. I would say like a symphony just all working together, you know.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4793\" data-end=\"4796\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4796\" data-end=\"4809\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4828\" data-end=\"4831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4831\" data-end=\"4851\">Daniela Vergara:\u003c/strong> We want to create an atmosphere where it’s relaxing. You get to just take a quick ferry ride over. You get the breeze. You get the warmth. As foggy as it may be in the city, it’s always sunny in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5059\" data-end=\"5076\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"7015\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5078\" data-end=\"5097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, George, you live in the city, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5139\" data-end=\"5142\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5142\" data-end=\"5161\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I do.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5167\" data-end=\"5170\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5170\" data-end=\"5189\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you get foggy sometimes. And is that why you’re so drawn to sunny Tiburon?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5267\" data-end=\"5270\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5270\" data-end=\"5289\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> It is. It’s like a mini vacation. And that’s why it’s so perfect to go for brunch. You get into your nice big easy chair on the patio. Everything’s kind of these muted coral and sage-green tones, and you just feel like you’ve left the spa and you’re on vacation and you’re ready to have a cocktail. So the first thing that I get is the Pimm’s cup. I love something that’s herby, I love something that’s gin-based, a little fizzy. But, you know, it’s not too potent, so you can have a few and you’re just relaxing. It’s like time has stopped.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5831\" data-end=\"5834\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5834\" data-end=\"5853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, you got Pimm’s cup in hand. What is the first thing you order?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5927\" data-end=\"5930\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5930\" data-end=\"5949\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> The first thing that I like to order is the butter lettuce and hearts of palm salad. And it comes out on this big long tray, and you think that they’re bringing it to someone else because there’s no way this whole salad could be just for me. It’s velvety soft butter lettuce cups with Brokaw avocado and the sliced hearts of palm, segmented grapefruit. And it’s just a wonderfully refreshing way to start the meal.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6364\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6380\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> The theme for me at \u003cem data-start=\"6401\" data-end=\"6419\">Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> was, like, tableside appeal. Everything kind of has this big tableside presence.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6500\" data-end=\"6503\" data-is-only-node=\"\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6503\" data-end=\"6511\">Man:\u003c/strong> So we have the sashimi-grade ahi tuna. There’s a quail egg on top with Maldon sea salt.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6599\" data-end=\"6602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6602\" data-end=\"6615\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had the tuna tartare to start, which is visually so lovely. You have the Asian pear, the mint. There’s some sesame oil on there, chilies, all kind of chopped in these cute little piles, and someone tosses it tableside for you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6844\" data-end=\"6847\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6847\" data-end=\"6866\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s breakfast and a show.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6893\" data-end=\"6896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6896\" data-end=\"6909\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Breakfast and a show.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6931\" data-end=\"6934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6934\" data-end=\"6942\">Man:\u003c/strong> And there we go. Michael Mina’s tuna tartare.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6988\" data-end=\"6991\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6991\" data-end=\"7002\">Man #2:\u003c/strong> Wonderful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"2403\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"73\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We went for the lobster pot pie, which, talk about tableside appeal. It comes out in this beautiful copper pot with, you know, the flaky crust on top. The meat was succulent and tasty. The vegetables, what I really appreciated, tasted really fresh, like someone had just chopped them and threw them in. A slight acidity would have been nice to kind of cut through the cream, but the sauce was really rich, and it was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"501\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"504\" data-end=\"523\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"533\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"533\" data-end=\"562\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I had regrets. I saw it. We had already ordered, and then I saw that roll by, and I was like, “Oh, I missed a bet there,” because it truly is stunningly beautiful. But we did order an assortment of appetizers, and our very favorite one was the jalapeño lobster toasts.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"831\" data-end=\"834\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"834\" data-end=\"853\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"858\" data-end=\"861\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"890\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> They’re like a rolled-up kind of thing. It wasn’t—I was expecting something flat on a toast. And this was so much more than that and so much better than that. Delightful little bit of spice, but not too much. Just a really nice blend and balance.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1140\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1140\" data-end=\"1159\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what other dishes did you have?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1195\" data-end=\"1198\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1198\" data-end=\"1227\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I had the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Also phenomenal. Standard Benedict in terms of English muffin and an egg and hollandaise sauce, but the addition of the smoked salmon was really nice, and it came with a side of crispy potatoes that was really, really good. I also had the steak frites, which is sort of a basic dish—it’s meat and potatoes—but this one was really special. It was a filet prepared absolutely perfectly, nice béarnaise sauce, good fries. We were super happy with it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1719\" data-end=\"1722\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1741\" data-is-only-node=\"\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Where I’ve been going lately is to the oak-grilled branzino. And this one comes out in a beautiful stoneware bowl on a bed of orzo with little baby French lentils and a nice piquant tomato sauce. Beautiful piece of branzino with the skin still a little bit crisp. But the flesh is so tender, and it’s just a dream to eat.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2066\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2079\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I think the tip is, at \u003cem data-start=\"2103\" data-end=\"2121\">Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em>, you go and you see everything…\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2155\" data-end=\"2158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2158\" data-end=\"2187\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Watch.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2194\" data-end=\"2197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2197\" data-end=\"2210\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> …and then you go back a second time.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2249\" data-end=\"2252\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2252\" data-end=\"2281\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Yep.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2289\" data-end=\"2302\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We were tempted by the oyster shooters that were going by. Again, just, you know, couldn’t say no.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2405\" data-end=\"2419\">[ Laughter ]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"3926\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2421\" data-end=\"2429\">Man:\u003c/strong> This is the way you do it.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2456\" data-end=\"2459\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2459\" data-end=\"2469\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Here we go. Whoo-hoo!\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2494\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2494\" data-end=\"2507\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> And I also had a Bloody Mary, which had the same kind of tomato-based spicy mix that was part of the oyster shooter.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2624\" data-end=\"2627\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2627\" data-end=\"2656\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> For dessert, I had the espresso martini, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Not groundbreaking in terms of, like, special adds or anything, but in terms of just being well prepared, it was perfection.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2862\" data-end=\"2865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2865\" data-end=\"2878\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> We shared the crème brûlée French toast, which to me tasted like dessert. It had the sweet inside. I didn’t get too much of a crème brûlée taste, but it was still delicious and sweet and decadent.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3075\" data-end=\"3078\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3078\" data-end=\"3097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. And how was the service?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3134\" data-end=\"3137\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3137\" data-end=\"3166\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Oh, the service was spectacular. Like you said, there was so much tableside action, and they were very, very attentive. Overall, yeah, no complaints on service at all. It was really nicely done.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3361\" data-end=\"3364\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3364\" data-end=\"3383\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you feel like this is an every Sunday if you can.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3437\" data-end=\"3440\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3440\" data-end=\"3459\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I don’t go every Sunday, although I wish that I could. But, yeah, it’s more of like a once-a-month place, you know, when the fog is getting me down. Just hop across the bridge and, you know, have—\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3656\" data-end=\"3659\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3659\" data-end=\"3678\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And treat yourself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3698\" data-end=\"3701\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3701\" data-end=\"3720\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3735\" data-end=\"3738\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3738\" data-end=\"3757\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, well, if you would like to try \u003cem data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"3822\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em>, it’s located on Main Street in Tiburon. And the average tab per person without drinks is around $85.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3928\" data-end=\"4182\">Sarah’s favorite restaurant offers the quintessential farm-to-table experience. The new California menu is driven by whatever’s in season at the owner’s orchards along with other family-owned farms. Located on Oakland’s Piedmont Avenue, it’s \u003cstrong data-start=\"4170\" data-end=\"4179\">Pomet\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4184\" data-end=\"4201\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4221\">Aomboon Deasy:\u003c/strong> Ooh, now the best part, right? \u003cem data-start=\"4253\" data-end=\"4260\">Pomet\u003c/em> is the truest definition of “farm to table” when it comes to California cuisine. We have access to some of the best ingredients and some of the most unique flavors. A mustard-miso dressing, avocados. I chose the name \u003cem data-start=\"4478\" data-end=\"4485\">Pomet\u003c/em> because it means “orchard” in an old Roman language. It also stems from the word of “pomology,” which is the study and cultivation of fruit and nut trees.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4644\" data-end=\"4943\">\u003cem data-start=\"4644\" data-end=\"4651\">Pomet\u003c/em> wouldn’t be here without Kalayada and James, my parents, who started the farm \u003cstrong data-start=\"4730\" data-end=\"4748\">K & J Orchards\u003c/strong>. Nectarines, peaches, cherries, persimmons. We get to highlight what we grow, and the kitchen gets to make even look more beautiful and taste even better than it really is in its natural form.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4945\" data-end=\"4962\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4964\" data-end=\"5566\">The recipes are a culmination of the collaboration of the chef and the kitchen staff and also a little bit of input from me.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5088\" data-end=\"5091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5091\" data-end=\"5099\">Man:\u003c/strong> That is really good.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5123\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5123\" data-end=\"5141\">Aomboon Deasy:\u003c/strong> They are dishes that we remember growing up and what our parents, our grandparents used to cook, and influence of many cultures. The wood that we use to cook our food here is mostly all fruit wood. It brings a little bit of that earthiness to each of the plates. In a way, the tree is the full circle of life. We harvest the fruit from it, but then we use the rest of it to cook the food that is presented here at \u003cem data-start=\"5556\" data-end=\"5563\">Pomet\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5568\" data-end=\"5965\">One of the things that \u003cem data-start=\"5591\" data-end=\"5598\">Pomet\u003c/em> does is, at the end of every meal, they get to have a piece of fruit for them to experience like they just walked out of the orchard, to really enjoy as their last bite as they say thank you, and we say thank you to them. Their faces when they try something and they’re just mesmerized by the taste and the freshness, brings me joy that we’ve done something right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"7197\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"5986\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Sarah, you know the phrase “farm to table” is so overused sometimes. I mean, this really is about “orchard to table.” This is—this is the real deal, isn’t it?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6156\" data-end=\"6159\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6159\" data-end=\"6172\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> That’s the perfect way of putting it. When you look at the menu, what I love is they’ll feature the farms’ names. It’s something that it’s so subtle and small, but it makes a really big difference, I think, in understanding where the food comes from.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6423\" data-end=\"6426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6426\" data-end=\"6445\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6452\" data-end=\"6455\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6455\" data-end=\"6468\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I always start with the seasonal salad. It is truly seasonal, so it will depend on what fruits are in season. I went recently and I got little gem lettuces with peaches and just a really light vinaigrette that doesn’t overpower the fruit or the lettuces. You can even taste the sweetness of the lettuce.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6772\" data-end=\"6775\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6775\" data-end=\"6794\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> One of the best starters for me was the smashed cucumber salad. And the cucumbers are all sliced in different directions, so you kind of get some different textures, right? But they’re sitting in a soy milk and sesame broth, and it’s all topped with a little bit of chili oil. So I found myself trying to push away my tablemates.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"5624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. You wanted all the cucumbers to yourself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"128\" data-end=\"131\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"150\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I wanted them all to myself.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"182\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"182\" data-end=\"201\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] What about you, Leslie?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"234\" data-end=\"237\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"237\" data-end=\"266\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Every single dish had something jazzy going on, something creative. We had the crispy duck appetizer, and we also had the duck entrée. They were very different. The appetizer was kind of a little explosion of flavors. We’re kind of like knocking each other’s forks out of the way.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"547\" data-end=\"550\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"550\" data-end=\"569\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So we also had the duck appetizer, and it came with a crisp little apple slaw with it. And the sauce was kind of a pomegranate and gochujang glaze. Perfectly crisp. My tablemate, other than myself and my fiancé, we were a table of three, is vegetarian, so I only had to share with one person.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"865\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"865\" data-end=\"884\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"893\" data-end=\"896\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"915\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I was also celebrating my birthday, so I got to—yeah, I got to kind of pull rank a little bit on whichever dishes that I wanted.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1044\" data-end=\"1047\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1047\" data-end=\"1060\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> This is more of a side, but I love the rolls. They have these Hokkaido milk bread rolls. So fluffy. Nice chew when you bite into it, and they serve it with this incredible butter. One time I finished the rolls and there was leftover butter and I asked the waiter if I could take the butter home, it was that good. It’s very velvety and soft, and it’s great for sopping up those juices from the cucumber or other appetizers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1484\" data-end=\"1487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1487\" data-end=\"1506\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> We did all starters, actually. So the graffiti eggplant dip was so fabulous. Perfectly smooth, rich, kind of like a mapo mushroom sauce over the top. A wonderful cool cream on the side, with semolina crackers, which were kind of like big, long shards—looked like broken glass but made of semolina. We were all fighting over that one as well.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1851\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1851\" data-end=\"1870\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It was a battle, I’m guessing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"1901\" data-end=\"1904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1904\" data-end=\"1933\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It was perfection. Every single mouthful at that place, no matter what we ordered, was outstanding.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2033\" data-end=\"2036\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2049\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I forget that it’s a starter. I always think of it as a main dish because it’s so substantial.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2166\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Another star for us was the ugly mushroom pasta. A symphony of mushrooms, right?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2247\" data-end=\"2250\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2250\" data-end=\"2269\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And all ugly.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2283\" data-end=\"2286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2286\" data-end=\"2305\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Well, I would say beautiful.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2334\" data-end=\"2337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2337\" data-end=\"2366\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I thought it was gorgeous.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2393\" data-end=\"2396\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2396\" data-end=\"2409\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Spectacular, though.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2433\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2452\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> And then once you kind of get below that layer, you have these little boats of pasta filled with even more mushroom, luscious sauce underneath. It was a dream.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2612\" data-end=\"2615\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2615\" data-end=\"2634\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you’re agreeing.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2655\" data-end=\"2658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2658\" data-end=\"2687\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> Oh, that’s the dish that we will all really remember. Everything at this restaurant was special. We had the char siu pork, which was a pork belly. This was like silk in your mouth. Beautifully prepared, just the right amount of seasoning. And it came with this hot mustard, which was delicious.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"2982\" data-end=\"2985\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2985\" data-end=\"2998\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> I had the salmon. The quality of the salmon is such that all they did was serve it with some stuffed peppers. Very fresh. And it was the perfect pairing of the sweetness from the peppers with the richness of the salmon. It’s super simple. Just a great fish.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3259\" data-end=\"3278\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to drink with this?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3324\" data-end=\"3327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3327\" data-end=\"3356\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I did. I had the housemade rose geranium spritzer. I’m an herb gardener myself, so of course I had to try that, and it was perfect. Like, it did not beat you over the head with rose geranium. You had to get about halfway down the spritzer in order to get it, and then when it came, it was perfect.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3654\" data-end=\"3657\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3676\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Oh, nice.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3686\" data-end=\"3689\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3689\" data-end=\"3708\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Well, is it too early to talk about dessert?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3756\" data-end=\"3775\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It never is. No.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"3792\" data-end=\"3795\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3795\" data-end=\"3814\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> So if I could go back and just have this peach galette, I would, and it would be the only thing that I ate for the rest of my life. It was a beautiful mound of peaches sitting atop a very crisp puff pastry, beautifully pleated and studded with sanding sugar so it’s extra crisp. And then sitting above is the real star that makes it so amazing, which is the yogurt semifreddo. And as soon as it touches your tongue, it just dissipates completely. But it brought it all together.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4293\" data-end=\"4296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4296\" data-end=\"4325\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I got to put in a word for the chocolate cake. OMG, you guys. Texturally, it was almost like a cross between pudding and cake. Not too sweet. Perfectly balanced flavors and five people going at it with spoons.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4535\" data-end=\"4538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4538\" data-end=\"4557\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4569\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4598\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> It was—it was perfection.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4624\" data-end=\"4627\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4627\" data-end=\"4646\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And how was the service?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4671\" data-end=\"4674\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4674\" data-end=\"4703\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> I can’t put enough emphasis on the service, too, because we were seated in the outside area. So there were heaters to make sure we were warm. And sometimes when you get seated outside, you get forgotten a little bit. Not at this place.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4939\" data-end=\"4942\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4942\" data-end=\"4961\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You agree?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"4972\" data-end=\"4975\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4975\" data-end=\"4994\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> I definitely agree. I will be going back next year for my birthday and probably a number of times in between.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5104\" data-end=\"5107\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5107\" data-end=\"5136\">Leslie Griffin Robertson:\u003c/strong> My husband has already asked for it for his birthday next year, so it’s gonna become a birthday destination.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5245\" data-end=\"5248\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5248\" data-end=\"5267\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I would say that’s high praise.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5299\" data-end=\"5302\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5302\" data-end=\"5315\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> That’s what I like. You know, you can go for your birthday, you can go for a Friday night meal. And it really does have this cozy, inviting feel.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"5461\" data-end=\"5464\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5464\" data-end=\"5483\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try \u003cem data-start=\"5509\" data-end=\"5516\">Pomet\u003c/em>, it’s located on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $80.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5626\" data-end=\"5744\">Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out \u003cem data-start=\"5692\" data-end=\"5710\">Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5746\" data-end=\"6081\">I have to thank my incredibly articulate guests on this week’s show—Sarah Oh, who appreciates the farm-driven menu at \u003cem data-start=\"5864\" data-end=\"5871\">Pomet\u003c/em> in Oakland; Leslie Griffin Robertson, who always takes home an extra bowl from \u003cem data-start=\"5951\" data-end=\"5965\">Gumbo Social\u003c/em> in San Francisco; and George Andrews, who pairs his branzino with bay views at \u003cem data-start=\"6045\" data-end=\"6067\">The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/em> in Tiburon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6083\" data-end=\"6427\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem data-start=\"6174\" data-end=\"6200\">Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em> I’m Leslie Sbrocco, and I’ll see you then. Cheers. And cheers to you.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6270\" data-end=\"6273\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6273\" data-end=\"6286\">Sarah Oh:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6294\" data-end=\"6297\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6297\" data-end=\"6316\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6324\" data-end=\"6327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6327\" data-end=\"6346\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have fun?\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6364\" data-end=\"6367\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6367\" data-end=\"6386\">George Andrews:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003cbr>\n\u003cbr data-start=\"6392\" data-end=\"6395\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6395\" data-end=\"6414\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yes! Whee!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6429\" data-end=\"6457\">[Indistinct conversations]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6459\" data-end=\"6956\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6459\" data-end=\"6476\">Dontaye Ball:\u003c/strong> Me and gumbo are in a heavy marriage together. Her and I, we’ve been seeing each other for quite some time. [Laughs] The social piece I thought was really important because typically when you have gumbo, you’re having it with people you love and care about. So if you’re having a tough day, the gumbo should ease the tension of the conversation. I’ve never seen anyone have a fight when a bowl of gumbo is present. Only rough argument’s when, who’s gonna get the last crab leg?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Bhan Mae Vane, Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, District",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 15, airs Thursday, February 20, 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\">This week’s culinary adventure begins at \u003cstrong>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/strong> in Alameda, a vibrant eatery specializing in bold, aromatic Laotian cuisine. Highlights include tangy, refreshing papaya salad, spicy and savory pad kee mao noodles, and perfectly crisped pork belly. Next, \u003cstrong>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Mission District combines a quirky, eclectic vibe with satisfying Italian-American comfort food. Guests enjoy their hearty five-layer Cadillac lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and their juicy, flavorful steak dinners served with red peppercorn jus and pesto spaghetti. Lastly, \u003cstrong>District\u003c/strong> in downtown Oakland brings an elegant yet approachable dining experience, offering expertly crafted shareable plates designed to pair with an artfully curated selection of wines and cocktails. From classic Margherita pizza and crispy arancini romano to tender lamb meatballs and elote topped with roasted chili crema and cotija cheese, District’s menu thrills both wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23378\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23378\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Richard Hsu, Tonya Thomas and Jeff Hunt from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bhanmaevane.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/strong> (Alameda)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfspaghettishack.com/\">\u003cstrong>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://districtoak.com/\">\u003cstrong>District\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-23379\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-800x1067.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-800x1067.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1020x1360.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-160x213.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-768x1024.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1536x2048.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1920x2560.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cuvaison.com/wines/release/2023-estate-sauvignon-blanc-2023\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cb>Cuvaison 2022 Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/b>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Napa Valley, Los Carneros, California $28\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nAs one of Napa Valley’s classic family producers, Cuvaison was founded in 1969 and has become not only a wine country destination but also a creator of benchmark wines. They are well known for elegant pinot noir and chardonnay. My pick for their superstar sipper, however, is sauvignon blanc. Made in a crisp, zesty style overflowing with lip-smacking citrus notes, this white has aromatic complexity from a touch of the grape semillon blended with the sauvignon blanc. A perfect complement to grilled fish dishes, feta-topped chicken and quinoa, and brunch casseroles. Stock up for year-round enjoyment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.vineyardbrands.com/wine.aspx?pid=159&cid=49446&wid=1625\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Serena 2023 “MODE 0,0” Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Chile $15\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nIf you’re looking for a nonalcoholic white that still captures the freshness and character of sauvignon blanc, look no further than this impressive bottling from Miguel Torres in Chile. Finding delicious wine without alcohol can be a challenge. This is one of the first examples I heartily recommend. Light lemon-lime aromas are followed by a bright mouthful of flavor. Enjoy with chips and salsa on a sunny day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"386\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"340\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Bold Laotian and Thai flavors in Alameda…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"439\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"402\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Hands on. I like to touch my food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"485\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"459\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> Cheers, cheers, cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"553\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"506\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …a quirky Italian spot in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"623\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"572\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I’m kind of wishing that I had the Caesar salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"697\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"644\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and a hip wine and whiskey lounge in Oakland…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"715\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Trust me, that dish did not last long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"823\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"777\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"847\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"841\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"879\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"868\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tell us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"881\" data-end=\"898\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"1426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are retired lawyer and podcaster \u003cstrong data-start=\"1286\" data-end=\"1301\">Richard Hsu\u003c/strong>, podcaster and editor \u003cstrong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1337\">Jeff Hunt\u003c/strong>, and senior analyst \u003cstrong data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1374\">Tonya Thomas\u003c/strong>. Well, welcome, everyone. Are you ready to party?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1443\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1436\">All:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1464\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Richard’s up first with his favorite date-night spot. It’s a casual little eatery founded by two sisters, bringing their own modern twist to traditional Thai and Laotian dishes. Nestled in the heart of Alameda, it’s Bhan Mae Vane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1732\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1715\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> Welcome, guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1841\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1748\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Bhan Mae Vane is a Lao and Thai restaurant in the heart of Alameda, family-run business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1857\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> When we created this business, we created it in honor of our mom. My family came from Vientiane, which is the capital of Laos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2002\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Growing up, my mom ran a family restaurant. But back in those days, it was Thai food. It wasn’t Laotian food. My mom was afraid to really bring that out because nobody knew anything about Laos. Lao food, some ingredients are pungent, like anchovy sauce and shrimp paste sauce, so it adds a little bit more depth of flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"3041\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2343\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Nam Khao is our crispy rice ball salad that is a traditional Laotian dish, but it’s my mom’s twist to things—like add a little bit of this to give it more flavor here—because people don’t do that. So we’ve learned those little tips and tricks from her. My favorite item on the menu is the sakoo. Sakoo is savory tapioca balls. It’s ground pork with fresh shallots, onions, garlic, peanuts, wrapped with tapioca dough. Back in the day before we opened our restaurant, you’d get lucky if you’d get it from a little old lady selling it at the temple. It’s just a dish that you just can’t find anywhere. You wrap it all up in a bite-size and just pop it in, and it’s like, the best thing ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3043\" data-end=\"3146\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3043\" data-end=\"3057\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> People are actually coming in and ordering the Thai food and exploring the Lao food…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3170\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3162\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3211\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3186\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> …and also loving it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3227\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> If my mom was here and she could see what we’ve done with this restaurant in honor of her, I think she would be proud. My mom did get a chance to try my food, and one of the last things that she asked for before she passed away was, um… [voice breaking] my Pad Thai. She loved my food. And if she were to be looking down, she’d be very proud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3588\">All:\u003c/strong> Bhan Mae Vane!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3609\" data-end=\"3621\">[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3623\" data-end=\"3742\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3623\" data-end=\"3642\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Richard, you live in San Francisco, but you make that trek to Alameda. Is it worth it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"4016\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"3760\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It’s totally worth it for Bhan Mae Vane. My girlfriend grew up in Alameda. She discovered this restaurant. It’s very family-friendly. You can have large groups of people there. It’s bright and airy, it’s modern. It’s really a fun place to have dinner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4067\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4037\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what do you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4069\" data-end=\"4444\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4069\" data-end=\"4085\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> So we always start with the sakoo, which is this amazing dish that’s served in a bamboo platter. And actually, eating it is kind of like a project. You take the tapioca ball, you put the mint leaf on top, you wrap it in lettuce, and then you eat it like a little burrito, maybe. And then you just get this wonderful sensation of chewiness and crispiness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4446\" data-end=\"4538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4446\" data-end=\"4465\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s one of those dishes we call “you can play with your food,” right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4540\" data-end=\"4567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4540\" data-end=\"4556\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4588\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have that dish?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4616\" data-end=\"4765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4616\" data-end=\"4630\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I did. Hands on. I like to touch my food. And there’s no manual, so you’re just kind of making it up as you go. It was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4767\" data-end=\"5177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4767\" data-end=\"4784\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I ended up getting the pineapple khao pad. It was a beautiful dish. It had raisins. It had pineapple. Oh, and I can’t forget the cashews. That was just delicious and made everything come together very, very well. Then we ordered the garlic noodles. The noodles were buttery, which was absolutely delicious. It wasn’t overly garlicky. Very creamy. They came out hot. It was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5179\" data-end=\"5221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5179\" data-end=\"5195\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It’s good to hear that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5223\" data-end=\"5277\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5223\" data-end=\"5242\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. What about you, Jeff?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5279\" data-end=\"5524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5279\" data-end=\"5293\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Fried tofu. Yum! With the Thai-style peanut sauce. I will never kick fried anything—especially tofu—out of bed. And it was delicious. I don’t know if it had to do with the way they cut it in triangles, but the fry was perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5526\" data-end=\"5592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5526\" data-end=\"5545\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Because triangles maybe give more fry sides?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5680\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5608\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> On the outsides. And the inside stayed soft and delicious and creamy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5682\" data-end=\"5753\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5682\" data-end=\"5698\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Did you notice how generous the portions were there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5755\" data-end=\"5783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5755\" data-end=\"5769\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yes, I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5785\" data-end=\"5904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5785\" data-end=\"5801\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> That’s one thing—you really get good bang for your buck at this restaurant. There’s often leftovers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5906\" data-end=\"5932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5906\" data-end=\"5920\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5934\" data-end=\"5965\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5934\" data-end=\"5951\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"6620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"5983\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> The main dish that we like that’s really excellent is their papaya salad, which is hand-shredded papaya. They make two styles. There’s a Thai style and a Laotian style. Now, the Thai style a lot of people have had—that’s just with standard fish sauce. But the Laotian style has a shrimp paste, so it makes it a little bit more seafoody. And Laotian food can be extremely spicy, so you have to specify which level of spiciness you want. It’s served with crunchy pork rinds, some soft noodles, as well as some cabbage, so it’s just an interesting experience. I’ve never been to Thailand or Laos, but it just makes me want to go there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6641\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, they’re right next to each other, right? So the cuisines are very, very similar. But as you said, just those minor differences make quite a difference in what you’re getting on the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"6866\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"6855\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6868\" data-end=\"6901\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6868\" data-end=\"6887\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"75\" data-end=\"286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"75\" data-end=\"89\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I actually visited Laos, and one of the things I loved the most was the food. And larb, in Thai, is one of my favorite Thai dishes. At this place, I believe it’s the same thing, called laab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"334\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"299\">Server:\u003c/strong> I have Laab Seen for you guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"350\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And I was asked about the spice, and I said medium. I’m adventurous. And it was a little more than what I would call medium. I’ll just put it that way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"550\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"522\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It was probably a killer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"552\" data-end=\"738\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"552\" data-end=\"566\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> [laughs] Yeah, right, right. But it was delicious all the same. It’s minced chicken meat and then herbs and peppers, and it’s so flavorful and just a really good dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"759\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any other dishes that you had?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"1126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"811\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I did. I tried the red curry, and the protein that we used was the chicken. It came in this beautiful dish. It had lots of vegetables—bell peppers, radish. It had a whole lot of different vegetables in there that just merged very nicely together. The only thing, I just wish they had a little bit more chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1144\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Okay, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1257\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1177\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> And the sauce was a little spicy, but the dish itself was delicious, so yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1278\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1393\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1302\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I don’t want to leave this restaurant discussion without talking about the pork belly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1411\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1438\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tell us. Tell us. ‘Cause I’m a pork belly fan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1503\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Good morning, good afternoon, and good night. I mean, I also won’t kick any pork belly out of bed, but what I really loved is that the crispiness was crisp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1688\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1680\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1812\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1704\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And the belly was soft. So you had that texture experience in your mouth, and the flavors—oh my goodness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1830\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1882\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1853\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s just so, so, so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"2001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1900\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> So one of the drinks that I don’t know if you guys got to try is called the Thai iced green tea.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2017\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, wow. No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2297\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2050\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Which is not like a regular Thai iced tea. This is actually a green-colored drink with maybe a little bit of matcha in it. And it was layered so that the milk was on top and the green part was on the bottom, but it was very floral and fragrant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2299\" data-end=\"2349\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2299\" data-end=\"2318\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2351\" data-end=\"2404\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2351\" data-end=\"2367\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They only have two desserts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2423\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2416\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2441\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> One is a sticky rice mango dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2505\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2494\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2971\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2523\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> And one is an egg custard purple rice dish. And they’re both served with this coconut creamy sauce, which makes it kind of a little savory and kind of a little bit sweet, and in both cases, you have the contrast of the rice, which is warm, and then you’ve got the cold mango, and then you have the warm purple rice with kind of a cold egg custard. So it just makes a beautiful kind of a soft dessert. But it really kind of rounds out the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3033\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"2992\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Definitely cleanses your palate after.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3051\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It cleanses your palate. It’s just kind of perfect, nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3175\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3127\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s like a goodbye kiss from the restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3232\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3193\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah, that’s exactly what it’s like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3293\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3253\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I love that. Would you stop by again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3312\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. The service was good. We got there about lunchtime, and it wasn’t that many folks. We got seated pretty quickly. But I kid you not, within about 15 minutes, it started getting very full, to the point where they needed a wait list. So it just kind of attests to it being a very popular place to go to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3714\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3652\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it sounded like you’ll go back just for those desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3825\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3730\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Especially after this conversation, I’m going back, yeah. I’ll find a way to get to Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3892\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3846\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You need that little kiss of dessert there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3894\" data-end=\"3919\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3894\" data-end=\"3908\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Correct.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"4099\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"3940\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. If you would like to try Bhan Mae Vane, it’s located on Webster Street in Alameda, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"357\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> As a podcaster, Jeff has a passion for telling stories of the unique people and places you can only find in the city by the Bay. Case in point—the eclectic spot that’s become his go-to for Italian comfort food. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, it’s Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"503\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"377\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The vibe of Emmy’s is super laid back, a little quirky. And I think it’s really, really hard to not have fun in this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"521\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"519\">[Cheering]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"823\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"539\">Emmy Kaplan:\u003c/strong> I founded the restaurant in 2001. I was a server at the time in some pretty fancy places. We wanted somewhere to eat after work at 10:00, 11:00. We wanted music, we wanted good food, and a place where we could all feel like we belonged and we didn’t have to dress up and get fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"1096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"843\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> We don’t shy away from the portions here at Emmy’s. Italian-American comfort food, top to bottom. It’s big spaghetti and meatballs. It’s a big lasagna. You can share it with your friends. You can eat it yourself. No judgment, whatever you want to do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1422\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1114\">Emmy Kaplan:\u003c/strong> The thing I’m most proud of on the menu is the Cadillac Lasagna—vodka sauce, ricotta, sunflower seed pesto. We do a pork and beef ragu. You don’t get a lot of al dente lasagna. It’s not easy to do it. You should never be baking your lasagna. You’re baking your lasagna, you’re going the wrong direction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1442\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The clientele at Emmy’s is all over the place, and I love that. It’s young, old. The servers—they’re always really nice people. They’re gonna be smiling. We’ll tell jokes. We’ll do shots if that’s your thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1704\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1665\">Irish:\u003c/strong> Cheers, cheers, cheers, prost, yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1724\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> It’s really a community place. And that’s the thing that Emmy did, and I’m gonna keep going with. It’s one of my favorite things about this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1985\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1894\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You know, to use the word unique about Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, why do you think that is?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2127\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2001\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I think of the place as part art gallery, part little kids’ playground, and part delicious, warm, comforting, hugging food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2157\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2148\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2181\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2173\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2216\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2202\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> In a shack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2341\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2232\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> In a shack, yeah. I mean, yeah, and also the alliteration. Spaghetti Shack—who doesn’t want to go there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2425\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2362\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s right. Okay, you walk in the door. What do you order?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2427\" data-end=\"2805\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2427\" data-end=\"2441\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> The first thing I usually order is their Caesar salad, which I think of as kind of a deconstructed Caesar. They’ve got the long strips of romaine covered with toasted Parmesan, and I don’t know what they do to their croutons, but they stay crunchy through the dressing, which is an anchovy dressing. And, hello, hello, hello, hello. Get in my mouth, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2826\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. It checks all those boxes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2878\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> All of the boxes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about you, Tonya? What did you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"3267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"2992\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> So I started with the butter lettuce salad. I’m a little disappointed now that I didn’t get the Caesar salad. The butter lettuce salad was basic. It had some radishes on it, and it had a citrusy dressing. It was good, but I’m kind of wishing that I had the Caesar salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3283\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> You gotta be a little naughty at Emmy’s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3365\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3345\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Exactly, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3367\" data-end=\"3428\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3367\" data-end=\"3386\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. What did you start with, Richard?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3430\" data-end=\"3537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3430\" data-end=\"3446\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, I started with their spaghetti and meatballs. That’s what—they’re famous for it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3539\" data-end=\"3574\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3539\" data-end=\"3556\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Skip the salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3576\" data-end=\"3942\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3576\" data-end=\"3592\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. The spaghetti and meatballs. And I have to say, like, you know, I’m not a really big spaghetti person, but this spaghetti was just—it tasted like homemade. The meatballs were gigantic. This made me remember, like, how my mom might have made it. Or maybe my grandma made it. And I think that’s why people really love this restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3944\" data-end=\"4022\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3944\" data-end=\"3963\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Jeff, did you get the spaghetti and meatballs this time?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4150\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4038\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Because the spaghetti and meatballs is one of my best friends in the city, I chose not to get that this time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4171\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But do you agree, when you have gotten it, with Richard’s assessment?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4523\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4259\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s one of my good friends. I like to hang out with him. Him and her. No, because in general, I love lasagna. It’s one of my best comfort foods. And I had never had their lasagna. But it’s a different sauce than the spaghetti. It’s a light red vodka sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4565\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4541\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yes, I remember that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4567\" data-end=\"4780\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4567\" data-end=\"4581\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Also delicious. And then they do a little dollop of pesto and a little dollop of ricotta. So it’s got that Margherita, tricolore kind of Italian thing going on, and it was out of this world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"5029\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"4799\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I had the lasagna as well, and I wholeheartedly agree. It was delicious. What I also enjoyed, too, was that the noodle itself was al dente, because sometimes people make it a little mushy. It was perfect, and you get a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5031\" data-end=\"5118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5031\" data-end=\"5047\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Did either of you get the garlic bread on the side, by any chance?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5134\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I didn’t on this last trip, but I know exactly that of which you speak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5210\" data-end=\"5560\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5210\" data-end=\"5226\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It was so funny, because we ordered that kind of accidentally at the very end. And when that came out, we went with a group of friends, and they just wolfed that thing down. [laughs] I mean, this might be the best dish here. So I didn’t know. I just thought, “Maybe we should have a little garlic bread with spaghetti, you know?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5562\" data-end=\"5592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5562\" data-end=\"5576\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> To sop it up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5643\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5608\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And it was—people just loved it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5645\" data-end=\"5691\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5645\" data-end=\"5664\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> No garlic bread for you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5693\" data-end=\"5907\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5693\" data-end=\"5710\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No garlic bread. I had the focaccia bread that came with my dish. So that piece of bread came in handy. Was able to sop it up and finish it all. I literally—there was nothing left on my plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5923\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"419\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"65\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, we had the lasagna also, but the dish that we also had on top of that—we had a lot of people—was the peppercorn steak and the pesto spaghetti that goes on the side. And what’s amazing about the steak—it’s very tender and grilled and everything—is they put peppercorns in the steak, which I think tenderizes it. I’d never had that before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"435\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s also a peppercorn au jus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"514\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"488\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, is that what it is?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"530\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"707\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"556\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Got it, got it. And I wasn’t expecting that at a Spaghetti Shack, but it was really a nice dish. And we were really thrilled that we ordered that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"767\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"728\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to sip on?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"979\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"785\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> I had this really interesting drink called Lupe Under the Sun, and it was served with a little orange, and it had an umbrella in it, and it was a spicy mango tequila. Really hit the spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1002\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"995\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1077\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1023\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You would definitely be on the beach under the sun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1117\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1095\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> For sure, for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1153\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1138\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1637\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1171\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They have two off-the-menu desserts. There are actually no desserts on the menu, but we saw two desserts go by us as we were sitting there. So we, you know, pulled off the waiter and said, “Hey, what are those?” And then they told us it’s this decadent, decadent brownie with two scoops of ice cream, and they have a peanut butter bar with two scoops of ice cream. So when he said, “Look, these are the only two desserts,” we said, “We’ll take them both.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1661\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1653\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1721\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1682\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I’m gonna call you my dessert guy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1739\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> I know. I’m your dessert guy. We went all out on the desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1874\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1825\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm. And you did not have dessert, did you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"1910\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"1893\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No, I did not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1912\" data-end=\"1975\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1912\" data-end=\"1931\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. You did not see the desserts go by?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"2000\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"1994\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2018\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They’re off-menu, so…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2065\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Think of the calories you saved yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2113\" data-end=\"2591\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2113\" data-end=\"2130\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, lots. Although I think I made up with it with the wine because I absolutely had wine with my dinner. And I actually made it for happy hour, which was nice. I went on a Tuesday. So what I didn’t realize was that on Tuesdays, kids eat free. And I just kept seeing all these little kids coming. I’m like, “Oh, they’re cute.” I’m all, “Oh, there’s a lot of them.” And then I go, “Oh, it’s…” you know, they said, “Yes, it’s Kids Eat Free night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2593\" data-end=\"2730\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2593\" data-end=\"2612\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s a beautiful thing to have in that neighborhood, especially with the cost of food and taking your family out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2749\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2765\" data-end=\"2787\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2765\" data-end=\"2779\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2881\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2808\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you go back repeatedly, so you obviously feel the prices are fair?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"3053\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"2897\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I do, and I don’t always finish my meal. So sometimes it’s two meals, so even more bang for your buck. It’s a comforting food and a comforting place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3263\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3074\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, if you would like to try Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, it’s located on Mission Street in San Francisco, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around \u003cstrong data-start=\"3253\" data-end=\"3260\">$50\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3284\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tonya’s a girl after my own heart. Give her a glass of Pinot paired with some globally inspired small plates, and she’s all set for the perfect night out. She’s found her happy place in the heart of Old Oakland at District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3524\" data-end=\"3545\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3524\" data-end=\"3543\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3714\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3562\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> When you walk into District, it’s so fun, energetic, good food, good conversation. It’s a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy downtown Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3751\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3725\">Host:\u003c/strong> We need a spot for two?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3807\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3768\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> All right. Let’s see what we can do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3809\" data-end=\"4136\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3809\" data-end=\"3824\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Our original location in San Francisco was solely a wine bar. When we opened up the Oakland location, our concept expanded into a wine and whiskey bar. We do flights of whiskey as well as single portions, and we have a large amount of allocated whiskeys you really can’t find almost anywhere else.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4138\" data-end=\"4172\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4138\" data-end=\"4148\">Guest:\u003c/strong> Cheers to District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4201\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4187\">Guest #2:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4218\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Here at District, we do love our strong flavors. Our executive chef, Bob Cina, has a globally inspired menu of small plates—flavors from Mediterranean, Asian, and Peruvian influences. And it’s also seasonally done to create a different experience every time you walk into District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4524\" data-end=\"4556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4524\" data-end=\"4533\">Host:\u003c/strong> Welcome. Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4779\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4573\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> My favorite thing on the menu—charcuterie and cheese. I think it’s a beautiful offering. It pairs so well with both whiskey and wine. It’s a delicious place to start your evening at District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4781\" data-end=\"5039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4781\" data-end=\"4796\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Old Oakland, hence the name, is the oldest part of downtown Oakland. Beautiful architecture, tree-lined streets. It’s a wonderful community down here. We have so many regulars who support us. People enjoy coming here after work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5065\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5054\">Guest #3:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5067\" data-end=\"5091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5067\" data-end=\"5080\">Guest #4:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5093\" data-end=\"5373\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5093\" data-end=\"5108\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> And then in the evening time, we turn into a more vibrant lounge with exciting music and just a lot of fun entertainment. Walk in on any Friday night, I know half the people at the bar, and they know each other. It’s really a wonderful place to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5375\" data-end=\"5423\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5375\" data-end=\"5388\">Guest #5:\u003c/strong> That’s the town biz, baby. Uh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"184\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Tonya, this place looks like a good spot to watch a game, right, or sit at the bar. What brings you there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"515\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"203\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> So not only can you watch the game. There might be a birthday party going on, an anniversary. There’s a lot of different things that go on at District. People think, “Oh, it’s a bar.” But when you look at the menu, you’re like, “Okay, these aren’t typical things that you could see at a bar per se.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"517\" data-end=\"903\">I always start with the Arancini Romano. It has a nice breadcrumb crust on the outside, and inside, nice cheesy risotto and spinach. Really delicious. It also is plated very nicely. It has this little garnish that comes on top. And then there’s this delicious smoked tomato sauce. Oh, my goodness. You have to get that and put it on there. It’s absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"980\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"924\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, Jeff, what was your experience at District?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"1025\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"996\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Big fan of deviled eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1084\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1043\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, they have the deviled eggs, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1100\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Fermented chili and pickled radish is what’s inside. And it just filled my mouth with experience, flavor, and happiness. Yeah, wonderful way to start.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1280\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Happy eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1320\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1312\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1322\" data-end=\"1680\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1322\" data-end=\"1338\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We had the lamb meatballs with the garlic bread. I don’t know if you’ve tried that, but they were really delicious. You know, lamb can be gamey sometimes, but what they do is they put mint leaves into the lamb. So it really makes it a nice flavor. And then the garlic bread to go with it—it was just the perfect contrast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1699\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1747\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1739\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1766\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Because I go there often, I got the dinner for two. The dinner for two is actually a great value. It comes with a starter, entrée, and it also comes with a salad. So it’s a perfect thing to get when you go there and you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2295\">The organic greens—oh, my goodness. It’s probably one of the best salads that I’ve had any place. They have the avocados, the spicy sunflower seeds, the citrus, the watermelon radish. It’s just a beautiful salad and absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2402\">And then recently, I ordered their pizza. I’m not sure if you guys got a chance to try their pizza.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2431\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2420\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2666\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2450\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> It’s a very simple pizza. It’s on a thin crust. Very cheesy. I love the Margherita and the basil on there, so it’s really good. But you can definitely order all kinds of different varieties on there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2758\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2684\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We did have that pizza, and we actually added prosciutto to that…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2777\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2802\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> …which they said was one of the most common things…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2910\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2881\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Good choice. Yes, it is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2912\" data-end=\"3030\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2912\" data-end=\"2928\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Our waiter said, “This is one of the most popular dishes.” So, yes, that was really terrific.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3056\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3049\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3544\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3072\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I’m also a big fan of a Spanish dish called gambas al ajillo. And it’s prawns and garlic—that’s kind of the base of it. The way that District did it was very special. It’s served on a lemon risotto, so full of flavor and so bright and beautiful yellow, which contrasts with the redness of the prawns. They were grilled perfectly, and there were fried capers that were kind of dotted all around it. I didn’t know that existed, and now I do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3546\" data-end=\"3609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3546\" data-end=\"3565\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> They add a nice little pop of herbal…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3750\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3625\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> A pop, and that beautiful—yes. So good. My companion that day is vegan, so the Brussels sprouts that we ordered…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3752\" data-end=\"3783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3752\" data-end=\"3769\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, gosh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3785\" data-end=\"3881\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3785\" data-end=\"3799\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> …we had to get them without the pork, and he also has a pine nut allergy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3908\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3900\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3943\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3924\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Still amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"3970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"3962\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3972\" data-end=\"4087\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3972\" data-end=\"3986\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I think Brussels sprouts aren’t easy, I’m gonna say. But they did them absolutely perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4114\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4106\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4116\" data-end=\"4202\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4116\" data-end=\"4130\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And I felt like all the food was on a level above. Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4220\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, and since I’m the dessert guy, apparently…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4371\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4296\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I know. I was waiting to get to dessert. Richard, what did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4389\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They had a pear and black currant crisp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4459\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4450\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yum!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4461\" data-end=\"4624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4461\" data-end=\"4477\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Okay? It had that oat crisp, served hot with, of course, cold ice cream on top, which melted over the edges. Anyway, it was fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4626\" data-end=\"4698\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4626\" data-end=\"4645\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, how many spoons were ordered with that one?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4700\" data-end=\"4832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4700\" data-end=\"4716\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We had four spoons. And trust me, that dish did not last long. The ice cream didn’t even have time to melt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4982\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s good! And with all that food, did you feel like, hey, this is affordable? This is a place I could come back to?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4984\" data-end=\"5254\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4984\" data-end=\"5000\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Definitely. I mean, definitely. I’m not sure about bringing, like, a family, because it’s kind of more of an adult place, but definitely for coworkers to come after work and kind of decompress after a long week, I think it’s perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5256\" data-end=\"5289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5256\" data-end=\"5273\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5291\" data-end=\"5400\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5291\" data-end=\"5305\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah. I’m a city kid, but I love Oakland. And I especially—you know, it’s BART-able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5402\" data-end=\"5428\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5402\" data-end=\"5419\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5430\" data-end=\"5590\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5430\" data-end=\"5444\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Short walk from BART. I love that little part of Oakland. Old Oakland is a really cool section, so I will definitely be going back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5618\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5609\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5620\" data-end=\"5658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5620\" data-end=\"5636\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Fantastic choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5660\" data-end=\"5837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5660\" data-end=\"5679\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try District, it’s located on Washington Street in Old Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around \u003cstrong data-start=\"5827\" data-end=\"5834\">$45\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"198\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It”, online at \u003cstrong data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"195\">kqed.org/checkplease\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"523\">I have to thank my fabulous guests on this week’s show—\u003cstrong data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"272\">Richard Hsu\u003c/strong>, who savors the sakoo at Bhan Mae Vane in Alameda, \u003cstrong data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"343\">Jeff Hunt\u003c/strong>, who slurps down the spaghetti and meatballs at Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack in San Francisco, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"459\">Tonya Thomas\u003c/strong>, who adores the Arancini Romano at District in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"525\" data-end=\"699\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on “\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.” I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"653\" data-end=\"671\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"733\">Cheers, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"731\">cheers to you!\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"751\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"765\" data-end=\"821\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"765\" data-end=\"784\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Great job, great job, great job.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"854\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"852\">[Indistinct conversation]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"907\" data-end=\"1212\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"907\" data-end=\"925\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The space has been here about 24 years now. When I first walked in three years ago, I thought this place was so awesome. Behind me, there’s, like, a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1095\">cat shrine\u003c/strong>, which is, I guess, bizarre. We have a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1159\">Dolly Parton booth\u003c/strong>, you know. We have a lot of kind of funny stuff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1396\">In the front room, we have a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1245\" data-end=\"1259\">disco ball\u003c/strong>, a lot of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1310\">leopard print and unicorn, cat stuff\u003c/strong>. That’s just kind of everything we’ve found on the street over the years, really.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1420\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1398\" data-end=\"1410\">[Laughs]\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Bhan Mae Vane, Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, District | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 15, airs Thursday, February 20, 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\">This week’s culinary adventure begins at \u003cstrong>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/strong> in Alameda, a vibrant eatery specializing in bold, aromatic Laotian cuisine. Highlights include tangy, refreshing papaya salad, spicy and savory pad kee mao noodles, and perfectly crisped pork belly. Next, \u003cstrong>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/strong> in San Francisco’s Mission District combines a quirky, eclectic vibe with satisfying Italian-American comfort food. Guests enjoy their hearty five-layer Cadillac lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, and their juicy, flavorful steak dinners served with red peppercorn jus and pesto spaghetti. Lastly, \u003cstrong>District\u003c/strong> in downtown Oakland brings an elegant yet approachable dining experience, offering expertly crafted shareable plates designed to pair with an artfully curated selection of wines and cocktails. From classic Margherita pizza and crispy arancini romano to tender lamb meatballs and elote topped with roasted chili crema and cotija cheese, District’s menu thrills both wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23378\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23378\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Guests_03.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Richard Hsu, Tonya Thomas and Jeff Hunt from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.bhanmaevane.com/\">\u003cstrong>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/strong> (Alameda)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://sfspaghettishack.com/\">\u003cstrong>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://districtoak.com/\">\u003cstrong>District\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-23379\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-800x1067.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1067\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-800x1067.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1020x1360.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-160x213.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-768x1024.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1152x1536.png 1152w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1536x2048.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1915_Wines-1920x2560.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>\u003ca href=\"https://www.cuvaison.com/wines/release/2023-estate-sauvignon-blanc-2023\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cb>Cuvaison 2022 Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/b>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Napa Valley, Los Carneros, California $28\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nAs one of Napa Valley’s classic family producers, Cuvaison was founded in 1969 and has become not only a wine country destination but also a creator of benchmark wines. They are well known for elegant pinot noir and chardonnay. My pick for their superstar sipper, however, is sauvignon blanc. Made in a crisp, zesty style overflowing with lip-smacking citrus notes, this white has aromatic complexity from a touch of the grape semillon blended with the sauvignon blanc. A perfect complement to grilled fish dishes, feta-topped chicken and quinoa, and brunch casseroles. Stock up for year-round enjoyment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.vineyardbrands.com/wine.aspx?pid=159&cid=49446&wid=1625\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Serena 2023 “MODE 0,0” Sauvignon Blanc\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Chile $15\u003c/em>\u003cbr>\nIf you’re looking for a nonalcoholic white that still captures the freshness and character of sauvignon blanc, look no further than this impressive bottling from Miguel Torres in Chile. Finding delicious wine without alcohol can be a challenge. This is one of the first examples I heartily recommend. Light lemon-lime aromas are followed by a bright mouthful of flavor. Enjoy with chips and salsa on a sunny day.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"386\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"321\" data-end=\"340\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Bold Laotian and Thai flavors in Alameda…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"439\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"388\" data-end=\"402\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Hands on. I like to touch my food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"485\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"441\" data-end=\"459\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> Cheers, cheers, cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"553\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"487\" data-end=\"506\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …a quirky Italian spot in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"623\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"572\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I’m kind of wishing that I had the Caesar salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"697\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"625\" data-end=\"644\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and a hip wine and whiskey lounge in Oakland…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"699\" data-end=\"715\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Trust me, that dish did not last long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"823\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"777\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"847\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"841\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"879\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"868\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tell us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"881\" data-end=\"898\">[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"1426\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"900\" data-end=\"919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are retired lawyer and podcaster \u003cstrong data-start=\"1286\" data-end=\"1301\">Richard Hsu\u003c/strong>, podcaster and editor \u003cstrong data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1337\">Jeff Hunt\u003c/strong>, and senior analyst \u003cstrong data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1374\">Tonya Thomas\u003c/strong>. Well, welcome, everyone. Are you ready to party?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1443\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1428\" data-end=\"1436\">All:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1445\" data-end=\"1464\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Richard’s up first with his favorite date-night spot. It’s a casual little eatery founded by two sisters, bringing their own modern twist to traditional Thai and Laotian dishes. Nestled in the heart of Alameda, it’s Bhan Mae Vane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1732\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1701\" data-end=\"1715\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> Welcome, guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1841\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1734\" data-end=\"1748\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Bhan Mae Vane is a Lao and Thai restaurant in the heart of Alameda, family-run business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1843\" data-end=\"1857\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> When we created this business, we created it in honor of our mom. My family came from Vientiane, which is the capital of Laos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2327\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2002\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Growing up, my mom ran a family restaurant. But back in those days, it was Thai food. It wasn’t Laotian food. My mom was afraid to really bring that out because nobody knew anything about Laos. Lao food, some ingredients are pungent, like anchovy sauce and shrimp paste sauce, so it adds a little bit more depth of flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"3041\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2329\" data-end=\"2343\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Nam Khao is our crispy rice ball salad that is a traditional Laotian dish, but it’s my mom’s twist to things—like add a little bit of this to give it more flavor here—because people don’t do that. So we’ve learned those little tips and tricks from her. My favorite item on the menu is the sakoo. Sakoo is savory tapioca balls. It’s ground pork with fresh shallots, onions, garlic, peanuts, wrapped with tapioca dough. Back in the day before we opened our restaurant, you’d get lucky if you’d get it from a little old lady selling it at the temple. It’s just a dish that you just can’t find anywhere. You wrap it all up in a bite-size and just pop it in, and it’s like, the best thing ever.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3043\" data-end=\"3146\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3043\" data-end=\"3057\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> People are actually coming in and ordering the Thai food and exploring the Lao food…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3170\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3148\" data-end=\"3162\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3211\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3186\">Thip Tran:\u003c/strong> …and also loving it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3213\" data-end=\"3227\">Bebe Lach:\u003c/strong> If my mom was here and she could see what we’ve done with this restaurant in honor of her, I think she would be proud. My mom did get a chance to try my food, and one of the last things that she asked for before she passed away was, um… [voice breaking] my Pad Thai. She loved my food. And if she were to be looking down, she’d be very proud.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3607\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3580\" data-end=\"3588\">All:\u003c/strong> Bhan Mae Vane!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3609\" data-end=\"3621\">[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3623\" data-end=\"3742\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3623\" data-end=\"3642\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Richard, you live in San Francisco, but you make that trek to Alameda. Is it worth it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"4016\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3744\" data-end=\"3760\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It’s totally worth it for Bhan Mae Vane. My girlfriend grew up in Alameda. She discovered this restaurant. It’s very family-friendly. You can have large groups of people there. It’s bright and airy, it’s modern. It’s really a fun place to have dinner.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4067\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4037\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what do you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4069\" data-end=\"4444\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4069\" data-end=\"4085\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> So we always start with the sakoo, which is this amazing dish that’s served in a bamboo platter. And actually, eating it is kind of like a project. You take the tapioca ball, you put the mint leaf on top, you wrap it in lettuce, and then you eat it like a little burrito, maybe. And then you just get this wonderful sensation of chewiness and crispiness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4446\" data-end=\"4538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4446\" data-end=\"4465\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s one of those dishes we call “you can play with your food,” right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4540\" data-end=\"4567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4540\" data-end=\"4556\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4614\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4569\" data-end=\"4588\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have that dish?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4616\" data-end=\"4765\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4616\" data-end=\"4630\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I did. Hands on. I like to touch my food. And there’s no manual, so you’re just kind of making it up as you go. It was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4767\" data-end=\"5177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4767\" data-end=\"4784\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I ended up getting the pineapple khao pad. It was a beautiful dish. It had raisins. It had pineapple. Oh, and I can’t forget the cashews. That was just delicious and made everything come together very, very well. Then we ordered the garlic noodles. The noodles were buttery, which was absolutely delicious. It wasn’t overly garlicky. Very creamy. They came out hot. It was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5179\" data-end=\"5221\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5179\" data-end=\"5195\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It’s good to hear that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5223\" data-end=\"5277\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5223\" data-end=\"5242\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. What about you, Jeff?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5279\" data-end=\"5524\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5279\" data-end=\"5293\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Fried tofu. Yum! With the Thai-style peanut sauce. I will never kick fried anything—especially tofu—out of bed. And it was delicious. I don’t know if it had to do with the way they cut it in triangles, but the fry was perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5526\" data-end=\"5592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5526\" data-end=\"5545\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Because triangles maybe give more fry sides?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5680\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5608\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> On the outsides. And the inside stayed soft and delicious and creamy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5682\" data-end=\"5753\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5682\" data-end=\"5698\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Did you notice how generous the portions were there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5755\" data-end=\"5783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5755\" data-end=\"5769\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yes, I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5785\" data-end=\"5904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5785\" data-end=\"5801\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> That’s one thing—you really get good bang for your buck at this restaurant. There’s often leftovers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5906\" data-end=\"5932\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5906\" data-end=\"5920\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5934\" data-end=\"5965\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5934\" data-end=\"5951\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"6620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5967\" data-end=\"5983\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> The main dish that we like that’s really excellent is their papaya salad, which is hand-shredded papaya. They make two styles. There’s a Thai style and a Laotian style. Now, the Thai style a lot of people have had—that’s just with standard fish sauce. But the Laotian style has a shrimp paste, so it makes it a little bit more seafoody. And Laotian food can be extremely spicy, so you have to specify which level of spiciness you want. It’s served with crunchy pork rinds, some soft noodles, as well as some cabbage, so it’s just an interesting experience. I’ve never been to Thailand or Laos, but it just makes me want to go there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6622\" data-end=\"6641\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, they’re right next to each other, right? So the cuisines are very, very similar. But as you said, just those minor differences make quite a difference in what you’re getting on the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"6866\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6839\" data-end=\"6855\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Totally.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6868\" data-end=\"6901\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6868\" data-end=\"6887\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"75\" data-end=\"286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"75\" data-end=\"89\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I actually visited Laos, and one of the things I loved the most was the food. And larb, in Thai, is one of my favorite Thai dishes. At this place, I believe it’s the same thing, called laab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"334\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"288\" data-end=\"299\">Server:\u003c/strong> I have Laab Seen for you guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"504\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"336\" data-end=\"350\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And I was asked about the spice, and I said medium. I’m adventurous. And it was a little more than what I would call medium. I’ll just put it that way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"550\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"506\" data-end=\"522\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It was probably a killer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"552\" data-end=\"738\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"552\" data-end=\"566\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> [laughs] Yeah, right, right. But it was delicious all the same. It’s minced chicken meat and then herbs and peppers, and it’s so flavorful and just a really good dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"740\" data-end=\"759\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any other dishes that you had?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"1126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"794\" data-end=\"811\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I did. I tried the red curry, and the protein that we used was the chicken. It came in this beautiful dish. It had lots of vegetables—bell peppers, radish. It had a whole lot of different vegetables in there that just merged very nicely together. The only thing, I just wish they had a little bit more chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1158\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1144\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Okay, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1257\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1160\" data-end=\"1177\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> And the sauce was a little spicy, but the dish itself was delicious, so yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1259\" data-end=\"1278\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1393\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1302\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I don’t want to leave this restaurant discussion without talking about the pork belly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1395\" data-end=\"1411\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1487\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1419\" data-end=\"1438\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tell us. Tell us. ‘Cause I’m a pork belly fan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1662\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1489\" data-end=\"1503\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Good morning, good afternoon, and good night. I mean, I also won’t kick any pork belly out of bed, but what I really loved is that the crispiness was crisp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1688\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1664\" data-end=\"1680\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1812\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1690\" data-end=\"1704\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And the belly was soft. So you had that texture experience in your mouth, and the flavors—oh my goodness.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1814\" data-end=\"1830\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1882\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"1853\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s just so, so, so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"2001\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1900\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> So one of the drinks that I don’t know if you guys got to try is called the Thai iced green tea.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2032\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2017\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, wow. No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2297\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2034\" data-end=\"2050\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Which is not like a regular Thai iced tea. This is actually a green-colored drink with maybe a little bit of matcha in it. And it was layered so that the milk was on top and the green part was on the bottom, but it was very floral and fragrant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2299\" data-end=\"2349\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2299\" data-end=\"2318\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2351\" data-end=\"2404\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2351\" data-end=\"2367\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They only have two desserts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2423\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2406\" data-end=\"2416\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2425\" data-end=\"2441\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> One is a sticky rice mango dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2505\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2494\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Oh, yum.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2971\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2507\" data-end=\"2523\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> And one is an egg custard purple rice dish. And they’re both served with this coconut creamy sauce, which makes it kind of a little savory and kind of a little bit sweet, and in both cases, you have the contrast of the rice, which is warm, and then you’ve got the cold mango, and then you have the warm purple rice with kind of a cold egg custard. So it just makes a beautiful kind of a soft dessert. But it really kind of rounds out the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"3033\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"2992\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Definitely cleanses your palate after.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3035\" data-end=\"3051\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It cleanses your palate. It’s just kind of perfect, nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3175\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3113\" data-end=\"3127\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s like a goodbye kiss from the restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3232\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3177\" data-end=\"3193\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah, that’s exactly what it’s like.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3293\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3234\" data-end=\"3253\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I love that. Would you stop by again?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3295\" data-end=\"3312\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. The service was good. We got there about lunchtime, and it wasn’t that many folks. We got seated pretty quickly. But I kid you not, within about 15 minutes, it started getting very full, to the point where they needed a wait list. So it just kind of attests to it being a very popular place to go to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3714\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3652\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it sounded like you’ll go back just for those desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3825\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3730\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Especially after this conversation, I’m going back, yeah. I’ll find a way to get to Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3892\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3827\" data-end=\"3846\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You need that little kiss of dessert there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3894\" data-end=\"3919\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3894\" data-end=\"3908\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Correct.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"4099\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3921\" data-end=\"3940\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. If you would like to try Bhan Mae Vane, it’s located on Webster Street in Alameda, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $30.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"357\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> As a podcaster, Jeff has a passion for telling stories of the unique people and places you can only find in the city by the Bay. Case in point—the eclectic spot that’s become his go-to for Italian comfort food. Located in San Francisco’s Mission District, it’s Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"503\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"359\" data-end=\"377\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The vibe of Emmy’s is super laid back, a little quirky. And I think it’s really, really hard to not have fun in this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"521\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"505\" data-end=\"519\">[Cheering]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"823\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"539\">Emmy Kaplan:\u003c/strong> I founded the restaurant in 2001. I was a server at the time in some pretty fancy places. We wanted somewhere to eat after work at 10:00, 11:00. We wanted music, we wanted good food, and a place where we could all feel like we belonged and we didn’t have to dress up and get fancy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"1096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"843\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> We don’t shy away from the portions here at Emmy’s. Italian-American comfort food, top to bottom. It’s big spaghetti and meatballs. It’s a big lasagna. You can share it with your friends. You can eat it yourself. No judgment, whatever you want to do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1422\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1098\" data-end=\"1114\">Emmy Kaplan:\u003c/strong> The thing I’m most proud of on the menu is the Cadillac Lasagna—vodka sauce, ricotta, sunflower seed pesto. We do a pork and beef ragu. You don’t get a lot of al dente lasagna. It’s not easy to do it. You should never be baking your lasagna. You’re baking your lasagna, you’re going the wrong direction.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1424\" data-end=\"1442\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The clientele at Emmy’s is all over the place, and I love that. It’s young, old. The servers—they’re always really nice people. They’re gonna be smiling. We’ll tell jokes. We’ll do shots if that’s your thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1704\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1655\" data-end=\"1665\">Irish:\u003c/strong> Cheers, cheers, cheers, prost, yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1873\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1706\" data-end=\"1724\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> It’s really a community place. And that’s the thing that Emmy did, and I’m gonna keep going with. It’s one of my favorite things about this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1985\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1894\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You know, to use the word unique about Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, why do you think that is?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2127\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1987\" data-end=\"2001\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I think of the place as part art gallery, part little kids’ playground, and part delicious, warm, comforting, hugging food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2157\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2129\" data-end=\"2148\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2181\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2159\" data-end=\"2173\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2216\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2202\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> In a shack.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2341\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2232\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> In a shack, yeah. I mean, yeah, and also the alliteration. Spaghetti Shack—who doesn’t want to go there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2425\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2343\" data-end=\"2362\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s right. Okay, you walk in the door. What do you order?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2427\" data-end=\"2805\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2427\" data-end=\"2441\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> The first thing I usually order is their Caesar salad, which I think of as kind of a deconstructed Caesar. They’ve got the long strips of romaine covered with toasted Parmesan, and I don’t know what they do to their croutons, but they stay crunchy through the dressing, which is an anchovy dressing. And, hello, hello, hello, hello. Get in my mouth, you know?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2807\" data-end=\"2826\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. It checks all those boxes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2878\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> All of the boxes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2919\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about you, Tonya? What did you start with?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"3267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2975\" data-end=\"2992\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> So I started with the butter lettuce salad. I’m a little disappointed now that I didn’t get the Caesar salad. The butter lettuce salad was basic. It had some radishes on it, and it had a citrusy dressing. It was good, but I’m kind of wishing that I had the Caesar salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3283\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> You gotta be a little naughty at Emmy’s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3365\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3345\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Exactly, exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3367\" data-end=\"3428\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3367\" data-end=\"3386\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. What did you start with, Richard?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3430\" data-end=\"3537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3430\" data-end=\"3446\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, I started with their spaghetti and meatballs. That’s what—they’re famous for it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3539\" data-end=\"3574\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3539\" data-end=\"3556\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Skip the salad.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3576\" data-end=\"3942\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3576\" data-end=\"3592\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yeah, exactly. The spaghetti and meatballs. And I have to say, like, you know, I’m not a really big spaghetti person, but this spaghetti was just—it tasted like homemade. The meatballs were gigantic. This made me remember, like, how my mom might have made it. Or maybe my grandma made it. And I think that’s why people really love this restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3944\" data-end=\"4022\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3944\" data-end=\"3963\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Jeff, did you get the spaghetti and meatballs this time?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4150\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4024\" data-end=\"4038\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Because the spaghetti and meatballs is one of my best friends in the city, I chose not to get that this time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4152\" data-end=\"4171\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But do you agree, when you have gotten it, with Richard’s assessment?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4523\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4259\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s one of my good friends. I like to hang out with him. Him and her. No, because in general, I love lasagna. It’s one of my best comfort foods. And I had never had their lasagna. But it’s a different sauce than the spaghetti. It’s a light red vodka sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4565\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4525\" data-end=\"4541\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Yes, I remember that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4567\" data-end=\"4780\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4567\" data-end=\"4581\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Also delicious. And then they do a little dollop of pesto and a little dollop of ricotta. So it’s got that Margherita, tricolore kind of Italian thing going on, and it was out of this world.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"5029\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4782\" data-end=\"4799\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> I had the lasagna as well, and I wholeheartedly agree. It was delicious. What I also enjoyed, too, was that the noodle itself was al dente, because sometimes people make it a little mushy. It was perfect, and you get a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5031\" data-end=\"5118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5031\" data-end=\"5047\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Did either of you get the garlic bread on the side, by any chance?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5120\" data-end=\"5134\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I didn’t on this last trip, but I know exactly that of which you speak.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5210\" data-end=\"5560\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5210\" data-end=\"5226\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> It was so funny, because we ordered that kind of accidentally at the very end. And when that came out, we went with a group of friends, and they just wolfed that thing down. [laughs] I mean, this might be the best dish here. So I didn’t know. I just thought, “Maybe we should have a little garlic bread with spaghetti, you know?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5562\" data-end=\"5592\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5562\" data-end=\"5576\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> To sop it up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5643\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5594\" data-end=\"5608\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And it was—people just loved it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5645\" data-end=\"5691\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5645\" data-end=\"5664\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> No garlic bread for you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5693\" data-end=\"5907\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5693\" data-end=\"5710\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No garlic bread. I had the focaccia bread that came with my dish. So that piece of bread came in handy. Was able to sop it up and finish it all. I literally—there was nothing left on my plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5934\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5923\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"419\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"65\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, we had the lasagna also, but the dish that we also had on top of that—we had a lot of people—was the peppercorn steak and the pesto spaghetti that goes on the side. And what’s amazing about the steak—it’s very tender and grilled and everything—is they put peppercorns in the steak, which I think tenderizes it. I’d never had that before.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"470\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"421\" data-end=\"435\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> It’s also a peppercorn au jus.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"514\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"488\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, is that what it is?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"538\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"516\" data-end=\"530\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"707\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"556\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Got it, got it. And I wasn’t expecting that at a Spaghetti Shack, but it was really a nice dish. And we were really thrilled that we ordered that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"767\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"728\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything to sip on?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"979\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"769\" data-end=\"785\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> I had this really interesting drink called Lupe Under the Sun, and it was served with a little orange, and it had an umbrella in it, and it was a spicy mango tequila. Really hit the spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1002\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"995\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1077\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1004\" data-end=\"1023\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You would definitely be on the beach under the sun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1117\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1079\" data-end=\"1095\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> For sure, for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1153\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1138\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1637\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1155\" data-end=\"1171\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They have two off-the-menu desserts. There are actually no desserts on the menu, but we saw two desserts go by us as we were sitting there. So we, you know, pulled off the waiter and said, “Hey, what are those?” And then they told us it’s this decadent, decadent brownie with two scoops of ice cream, and they have a peanut butter bar with two scoops of ice cream. So when he said, “Look, these are the only two desserts,” we said, “We’ll take them both.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1661\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1653\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1721\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1682\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I’m gonna call you my dessert guy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1804\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1723\" data-end=\"1739\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> I know. I’m your dessert guy. We went all out on the desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1874\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1825\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm. And you did not have dessert, did you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"1910\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1876\" data-end=\"1893\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No, I did not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1912\" data-end=\"1975\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1912\" data-end=\"1931\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. You did not see the desserts go by?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"2000\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1977\" data-end=\"1994\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2018\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They’re off-menu, so…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2111\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2065\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Think of the calories you saved yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2113\" data-end=\"2591\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2113\" data-end=\"2130\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, lots. Although I think I made up with it with the wine because I absolutely had wine with my dinner. And I actually made it for happy hour, which was nice. I went on a Tuesday. So what I didn’t realize was that on Tuesdays, kids eat free. And I just kept seeing all these little kids coming. I’m like, “Oh, they’re cute.” I’m all, “Oh, there’s a lot of them.” And then I go, “Oh, it’s…” you know, they said, “Yes, it’s Kids Eat Free night.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2593\" data-end=\"2730\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2593\" data-end=\"2612\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s a beautiful thing to have in that neighborhood, especially with the cost of food and taking your family out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2732\" data-end=\"2749\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2765\" data-end=\"2787\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2765\" data-end=\"2779\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2881\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2789\" data-end=\"2808\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And you go back repeatedly, so you obviously feel the prices are fair?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"3053\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"2897\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I do, and I don’t always finish my meal. So sometimes it’s two meals, so even more bang for your buck. It’s a comforting food and a comforting place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3263\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3055\" data-end=\"3074\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, if you would like to try Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack, it’s located on Mission Street in San Francisco, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around \u003cstrong data-start=\"3253\" data-end=\"3260\">$50\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3284\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Tonya’s a girl after my own heart. Give her a glass of Pinot paired with some globally inspired small plates, and she’s all set for the perfect night out. She’s found her happy place in the heart of Old Oakland at District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3524\" data-end=\"3545\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3524\" data-end=\"3543\">[music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3714\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3547\" data-end=\"3562\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> When you walk into District, it’s so fun, energetic, good food, good conversation. It’s a wonderful place to hang out and enjoy downtown Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3751\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3716\" data-end=\"3725\">Host:\u003c/strong> We need a spot for two?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3807\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3753\" data-end=\"3768\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> All right. Let’s see what we can do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3809\" data-end=\"4136\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3809\" data-end=\"3824\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Our original location in San Francisco was solely a wine bar. When we opened up the Oakland location, our concept expanded into a wine and whiskey bar. We do flights of whiskey as well as single portions, and we have a large amount of allocated whiskeys you really can’t find almost anywhere else.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4138\" data-end=\"4172\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4138\" data-end=\"4148\">Guest:\u003c/strong> Cheers to District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4201\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4174\" data-end=\"4187\">Guest #2:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4522\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4203\" data-end=\"4218\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Here at District, we do love our strong flavors. Our executive chef, Bob Cina, has a globally inspired menu of small plates—flavors from Mediterranean, Asian, and Peruvian influences. And it’s also seasonally done to create a different experience every time you walk into District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4524\" data-end=\"4556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4524\" data-end=\"4533\">Host:\u003c/strong> Welcome. Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4779\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4558\" data-end=\"4573\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> My favorite thing on the menu—charcuterie and cheese. I think it’s a beautiful offering. It pairs so well with both whiskey and wine. It’s a delicious place to start your evening at District.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4781\" data-end=\"5039\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4781\" data-end=\"4796\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> Old Oakland, hence the name, is the oldest part of downtown Oakland. Beautiful architecture, tree-lined streets. It’s a wonderful community down here. We have so many regulars who support us. People enjoy coming here after work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5065\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5041\" data-end=\"5054\">Guest #3:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5067\" data-end=\"5091\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5067\" data-end=\"5080\">Guest #4:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5093\" data-end=\"5373\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5093\" data-end=\"5108\">Josn Marsh:\u003c/strong> And then in the evening time, we turn into a more vibrant lounge with exciting music and just a lot of fun entertainment. Walk in on any Friday night, I know half the people at the bar, and they know each other. It’s really a wonderful place to be.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5375\" data-end=\"5423\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5375\" data-end=\"5388\">Guest #5:\u003c/strong> That’s the town biz, baby. Uh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"184\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Tonya, this place looks like a good spot to watch a game, right, or sit at the bar. What brings you there?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"515\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"203\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> So not only can you watch the game. There might be a birthday party going on, an anniversary. There’s a lot of different things that go on at District. People think, “Oh, it’s a bar.” But when you look at the menu, you’re like, “Okay, these aren’t typical things that you could see at a bar per se.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"517\" data-end=\"903\">I always start with the Arancini Romano. It has a nice breadcrumb crust on the outside, and inside, nice cheesy risotto and spinach. Really delicious. It also is plated very nicely. It has this little garnish that comes on top. And then there’s this delicious smoked tomato sauce. Oh, my goodness. You have to get that and put it on there. It’s absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"980\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"924\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, Jeff, what was your experience at District?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"1025\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"996\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Big fan of deviled eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1084\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1027\" data-end=\"1043\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, they have the deviled eggs, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1259\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1100\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Fermented chili and pickled radish is what’s inside. And it just filled my mouth with experience, flavor, and happiness. Yeah, wonderful way to start.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1296\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1261\" data-end=\"1280\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Happy eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1320\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1298\" data-end=\"1312\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1322\" data-end=\"1680\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1322\" data-end=\"1338\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We had the lamb meatballs with the garlic bread. I don’t know if you’ve tried that, but they were really delicious. You know, lamb can be gamey sometimes, but what they do is they put mint leaves into the lamb. So it really makes it a nice flavor. And then the garlic bread to go with it—it was just the perfect contrast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1718\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1699\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1747\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1720\" data-end=\"1739\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1749\" data-end=\"1766\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Because I go there often, I got the dinner for two. The dinner for two is actually a great value. It comes with a starter, entrée, and it also comes with a salad. So it’s a perfect thing to get when you go there and you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2295\">The organic greens—oh, my goodness. It’s probably one of the best salads that I’ve had any place. They have the avocados, the spicy sunflower seeds, the citrus, the watermelon radish. It’s just a beautiful salad and absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2297\" data-end=\"2402\">And then recently, I ordered their pizza. I’m not sure if you guys got a chance to try their pizza.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2431\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2420\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Oh, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2666\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2450\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> It’s a very simple pizza. It’s on a thin crust. Very cheesy. I love the Margherita and the basil on there, so it’s really good. But you can definitely order all kinds of different varieties on there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2758\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2684\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We did have that pizza, and we actually added prosciutto to that…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2760\" data-end=\"2777\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2862\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2802\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> …which they said was one of the most common things…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2910\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2881\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Good choice. Yes, it is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2912\" data-end=\"3030\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2912\" data-end=\"2928\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Our waiter said, “This is one of the most popular dishes.” So, yes, that was really terrific.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3056\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3032\" data-end=\"3049\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3544\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3072\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I’m also a big fan of a Spanish dish called gambas al ajillo. And it’s prawns and garlic—that’s kind of the base of it. The way that District did it was very special. It’s served on a lemon risotto, so full of flavor and so bright and beautiful yellow, which contrasts with the redness of the prawns. They were grilled perfectly, and there were fried capers that were kind of dotted all around it. I didn’t know that existed, and now I do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3546\" data-end=\"3609\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3546\" data-end=\"3565\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> They add a nice little pop of herbal…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3750\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3611\" data-end=\"3625\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> A pop, and that beautiful—yes. So good. My companion that day is vegan, so the Brussels sprouts that we ordered…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3752\" data-end=\"3783\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3752\" data-end=\"3769\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Oh, gosh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3785\" data-end=\"3881\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3785\" data-end=\"3799\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> …we had to get them without the pork, and he also has a pine nut allergy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3908\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3883\" data-end=\"3900\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3943\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3910\" data-end=\"3924\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Still amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"3970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3945\" data-end=\"3962\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3972\" data-end=\"4087\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3972\" data-end=\"3986\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> I think Brussels sprouts aren’t easy, I’m gonna say. But they did them absolutely perfectly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4114\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4089\" data-end=\"4106\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4116\" data-end=\"4202\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4116\" data-end=\"4130\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> And I felt like all the food was on a level above. Really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4204\" data-end=\"4220\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Well, and since I’m the dessert guy, apparently…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4371\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4296\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I know. I was waiting to get to dessert. Richard, what did you have?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4373\" data-end=\"4389\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> They had a pear and black currant crisp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4459\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4436\" data-end=\"4450\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yum!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4461\" data-end=\"4624\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4461\" data-end=\"4477\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Okay? It had that oat crisp, served hot with, of course, cold ice cream on top, which melted over the edges. Anyway, it was fantastic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4626\" data-end=\"4698\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4626\" data-end=\"4645\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, how many spoons were ordered with that one?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4700\" data-end=\"4832\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4700\" data-end=\"4716\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> We had four spoons. And trust me, that dish did not last long. The ice cream didn’t even have time to melt.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4982\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4834\" data-end=\"4853\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s good! And with all that food, did you feel like, hey, this is affordable? This is a place I could come back to?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4984\" data-end=\"5254\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4984\" data-end=\"5000\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Definitely. I mean, definitely. I’m not sure about bringing, like, a family, because it’s kind of more of an adult place, but definitely for coworkers to come after work and kind of decompress after a long week, I think it’s perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5256\" data-end=\"5289\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5256\" data-end=\"5273\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5291\" data-end=\"5400\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5291\" data-end=\"5305\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Yeah. I’m a city kid, but I love Oakland. And I especially—you know, it’s BART-able.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5402\" data-end=\"5428\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5402\" data-end=\"5419\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5430\" data-end=\"5590\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5430\" data-end=\"5444\">Jeff Hunt:\u003c/strong> Short walk from BART. I love that little part of Oakland. Old Oakland is a really cool section, so I will definitely be going back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5618\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5592\" data-end=\"5609\">Tonya Thomas:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5620\" data-end=\"5658\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5620\" data-end=\"5636\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Fantastic choice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5660\" data-end=\"5837\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5660\" data-end=\"5679\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try District, it’s located on Washington Street in Old Oakland, and the average tab per person without drinks is around \u003cstrong data-start=\"5827\" data-end=\"5834\">$45\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"198\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"49\" data-end=\"68\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It”, online at \u003cstrong data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"195\">kqed.org/checkplease\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"523\">I have to thank my fabulous guests on this week’s show—\u003cstrong data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"272\">Richard Hsu\u003c/strong>, who savors the sakoo at Bhan Mae Vane in Alameda, \u003cstrong data-start=\"330\" data-end=\"343\">Jeff Hunt\u003c/strong>, who slurps down the spaghetti and meatballs at Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack in San Francisco, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"443\" data-end=\"459\">Tonya Thomas\u003c/strong>, who adores the Arancini Romano at District in Oakland.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"525\" data-end=\"699\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on “\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.” I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"653\" data-end=\"671\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"701\" data-end=\"733\">Cheers, and \u003cstrong data-start=\"713\" data-end=\"731\">cheers to you!\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"763\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"735\" data-end=\"751\">Richard Hsu:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"765\" data-end=\"821\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"765\" data-end=\"784\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Great job, great job, great job.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"854\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"852\">[Indistinct conversation]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"907\" data-end=\"1212\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"907\" data-end=\"925\">Michael Irish:\u003c/strong> The space has been here about 24 years now. When I first walked in three years ago, I thought this place was so awesome. Behind me, there’s, like, a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1081\" data-end=\"1095\">cat shrine\u003c/strong>, which is, I guess, bizarre. We have a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1159\">Dolly Parton booth\u003c/strong>, you know. We have a lot of kind of funny stuff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1396\">In the front room, we have a \u003cstrong data-start=\"1245\" data-end=\"1259\">disco ball\u003c/strong>, a lot of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1270\" data-end=\"1310\">leopard print and unicorn, cat stuff\u003c/strong>. That’s just kind of everything we’ve found on the street over the years, really.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Grossman's Noshery & Bar, Jackie's Place, Crescent Bistro",
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"headTitle": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, Jackie’s Place, Crescent Bistro | KQED",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 14, airs Thursday, February 13, 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 culinary journey begins at \u003cstrong>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/strong> in Santa Rosa, a North Bay favorite that brings the flavors of a classic East Coast Jewish deli to the West Coast. Highlights include smoked and pickled fish boards, potato leek latkes, and hearty matzo ball soup; for a sweet finish, diners can savor their cinnamon or chocolate babkas. Next, \u003cstrong>Jackie’s Place\u003c/strong> in San Jose serves up soulful dishes seasoned with love, like fall-off-the-bone oxtails, smoky beef brisket, and creamy mac and cheese that keeps guests coming back for more. Lastly, \u003cstrong>Crescent Bistro\u003c/strong> in the heart of Pleasant Hill showcases elevated American cuisine infused with fresh Californian flair, including pork belly buns, cured salmon deviled eggs, and succulent red wine-braised short ribs. Reporter Cecilia Phillips rounds out the episode at the \u003cstrong>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\u003c/strong> in San Francisco, exploring fresh produce, local goods, and diverse culinary delights at a historic landmark.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23362\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23362 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Monicamary Falcon, Mike Nguyen and Rob Pattison from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://grossmanssr.com/\">\u003cstrong>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/strong> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.jackiesplacesj.com/\">\u003cstrong>Jackie’s Place\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://crescentbistro.com/\">\u003cstrong>Crescent Bistro\u003c/strong> (Pleasant Hill)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/\">\u003cstrong>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\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-23366\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-800x1179.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1179\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-800x1179.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1020x1504.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-160x236.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-768x1132.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1042x1536.png 1042w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1389x2048.png 1389w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1920x2830.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines.png 2035w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sansimeonwines.com/our-wines/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>San Simeon 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Paso Robles, California $26\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The region of Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast is an ideal place for growing many grape varieties, from familiar to esoteric. It just so happens that Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in this warm yet breezy landscape. One of the best values on the red wine market today is the Cabernet Sauvignon from San Simeon by the Riboli Family of Wines. The vineyards are certified sustainable, and the Paso Robles winery is powered by solar panels, along with other eco-conscious practices. This is a wonderfully rich red with dark fruit notes and hints of spice. Packaged in an elegant bottle, it looks — and tastes — like it costs twice the price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://shop.lailvineyards.com/product/2022-Blueprint-Cabernet-Sauvignon----95\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Lail Vineyards 2022 “BLUEPRINT” Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Napa Valley, California $95\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>One of the most famous names in the California wine world is Inglenook Vineyards, founded in 1879. Today, fourth-generation vintner Robin Daniel Lail continues the tradition of excellence with Lail Vineyards. The hallmark of their classic wines is elegance, complexity, and style. The 2022 BLUEPRINT Cabernet Sauvignon honors the family’s deep roots in design and architectural achievements over their storied history. The garnet-hued, youthful red is packed with aromas of dark berry fruit intensity, layered with notes of cocoa and savory spice. It is ready to drink now with a few hours of decanting—or, better yet, hold on to the bottle for up to a decade to unravel its age-worthy pedigree.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NOTE: Lail Vineyards donates 10% of online sales of our Blueprint wines to organizations deep in the fight against climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"394\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"354\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Jewish deli delights in Santa Rosa…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"418\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I have to just keep going back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"473\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Southern soul food in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"509\" data-end=\"566\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"509\" data-end=\"525\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Mind-blowing. Absolutely mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"655\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"587\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And American bistro fare in Pleasant Hill. You just stole a bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"706\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"674\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a bite of everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"729\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s like a real noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"777\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Sounds like you stole two bites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"872\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Okay, I stole a couple. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"923\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> This is lovely. I’m having a wonderful time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1279\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"991\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1281\" data-end=\"1459\">Joining me at the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are wine salesperson \u003cstrong data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1370\">Monicamary Falcon\u003c/strong>, retired labor lawyer \u003cstrong data-start=\"1393\" data-end=\"1409\">Rob Pattison\u003c/strong>, and propane account executive \u003cstrong data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1456\">Mike Nguyen\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1502\">Welcome, everyone. Are you ready to go?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1534\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1526\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1569\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1552\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Let’s do this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1773\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1590\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Monicamary’s restaurant offers a huge assortment of Jewish deli fare, all made lovingly in-house. Located in Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, it’s Grossman’s Noshery & Bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"261\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"75\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Our restaurant is Grossman’s Noshery & Bar. My family name was Grossman a long time ago. With Grossman’s, we wanted to bring things on the menu that evoke memories, family memories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"285\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"273\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Holy cow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"497\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"302\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We make everything in-house. We produce all our pastramis Montreal-style, which is a smokier, deeper flavor. Our smoked turkey is made here. The kippered salmon, the lox, all kinds of pickles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"563\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"515\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> The black-and-white cookies and the rugelach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"724\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"580\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We had the opportunity here to do our own bakery, and, of course, that meant we’re going to make our own bagels. So we did a lot of research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"742\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Lots of carbs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"991\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"776\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We ate a lot of bagels, and we found a few good ones in Brooklyn. When we left, we filled bottles of water up with Brooklyn tap water, brought it back, and made a starter. And that starter is still with us today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"1192\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"1009\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Our matzoh ball soup—we have the traditional, and then the twist to our matzoh ball soup is we also have the big piece of chicken which has some of our chicken kreplach in it, and—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1209\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Ramen noodles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1244\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Ramen noodles. It’s a big bowl of soup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1333\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1296\">Man:\u003c/strong> Was that the big piece of chicken?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1343\">Man:\u003c/strong> It was. I did want to do this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1575\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1394\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles] And that just resonates with people, reminding them of, you know, when they were sick and their bubby made them matzoh ball soup. And as long as your balls float—good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1625\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1592\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> You know, uh, we live by that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1647\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1645\">[Bell dinging]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1678\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1665\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1733\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1695\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> If your balls float, it’s all good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1751\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> And what’s unique to Grossman’s, too, is that we have a full bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1836\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Bourbon and brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1885\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1877\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1947\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1902\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Not sure if it gets much better than that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1949\" data-end=\"1993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1949\" data-end=\"1965\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Weekend at Bubby’s. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2145\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2010\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> There are some delis that are hundreds of years old. I think we have plenty of time to work things out and just keep getting better.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2176\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2163\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2293\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2197\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Monicamary, this place is definitely more than a deli. What makes it so special for you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2597\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2317\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> First, when you walk in, it’s very warm. The people greet you so nicely and kindly. They just keep it really homey. I just started popping in for lunches and discovered a plethora of beautiful dishes that I would never make at home. So I have to just keep going back for these.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2645\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2618\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It is an extensive menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2647\" data-end=\"2682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2647\" data-end=\"2669\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Extensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2766\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2703\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So start off with a dish that you love, that you always get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"3267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"2790\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I get the smoked & pickled fish. That’s a big, shareable dish, and it comes with pickled herring which is, really, the favorite. It just has a nice pickled but also a little sweetness to it. There’s also some salmon rillettes on there, which I love. They’re creamy. Everything is made in-house. They make their bagels and their challah and their matzoh, and you can spread your cream cheese and get a taste of what they’re making behind the scenes in the bakery in the back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3285\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> The fish board was delicious. The smoked salmon, that was great. It was pastrami-brined. And the portions were very generous, so there was no shortage of that. And it was absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3681\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3499\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The lox and the bagel and the sliced red onions, the capers were fantastic. The pickled herring, my Norwegian forebears might have liked it, but I didn’t care for that part of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3702\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just because you don’t like pickled herring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3824\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3768\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah, but the rest of it was really quite good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3826\" data-end=\"3892\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3826\" data-end=\"3845\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. What do you get once you’re past that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"418\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"78\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> The Cobb salad is delicious. The turkey is homemade, and it has a nice portion of lettuce with a delicious, light, creamy dressing, but they throw these deli bits on there, and they’re—literally, when you cut meat and there’s crumbles, like, how creative to take that and put it on top of a salad. It really made it nice. So I love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"561\">And then the matzoh ball soup with the matzoh ball that was just hearty, the broth was just clear, and it had carrots on top. So flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"579\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> So I actually wanted to second her opinion with the matzoh ball soup. It was absolutely amazing. You can tell they put a lot of attention and time into it. The rosemary and dill within it were really good. I enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"939\">I also had the cucumber mocktail. That had strawberries, ginger, basil. Delicious. You know, it helped to settle the gut afterwards…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"957\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"955\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"981\">…so that was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1155\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1000\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The killer mocktail was the Orange is the New Blackberry. Oh, my gosh. Orange syrup and blackberry muddled jam in it and seltzer water—very flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1176\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Excellent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1495\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1208\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a look at and then I stole a bite of my friend’s patty melt. And it had a nice hamburger, and it had a nice bit of pastrami on top of that. And then it was covered with some Gruyère cheese, and then it had a nice little special saucy thing on there. So I stole a bite of that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1551\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1516\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Sounds like you stole two bites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1570\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Okay, I stole a couple, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1618\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1644\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I got the chicken kebabs last time. There were two of them. They were really thinly pounded, and they came with a yogurt sauce. They had a little spicy flavor to them. And there was a sauce on the side which was the amba sauce. This is a mango sauce, and it just really cooled down that spice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2058\">And I had that with an egg cream. It was a seltzer water with this milky goodness and it was just very refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2145\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2079\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, you got to talk a little bit about dessert, too, because—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2169\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2365\">We ordered the babka for the table. It was a nice slice of bread with cinnamon swirl. And then there was the chocolate babka with the chocolate swirl. That chocolate is just delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2428\">And then the soft serve, of course. Soft serve is the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2449\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have some dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2536\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2497\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> We had some of the soft serve, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2557\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> The Straus Family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2633\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2597\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it was really, really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2645\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh, that is so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2824\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2688\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The sauce that was on it—it was a tahini sauce, and it was not familiar to me, so I puzzled over it for a long time, but it was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2894\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2845\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you feel like you got value when you went?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"3015\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"2912\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I did, yeah. The portions were great, and the pricing aligned with it, as well. I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3017\" data-end=\"3126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3017\" data-end=\"3036\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And Railroad Square is a great place to discover and explore—a lot of shops and places.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3150\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes, and other restaurants, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3408\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3210\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm. Alright, if you would like to try Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, it’s located on Wilson Street in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square. The average lunch tab per person without drinks is around $60.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3410\" data-end=\"3624\">Well, you will want to loosen your belt a notch for Mike’s pick, offering southern specialties, like Texas-style barbecue, smothered oxtails, and sweet potato pie. It’s his favorite spot to kick back and pig out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3671\">Located in San Jose, it’s Jackie’s Place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"108\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> Love you. I love you guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"130\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Family, we’re doing alright over here still?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"338\">Soul food, to me, is African-American cuisine that originated from the South, where we had to use little resources but make plenty of bountiful meals out of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"395\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"359\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> The roux is what makes the gumbo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"553\">Soul food is something that takes time. You can’t rush it. You season it until the Gods call, and then you slow simmer it until it’s cooked to perfection.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"569\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"742\">We come from a real small community called Hondo, Texas. Nobody’s ever heard of it. It’s about 3,000 people there. Almost everybody that lived there was related to us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"776\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"763\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> Bye, baby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"778\" data-end=\"915\">My mother was a chef. There was always a bunch of people at our house. The recipes came from my mother, but I had to put my juju on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"996\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"937\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> The story of Jackie’s Place is family coming together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"998\" data-end=\"1034\">Say, “Hey, Ma. How are you doing?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1250\">So working with my mom and my family has been most rewarding. Actually, my mom taught me how to cook along with all my brothers and sisters, and sometimes we even get real competitive to see who the best cook is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1271\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> I’m still number one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1397\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1317\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Here at Jackie’s Place, when you get ribs, they’re our Uncle Greg’s Ribs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1442\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1418\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> They’re my brother’s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1444\" data-end=\"1545\">The nachos are named after my brother, Scoop Nachos. Laverne’s Sweet Potato Pie. JuJu Drinks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1642\">We try to practice passing down the recipes and giving the recognition to where it came from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1803\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1663\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> I wanted to go back to actually what I served my kids when they were growing up in our household. I called my house the Kool-Aid house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1891\">We don’t call it by the flavor. We call it by the color. It’s just a southern thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1955\">“You got some purple Kool-Aid?”\u003cbr data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"1927\">“I got some red Kool-Aid.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1957\" data-end=\"2055\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1957\" data-end=\"1977\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Take your time. Take your time, family. You guys don’t have to go anywhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2200\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2076\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> What we want people to feel when they walk in our doors is that they’re part of our family. We even greet them as family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2202\" data-end=\"2232\">“Hey, Sis.”\u003cbr data-start=\"2213\" data-end=\"2216\">“Hi, Brother.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2234\" data-end=\"2252\">I love you, Jay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2254\" data-end=\"2319\">We hug on them and love on them. And we want them to come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2321\" data-end=\"2337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2321\" data-end=\"2335\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2339\" data-end=\"2548\">And what has made me the most proud is to look out in my dining room and see that our restaurant is not just serving the African-American community, but it’s serving every culture that San Jose has to offer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2560\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Same shirt. Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2684\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2602\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> And I think their reaction to our food is the thing that’s the most fulfilling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2790\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2705\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Mike, do we have to name this Mike’s Place instead of Jackie’s Place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2792\" data-end=\"2815\">Do you go that often?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2858\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2833\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I feel like we should.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2860\" data-end=\"2876\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2860\" data-end=\"2874\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2965\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2897\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Have you told Jackie yet? I don’t think she’ll be happy about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"3016\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"2986\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What is so unique about it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3018\" data-end=\"3209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3018\" data-end=\"3034\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> One, the ambiance and atmosphere. It’s family-owned and operated. I just love the feel each time I’m there. Customer service is wonderful. And the food is just exceptional.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3211\" data-end=\"3283\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3211\" data-end=\"3221\">Woman:\u003c/strong> We drove three hours to be here. The best food to be found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3398\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3301\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I highly recommend the oxtail. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, you know, we love oxtail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3400\" data-end=\"3536\">So going to Jackie’s Place for the first time, trying it out, was just mind-blowing to me, and it took me back to my roots as a kid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3713\">It’s slow-cooked and simmered oxtails smothered in gravy in addition to the sweet cornbread muffin and just a nice, generous serving of rice, and it’s absolutely phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3715\" data-end=\"3792\">You mix it all together, and you have yourself a winning plate right there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3842\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3813\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Winning plate right there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3889\">I heard, “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm,” with the oxtail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3891\" data-end=\"3917\">Who else had the oxtail?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3971\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3936\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I had never had oxtail before…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3973\" data-end=\"4008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3973\" data-end=\"3992\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Really? Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4027\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> …and Mike is exactly right. It is spectacular. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4236\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4120\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I wanted to also say when we walked in, like, literally walking from the parking lot, I could smell the barbecue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4238\" data-end=\"4327\">I don’t even know where the barbecue was coming from, but I was like, “What?” And then—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4329\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4329\" data-end=\"4348\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Follow your nose, it always knows.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4429\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4409\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Follow your nose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4591\">And so the meat plate was really delicious. You had your choice of chicken, fish, there was brisket, and there was even a vegan option, which was really cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4593\" data-end=\"4688\">The fish was delicious. It was thin. It was just perfectly coated in, like, a cornmeal crust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4690\" data-end=\"4897\">And then the brisket, the person that had that said it was a little bit dry to start, but there’s this beautiful barbecue homemade sauce that you can just put on anything, and, boy, I put it on everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4899\" data-end=\"4934\">I’m a side girl. I love my sides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4936\" data-end=\"5107\">And it had the beans, which were just flavorful, and they had that little barbecue sauce and a little spiciness to them, and the mac and cheese, like perfectly textured.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5109\" data-end=\"5141\">And it was huge. So delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5143\" data-end=\"5239\">And he mentioned the corn muffins because you didn’t need to put any butter or anything on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5241\" data-end=\"5321\">They had that perfect crispness on the outside, and they came with everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5339\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> So the fried fish that you mentioned earlier, if you do a trick where you get the chicken gravy on the side and splash a little Louisiana Hot Sauce in it, you dip your fish in there—mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5539\" data-end=\"5565\">Absolutely mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5567\" data-end=\"5596\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5567\" data-end=\"5589\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Ooh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5617\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, an insider tip. Love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5655\" data-end=\"5698\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5655\" data-end=\"5671\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> You got to give it a go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5700\" data-end=\"5806\">So we had the pulled pork. That was about the most delicious pulled pork I think I’d had about anywhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5848\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5827\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Wow. Look at that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5850\" data-end=\"5907\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5850\" data-end=\"5867\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> It was fantastic. Perfectly prepared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5928\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I think Rob’s going to give you a kiss.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5972\" data-end=\"6026\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5972\" data-end=\"5989\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, uh, you’re close to it, man.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6028\" data-end=\"6094\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6028\" data-end=\"6044\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Don’t think my girlfriend’s going to like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6130\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6115\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> \u003cstrong data-start=\"6116\" data-end=\"6128\">[Laughs]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6132\" data-end=\"6262\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6132\" data-end=\"6149\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> In addition to that, it came with Uncle Greg’s Pork Ribs. Oh, my gosh. They were great. They were wonderful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6264\" data-end=\"6422\">Oh, I found that I was eating away, and my three tablemates, you know, they were done, they couldn’t eat anymore, and I was, “What’s wrong with you people?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6424\" data-end=\"6440\">I wanted more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"82\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I had the seafood gumbo with chicken, shrimp, and there was a dollop of white rice that was perfectly cooked. It just melded together, and it was such a generous portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"273\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Another thing I’d recommend, as well, would be the Hennessy Sideshow. Obviously, an ode to the Bay Area. It has Hennessy, Grand Marnier, and lemonade in it—so drink at your own risk, but it’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"504\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> They really do have some really nice signature cocktails there. The Gin & JuJu—it had Kool-Aid in it, and I could taste my childhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"822\">You know, when you were young and you would put the Kool-Aid, and you could smell the powder of the Kool-Aid. It just felt like my childhood, but it had a little alcohol in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"843\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But with gin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"883\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> With gin. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"959\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"934\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Was there any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"989\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"983\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1094\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1007\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I got something for you. The Banana Pudding is phenomenal. Very soft and decadent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1233\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1118\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> So we did take home the Peach Cobbler, and we took home the Key Lime Pie. And my mom just loved the cobbler.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1433\">It’s beautiful. Like, they cut a square of crust on top perfectly, and then the peaches are oozing out, and the peaches are just full of cinnamon and baking spices. It was so creamy and delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1470\">So don’t skip the desserts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1489\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I’m going to register a little bit of a dissent on the desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1585\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1577\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1640\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1604\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The Sweet Potato Pie was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1697\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1664\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> [Gasps] We didn’t have that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1751\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1716\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The Peach Cobbler—not so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1772\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1816\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1808\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1978\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1835\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, the crust that you describe is accurate, but they seemed like they were just canned peaches in the liquid, and I didn’t care for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"2056\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"1999\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you got the pork up here and the peaches down here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2058\" data-end=\"2089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2058\" data-end=\"2075\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2110\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2174\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2137\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> But I had enough pork for dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2195\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2227\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I did fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2347\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2265\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> We sat at the bar, which was really fun. The bartender was so helpful, so nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2400\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2368\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you felt service was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2437\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2424\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2456\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Service was great. It’s fast and it’s efficient.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2562\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2528\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you’d definitely go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2604\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2581\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I would. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2771\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2625\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Jackie’s Place, it’s located on 1st Street in San Jose, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2935\">Rob is a serious home winemaker. When it comes to dining out, he’s always on the hunt for hard-to-find wines by the glass that pair perfectly with every course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"3059\">Add in seasonal California cuisine and a relaxed, unpretentious vibe, and you’ve got the recipe for Rob’s favorite café.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3061\" data-end=\"3121\">Located in downtown Pleasant Hill, it’s Crescent Bistro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"162\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> Crescent Bistro is a local restaurant where we try and serve the neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"164\" data-end=\"207\">Yeah, always got to get the deviled eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"209\" data-end=\"279\">Just trying to do upscale, delicious food with a relaxed atmosphere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"301\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"291\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"303\" data-end=\"326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"303\" data-end=\"316\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"347\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> We’re California cuisine but with a little bit of global influence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"445\">Two tempura green beans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"521\">At Crescent Bistro, we really focus on making everything from scratch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"558\">Fried chicken’s always a classic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"585\">Two short ribs all day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"695\">The short rib is something that’s been around for a long time. We think we just do it really, really well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"876\">Try and change up the risotto, the gnocchi, the steak dish, just so we keep using seasonal local ingredients and just highlighting the really good produce we have in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"1132\">My favorite item on the menu is the Pork Buns. Some of the fun part of being in California is just having some other influences, bringing in some Asian influence with the gochujang sauce, some pickled cucumbers, and just some really good ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1177\">We’ve got a really good cocktail program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1204\">We make our own syrups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1244\">We juice everything fresh every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1418\">We have some great wines by the glass, some really good variety in there, and then just enough craft beer to keep the beer people happy, and I’m one of them. I love beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1449\">Good. Good to see you, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1451\" data-end=\"1501\">It’s great to have a restaurant where I grew up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1561\">I’m super familiar with the neighborhood, the clientele.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1661\">I get to do what I love and with people I care about and with people that care about this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1797\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1682\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, as a home winemaker—I’m a home winemaker, too—so what is special about their wine-by-the-glass program?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1816\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> He has things that are easily paired with what he has on his menu, but they’re not so readily found at other restaurants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2052\">And he has them all by the glass, but he also has them by the bottle, along with some other things, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2121\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2073\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about some of the dishes that you order?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2169\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2142\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> Mixed green with shrimp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2188\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> He changes the menu fairly often, according to the season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2251\" data-end=\"2310\">The favorite of ours is a Red Wine Marinated Short Rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2312\" data-end=\"2358\">It’s very tender. Falls apart with the fork.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2360\" data-end=\"2402\">It’s served on a cloud of mashed potato.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2511\">It’s got carrots, cipollini onion that’s in there, also very nice, mushrooms, and it is really something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2589\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2532\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What did you pair with it? That’s what I want to know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2655\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2608\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> A Lindquist Syrah, which was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2657\" data-end=\"2727\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2657\" data-end=\"2673\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> You know, I tried the Red Wine Braised Short Rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2729\" data-end=\"2794\">The short rib itself was just tender and delicate to the touch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2824\">It blew my mind, honestly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2881\">I love the sautéed onions and the mushrooms in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"3013\">The only thing I would say would be to dial back on the salt on the mushrooms, ’cause that kind of overpowered the dish overall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3057\">But, in general, though, fantastic dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3078\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3107\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> And the Blue Crab Cakes. You had it as well, too?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3163\" data-end=\"3192\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3163\" data-end=\"3185\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3218\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3210\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3220\" data-end=\"3282\">Crispy on the outside, generously packed inside like an egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3284\" data-end=\"3391\">[Chuckles] I cracked it open, and, you know, the inside’s tender and just full of just sweet blue crab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3475\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3415\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> The other thing we had was the Jalapeño Cheddar Donuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3477\" data-end=\"3535\">I mean, I would never have ordered that before, but wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3537\" data-end=\"3615\">Like, they had this bacon dipping sauce, and nothing was overpowering to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3617\" data-end=\"3676\">And we also had the Burrata with the Jelly on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3678\" data-end=\"3706\">So that’s what we enjoyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3708\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3708\" data-end=\"3727\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, being in the wine business, what did you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3805\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Funnily enough, I did not get wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"3877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"3864\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3896\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> What?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3906\" data-end=\"4105\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3906\" data-end=\"3928\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> So we sat at the bar, and the bartender was just making this Bloody Mary—and I’m a sucker for a Bloody Mary—with these pickled vegetables that they make there—bean, celery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4107\" data-end=\"4130\">Beautifully prepared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4132\" data-end=\"4169\">I said, “I just want one of those.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4171\" data-end=\"4213\">So I had the Bloody Mary. I tasted it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4215\" data-end=\"4275\">I said, “There’s something different in this Bloody Mary.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4314\">And she goes, “We add honey to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4316\" data-end=\"4355\">And it was so delicious and balanced.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4357\" data-end=\"4393\">Just went well with all the foods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4474\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4412\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, ’cause he has some really interesting cocktails also.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4476\" data-end=\"4611\">And he made something called a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake that is a rum drink, and according to my friend who had it, fit the bill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4613\" data-end=\"4665\">Tasted—Tasted like a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4667\" data-end=\"4694\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4667\" data-end=\"4686\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"127\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"77\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Two other appetizers I think I have to mention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"139\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Okay, I’m going in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"182\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"239\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"208\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> They’re really, really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"355\">One of them were Deviled Eggs—cured salmon with crème fraîche and fresh dill, and a little salmon roe in them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"357\" data-end=\"409\">So light and so airy, and they’re quite delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"411\" data-end=\"456\">Another appetizer is the Pork Belly Buns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"578\">They’re made in the traditional street-food style, so you have the white bao, then the pork filling comes inside that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"580\" data-end=\"609\">Very flavorful, very tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"768\">My friend’s wife had the Red Wine Marinated Flat Iron Steak—there’s a theme here—perfectly cooked with a garlic-marinated spinach and a potato croquette.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"840\">Crispy on the outside but also very tender and creamy on the inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"858\">Just fabulous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"879\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You just stole a bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"955\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"923\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a bite of everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"979\">I have a nice reach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1012\">It’s the long arm of the law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1049\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1033\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1076\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1068\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1160\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get any dessert, or do you usually get desserts?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1191\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1179\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1220\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1212\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1239\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I can’t go there without dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1306\">Blackberry Bread Pudding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1334\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1327\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yep.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1381\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1353\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Loaded with blackberries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1383\" data-end=\"1437\">You know, bread pudding can be very dense and heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1453\">This is not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1559\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1477\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes, but I will say, the Blackberry Bread Pudding—it was a beautiful portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"1593\">It had crème anglaise with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1629\">It was creamy. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1690\">And the crème anglaise just really added an extra little—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1766\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1711\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So I can see Bloody Mary and then Bread Pudding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1788\">That’s your order.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1806\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1804\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1808\" data-end=\"1846\">And what did you think of the price?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"2027\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1864\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I thought the pricing was fair, and I think they were understaffed at the time, but, in general, when they were able to attend to us, they were sweet and great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2193\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2046\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I like it because it’s not a white-tablecloth place, but the quality of the food that you receive is like going into a very high-end restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2262\">Anybody’s going to feel comfortable there, and I like that a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2283\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, if you would like to try Crescent Bistro, it’s located on Crescent Drive in Pleasant Hill, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around $60.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2454\" data-end=\"2497\">And now, reporter \u003cstrong data-start=\"2472\" data-end=\"2492\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2499\" data-end=\"2520\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2499\" data-end=\"2509\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Too hot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2563\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2543\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> No, it’s alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"2676\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"2584\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …pops up in San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2697\">[Music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"84\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"70\">Woman:\u003c/strong> So crunchy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"107\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Waiting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"120\" data-end=\"169\">We’re here at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"223\">Now, the Ferry Building is such an iconic place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"329\">You can get so many amazing things inside the building, but actually, the party happens outside of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"346\">It’s amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"369\">Christine Farren:\u003c/strong> The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has been around for 31 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"556\">There are over 130 small businesses that sell in our farmers market, and those farmers come from all across the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"614\">Every week that you come, there’s something different.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"736\">You can come here because you want to buy fresh produce, but you can also come if you just want a fantastic breakfast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"782\">I mean, there’s a lot of prepared foods…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"822\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"793\">Girl:\u003c/strong> Yeah, this is really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"845\">Christine Farren:\u003c/strong> …as well as packaged goods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"919\">There’s really something for everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"931\">Woman:\u003c/strong> And I want to get my pine nuts toasted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"1106\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"996\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Eatwell Farm, you actually supply some of the produce for some of the vendors here at the farmers market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1128\">Lorraine Walker:\u003c/strong> So, yeah, we do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1176\">We’re growing year-round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1248\">We have actually never missed a market ever since the market opened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1285\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1271\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Since 1993?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1307\">Lorraine Walker:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1372\">Aedan Fermented Foods is one of my favorite vendors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1374\" data-end=\"1414\">Right now, they’re getting our daikon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1505\">This is a traditional Korean daikon called Alpine, and it has kind of a sweet flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1573\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1528\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Which must make for a really great pickle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1606\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1592\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1753\">Fermentation is kind of Japanese wisdom, so I want to spread this Bay Area, this knowledge, and then I want to have community to more health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1815\">This one—pickles cup—and the four kinds of pickles inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1817\" data-end=\"1882\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1817\" data-end=\"1838\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So you have daikon, cucumber, and celery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1917\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1901\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> And my lemon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1940\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I can feel the healing happening right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2004\">I can feel it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2023\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2054\">All:\u003c/strong> Mangosay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2179\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2087\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Here at Mangosay, we specialize in everything mango and in everything being dairy-free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2181\" data-end=\"2219\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2181\" data-end=\"2191\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Get your guys some mango.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2387\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2238\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Besides being fun, we also want to be healthy and be able to attract people who are looking for something that’s just light but still really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2389\" data-end=\"2473\">So the Mango Noodles is basically just raw mango that we shred into noodle form.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2475\" data-end=\"2675\">We add fresh lime juice, hot sauce, coconut milk, chili pepper, black pepper, Tajín, and we mix it all together, and it just comes out to a really savory South American dish that many people love.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2698\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2732\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you’re doing good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2809\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2782\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s like a real noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2826\">It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2856\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2845\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2858\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2858\" data-end=\"2879\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> The spice. Whew!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2942\">I’m going to need to try this, actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"3014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"2961\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Yep. That’s right. Kind of wash it down with that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3016\" data-end=\"3165\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3016\" data-end=\"3035\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> The name of the business is Nusa, and Nusa in Javanese means island, because Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3188\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So with 17,000 islands, you like to do things big.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3278\">So you have a 1,000-layer cake?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3310\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3299\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3330\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3328\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3379\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3353\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Do people just bite it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3418\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3400\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Most people do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3464\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3441\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Alright, here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3466\" data-end=\"3481\">1,000 layers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3502\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> And then you can feel the buttery, and the egg—it’s very eggy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3590\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> There’s definitely 1,000 eggs in here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3655\">It’s not very sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3676\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3684\" data-end=\"3724\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3684\" data-end=\"3705\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s the spices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3726\" data-end=\"3753\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3726\" data-end=\"3745\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3755\" data-end=\"3792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3755\" data-end=\"3776\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3804\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh, I really like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3833\" data-end=\"3956\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3833\" data-end=\"3854\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Chef Sarah Germany, I heard that you have some of the best hot sauces here at the farmers market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3958\" data-end=\"4068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3958\" data-end=\"3976\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Our goal is not only to make delicious flavors but to do what we can for the environment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4070\" data-end=\"4151\">This is our first no-added-sugar barbecue sauce with a matching beet kraut.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4153\" data-end=\"4243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4153\" data-end=\"4174\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So you’ve taken every part of the beet here to make both of these.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4284\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4263\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Every single part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4286\" data-end=\"4323\">There’s zero waste on this sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4359\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4346\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Mmm. Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4388\">That sauce is phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4390\" data-end=\"4412\">Let’s try the kraut.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4457\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4432\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Can you feel the beet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4459\" data-end=\"4483\">Can you feel the beet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4485\" data-end=\"4508\">We can feel the beet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4510\" data-end=\"4534\">You can feel the beat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4536\" data-end=\"4546\">Come on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4548\" data-end=\"4564\">Feel the beet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4587\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> ♪ Can you feel the beet… ♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4732\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4673\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I want to thank my fantastic guests on this week’s show:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4857\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4755\">Monicamary Falcon\u003c/strong>, who has a hard time sharing the Smoked Fish Board at Grossman’s Noshery & Bar in Santa Rosa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4859\" data-end=\"4947\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4859\" data-end=\"4875\">Rob Pattison\u003c/strong>, who savors the Short Ribs at Crescent Bistro in Pleasant Hill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4949\" data-end=\"5040\">And \u003cstrong data-start=\"4953\" data-end=\"4968\">Mike Nguyen\u003c/strong>, who’s obsessed with the Oxtails at Jackie’s Place in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5042\" data-end=\"5161\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5163\" data-end=\"5211\">I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"5167\" data-end=\"5185\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5213\" data-end=\"5241\">Alright, cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5243\" data-end=\"5275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5243\" data-end=\"5265\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5304\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5294\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5306\" data-end=\"5343\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5306\" data-end=\"5325\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers. Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5345\" data-end=\"5399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5345\" data-end=\"5397\">[Indistinct conversation, Rob Pattison chuckles]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5436\" data-end=\"5484\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5436\" data-end=\"5457\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So is it 1,000 layers?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5486\" data-end=\"5526\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5486\" data-end=\"5505\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> It’s figuratively.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5528\" data-end=\"5546\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5528\" data-end=\"5544\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5548\" data-end=\"5664\">Yeah. Yeah, like, the amount of work that, you know, you stand in front of the—it felt like it was 1,000 layers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5666\" data-end=\"5684\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5666\" data-end=\"5682\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5686\" data-end=\"5743\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5686\" data-end=\"5707\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> That’s where the name comes from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5745\" data-end=\"5772\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5745\" data-end=\"5764\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5774\" data-end=\"5815\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5774\" data-end=\"5795\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Yeah, okay, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5924\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5835\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> We took onions and tomatoes and apples and beets and slow-roasted them for 60 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5926\" data-end=\"5967\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5926\" data-end=\"5947\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Did you say 60?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"6007\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"5987\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> 60. 60 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6009\" data-end=\"6018\">I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6020\" data-end=\"6088\">I had to stay awake because we didn’t want to burn down the house.\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Grossman's Noshery & Bar, Jackie's Place, Crescent Bistro | KQED",
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"headline": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: Grossman's Noshery & Bar, Jackie's Place, Crescent Bistro",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 14, airs Thursday, February 13, 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 culinary journey begins at \u003cstrong>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/strong> in Santa Rosa, a North Bay favorite that brings the flavors of a classic East Coast Jewish deli to the West Coast. Highlights include smoked and pickled fish boards, potato leek latkes, and hearty matzo ball soup; for a sweet finish, diners can savor their cinnamon or chocolate babkas. Next, \u003cstrong>Jackie’s Place\u003c/strong> in San Jose serves up soulful dishes seasoned with love, like fall-off-the-bone oxtails, smoky beef brisket, and creamy mac and cheese that keeps guests coming back for more. Lastly, \u003cstrong>Crescent Bistro\u003c/strong> in the heart of Pleasant Hill showcases elevated American cuisine infused with fresh Californian flair, including pork belly buns, cured salmon deviled eggs, and succulent red wine-braised short ribs. Reporter Cecilia Phillips rounds out the episode at the \u003cstrong>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\u003c/strong> in San Francisco, exploring fresh produce, local goods, and diverse culinary delights at a historic landmark.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23362\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23362 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1914_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Monicamary Falcon, Mike Nguyen and Rob Pattison from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://grossmanssr.com/\">\u003cstrong>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/strong> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.jackiesplacesj.com/\">\u003cstrong>Jackie’s Place\u003c/strong> (San Jose)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://crescentbistro.com/\">\u003cstrong>Crescent Bistro\u003c/strong> (Pleasant Hill)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com/farmers-market/\">\u003cstrong>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\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-23366\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-800x1179.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"1179\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-800x1179.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1020x1504.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-160x236.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-768x1132.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1042x1536.png 1042w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1389x2048.png 1389w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines-1920x2830.png 1920w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/1914_Wines.png 2035w\" 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>\u003ca href=\"https://www.sansimeonwines.com/our-wines/\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>San Simeon 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Paso Robles, California $26\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>The region of Paso Robles on California’s Central Coast is an ideal place for growing many grape varieties, from familiar to esoteric. It just so happens that Cabernet Sauvignon thrives in this warm yet breezy landscape. One of the best values on the red wine market today is the Cabernet Sauvignon from San Simeon by the Riboli Family of Wines. The vineyards are certified sustainable, and the Paso Robles winery is powered by solar panels, along with other eco-conscious practices. This is a wonderfully rich red with dark fruit notes and hints of spice. Packaged in an elegant bottle, it looks — and tastes — like it costs twice the price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003ca href=\"https://shop.lailvineyards.com/product/2022-Blueprint-Cabernet-Sauvignon----95\">\u003cspan style=\"color: #339966\">\u003cstrong>Lail Vineyards 2022 “BLUEPRINT” Cabernet Sauvignon\u003c/strong>\u003c/span>\u003c/a>\u003cbr>\n\u003cem>Napa Valley, California $95\u003cbr>\n\u003c/em>One of the most famous names in the California wine world is Inglenook Vineyards, founded in 1879. Today, fourth-generation vintner Robin Daniel Lail continues the tradition of excellence with Lail Vineyards. The hallmark of their classic wines is elegance, complexity, and style. The 2022 BLUEPRINT Cabernet Sauvignon honors the family’s deep roots in design and architectural achievements over their storied history. The garnet-hued, youthful red is packed with aromas of dark berry fruit intensity, layered with notes of cocoa and savory spice. It is ready to drink now with a few hours of decanting—or, better yet, hold on to the bottle for up to a decade to unravel its age-worthy pedigree.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>NOTE: Lail Vineyards donates 10% of online sales of our Blueprint wines to organizations deep in the fight against climate change.\u003c/p>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"394\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"335\" data-end=\"354\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Jewish deli delights in Santa Rosa…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"396\" data-end=\"418\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I have to just keep going back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"454\" data-end=\"473\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Southern soul food in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"509\" data-end=\"566\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"509\" data-end=\"525\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Mind-blowing. Absolutely mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"655\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"587\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And American bistro fare in Pleasant Hill. You just stole a bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"706\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"674\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a bite of everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"756\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"729\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s like a real noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"853\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"758\" data-end=\"777\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>. Sounds like you stole two bites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"855\" data-end=\"872\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Okay, I stole a couple. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"923\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> This is lovely. I’m having a wonderful time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"1279\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"972\" data-end=\"991\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1281\" data-end=\"1459\">Joining me at the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are wine salesperson \u003cstrong data-start=\"1349\" data-end=\"1370\">Monicamary Falcon\u003c/strong>, retired labor lawyer \u003cstrong data-start=\"1393\" data-end=\"1409\">Rob Pattison\u003c/strong>, and propane account executive \u003cstrong data-start=\"1441\" data-end=\"1456\">Mike Nguyen\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1502\">Welcome, everyone. Are you ready to go?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1534\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1526\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1569\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1552\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Let’s do this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1773\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1571\" data-end=\"1590\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Monicamary’s restaurant offers a huge assortment of Jewish deli fare, all made lovingly in-house. Located in Santa Rosa’s Historic Railroad Square, it’s Grossman’s Noshery & Bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"261\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"75\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Our restaurant is Grossman’s Noshery & Bar. My family name was Grossman a long time ago. With Grossman’s, we wanted to bring things on the menu that evoke memories, family memories.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"285\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"273\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Holy cow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"497\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"287\" data-end=\"302\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We make everything in-house. We produce all our pastramis Montreal-style, which is a smokier, deeper flavor. Our smoked turkey is made here. The kippered salmon, the lox, all kinds of pickles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"563\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"499\" data-end=\"515\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> The black-and-white cookies and the rugelach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"724\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"565\" data-end=\"580\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We had the opportunity here to do our own bakery, and, of course, that meant we’re going to make our own bagels. So we did a lot of research.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"726\" data-end=\"742\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Lots of carbs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"991\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"761\" data-end=\"776\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> We ate a lot of bagels, and we found a few good ones in Brooklyn. When we left, we filled bottles of water up with Brooklyn tap water, brought it back, and made a starter. And that starter is still with us today.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"1192\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"993\" data-end=\"1009\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Our matzoh ball soup—we have the traditional, and then the twist to our matzoh ball soup is we also have the big piece of chicken which has some of our chicken kreplach in it, and—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1226\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1194\" data-end=\"1209\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Ramen noodles.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1286\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1228\" data-end=\"1244\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Ramen noodles. It’s a big bowl of soup.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1333\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1288\" data-end=\"1296\">Man:\u003c/strong> Was that the big piece of chicken?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1376\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1343\">Man:\u003c/strong> It was. I did want to do this.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1575\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1378\" data-end=\"1394\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles] And that just resonates with people, reminding them of, you know, when they were sick and their bubby made them matzoh ball soup. And as long as your balls float—good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1625\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1577\" data-end=\"1592\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> You know, uh, we live by that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1647\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1627\" data-end=\"1645\">[Bell dinging]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1678\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1649\" data-end=\"1665\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1733\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1680\" data-end=\"1695\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> If your balls float, it’s all good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1819\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1735\" data-end=\"1751\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> And what’s unique to Grossman’s, too, is that we have a full bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1821\" data-end=\"1836\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Bourbon and brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1885\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1861\" data-end=\"1877\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1947\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1887\" data-end=\"1902\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> Not sure if it gets much better than that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1949\" data-end=\"1993\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1949\" data-end=\"1965\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> Weekend at Bubby’s. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2145\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1995\" data-end=\"2010\">Mark Stark:\u003c/strong> There are some delis that are hundreds of years old. I think we have plenty of time to work things out and just keep getting better.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2176\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2163\">Terri Stark:\u003c/strong> [Chuckles]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2293\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2178\" data-end=\"2197\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Monicamary, this place is definitely more than a deli. What makes it so special for you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2597\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2295\" data-end=\"2317\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> First, when you walk in, it’s very warm. The people greet you so nicely and kindly. They just keep it really homey. I just started popping in for lunches and discovered a plethora of beautiful dishes that I would never make at home. So I have to just keep going back for these.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2645\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2599\" data-end=\"2618\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It is an extensive menu.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2647\" data-end=\"2682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2647\" data-end=\"2669\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Extensive.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2766\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2684\" data-end=\"2703\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So start off with a dish that you love, that you always get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"3267\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"2790\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I get the smoked & pickled fish. That’s a big, shareable dish, and it comes with pickled herring which is, really, the favorite. It just has a nice pickled but also a little sweetness to it. There’s also some salmon rillettes on there, which I love. They’re creamy. Everything is made in-house. They make their bagels and their challah and their matzoh, and you can spread your cream cheese and get a taste of what they’re making behind the scenes in the bakery in the back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3269\" data-end=\"3285\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> The fish board was delicious. The smoked salmon, that was great. It was pastrami-brined. And the portions were very generous, so there was no shortage of that. And it was absolutely delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3681\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3499\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The lox and the bagel and the sliced red onions, the capers were fantastic. The pickled herring, my Norwegian forebears might have liked it, but I didn’t care for that part of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3749\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3683\" data-end=\"3702\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just because you don’t like pickled herring.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3824\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3751\" data-end=\"3768\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah, but the rest of it was really quite good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3826\" data-end=\"3892\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3826\" data-end=\"3845\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. What do you get once you’re past that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"418\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"59\" data-end=\"78\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> The Cobb salad is delicious. The turkey is homemade, and it has a nice portion of lettuce with a delicious, light, creamy dressing, but they throw these deli bits on there, and they’re—literally, when you cut meat and there’s crumbles, like, how creative to take that and put it on top of a salad. It really made it nice. So I love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"420\" data-end=\"561\">And then the matzoh ball soup with the matzoh ball that was just hearty, the broth was just clear, and it had carrots on top. So flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"801\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"579\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> So I actually wanted to second her opinion with the matzoh ball soup. It was absolutely amazing. You can tell they put a lot of attention and time into it. The rosemary and dill within it were really good. I enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"939\">I also had the cucumber mocktail. That had strawberries, ginger, basil. Delicious. You know, it helped to settle the gut afterwards…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"957\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"941\" data-end=\"955\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"981\">…so that was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1155\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"983\" data-end=\"1000\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The killer mocktail was the Orange is the New Blackberry. Oh, my gosh. Orange syrup and blackberry muddled jam in it and seltzer water—very flavorful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1176\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Excellent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1495\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1208\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a look at and then I stole a bite of my friend’s patty melt. And it had a nice hamburger, and it had a nice bit of pastrami on top of that. And then it was covered with some Gruyère cheese, and then it had a nice little special saucy thing on there. So I stole a bite of that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1551\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1516\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Sounds like you stole two bites.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1602\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1553\" data-end=\"1570\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Okay, I stole a couple, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1618\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1644\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I got the chicken kebabs last time. There were two of them. They were really thinly pounded, and they came with a yogurt sauce. They had a little spicy flavor to them. And there was a sauce on the side which was the amba sauce. This is a mango sauce, and it just really cooled down that spice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2058\">And I had that with an egg cream. It was a seltzer water with this milky goodness and it was just very refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2145\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2060\" data-end=\"2079\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, you got to talk a little bit about dessert, too, because—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2169\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2179\" data-end=\"2365\">We ordered the babka for the table. It was a nice slice of bread with cinnamon swirl. And then there was the chocolate babka with the chocolate swirl. That chocolate is just delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2428\">And then the soft serve, of course. Soft serve is the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2478\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2449\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have some dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2536\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2480\" data-end=\"2497\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> We had some of the soft serve, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2578\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2538\" data-end=\"2557\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> The Straus Family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2633\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2597\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it was really, really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2669\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2635\" data-end=\"2645\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh, that is so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2824\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2671\" data-end=\"2688\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The sauce that was on it—it was a tahini sauce, and it was not familiar to me, so I puzzled over it for a long time, but it was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2894\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2845\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you feel like you got value when you went?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"3015\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2896\" data-end=\"2912\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I did, yeah. The portions were great, and the pricing aligned with it, as well. I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3017\" data-end=\"3126\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3017\" data-end=\"3036\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And Railroad Square is a great place to discover and explore—a lot of shops and places.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3128\" data-end=\"3150\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes, and other restaurants, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3408\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3191\" data-end=\"3210\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm. Alright, if you would like to try Grossman’s Noshery & Bar, it’s located on Wilson Street in Santa Rosa’s Railroad Square. The average lunch tab per person without drinks is around $60.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3410\" data-end=\"3624\">Well, you will want to loosen your belt a notch for Mike’s pick, offering southern specialties, like Texas-style barbecue, smothered oxtails, and sweet potato pie. It’s his favorite spot to kick back and pig out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3626\" data-end=\"3671\">Located in San Jose, it’s Jackie’s Place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"108\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> Love you. I love you guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"177\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"110\" data-end=\"130\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Family, we’re doing alright over here still?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"179\" data-end=\"338\">Soul food, to me, is African-American cuisine that originated from the South, where we had to use little resources but make plenty of bountiful meals out of.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"395\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"359\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> The roux is what makes the gumbo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"553\">Soul food is something that takes time. You can’t rush it. You season it until the Gods call, and then you slow simmer it until it’s cooked to perfection.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"571\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"555\" data-end=\"569\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"573\" data-end=\"742\">We come from a real small community called Hondo, Texas. Nobody’s ever heard of it. It’s about 3,000 people there. Almost everybody that lived there was related to us.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"776\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"744\" data-end=\"763\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> Bye, baby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"778\" data-end=\"915\">My mother was a chef. There was always a bunch of people at our house. The recipes came from my mother, but I had to put my juju on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"996\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"937\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> The story of Jackie’s Place is family coming together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"998\" data-end=\"1034\">Say, “Hey, Ma. How are you doing?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1036\" data-end=\"1250\">So working with my mom and my family has been most rewarding. Actually, my mom taught me how to cook along with all my brothers and sisters, and sometimes we even get real competitive to see who the best cook is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1295\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1271\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> I’m still number one.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1397\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1297\" data-end=\"1317\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Here at Jackie’s Place, when you get ribs, they’re our Uncle Greg’s Ribs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1442\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1418\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> They’re my brother’s.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1444\" data-end=\"1545\">The nachos are named after my brother, Scoop Nachos. Laverne’s Sweet Potato Pie. JuJu Drinks.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1547\" data-end=\"1642\">We try to practice passing down the recipes and giving the recognition to where it came from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1803\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1644\" data-end=\"1663\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> I wanted to go back to actually what I served my kids when they were growing up in our household. I called my house the Kool-Aid house.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1805\" data-end=\"1891\">We don’t call it by the flavor. We call it by the color. It’s just a southern thing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1893\" data-end=\"1955\">“You got some purple Kool-Aid?”\u003cbr data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"1927\">“I got some red Kool-Aid.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1957\" data-end=\"2055\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1957\" data-end=\"1977\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> Take your time. Take your time, family. You guys don’t have to go anywhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2200\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2076\">Jackie Jackson:\u003c/strong> What we want people to feel when they walk in our doors is that they’re part of our family. We even greet them as family.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2202\" data-end=\"2232\">“Hey, Sis.”\u003cbr data-start=\"2213\" data-end=\"2216\">“Hi, Brother.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2234\" data-end=\"2252\">I love you, Jay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2254\" data-end=\"2319\">We hug on them and love on them. And we want them to come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2321\" data-end=\"2337\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2321\" data-end=\"2335\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2339\" data-end=\"2548\">And what has made me the most proud is to look out in my dining room and see that our restaurant is not just serving the African-American community, but it’s serving every culture that San Jose has to offer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2580\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2550\" data-end=\"2560\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Same shirt. Yeah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2684\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2582\" data-end=\"2602\">Hasaahn Jackson:\u003c/strong> And I think their reaction to our food is the thing that’s the most fulfilling.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2790\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2686\" data-end=\"2705\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Mike, do we have to name this Mike’s Place instead of Jackie’s Place?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2792\" data-end=\"2815\">Do you go that often?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2858\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2833\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I feel like we should.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2860\" data-end=\"2876\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2860\" data-end=\"2874\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2965\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2878\" data-end=\"2897\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Have you told Jackie yet? I don’t think she’ll be happy about it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"3016\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2967\" data-end=\"2986\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What is so unique about it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3018\" data-end=\"3209\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3018\" data-end=\"3034\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> One, the ambiance and atmosphere. It’s family-owned and operated. I just love the feel each time I’m there. Customer service is wonderful. And the food is just exceptional.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3211\" data-end=\"3283\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3211\" data-end=\"3221\">Woman:\u003c/strong> We drove three hours to be here. The best food to be found.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3398\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3301\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I highly recommend the oxtail. Growing up in a Vietnamese household, you know, we love oxtail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3400\" data-end=\"3536\">So going to Jackie’s Place for the first time, trying it out, was just mind-blowing to me, and it took me back to my roots as a kid.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3538\" data-end=\"3713\">It’s slow-cooked and simmered oxtails smothered in gravy in addition to the sweet cornbread muffin and just a nice, generous serving of rice, and it’s absolutely phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3715\" data-end=\"3792\">You mix it all together, and you have yourself a winning plate right there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3842\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3813\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Winning plate right there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3844\" data-end=\"3889\">I heard, “Mm-hmm, mm-hmm,” with the oxtail.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3891\" data-end=\"3917\">Who else had the oxtail?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3971\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3919\" data-end=\"3936\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I had never had oxtail before…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3973\" data-end=\"4008\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3973\" data-end=\"3992\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Really? Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4096\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4010\" data-end=\"4027\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> …and Mike is exactly right. It is spectacular. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4236\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4098\" data-end=\"4120\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I wanted to also say when we walked in, like, literally walking from the parking lot, I could smell the barbecue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4238\" data-end=\"4327\">I don’t even know where the barbecue was coming from, but I was like, “What?” And then—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4329\" data-end=\"4385\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4329\" data-end=\"4348\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Follow your nose, it always knows.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4429\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4387\" data-end=\"4409\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Follow your nose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4431\" data-end=\"4591\">And so the meat plate was really delicious. You had your choice of chicken, fish, there was brisket, and there was even a vegan option, which was really cool.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4593\" data-end=\"4688\">The fish was delicious. It was thin. It was just perfectly coated in, like, a cornmeal crust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4690\" data-end=\"4897\">And then the brisket, the person that had that said it was a little bit dry to start, but there’s this beautiful barbecue homemade sauce that you can just put on anything, and, boy, I put it on everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4899\" data-end=\"4934\">I’m a side girl. I love my sides.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4936\" data-end=\"5107\">And it had the beans, which were just flavorful, and they had that little barbecue sauce and a little spiciness to them, and the mac and cheese, like perfectly textured.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5109\" data-end=\"5141\">And it was huge. So delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5143\" data-end=\"5239\">And he mentioned the corn muffins because you didn’t need to put any butter or anything on it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5241\" data-end=\"5321\">They had that perfect crispness on the outside, and they came with everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5537\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5323\" data-end=\"5339\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> So the fried fish that you mentioned earlier, if you do a trick where you get the chicken gravy on the side and splash a little Louisiana Hot Sauce in it, you dip your fish in there—mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5539\" data-end=\"5565\">Absolutely mind-blowing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5567\" data-end=\"5596\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5567\" data-end=\"5589\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Ooh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5653\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5617\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, an insider tip. Love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5655\" data-end=\"5698\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5655\" data-end=\"5671\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> You got to give it a go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5700\" data-end=\"5806\">So we had the pulled pork. That was about the most delicious pulled pork I think I’d had about anywhere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5848\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5808\" data-end=\"5827\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Wow. Look at that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5850\" data-end=\"5907\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5850\" data-end=\"5867\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> It was fantastic. Perfectly prepared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5970\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5909\" data-end=\"5928\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I think Rob’s going to give you a kiss.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5972\" data-end=\"6026\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5972\" data-end=\"5989\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, uh, you’re close to it, man.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6028\" data-end=\"6094\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6028\" data-end=\"6044\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Don’t think my girlfriend’s going to like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6130\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6096\" data-end=\"6115\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> \u003cstrong data-start=\"6116\" data-end=\"6128\">[Laughs]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6132\" data-end=\"6262\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"6132\" data-end=\"6149\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> In addition to that, it came with Uncle Greg’s Pork Ribs. Oh, my gosh. They were great. They were wonderful.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6264\" data-end=\"6422\">Oh, I found that I was eating away, and my three tablemates, you know, they were done, they couldn’t eat anymore, and I was, “What’s wrong with you people?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6424\" data-end=\"6440\">I wanted more.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"255\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"82\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> I had the seafood gumbo with chicken, shrimp, and there was a dollop of white rice that was perfectly cooked. It just melded together, and it was such a generous portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"480\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"257\" data-end=\"273\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Another thing I’d recommend, as well, would be the Hennessy Sideshow. Obviously, an ode to the Bay Area. It has Hennessy, Grand Marnier, and lemonade in it—so drink at your own risk, but it’s delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"642\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"482\" data-end=\"504\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> They really do have some really nice signature cocktails there. The Gin & JuJu—it had Kool-Aid in it, and I could taste my childhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"644\" data-end=\"822\">You know, when you were young and you would put the Kool-Aid, and you could smell the powder of the Kool-Aid. It just felt like my childhood, but it had a little alcohol in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"859\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"843\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> But with gin.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"913\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"861\" data-end=\"883\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> With gin. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"959\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"934\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Was there any dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"989\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"961\" data-end=\"983\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Oh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1094\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1007\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I got something for you. The Banana Pudding is phenomenal. Very soft and decadent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1233\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1096\" data-end=\"1118\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> So we did take home the Peach Cobbler, and we took home the Key Lime Pie. And my mom just loved the cobbler.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1235\" data-end=\"1433\">It’s beautiful. Like, they cut a square of crust on top perfectly, and then the peaches are oozing out, and the peaches are just full of cinnamon and baking spices. It was so creamy and delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1435\" data-end=\"1470\">So don’t skip the desserts there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1556\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1472\" data-end=\"1489\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I’m going to register a little bit of a dissent on the desserts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1585\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1577\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1640\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1587\" data-end=\"1604\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The Sweet Potato Pie was great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1697\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1642\" data-end=\"1664\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> [Gasps] We didn’t have that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1751\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1699\" data-end=\"1716\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> The Peach Cobbler—not so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1784\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1753\" data-end=\"1772\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1816\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1786\" data-end=\"1808\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1978\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1818\" data-end=\"1835\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, the crust that you describe is accurate, but they seemed like they were just canned peaches in the liquid, and I didn’t care for that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"2056\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1980\" data-end=\"1999\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you got the pork up here and the peaches down here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2058\" data-end=\"2089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2058\" data-end=\"2075\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2091\" data-end=\"2110\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2174\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2120\" data-end=\"2137\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> But I had enough pork for dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2208\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2195\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2227\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I did fine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2347\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2265\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> We sat at the bar, which was really fun. The bartender was so helpful, so nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2400\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2349\" data-end=\"2368\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you felt service was good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2437\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2424\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Very good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2507\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2439\" data-end=\"2456\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Service was great. It’s fast and it’s efficient.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2562\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2509\" data-end=\"2528\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you’d definitely go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2604\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2581\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I would. Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2771\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2606\" data-end=\"2625\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> If you would like to try Jackie’s Place, it’s located on 1st Street in San Jose, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $35.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2773\" data-end=\"2935\">Rob is a serious home winemaker. When it comes to dining out, he’s always on the hunt for hard-to-find wines by the glass that pair perfectly with every course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2937\" data-end=\"3059\">Add in seasonal California cuisine and a relaxed, unpretentious vibe, and you’ve got the recipe for Rob’s favorite café.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3061\" data-end=\"3121\">Located in downtown Pleasant Hill, it’s Crescent Bistro.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"162\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"79\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> Crescent Bistro is a local restaurant where we try and serve the neighborhood.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"164\" data-end=\"207\">Yeah, always got to get the deviled eggs.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"209\" data-end=\"279\">Just trying to do upscale, delicious food with a relaxed atmosphere.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"301\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"281\" data-end=\"291\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"303\" data-end=\"326\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"303\" data-end=\"316\">Woman #2:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"417\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"347\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> We’re California cuisine but with a little bit of global influence.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"419\" data-end=\"445\">Two tempura green beans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"447\" data-end=\"521\">At Crescent Bistro, we really focus on making everything from scratch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"523\" data-end=\"558\">Fried chicken’s always a classic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"560\" data-end=\"585\">Two short ribs all day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"587\" data-end=\"695\">The short rib is something that’s been around for a long time. We think we just do it really, really well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"876\">Try and change up the risotto, the gnocchi, the steak dish, just so we keep using seasonal local ingredients and just highlighting the really good produce we have in California.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"878\" data-end=\"1132\">My favorite item on the menu is the Pork Buns. Some of the fun part of being in California is just having some other influences, bringing in some Asian influence with the gochujang sauce, some pickled cucumbers, and just some really good ingredients.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1134\" data-end=\"1177\">We’ve got a really good cocktail program.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"1204\">We make our own syrups.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1206\" data-end=\"1244\">We juice everything fresh every day.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1418\">We have some great wines by the glass, some really good variety in there, and then just enough craft beer to keep the beer people happy, and I’m one of them. I love beer.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1420\" data-end=\"1449\">Good. Good to see you, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1451\" data-end=\"1501\">It’s great to have a restaurant where I grew up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1503\" data-end=\"1561\">I’m super familiar with the neighborhood, the clientele.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1563\" data-end=\"1661\">I get to do what I love and with people I care about and with people that care about this place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1797\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1663\" data-end=\"1682\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, as a home winemaker—I’m a home winemaker, too—so what is special about their wine-by-the-glass program?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1940\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1799\" data-end=\"1816\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> He has things that are easily paired with what he has on his menu, but they’re not so readily found at other restaurants.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1942\" data-end=\"2052\">And he has them all by the glass, but he also has them by the bottle, along with some other things, as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2121\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2054\" data-end=\"2073\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about some of the dishes that you order?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2169\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2123\" data-end=\"2142\">Bradley Zeller:\u003c/strong> Mixed green with shrimp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2249\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2171\" data-end=\"2188\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> He changes the menu fairly often, according to the season.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2251\" data-end=\"2310\">The favorite of ours is a Red Wine Marinated Short Rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2312\" data-end=\"2358\">It’s very tender. Falls apart with the fork.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2360\" data-end=\"2402\">It’s served on a cloud of mashed potato.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2404\" data-end=\"2511\">It’s got carrots, cipollini onion that’s in there, also very nice, mushrooms, and it is really something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2589\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2532\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What did you pair with it? That’s what I want to know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2655\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2608\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> A Lindquist Syrah, which was just perfect.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2657\" data-end=\"2727\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2657\" data-end=\"2673\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> You know, I tried the Red Wine Braised Short Rib.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2729\" data-end=\"2794\">The short rib itself was just tender and delicate to the touch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2796\" data-end=\"2824\">It blew my mind, honestly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2826\" data-end=\"2881\">I love the sautéed onions and the mushrooms in there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2883\" data-end=\"3013\">The only thing I would say would be to dial back on the salt on the mushrooms, ’cause that kind of overpowered the dish overall.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3015\" data-end=\"3057\">But, in general, though, fantastic dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3089\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3078\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3091\" data-end=\"3107\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> And the Blue Crab Cakes. You had it as well, too?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3163\" data-end=\"3192\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3163\" data-end=\"3185\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3218\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3194\" data-end=\"3210\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3220\" data-end=\"3282\">Crispy on the outside, generously packed inside like an egg.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3284\" data-end=\"3391\">[Chuckles] I cracked it open, and, you know, the inside’s tender and just full of just sweet blue crab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3475\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3393\" data-end=\"3415\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> The other thing we had was the Jalapeño Cheddar Donuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3477\" data-end=\"3535\">I mean, I would never have ordered that before, but wow.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3537\" data-end=\"3615\">Like, they had this bacon dipping sauce, and nothing was overpowering to me.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3617\" data-end=\"3676\">And we also had the Burrata with the Jelly on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3678\" data-end=\"3706\">So that’s what we enjoyed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3708\" data-end=\"3781\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3708\" data-end=\"3727\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, being in the wine business, what did you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3843\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3783\" data-end=\"3805\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Funnily enough, I did not get wine.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"3877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3845\" data-end=\"3864\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3879\" data-end=\"3896\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> What?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3906\" data-end=\"4105\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3906\" data-end=\"3928\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> So we sat at the bar, and the bartender was just making this Bloody Mary—and I’m a sucker for a Bloody Mary—with these pickled vegetables that they make there—bean, celery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4107\" data-end=\"4130\">Beautifully prepared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4132\" data-end=\"4169\">I said, “I just want one of those.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4171\" data-end=\"4213\">So I had the Bloody Mary. I tasted it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4215\" data-end=\"4275\">I said, “There’s something different in this Bloody Mary.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4277\" data-end=\"4314\">And she goes, “We add honey to it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4316\" data-end=\"4355\">And it was so delicious and balanced.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4357\" data-end=\"4393\">Just went well with all the foods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4474\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4412\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah, ’cause he has some really interesting cocktails also.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4476\" data-end=\"4611\">And he made something called a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake that is a rum drink, and according to my friend who had it, fit the bill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4613\" data-end=\"4665\">Tasted—Tasted like a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4667\" data-end=\"4694\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4667\" data-end=\"4686\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"127\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"77\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Two other appetizers I think I have to mention.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"161\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"129\" data-end=\"139\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Okay, I’m going in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"189\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"163\" data-end=\"182\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"239\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"191\" data-end=\"208\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> They’re really, really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"355\">One of them were Deviled Eggs—cured salmon with crème fraîche and fresh dill, and a little salmon roe in them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"357\" data-end=\"409\">So light and so airy, and they’re quite delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"411\" data-end=\"456\">Another appetizer is the Pork Belly Buns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"458\" data-end=\"578\">They’re made in the traditional street-food style, so you have the white bao, then the pork filling comes inside that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"580\" data-end=\"609\">Very flavorful, very tasty.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"611\" data-end=\"768\">My friend’s wife had the Red Wine Marinated Flat Iron Steak—there’s a theme here—perfectly cooked with a garlic-marinated spinach and a potato croquette.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"770\" data-end=\"840\">Crispy on the outside but also very tender and creamy on the inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"842\" data-end=\"858\">Just fabulous.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"904\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"879\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You just stole a bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"955\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"906\" data-end=\"923\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I stole a bite of everything.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"957\" data-end=\"979\">I have a nice reach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"981\" data-end=\"1012\">It’s the long arm of the law.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1049\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1014\" data-end=\"1033\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1076\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1068\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1160\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1078\" data-end=\"1097\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get any dessert, or do you usually get desserts?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1191\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1179\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Oh, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1220\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1193\" data-end=\"1212\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1239\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I can’t go there without dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1277\" data-end=\"1306\">Blackberry Bread Pudding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1334\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1308\" data-end=\"1327\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Yep.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1381\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1336\" data-end=\"1353\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Loaded with blackberries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1383\" data-end=\"1437\">You know, bread pudding can be very dense and heavy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1453\">This is not.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1559\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1455\" data-end=\"1477\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Yes, but I will say, the Blackberry Bread Pudding—it was a beautiful portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1561\" data-end=\"1593\">It had crème anglaise with it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1595\" data-end=\"1629\">It was creamy. It was delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1631\" data-end=\"1690\">And the crème anglaise just really added an extra little—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1766\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1692\" data-end=\"1711\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So I can see Bloody Mary and then Bread Pudding.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1768\" data-end=\"1788\">That’s your order.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1806\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1790\" data-end=\"1804\">[Laughter]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1808\" data-end=\"1846\">And what did you think of the price?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"2027\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1848\" data-end=\"1864\">Mike Nguyen:\u003c/strong> I thought the pricing was fair, and I think they were understaffed at the time, but, in general, when they were able to attend to us, they were sweet and great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2193\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2029\" data-end=\"2046\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> I like it because it’s not a white-tablecloth place, but the quality of the food that you receive is like going into a very high-end restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2195\" data-end=\"2262\">Anybody’s going to feel comfortable there, and I like that a lot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2452\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2283\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Well, if you would like to try Crescent Bistro, it’s located on Crescent Drive in Pleasant Hill, and the average dinner tab per person without drinks is around $60.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2454\" data-end=\"2497\">And now, reporter \u003cstrong data-start=\"2472\" data-end=\"2492\">Cecilia Phillips\u003c/strong>…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2499\" data-end=\"2520\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2499\" data-end=\"2509\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Too hot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2563\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2522\" data-end=\"2543\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> No, it’s alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"2676\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2565\" data-end=\"2584\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …pops up in San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2699\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2678\" data-end=\"2697\">[Music playing]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"84\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"60\" data-end=\"70\">Woman:\u003c/strong> So crunchy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"118\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"86\" data-end=\"107\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Waiting.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"120\" data-end=\"169\">We’re here at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"171\" data-end=\"223\">Now, the Ferry Building is such an iconic place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"329\">You can get so many amazing things inside the building, but actually, the party happens outside of it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"331\" data-end=\"346\">It’s amazing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"434\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"348\" data-end=\"369\">Christine Farren:\u003c/strong> The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market has been around for 31 years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"436\" data-end=\"556\">There are over 130 small businesses that sell in our farmers market, and those farmers come from all across the state.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"558\" data-end=\"614\">Every week that you come, there’s something different.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"616\" data-end=\"736\">You can come here because you want to buy fresh produce, but you can also come if you just want a fantastic breakfast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"782\">I mean, there’s a lot of prepared foods…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"822\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"784\" data-end=\"793\">Girl:\u003c/strong> Yeah, this is really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"877\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"845\">Christine Farren:\u003c/strong> …as well as packaged goods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"919\">There’s really something for everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"973\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"931\">Woman:\u003c/strong> And I want to get my pine nuts toasted.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"1106\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"975\" data-end=\"996\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Eatwell Farm, you actually supply some of the produce for some of the vendors here at the farmers market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1147\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1108\" data-end=\"1128\">Lorraine Walker:\u003c/strong> So, yeah, we do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1149\" data-end=\"1176\">We’re growing year-round.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1248\">We have actually never missed a market ever since the market opened.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1285\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1250\" data-end=\"1271\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Since 1993?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1314\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1287\" data-end=\"1307\">Lorraine Walker:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1316\" data-end=\"1372\">Aedan Fermented Foods is one of my favorite vendors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1374\" data-end=\"1414\">Right now, they’re getting our daikon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1505\">This is a traditional Korean daikon called Alpine, and it has kind of a sweet flavor.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1573\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1507\" data-end=\"1528\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Which must make for a really great pickle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1606\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1575\" data-end=\"1592\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> Absolutely.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1608\" data-end=\"1753\">Fermentation is kind of Japanese wisdom, so I want to spread this Bay Area, this knowledge, and then I want to have community to more health.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1815\">This one—pickles cup—and the four kinds of pickles inside.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1817\" data-end=\"1882\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1817\" data-end=\"1838\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So you have daikon, cucumber, and celery.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1917\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1884\" data-end=\"1901\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> And my lemon.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1986\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"1919\" data-end=\"1940\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> I can feel the healing happening right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"1988\" data-end=\"2004\">I can feel it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2044\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2006\" data-end=\"2023\">Mariko Grady:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2046\" data-end=\"2054\">All:\u003c/strong> Mangosay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2179\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2070\" data-end=\"2087\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Here at Mangosay, we specialize in everything mango and in everything being dairy-free.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2181\" data-end=\"2219\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2181\" data-end=\"2191\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Get your guys some mango.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2387\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2221\" data-end=\"2238\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Besides being fun, we also want to be healthy and be able to attract people who are looking for something that’s just light but still really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2389\" data-end=\"2473\">So the Mango Noodles is basically just raw mango that we shred into noodle form.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2475\" data-end=\"2675\">We add fresh lime juice, hot sauce, coconut milk, chili pepper, black pepper, Tajín, and we mix it all together, and it just comes out to a really savory South American dish that many people love.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2713\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2677\" data-end=\"2698\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2759\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2715\" data-end=\"2732\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you’re doing good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2809\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2761\" data-end=\"2782\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s like a real noodle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2826\">It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2856\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2828\" data-end=\"2845\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2858\" data-end=\"2898\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2858\" data-end=\"2879\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> The spice. Whew!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2900\" data-end=\"2942\">I’m going to need to try this, actually.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"3014\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"2944\" data-end=\"2961\">Sierra Young:\u003c/strong> Yep. That’s right. Kind of wash it down with that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3016\" data-end=\"3165\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3016\" data-end=\"3035\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> The name of the business is Nusa, and Nusa in Javanese means island, because Indonesia is made up of over 17,000 islands.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3241\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3167\" data-end=\"3188\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So with 17,000 islands, you like to do things big.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3243\" data-end=\"3278\">So you have a 1,000-layer cake?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3310\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3280\" data-end=\"3299\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Exactly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3330\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3312\" data-end=\"3328\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3379\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3332\" data-end=\"3353\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Do people just bite it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3418\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3400\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Most people do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3464\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3420\" data-end=\"3441\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Alright, here we go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3466\" data-end=\"3481\">1,000 layers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3567\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3483\" data-end=\"3502\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> And then you can feel the buttery, and the egg—it’s very eggy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3631\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3569\" data-end=\"3590\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> There’s definitely 1,000 eggs in here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3633\" data-end=\"3655\">It’s not very sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3682\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3657\" data-end=\"3676\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3684\" data-end=\"3724\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3684\" data-end=\"3705\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s the spices.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3726\" data-end=\"3753\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3726\" data-end=\"3745\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3755\" data-end=\"3792\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3755\" data-end=\"3776\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> It’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3831\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3794\" data-end=\"3804\">Woman:\u003c/strong> Ooh, I really like that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3833\" data-end=\"3956\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3833\" data-end=\"3854\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Chef Sarah Germany, I heard that you have some of the best hot sauces here at the farmers market.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"3958\" data-end=\"4068\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"3958\" data-end=\"3976\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Our goal is not only to make delicious flavors but to do what we can for the environment.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4070\" data-end=\"4151\">This is our first no-added-sugar barbecue sauce with a matching beet kraut.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4153\" data-end=\"4243\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4153\" data-end=\"4174\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So you’ve taken every part of the beet here to make both of these.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4284\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4245\" data-end=\"4263\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Every single part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4286\" data-end=\"4323\">There’s zero waste on this sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4359\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4325\" data-end=\"4346\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Mmm. Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4361\" data-end=\"4388\">That sauce is phenomenal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4390\" data-end=\"4412\">Let’s try the kraut.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4457\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4414\" data-end=\"4432\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> Can you feel the beet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4459\" data-end=\"4483\">Can you feel the beet?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4485\" data-end=\"4508\">We can feel the beet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4510\" data-end=\"4534\">You can feel the beat.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4536\" data-end=\"4546\">Come on.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4548\" data-end=\"4564\">Feel the beet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4620\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4566\" data-end=\"4587\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> ♪ Can you feel the beet… ♪\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4732\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4673\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I want to thank my fantastic guests on this week’s show:\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4857\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4734\" data-end=\"4755\">Monicamary Falcon\u003c/strong>, who has a hard time sharing the Smoked Fish Board at Grossman’s Noshery & Bar in Santa Rosa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4859\" data-end=\"4947\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"4859\" data-end=\"4875\">Rob Pattison\u003c/strong>, who savors the Short Ribs at Crescent Bistro in Pleasant Hill.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"4949\" data-end=\"5040\">And \u003cstrong data-start=\"4953\" data-end=\"4968\">Mike Nguyen\u003c/strong>, who’s obsessed with the Oxtails at Jackie’s Place in San Jose.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5042\" data-end=\"5161\">Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5163\" data-end=\"5211\">I’m \u003cstrong data-start=\"5167\" data-end=\"5185\">Leslie Sbrocco\u003c/strong>, and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5213\" data-end=\"5241\">Alright, cheers, everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5243\" data-end=\"5275\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5243\" data-end=\"5265\">Monicamary Falcon:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5304\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5294\">Rob Pattison:\u003c/strong> Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5306\" data-end=\"5343\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5306\" data-end=\"5325\">Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers. Cheers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5345\" data-end=\"5399\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5345\" data-end=\"5397\">[Indistinct conversation, Rob Pattison chuckles]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5436\" data-end=\"5484\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5436\" data-end=\"5457\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> So is it 1,000 layers?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5486\" data-end=\"5526\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5486\" data-end=\"5505\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> It’s figuratively.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5528\" data-end=\"5546\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5528\" data-end=\"5544\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5548\" data-end=\"5664\">Yeah. Yeah, like, the amount of work that, you know, you stand in front of the—it felt like it was 1,000 layers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5666\" data-end=\"5684\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5666\" data-end=\"5682\">[Both laugh]\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5686\" data-end=\"5743\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5686\" data-end=\"5707\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> That’s where the name comes from.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5745\" data-end=\"5772\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5745\" data-end=\"5764\">Jennifer Huang:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5774\" data-end=\"5815\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5774\" data-end=\"5795\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Yeah, okay, okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5924\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5817\" data-end=\"5835\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> We took onions and tomatoes and apples and beets and slow-roasted them for 60 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5926\" data-end=\"5967\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5926\" data-end=\"5947\">Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> Did you say 60?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"6007\">\u003cstrong data-start=\"5969\" data-end=\"5987\">Sarah Germany:\u003c/strong> 60. 60 hours.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp data-start=\"6009\" data-end=\"6018\">I know.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 13, airs Thursday, February 6, 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>On a new \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>: This week’s episode begins in Alameda, where \u003cstrong>Fikscue\u003c/strong> blends traditional Indonesian flavors with Texas barbecue. From the smoky richness of brisket and dino ribs to vibrant dishes like their rendang and nasi goreng, this East Bay spot takes the soulful art of barbecue to a new level. Next, at \u003cstrong>The Pawnshop\u003c/strong> in San Francisco, a true hidden gem delights with its unique and eclectic dining experience. True to its name, guests must provide a trinket as an entry fee before enjoying tapas including jamón serrano, tortilla española, and gambas al ajillo, followed by sweet and crispy churros. Finally, \u003cstrong>Apple Fritter\u003c/strong> in San Mateo is a haven for breakfast lovers, featuring playful takes on morning classics, including donut burgers, Nutella-stuffed French toast, and ube cake donuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23355\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23355 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Adam Risman, Noelani Meteyry and Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fikscue.com/\">\u003cstrong>Fikscue\u003c/strong> (Alameda)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thepawnshopsf.com/\">\u003cstrong>The Pawnshop\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.applefrittereatery.com/\">\u003cstrong>Apple Fritter\u003c/strong> (San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Indonesian barbecue heaven in Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> The dino ribs are insane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> A one-of-a-kind tapas bar in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Salt pops—boom, boom, boom—from the salmon roe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And decadent brunch delights in San Mateo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> That dish always leaves clean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I gotta come back next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Pass the rib!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joining me at the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are Marketing Director \u003cstrong>Adam Risman\u003c/strong>, Mental-Health Wellness Director \u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin\u003c/strong>, and Analyst \u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome, everyone. Are you ready for a good show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>All:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Adam grew up in Texas, so when it comes to barbecue, he’s got some pretty strong opinions. Lately, he’s been raving about an Indonesian barbecue spot he claims has the best smoked meats west of the Panhandle. Located in Alameda, it’s \u003cstrong>Fikscue Craft BBQ\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Fikscue Craft BBQ is an amazing experience of Texas craft barbecue along with Indonesian dishes. So our smoked brisket right here, your Nasi Goreng, your Rendang Plate. And it’s halal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Reka’s always been cooking at home. And then one day we had an argument—she didn’t want to cook. So I figured, let me learn how to cook myself in the backyard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just one more of the beef back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> I was actually really shocked because he’s never in the kitchen with me, and all of a sudden he started doing gyros, rotisserie chicken, you name it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I was on a mission to prove her wrong. I would practice on cooking brisket and there were a lot of leftovers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> That’s when she comes in and says, “Let me redo this into an Indonesian dish.” That’s how it all started, basically.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> With Texas barbecue, time and patience, I would say, is the key. Brisket is kind of delicate. If it’s a little under, it’s going to be a little tough. If it’s a little over, it could be a little mushy. That balance in between is what we’re looking for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> We call it the jiggle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> [Laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> It looks amazing. I need two people to carry it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> My recipes came from my mom, but of course I made it my own. [Laughs] One of our most popular dishes is the Rendang plate. It has over 20 different spices. It takes three days to cook it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> There’s going to be a line just like a traditional Texas barbecue spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Welcome, welcome. Normally, people start coming, like, before we open at 12:00—11:30 or whatnot, then became 11:00, became 10:30, became 10:00. I think the record holder now is 9:00.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome, this is our smoked brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> When you’re in line, you’re waiting for that door to open. I see people mingle, make new friends, and that’s what we love to see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> I see you got a little bit of everything. I want them to be satisfied that the line is worth waiting. That’s our goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> Awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> No, thank you. Enjoy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Adam, from Texas, you’ve got some pretty high standards, I think, for barbecue, huh?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> There’s a lot of good barbecue out here in the Bay. And there’s a gap from really good to really, really great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You found the really, really great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Found the really, really great with something that also sets it apart with the Indonesian side of the house as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you order when you go get your barbecue?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Too much food. [Laughter] Brisket is always the standard at a barbecue place, and part of the reason why the line exists is everything is sliced by hand by Fik when you get to the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when you are ordering your brisket, you get a chance to sort of say like, “Hey, I really like the lean slices of meat. I like the fattier cuts. I’d like some burnt ends if you have them,” at the right time when they pull out that fresh slab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I always go with the fatty cut myself. It cuts with the fork, gets nice and moist, and that’s just all that rendered fat where all the flavor comes from. So do they have great barbecue sauce? Yes. Do you need it? I don’t think so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. Hang on. I’m going to see if we have some dissension or agreement over here. What about you, Noelani?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, I totally agree about the brisket, but I did have to go with the sauce. I really love the orange sauce that they gave, but I also was a big fan of the jalapeño-cheddar sausage. There was like real cheese that oozed out of it. And again, with the orange sauce is the way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Is the way to go. Amaal, what do you think?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah. No, I was really impressed with the service—they got it down to a tee. When you get your order, they prepare it perfectly. They know what to do. The dino ribs are insane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I got, like, a smaller dino rib. It was still over a pound on the scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> It’s per pound, and you have to get minimum one. So, like, that might be the maximum you need because they are huge, but that meat just falls off the bones, super tender.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I agree with Adam that you don’t need sauce, but the sauce is super delicious. It’s got the nice Indonesian spices in the barbecue sauce. If they bottled that barbecue sauce, I would get it for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it just all goes super well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I missed out on the dino rib. I guess they sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> But I did want to try it because it really looked like a dinosaur’s ribs. They were huge. I saw a whole family just sharing one. I’m like, “Okay, I gotta come back next time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Pass the rib! [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So the brisket I got, I did get on the Rendang plate, which comes with some crispy rice crackers and other sides and a fried egg, like a combination of textures and flavors that all goes super well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And so that one came with a little green sambal sauce. That’s what I dipped my brisket in. I thought that combination of the brisket with the sambal was really good, so smart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I love that Rendang plate. To me, that’s kind of where the Indonesian and barbecue sides really come together, because Rendang is typically like maybe a chuck roast, right? Something that cooks very slowly, shreds apart, and it takes days to make this curry that this meat is cooked in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s the chopped, smoked brisket that’s in there instead. So it adds that extra level of smokiness into the earthy Rendang curry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And then what did you think of that curried kale that comes on the side? Because I love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah. That was super good. Lots of flavor. It’s such a good texture for kale because kale can be kind of tough. But the kale curry was super tender, easy to chew, and enjoy all the flavors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I also had the chicken, which was the thigh and the leg, which of course is the best part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> It was really good with a crispy skin with pepper, and I’m a huge pepper fan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the coleslaw, I’m not usually a fan of coleslaw or peanut sauce, which is in it, but this worked. The peanut flavor was not overpowering. It was really subtle, and they had these little crunchy things in it. So the texture paired really well with the chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> A good counterpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So on the Indonesian side, the Batagor is a favorite for my family when we go. That’s these fried vegetarian dumplings that are tossed in this rich, spicy peanut sauce, the same sauce they use on the slaw.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The dumplings are delicious themselves, but that sauce—like whatever we can find that we still have on our plate, we’re using to get the rest of that peanut sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What else should they get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Did anyone have the Nasi Goreng, the fried rice?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So that is my favorite go-to side. It’s got these little bits of corned beef in there that give it a little like fermented funkiness. There’s egg in there, fresh vegetables. I have to get that every single time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, did you have anything to drink alongside that to wash that down?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> When I went, it happened to be Indonesian Independence Day. And so they had a Rose soda, which was really interesting. I liked it because it was pink. And I happened to be wearing pink, so it matched my outfit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Of course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> But it was a really unique flavor, and it was refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So it is right next door to a brewery. Convenient, you can bring the food inside, and then a nice IPA pairs really well with barbecue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right, so you can take it over there and go sit down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Exactly, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any dessert or dessert drinks?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Did I have room for dessert? Absolutely not. Did I still order banana pudding? Yes, it was worth it. [Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That sort of smooth texture from the banana pudding was a really nice kind of change of pace from the meatiness of barbecue. There were fresh slices of banana in it and that one sort of classic vanilla wafer on top, a little bit of crumbled wafer as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So I did have a kind of dessert-like drink called a Cendol, which had pandan flavors and coconut milk and tapioca things you could chew on that had good texture and were also sweet. And so I think it was a great dessert, and I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like with all that food that you got good value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Definitely, yeah. The food that we ordered, just my friend and I, we had extras that I brought home and my mom could try it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like with all that food that you got good value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Definitely, yeah. The food that we ordered, just my friend and I, we had extras that I brought home, and my mom could try it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And similarly, she lived in Texas, too, and she thought it was as good as brisket in Texas that she’s had. So it definitely reaches the bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you definitely have to be there early, though. Like, I was there on a Saturday at 1:30, and things were selling out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it’s no joke that they say line up early if you want all your pickings because they sell out fast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, well, if you would like to try Fikscue Craft BBQ, it’s located on Park Street in Alameda, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $55.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Step inside the pawnshop facade of Noelani’s restaurant, and you’d think you’re in the wrong place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Well, hello, gorgeouses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Once you’re through the hidden door, though, you’ll find the speakeasy vibe, art deco bar, and the creative Spanish-inspired bites all set the stage for a memorable night out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, it’s The Pawnshop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> The Pawnshop is an experiential speakeasy. Once you walk through these doors, it’s like you’re on a different planet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We are located on the corner of Sixth and Mission. It was a pawnshop for 40 years. It was called Money Loaned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We still have the sign up above.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Hello, gorgeous. Welcome. Let’s see what you got.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> So when you come to The Pawnshop, you have to bring either a tchotchke or a family heirloom if you want to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> A rubber chicken?! How did you know I needed a new one in my life? I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> A joke, a dance—bring something to the Pawnmaster. Because if you don’t do that, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Used chapstick? [Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> The craziest thing we’ve ever been given was when somebody brought in a kitchen sink.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We were like, “Really? Everything and the kitchen sink?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> If I push a few buttons, do a little this, a little of that, it should be ready to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[door clicks]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome to The Pawnshop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> I come from a French background. And us from the south of France, we used to go to Barcelona for the night just to go party and have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when we built this space, the way we wanted to do it is the communal eating.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> It’s really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> And how we do that back in Spain, it’s loud. There’s joy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The food that we have here, we chose to have tapas, the small plates meant to be shared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We took all the stars from the Catalan and the Spanish culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tomato, olive oil, just a little garlic. Whoa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the classic Pan con Tomate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[griddle sizzling]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The octopus, Pulpo a la Plancha.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Gambas al Ajillo, which is also exceptionally classic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> One thing that’s great about Pawnshop is that we’re open until 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and there’s not a lot of restaurants in San Francisco that are staying open that late.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In The Pawnshop, too, there’s a lot of little Easter eggs and things that are super fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So there’s a mirror over there where you can watch your friends come in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> There’s a karaoke room. There are secret passageways. It’ll take you to a different spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And away they go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are performances that will happen when you’re least expecting it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> We put sun in their life. We put a smile on their face.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’re on stage when we’re here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And I see the light on their face. I’m like, I get the shiver right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m like, “Yes, we did it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[glass clinking]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Noelani, how did you find the secret door?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I found it by accident, to be honest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you walk up to the door.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Take us through it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> So you walk up through the door, you’re first confused because you’re like, “Wait, this is a pawnshop.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Well, hello, everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> You’re not thinking that it’s a restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I got there early. So I was there before the restaurant was open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m just, like, hanging out on Mission in front of this store. I’m like, “Am I in the right place? Am I even going to have dinner tonight?” [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s kind of the fun of it. Is not even telling someone the name of the restaurant. It’s just giving them an address, and then they’re kind of confused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I found the Pawnmaster to basically be a method actor. You don’t know what questions you’re going to be asked. Is this a 10-second exchange, or am I going to have to navigate 5 minutes of conversation? It’s a little tricky to get in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What do you go for?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Okay, so it’s tapas style. I really like the Gambas al Ajillo, garlic shrimp. The shrimp is in garlic and butter. You can’t go wrong with that. And on top of it, they give you bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the minute the shrimp are gone, everyone’s fighting for the bread to dip it in the sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I’m glad you mentioned that shrimp. That was, to me, the most standout dish. It’s these delicately poached shrimp in this sherry vinegar broth. And then they have these thinly mandoline-sliced garlic chips floating around in the broth. And I didn’t discover those right away. And then as soon as I did, I was just spooning that over the top of the shrimp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> That dish always leaves clean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Also, another favorite is the Patatas Bravas. Can’t go wrong with crispy potatoes and sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What about you, Amaal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I was really excited for the Pulpo a la Plancha because I love octopus. That was grilled to perfection and had a nice pickled veg and a squid ink aioli. That all went really well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it’s fun doing tapas style in an atmosphere like this certainly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s fun to have so much on your table. Gets to be a little bit overwhelming if you overdo it like we maybe did. But I really loved the Tortilla Española. It was the classic egg omelet, although it was really elevated from there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It had this spoon of crème fraîche on top, and then a really generous portion of salmon roe sprinkled on top, as well as these crunchy potato chips.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So texturally, you had this soft egg, the sourness of the crème fraîche, and then these salt pops—boom, boom, boom—from the salmon roe. It was really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what did you drink with it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had some very good wine. I was impressed by the amount of options they had by the glass. Some more choices than you typically have. And I wanted to go with the Tempranillo because we’re in a tapas restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You’re in Spain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did have the Seasonal Sangria, which had little apple cubes and sliced-up citrus in it and had a hint of clove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it’s really nice—seasonal, fruity, slightly spicy with the clove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And sangria goes with every dish on the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So I also wanted to mention the Vegan Chicharrón. They’re huge, but they’re like wafer-thin, and they’re salty and crispy and sweet and almost better than regular chicharrones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> And I also had the duck pâté, and that comes with some cherries and some herbs. Also, the little toasts—you can make a little bite with the pâté and the cherries and herbs. That’s just a perfectly composed little bite that you make yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> So a must-get dish is the hanger steak. It comes with potatoes and mushrooms. First of all, the steak is cooked to perfection. Seasoned well, it’s juicy, tender. The mushrooms are a beautiful accompaniment. And then the potatoes—the skin is crispy but still juicy on the inside. You just can’t go wrong with steak and potatoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, I have to get the churros every time. So I went there for a birthday. And it’s fun because when they brought out the churros, they sang Happy Birthday and had a little candle. But what I really like about the churros is that they’re super light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So even if you’re full, you’re like, “Well, I’ll have one just to, you know, have in my dessert stomach,” and then you can dip it in the chocolate sauce and it’s just really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did also have the churros, but I had the cheese dessert, which is a triple cream—kind of like a Brie, but it’s got a bloomy rind. And then it’s also served with these fancy cherries and a honeycomb. I was surprised how much I loved this cheese because it was a little funky.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And I don’t always like funky cheeses, but it’s also with a little toast with cheese, the cherries, and the honeycomb. And it was just so good. Like, cheese for dessert is just fantastic. I had—I had dreams about that cheese that night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I’ll have to try that next time. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So do you think this is a good bang for the buck?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Totally. You leave there happy. And you leave there wanting to talk about it with your friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I’d say the same. Just remember, you can always order more. So maybe don’t do what we did and order everything at once. And from there, you’ll leave in a good spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get your pawn item back on the way out?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I didn’t get my pawn item back, but when I pawned my item, he gave me a different item back. I got this little robot with little guns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah! There you go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Where’s my robot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughing] I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well, if you would like to try The Pawnshop, it’s located on Mission Street in San Francisco, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $40.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Amaal rounds out our show with yet another hidden gem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a quirky little café housed in a former Taco Bell where decadent doughnuts, killer breakfast sandos, and creamy milkshakes are the stuff of Amaal’s comfort food dreams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located in San Mateo, it’s Apple Fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> Apple Fritter is a homey place where you can bring your family, your friends, your kids.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a great place for everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hi. How are you guys?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I grew up doing doughnuts my whole life. My parents fled a war in Cambodia. They came to this country to start a new life. They had friends that had sponsored them and helped them create a doughnut business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A lot of times my parents would bring me to the shop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’d sneak myself into the doughnut counter, steal an apple fritter, [laughs] and then take a huge bite before they found out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant used to be an old Taco Bell, and growing up, I used to come here all the time, and I actually thought, “Oh, maybe I’ll open up this place and eventually convert it into maybe a breakfast place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The inspiration for the decorations really came from who I am. I like strange, unique kind of things. I like having fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We actually make all of our doughnuts in-house. People don’t realize a lot of the times we have more than just an apple fritter. So we have like chocolate doughnuts, ube, red velvet, almond pistachio—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even plain old-fashioned is really, surprisingly, good. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Breakfast Luther—it came from this cartoon. I thought it was the funniest thing ever, and they incorporated a doughnut burger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Robert:\u003c/strong> The Luther!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> I decided to actually create it, and eventually it became a hit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fruity Pebbles!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a child, I loved Fruity Pebbles, and one of my favorite creations was probably adding it to the milkshakes because, uh, why not? [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patron:\u003c/strong> This is really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> I really love what I do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I come to work, and it doesn’t feel like work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> It’s one of the greatest feelings when people come to your restaurant, bring their friends in, and just have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Amaal, do you like breakfast?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Are you a breakfast-every-day kind of person?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I love getting a really full, big breakfast—it’s always the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And this place has it all, doesn’t it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> It does. My favorite dish is the Luther Breakfast Burger. It’s a burger on a doughnut with a fried egg—fried perfectly. When you bite into it, the yolk oozes out of the top of the doughnut onto the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can dip your hash browns in the egg—it’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I was scared to order that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just because I’m like, “Doughnut, burger—heart attack?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Um, no, but I’m so glad that I did because it ended up being my favorite dish that I ordered, and I ended up sharing it. So it wasn’t too much, but it was really good. I never would have thought to do that, but the salty and sweet combination—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Does the doughnut get soggy?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> They grill the doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> No, they grill them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah, okay. There you go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> They grill it, so it held together really well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And just the flavors were really, really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What did you have, Adam?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So I got cold feet on the doughnut sandwich.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the reason for that, which I think is very valid, is right before you get to the register where you order, there is essentially a wall of doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And there are just so many amazing doughnut options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Did you get the apple fritter?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the blueberry fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> It was large enough for four of us to share. Everyone can kind of pull apart their individual piece. And it had that thick glaze that kind of cracks just the way you want it, but then the inside of the fritter was super cakey and soft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you can’t leave there without getting an apple fritter. They do sell out. So hopefully you can get one while you’re there. But if you’re there, definitely get an apple fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m also—I’m a scramble girly. So I had to get the chicken apple sausage scramble. And usually when you go to places, it’s like maybe a couple of pieces.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But this was overwhelming with how much sausage they put in, as well as spinach and everything. So the portions are really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And we also had sandwiches. The bread that they put with the sandwich is really spectacular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you get any sandwiches?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Well, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Or you stuck—okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the Pigs Gone Wild Sandwich.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it was really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It had that toast that you mentioned, and then three pieces of flat-top griddled bacon. There were grilled mushrooms on there, fresh eggs, cheese. And to me, what can make or break a breakfast sandwich is really how hot it is when it gets to the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And this came straight off that grill onto our table. And when you bit into it, the crunch from the bacon, the soft eggs, the gooey cheese—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just kind of everything all at once, it was awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Is that a sandwich you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I have not had that sandwich, but I also do get lunch there sometimes. Like, I really like their Rachel. It’s like a Reuben, but with turkey instead of pastrami, and it’s really good. And I get that with their homemade potato chips. I don’t know if you guys got a chance to try the homemade potato chips, but—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman & Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So yeah, they are really good for lunch, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And I hear the milkshakes are something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> They are. I had the pineapple milkshake. It was tart and sweet and creamy—super delicious. They make all their milkshakes with frozen custard, so they’re super good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the espresso milkshake, which was really great because I can’t have breakfast without coffee. Good flavor. And I got to split—between a number of people, wasn’t just me—the banana one. Really great fresh banana, nothing artificial tasting in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It would definitely have passed the old Dairy Queen test where if you flipped it upside down, nothing was coming out, right? But it wasn’t so thick that it was a lot of work to actually enjoy the milkshake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> Okay, maybe it’s a little too thick.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> It was awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I’m really dreaming about that pineapple milkshake now, I gotta be honest with you. [Laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> But they do have a good espresso coffee bar, and I usually get the Vanilla Lavender Latte. It’s not too vanilla-y or too lavender-y, and they’re all made super hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I’ll say that the Nutella French Toast—that is dessert on a plate because it’s so decadent. And I really liked that they even took the time to cook the bananas, which most places don’t do. But here, it really brought out the flavors. Everyone loves Nutella, so putting that, bananas, powdered sugar on French toast—if you have a sweet tooth, that’s the way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth when you walk into this place, you will have one when you walk out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you lived nearby, you’d be there a lot more, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Even if you don’t live nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a good place, especially after a night of drinking, and you want a good meal to get you up and ready for the weekend—it’s a good place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s your splurge spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> You might take the long way to the airport just to circle through there and grab a shake before a flight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you would like to try Apple Fritter, it’s located on Norfolk Street in San Mateo, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $20.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Check out \u003cem>Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at \u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\">kqed.org/checkplease\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman,\u003c/strong> who devours the dino beef ribs at Fikscue Craft BBQ in Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin,\u003c/strong> lover of the Breakfast Luther Doughnut Sandwich at Apple Fritter in San Mateo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And \u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry,\u003c/strong> who gave us the inside scoop on The Pawnshop in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m \u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco,\u003c/strong> and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And cheers to you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Did you have fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers! Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Alright, now let’s see. What did you bring me?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> You would not believe how much stuff we get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> One time, somebody tried to pawn their child off, but that was just for jokes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One time, somebody tried to pawn their fiancée off. That was for real.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> I have a 3-D printed genie bottle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> I’m going to trade you for—you’re going to get some love in your life.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> Oh!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> Oh, you can never have enough love.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> That’s going to go a long way.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> So we’re always getting crazy stuff.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> How’s everyone doing?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Gorgeous!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Welcome, welcome, welcome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #3:\u003c/strong> Put it there! We’ll wait for you!\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 13, airs Thursday, February 6, 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>On a new \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/em>: This week’s episode begins in Alameda, where \u003cstrong>Fikscue\u003c/strong> blends traditional Indonesian flavors with Texas barbecue. From the smoky richness of brisket and dino ribs to vibrant dishes like their rendang and nasi goreng, this East Bay spot takes the soulful art of barbecue to a new level. Next, at \u003cstrong>The Pawnshop\u003c/strong> in San Francisco, a true hidden gem delights with its unique and eclectic dining experience. True to its name, guests must provide a trinket as an entry fee before enjoying tapas including jamón serrano, tortilla española, and gambas al ajillo, followed by sweet and crispy churros. Finally, \u003cstrong>Apple Fritter\u003c/strong> in San Mateo is a haven for breakfast lovers, featuring playful takes on morning classics, including donut burgers, Nutella-stuffed French toast, and ube cake donuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23355\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-23355 size-medium\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2025/02/CPBA_1913_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Adam Risman, Noelani Meteyry and Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.fikscue.com/\">\u003cstrong>Fikscue\u003c/strong> (Alameda)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://thepawnshopsf.com/\">\u003cstrong>The Pawnshop\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"https://www.applefrittereatery.com/\">\u003cstrong>Apple Fritter\u003c/strong> (San Mateo)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Indonesian barbecue heaven in Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> The dino ribs are insane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> A one-of-a-kind tapas bar in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Salt pops—boom, boom, boom—from the salmon roe.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And decadent brunch delights in San Mateo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> That dish always leaves clean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Just ahead on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I gotta come back next time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Pass the rib!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi, I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to \u003cem>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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Joining me at the \u003cem>Check, Please!\u003c/em> table today are Marketing Director \u003cstrong>Adam Risman\u003c/strong>, Mental-Health Wellness Director \u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin\u003c/strong>, and Analyst \u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome, everyone. Are you ready for a good show?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>All:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Adam grew up in Texas, so when it comes to barbecue, he’s got some pretty strong opinions. Lately, he’s been raving about an Indonesian barbecue spot he claims has the best smoked meats west of the Panhandle. Located in Alameda, it’s \u003cstrong>Fikscue Craft BBQ\u003c/strong>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Fikscue Craft BBQ is an amazing experience of Texas craft barbecue along with Indonesian dishes. So our smoked brisket right here, your Nasi Goreng, your Rendang Plate. And it’s halal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Reka’s always been cooking at home. And then one day we had an argument—she didn’t want to cook. So I figured, let me learn how to cook myself in the backyard.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just one more of the beef back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> I was actually really shocked because he’s never in the kitchen with me, and all of a sudden he started doing gyros, rotisserie chicken, you name it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I was on a mission to prove her wrong. I would practice on cooking brisket and there were a lot of leftovers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> That’s when she comes in and says, “Let me redo this into an Indonesian dish.” That’s how it all started, basically.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> With Texas barbecue, time and patience, I would say, is the key. Brisket is kind of delicate. If it’s a little under, it’s going to be a little tough. If it’s a little over, it could be a little mushy. That balance in between is what we’re looking for.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> We call it the jiggle.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> [Laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> It looks amazing. I need two people to carry it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> My recipes came from my mom, but of course I made it my own. [Laughs] One of our most popular dishes is the Rendang plate. It has over 20 different spices. It takes three days to cook it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> There’s going to be a line just like a traditional Texas barbecue spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> Welcome, welcome. Normally, people start coming, like, before we open at 12:00—11:30 or whatnot, then became 11:00, became 10:30, became 10:00. I think the record holder now is 9:00.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome, this is our smoked brisket.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> When you’re in line, you’re waiting for that door to open. I see people mingle, make new friends, and that’s what we love to see.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fik Saleh:\u003c/strong> I see you got a little bit of everything. I want them to be satisfied that the line is worth waiting. That’s our goal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> Awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man #2:\u003c/strong> Thank you so much.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Reka Saleh:\u003c/strong> No, thank you. Enjoy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Adam, from Texas, you’ve got some pretty high standards, I think, for barbecue, huh?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> There’s a lot of good barbecue out here in the Bay. And there’s a gap from really good to really, really great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You found the really, really great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Found the really, really great with something that also sets it apart with the Indonesian side of the house as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What do you order when you go get your barbecue?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Too much food. [Laughter] Brisket is always the standard at a barbecue place, and part of the reason why the line exists is everything is sliced by hand by Fik when you get to the counter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when you are ordering your brisket, you get a chance to sort of say like, “Hey, I really like the lean slices of meat. I like the fattier cuts. I’d like some burnt ends if you have them,” at the right time when they pull out that fresh slab.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I always go with the fatty cut myself. It cuts with the fork, gets nice and moist, and that’s just all that rendered fat where all the flavor comes from. So do they have great barbecue sauce? Yes. Do you need it? I don’t think so.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. Hang on. I’m going to see if we have some dissension or agreement over here. What about you, Noelani?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, I totally agree about the brisket, but I did have to go with the sauce. I really love the orange sauce that they gave, but I also was a big fan of the jalapeño-cheddar sausage. There was like real cheese that oozed out of it. And again, with the orange sauce is the way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Is the way to go. Amaal, what do you think?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah. No, I was really impressed with the service—they got it down to a tee. When you get your order, they prepare it perfectly. They know what to do. The dino ribs are insane.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I got, like, a smaller dino rib. It was still over a pound on the scale.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> It’s per pound, and you have to get minimum one. So, like, that might be the maximum you need because they are huge, but that meat just falls off the bones, super tender.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I agree with Adam that you don’t need sauce, but the sauce is super delicious. It’s got the nice Indonesian spices in the barbecue sauce. If they bottled that barbecue sauce, I would get it for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it just all goes super well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I missed out on the dino rib. I guess they sold out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> But I did want to try it because it really looked like a dinosaur’s ribs. They were huge. I saw a whole family just sharing one. I’m like, “Okay, I gotta come back next time.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Pass the rib! [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So the brisket I got, I did get on the Rendang plate, which comes with some crispy rice crackers and other sides and a fried egg, like a combination of textures and flavors that all goes super well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And so that one came with a little green sambal sauce. That’s what I dipped my brisket in. I thought that combination of the brisket with the sambal was really good, so smart.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I love that Rendang plate. To me, that’s kind of where the Indonesian and barbecue sides really come together, because Rendang is typically like maybe a chuck roast, right? Something that cooks very slowly, shreds apart, and it takes days to make this curry that this meat is cooked in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But it’s the chopped, smoked brisket that’s in there instead. So it adds that extra level of smokiness into the earthy Rendang curry.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And then what did you think of that curried kale that comes on the side? Because I love that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah. That was super good. Lots of flavor. It’s such a good texture for kale because kale can be kind of tough. But the kale curry was super tender, easy to chew, and enjoy all the flavors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I also had the chicken, which was the thigh and the leg, which of course is the best part.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> It was really good with a crispy skin with pepper, and I’m a huge pepper fan.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And the coleslaw, I’m not usually a fan of coleslaw or peanut sauce, which is in it, but this worked. The peanut flavor was not overpowering. It was really subtle, and they had these little crunchy things in it. So the texture paired really well with the chicken.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> A good counterpoint.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So on the Indonesian side, the Batagor is a favorite for my family when we go. That’s these fried vegetarian dumplings that are tossed in this rich, spicy peanut sauce, the same sauce they use on the slaw.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The dumplings are delicious themselves, but that sauce—like whatever we can find that we still have on our plate, we’re using to get the rest of that peanut sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What else should they get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Did anyone have the Nasi Goreng, the fried rice?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So that is my favorite go-to side. It’s got these little bits of corned beef in there that give it a little like fermented funkiness. There’s egg in there, fresh vegetables. I have to get that every single time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, did you have anything to drink alongside that to wash that down?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> When I went, it happened to be Indonesian Independence Day. And so they had a Rose soda, which was really interesting. I liked it because it was pink. And I happened to be wearing pink, so it matched my outfit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Of course.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> But it was a really unique flavor, and it was refreshing.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So it is right next door to a brewery. Convenient, you can bring the food inside, and then a nice IPA pairs really well with barbecue.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right, so you can take it over there and go sit down.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Exactly, yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Any dessert or dessert drinks?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Did I have room for dessert? Absolutely not. Did I still order banana pudding? Yes, it was worth it. [Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>That sort of smooth texture from the banana pudding was a really nice kind of change of pace from the meatiness of barbecue. There were fresh slices of banana in it and that one sort of classic vanilla wafer on top, a little bit of crumbled wafer as well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So I did have a kind of dessert-like drink called a Cendol, which had pandan flavors and coconut milk and tapioca things you could chew on that had good texture and were also sweet. And so I think it was a great dessert, and I really enjoyed it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like with all that food that you got good value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Definitely, yeah. The food that we ordered, just my friend and I, we had extras that I brought home and my mom could try it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And do you feel like with all that food that you got good value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Definitely, yeah. The food that we ordered, just my friend and I, we had extras that I brought home, and my mom could try it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And similarly, she lived in Texas, too, and she thought it was as good as brisket in Texas that she’s had. So it definitely reaches the bar.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you definitely have to be there early, though. Like, I was there on a Saturday at 1:30, and things were selling out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it’s no joke that they say line up early if you want all your pickings because they sell out fast.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, well, if you would like to try Fikscue Craft BBQ, it’s located on Park Street in Alameda, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $55.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Step inside the pawnshop facade of Noelani’s restaurant, and you’d think you’re in the wrong place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Well, hello, gorgeouses.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Once you’re through the hidden door, though, you’ll find the speakeasy vibe, art deco bar, and the creative Spanish-inspired bites all set the stage for a memorable night out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood, it’s The Pawnshop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> The Pawnshop is an experiential speakeasy. Once you walk through these doors, it’s like you’re on a different planet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We are located on the corner of Sixth and Mission. It was a pawnshop for 40 years. It was called Money Loaned.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We still have the sign up above.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Hello, gorgeous. Welcome. Let’s see what you got.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> So when you come to The Pawnshop, you have to bring either a tchotchke or a family heirloom if you want to.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> A rubber chicken?! How did you know I needed a new one in my life? I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> A joke, a dance—bring something to the Pawnmaster. Because if you don’t do that, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Used chapstick? [Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> The craziest thing we’ve ever been given was when somebody brought in a kitchen sink.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We were like, “Really? Everything and the kitchen sink?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> If I push a few buttons, do a little this, a little of that, it should be ready to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Come on in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[door clicks]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Welcome to The Pawnshop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> I come from a French background. And us from the south of France, we used to go to Barcelona for the night just to go party and have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And when we built this space, the way we wanted to do it is the communal eating.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> It’s really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> And how we do that back in Spain, it’s loud. There’s joy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheering]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The food that we have here, we chose to have tapas, the small plates meant to be shared.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We took all the stars from the Catalan and the Spanish culture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Tomato, olive oil, just a little garlic. Whoa!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the classic Pan con Tomate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[griddle sizzling]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The octopus, Pulpo a la Plancha.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Gambas al Ajillo, which is also exceptionally classic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> One thing that’s great about Pawnshop is that we’re open until 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and there’s not a lot of restaurants in San Francisco that are staying open that late.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[cheers and applause]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>In The Pawnshop, too, there’s a lot of little Easter eggs and things that are super fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So there’s a mirror over there where you can watch your friends come in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Hey!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> There’s a karaoke room. There are secret passageways. It’ll take you to a different spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And away they go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>There are performances that will happen when you’re least expecting it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> We put sun in their life. We put a smile on their face.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We’re on stage when we’re here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And I see the light on their face. I’m like, I get the shiver right now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m like, “Yes, we did it.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[glass clinking]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Noelani, how did you find the secret door?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I found it by accident, to be honest.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So you walk up to the door.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Take us through it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> So you walk up through the door, you’re first confused because you’re like, “Wait, this is a pawnshop.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Well, hello, everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> You’re not thinking that it’s a restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I got there early. So I was there before the restaurant was open.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m just, like, hanging out on Mission in front of this store. I’m like, “Am I in the right place? Am I even going to have dinner tonight?” [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But that’s kind of the fun of it. Is not even telling someone the name of the restaurant. It’s just giving them an address, and then they’re kind of confused.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I found the Pawnmaster to basically be a method actor. You don’t know what questions you’re going to be asked. Is this a 10-second exchange, or am I going to have to navigate 5 minutes of conversation? It’s a little tricky to get in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What do you go for?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Okay, so it’s tapas style. I really like the Gambas al Ajillo, garlic shrimp. The shrimp is in garlic and butter. You can’t go wrong with that. And on top of it, they give you bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So the minute the shrimp are gone, everyone’s fighting for the bread to dip it in the sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I’m glad you mentioned that shrimp. That was, to me, the most standout dish. It’s these delicately poached shrimp in this sherry vinegar broth. And then they have these thinly mandoline-sliced garlic chips floating around in the broth. And I didn’t discover those right away. And then as soon as I did, I was just spooning that over the top of the shrimp.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> That dish always leaves clean.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Also, another favorite is the Patatas Bravas. Can’t go wrong with crispy potatoes and sauce.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What about you, Amaal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I was really excited for the Pulpo a la Plancha because I love octopus. That was grilled to perfection and had a nice pickled veg and a squid ink aioli. That all went really well together.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And it’s fun doing tapas style in an atmosphere like this certainly.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Yeah, it’s fun to have so much on your table. Gets to be a little bit overwhelming if you overdo it like we maybe did. But I really loved the Tortilla Española. It was the classic egg omelet, although it was really elevated from there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It had this spoon of crème fraîche on top, and then a really generous portion of salmon roe sprinkled on top, as well as these crunchy potato chips.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So texturally, you had this soft egg, the sourness of the crème fraîche, and then these salt pops—boom, boom, boom—from the salmon roe. It was really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what did you drink with it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had some very good wine. I was impressed by the amount of options they had by the glass. Some more choices than you typically have. And I wanted to go with the Tempranillo because we’re in a tapas restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You’re in Spain.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did have the Seasonal Sangria, which had little apple cubes and sliced-up citrus in it and had a hint of clove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So it’s really nice—seasonal, fruity, slightly spicy with the clove.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And sangria goes with every dish on the table.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So I also wanted to mention the Vegan Chicharrón. They’re huge, but they’re like wafer-thin, and they’re salty and crispy and sweet and almost better than regular chicharrones.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> That’s good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> And I also had the duck pâté, and that comes with some cherries and some herbs. Also, the little toasts—you can make a little bite with the pâté and the cherries and herbs. That’s just a perfectly composed little bite that you make yourself.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> So a must-get dish is the hanger steak. It comes with potatoes and mushrooms. First of all, the steak is cooked to perfection. Seasoned well, it’s juicy, tender. The mushrooms are a beautiful accompaniment. And then the potatoes—the skin is crispy but still juicy on the inside. You just can’t go wrong with steak and potatoes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, I have to get the churros every time. So I went there for a birthday. And it’s fun because when they brought out the churros, they sang Happy Birthday and had a little candle. But what I really like about the churros is that they’re super light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So even if you’re full, you’re like, “Well, I’ll have one just to, you know, have in my dessert stomach,” and then you can dip it in the chocolate sauce and it’s just really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I did also have the churros, but I had the cheese dessert, which is a triple cream—kind of like a Brie, but it’s got a bloomy rind. And then it’s also served with these fancy cherries and a honeycomb. I was surprised how much I loved this cheese because it was a little funky.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And I don’t always like funky cheeses, but it’s also with a little toast with cheese, the cherries, and the honeycomb. And it was just so good. Like, cheese for dessert is just fantastic. I had—I had dreams about that cheese that night.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I’ll have to try that next time. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> So do you think this is a good bang for the buck?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Totally. You leave there happy. And you leave there wanting to talk about it with your friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I’d say the same. Just remember, you can always order more. So maybe don’t do what we did and order everything at once. And from there, you’ll leave in a good spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you get your pawn item back on the way out?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I didn’t get my pawn item back, but when I pawned my item, he gave me a different item back. I got this little robot with little guns.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah! There you go!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Where’s my robot?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> [Laughing] I love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Well, if you would like to try The Pawnshop, it’s located on Mission Street in San Francisco, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $40.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Amaal rounds out our show with yet another hidden gem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a quirky little café housed in a former Taco Bell where decadent doughnuts, killer breakfast sandos, and creamy milkshakes are the stuff of Amaal’s comfort food dreams.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Located in San Mateo, it’s Apple Fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> Apple Fritter is a homey place where you can bring your family, your friends, your kids.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a great place for everybody.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Hi. How are you guys?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I grew up doing doughnuts my whole life. My parents fled a war in Cambodia. They came to this country to start a new life. They had friends that had sponsored them and helped them create a doughnut business.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>A lot of times my parents would bring me to the shop.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’d sneak myself into the doughnut counter, steal an apple fritter, [laughs] and then take a huge bite before they found out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The restaurant used to be an old Taco Bell, and growing up, I used to come here all the time, and I actually thought, “Oh, maybe I’ll open up this place and eventually convert it into maybe a breakfast place.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The inspiration for the decorations really came from who I am. I like strange, unique kind of things. I like having fun.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>We actually make all of our doughnuts in-house. People don’t realize a lot of the times we have more than just an apple fritter. So we have like chocolate doughnuts, ube, red velvet, almond pistachio—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Even plain old-fashioned is really, surprisingly, good. [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>The Breakfast Luther—it came from this cartoon. I thought it was the funniest thing ever, and they incorporated a doughnut burger.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Robert:\u003c/strong> The Luther!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> I decided to actually create it, and eventually it became a hit.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Fruity Pebbles!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>As a child, I loved Fruity Pebbles, and one of my favorite creations was probably adding it to the milkshakes because, uh, why not? [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patron:\u003c/strong> This is really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> I really love what I do.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I come to work, and it doesn’t feel like work.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Patrons:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> It’s one of the greatest feelings when people come to your restaurant, bring their friends in, and just have a good time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright, Amaal, do you like breakfast?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Are you a breakfast-every-day kind of person?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I love getting a really full, big breakfast—it’s always the best.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And this place has it all, doesn’t it?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> It does. My favorite dish is the Luther Breakfast Burger. It’s a burger on a doughnut with a fried egg—fried perfectly. When you bite into it, the yolk oozes out of the top of the doughnut onto the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>You can dip your hash browns in the egg—it’s so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I was scared to order that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just because I’m like, “Doughnut, burger—heart attack?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Um, no, but I’m so glad that I did because it ended up being my favorite dish that I ordered, and I ended up sharing it. So it wasn’t too much, but it was really good. I never would have thought to do that, but the salty and sweet combination—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Does the doughnut get soggy?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> They grill the doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> No, they grill them.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Ah, okay. There you go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> They grill it, so it held together really well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And just the flavors were really, really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright. What did you have, Adam?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> So I got cold feet on the doughnut sandwich.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But the reason for that, which I think is very valid, is right before you get to the register where you order, there is essentially a wall of doughnuts.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And there are just so many amazing doughnut options.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Did you get the apple fritter?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the blueberry fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> It was large enough for four of us to share. Everyone can kind of pull apart their individual piece. And it had that thick glaze that kind of cracks just the way you want it, but then the inside of the fritter was super cakey and soft.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Mm-hmm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah, you can’t leave there without getting an apple fritter. They do sell out. So hopefully you can get one while you’re there. But if you’re there, definitely get an apple fritter.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m also—I’m a scramble girly. So I had to get the chicken apple sausage scramble. And usually when you go to places, it’s like maybe a couple of pieces.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>But this was overwhelming with how much sausage they put in, as well as spinach and everything. So the portions are really nice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And we also had sandwiches. The bread that they put with the sandwich is really spectacular.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you get any sandwiches?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Well, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Or you stuck—okay.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the Pigs Gone Wild Sandwich.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And it was really good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It had that toast that you mentioned, and then three pieces of flat-top griddled bacon. There were grilled mushrooms on there, fresh eggs, cheese. And to me, what can make or break a breakfast sandwich is really how hot it is when it gets to the plate.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And this came straight off that grill onto our table. And when you bit into it, the crunch from the bacon, the soft eggs, the gooey cheese—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Just kind of everything all at once, it was awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Is that a sandwich you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> I have not had that sandwich, but I also do get lunch there sometimes. Like, I really like their Rachel. It’s like a Reuben, but with turkey instead of pastrami, and it’s really good. And I get that with their homemade potato chips. I don’t know if you guys got a chance to try the homemade potato chips, but—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman & Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> No.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> So yeah, they are really good for lunch, too.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And I hear the milkshakes are something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> They are. I had the pineapple milkshake. It was tart and sweet and creamy—super delicious. They make all their milkshakes with frozen custard, so they’re super good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> I had the espresso milkshake, which was really great because I can’t have breakfast without coffee. Good flavor. And I got to split—between a number of people, wasn’t just me—the banana one. Really great fresh banana, nothing artificial tasting in it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It would definitely have passed the old Dairy Queen test where if you flipped it upside down, nothing was coming out, right? But it wasn’t so thick that it was a lot of work to actually enjoy the milkshake.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>John Chow:\u003c/strong> Okay, maybe it’s a little too thick.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> It was awesome.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I’m really dreaming about that pineapple milkshake now, I gotta be honest with you. [Laughing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> But they do have a good espresso coffee bar, and I usually get the Vanilla Lavender Latte. It’s not too vanilla-y or too lavender-y, and they’re all made super hot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> I’ll say that the Nutella French Toast—that is dessert on a plate because it’s so decadent. And I really liked that they even took the time to cook the bananas, which most places don’t do. But here, it really brought out the flavors. Everyone loves Nutella, so putting that, bananas, powdered sugar on French toast—if you have a sweet tooth, that’s the way to go.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth when you walk into this place, you will have one when you walk out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Oh, for sure.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you lived nearby, you’d be there a lot more, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Even if you don’t live nearby.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[Laughter]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>It’s a good place, especially after a night of drinking, and you want a good meal to get you up and ready for the weekend—it’s a good place.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s your splurge spot.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> You might take the long way to the airport just to circle through there and grab a shake before a flight.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Alright.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>If you would like to try Apple Fritter, it’s located on Norfolk Street in San Mateo, and the average tab per person without drinks is around $20.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Laughs]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Check out \u003cem>Cecilia Tries It\u003c/em> online at \u003ca href=\"http://kqed.org/checkplease\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\">kqed.org/checkplease\u003c/a>.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Cecilia Phillips:\u003c/strong> [Laughs] Mmm!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show—\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman,\u003c/strong> who devours the dino beef ribs at Fikscue Craft BBQ in Alameda.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Amaal Greenwood-Goodwin,\u003c/strong> lover of the Breakfast Luther Doughnut Sandwich at Apple Fritter in San Mateo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>And \u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry,\u003c/strong> who gave us the inside scoop on The Pawnshop in San Francisco.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Join us next time when three more guests will recommend their favorite spots right here on \u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area.\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I’m \u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco,\u003c/strong> and I’ll see you then.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yay!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Adam Risman:\u003c/strong> Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And cheers to you!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Did you have fun?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Noelani Meteyry:\u003c/strong> Yes!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Cheers! Cheers!\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[music playing]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Pawnmaster:\u003c/strong> Alright, now let’s see. What did you bring me?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Damien Chabaud-Arnault:\u003c/strong> You would not believe how much stuff we get.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Michael Anthony Levitt:\u003c/strong> One time, somebody tried to pawn their child off, but that was just for jokes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>One time, somebody tried to pawn their fiancée off. 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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kick off the new year with a fresh lineup of Bay Area dining discoveries! \u003c/span>\u003cb>Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, KQED’s beloved James Beard and Emmy-winning series, is back this February with a new batch of must-try local restaurants. Whether you’re diving into your culinary resolutions to try something new or searching for the perfect Valentine’s date spot, we’ve got you covered.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Each week, three locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their favorite neighborhood gems, check out each other’s picks, and dish on their dining adventures. From Indonesian-Texas fusion to East Coast Jewish deli favorites, we’ve scoured the Bay Area to find the season’s standout spots.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tune in for four tasty new episodes, \u003c/span>\u003cb>Thursdays beginning February 6 at 7:30pm on KQED 9\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on the menu:\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/YsCPu6Easl0\" 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>\u003cstrong>February 6\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Traditional Indonesian flavors meet Texas barbecue with highlights such as dino ribs, smoked brisket, and nasi goreng at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Fikscue\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Alameda)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Guests trade a trinket for entry to enjoy tapas including tortilla española and jamón serrano at \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Pawnshop\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Playful takes on breakfast classics, from donut burgers to Nutella-stuffed french toast, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Apple Fritter\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Mateo)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 13\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> East Coast Jewish deli favorites, including matzo ball soup, pickled fish boards and cinnamon babka, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soulful comfort dishes, from fall-off-the-bone oxtails to creamy mac and cheese, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Jackie’s Place\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Jose)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fresh Californian-inspired American cuisine featuring pork belly buns and succulent red wine-braised short ribs at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Crescent Bistro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Pleasant Hill)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” explores fresh produce, local goods and culinary delights at the historic \u003c/span>\u003cb>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 20\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Bold and aromatic Laotian flavors such as papaya salad and crispy pork belly at the vibrant \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Alameda)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Italian-American comfort food in quirky digs, including Cadillac lasagna and steak served with pesto spaghetti, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">An artfully curated selection of wines and cocktails paired with shareable plates from tender lamb meatballs to creamy elote at \u003c/span>\u003cb>District\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Oakland)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 27\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A creative take on soulful comfort food like hoecake, gumbo fries and grilled shrimp po’boys at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Gumbo Social\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decadent dishes, from lobster pot pie to crème brûlée French toast, paired with stunning waterfront views at \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Tiburon)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">An inventive and fresh take on farm-to-table offerings, including “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta and Hokkaido milk bread rolls, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pomet\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Oakland)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Got a favorite restaurant we haven’t featured yet? Now’s your chance to share it! We’re gearing up for the next round of guests and want your must-try spots in the spotlight. Nominate your top picks and apply to join us as 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\">. And if you have a pick in the Carmel or Monterey area we’d especially like to hear from you! \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 6\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Traditional Indonesian flavors meet Texas barbecue with highlights such as dino ribs, smoked brisket, and nasi goreng at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Fikscue\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Alameda)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Guests trade a trinket for entry to enjoy tapas including tortilla española and jamón serrano at \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Pawnshop\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Playful takes on breakfast classics, from donut burgers to Nutella-stuffed french toast, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Apple Fritter\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Mateo)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 13\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> East Coast Jewish deli favorites, including matzo ball soup, pickled fish boards and cinnamon babka, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Grossman’s Noshery & Bar\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Santa Rosa)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Soulful comfort dishes, from fall-off-the-bone oxtails to creamy mac and cheese, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Jackie’s Place\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Jose)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fresh Californian-inspired American cuisine featuring pork belly buns and succulent red wine-braised short ribs at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Crescent Bistro\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Pleasant Hill)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">“Cecilia Tries It” explores fresh produce, local goods and culinary delights at the historic \u003c/span>\u003cb>Ferry Plaza Farmers Market\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 20\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Bold and aromatic Laotian flavors such as papaya salad and crispy pork belly at the vibrant \u003c/span>\u003cb>Bhan Mae Vane\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Alameda)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Italian-American comfort food in quirky digs, including Cadillac lasagna and steak served with pesto spaghetti, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">An artfully curated selection of wines and cocktails paired with shareable plates from tender lamb meatballs to creamy elote at \u003c/span>\u003cb>District\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Oakland)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>February 27\u003c/strong>\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> A creative take on soulful comfort food like hoecake, gumbo fries and grilled shrimp po’boys at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Gumbo Social\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (San Francisco)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decadent dishes, from lobster pot pie to crème brûlée French toast, paired with stunning waterfront views at \u003c/span>\u003cb>The Bungalow Kitchen\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Tiburon)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">An inventive and fresh take on farm-to-table offerings, including “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta and Hokkaido milk bread rolls, at \u003c/span>\u003cb>Pomet\u003c/b>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\"> (Oakland)\u003c/span>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Got a favorite restaurant we haven’t featured yet? Now’s your chance to share it! We’re gearing up for the next round of guests and want your must-try spots in the spotlight. Nominate your top picks and apply to join us as 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\">. And if you have a pick in the Carmel or Monterey area we’d especially like to hear from you! \u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\n\u003c/div>\u003c/p>",
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"slug": "check-please-bay-area-reviews-world-green-acai-bowl-juice-dalida-villa-corona",
"title": "Check, Please! Bay Area reviews: World Green Açaí Bowl & Juice, Dalida, Villa Corona",
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"content": "\u003cp>\u003cem>Check, Please! Bay Area, \u003c/em>season 19, episode 10, airs Thursday, November 14, 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\">On this episode of \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, we kick things off in Larkspur at \u003cstrong>World Green Açaí Bowl & Juice\u003c/strong>, a vibrant little spot serving authentic açaí bowls packed with superfoods and other Brazilian favorites. Next, guests head to San Francisco’s scenic Presidio to visit \u003cstrong>Dalida\u003c/strong>, where a former Top Chef contestant serves up contemporary Mediterranean flavors like their 12-hour lamb shoulder tandoor and California tahdig, all served in a chic, modern setting. Finally, the journey takes us to Napa’s \u003cstrong>Villa Corona\u003c/strong>, a family-owned gem dishing out delicious Mexican favorites like platos de carne and tacos de pescado in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23280\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Luciana Duarte, Roland Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://worldgreenacai.com/\">\u003cstrong>World Green Açaí Bowl & Juice\u003c/strong> (Larkspur)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://dalidasf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Dalida\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://villacoronanapa.com/\">\u003cstrong>Villa Corona\u003c/strong> (Napa)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cdiv class=\"mceTemp\">\u003c/div>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> This is so healthy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Brazilian bites in Larkspur…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad fullwidth]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> You will never want to have another açaí bowl again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Just a perfect bite with the texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and traditional Mexican fare in Napa…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> It just goes down way too easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area.” Everybody say that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Olive pao de queijo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> You guys are good. You’re ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi. I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area,” the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. 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 culture transformation consultant Luciana Duarte, law enforcement detective Roland Aguilar, and partner program manager Mavish Mahomed-Silva. Welcome, everyone. How are you doing?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So happy to be here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mavish gets us started with her go-to breakfast spot. It’s a tiny, little cafe that packs a big punch when it comes to Brazilian flavors, including her hands-down favorite, a made-to-order açaí bowl she says is the best in the Bay. Tucked away in downtown Larkspur, it’s World Green Açaí Bowl and Juice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> \u003cem>[Speaking Portuguese]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We try to show for all to Americans to try the real açaí bowls. Here in United States, we use just the pulp. It’s frozen. We put a little sugar. They come with granola, banana, strawberry at the top. This is so healthy, superfood. We’re so happy when people try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> “Wow! I never tried that. This is so different. This is so good flavor.” Our menu, it’s a little big. We have cheese-bread sandwiches. Sandwich are normally the French bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Hot doggie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We have a hot dog, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Is big sandwich…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> Normally, we make the hot dog from Brazil. You can put mashed potato, the hot dog.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> I love it. Every time for me, eating hot dogs, my wife is stopping only one. Okay. No problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> Yeah, all the time. You can share with your friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> \u003cem>[Speaks Portuguese]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We try to create a space for the people to feel happy, to feel comfortable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Laughter]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When people come in the store, “Wow! This is so different place. Has a lot of life.” The color, the plants. We have a lot of American, Brazilian, the spot that people get together here to hang out here, the good spot. We’re so excited to show all the people our Brazilian foods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> Saúde.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Saúde.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Mavish, I love that you say this is your “best in the Bay açaí bowl.” Do you travel the Bay looking for açaí bowls?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Well, honestly, I have had a decent number of açaí bowls at other places. This one knocks it out of the park. You will never want to have another açaí bowl again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. Now, why is that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> You know, there’s something about the flavor of their açaí — it tastes pure, and you won’t know what I mean until you try it, even side by side with another one. There’s a little bit of sweetness to it, but it doesn’t taste like there’s other stuff in it. It just — it’s pure açaí, and it has toppings of fruit, their homemade granola, beautifully presented. It’s just — it’s magic in a bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And the owners are Brazilian, and you’re Brazilian.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> How lucky that we got to go to this restaurant. And I didn’t know it, so it was — thank you, Mavish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> It worked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It worked out. And you went and spoke Portuguese to the owners, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> To the owner, who was just so friendly. And they actually have terminals for you to order. We were trying to figure out, like, what all the options are. It’s an extensive menu. And so he immediately just, you know, came over and helped make suggestions since it was the first time that we were there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. And what did you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So we started with the olive pao de queijo, which was excellent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Everybody say that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Olive pao de queijo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> You guys are good. You’re ready. You’re ready to go to Brazil. Then we had two different kinds of empanadas, which are technically more of an Argentinean specialty. But, you know, we love all kinds of things that are Latin American. And so we had one that was filled with chicken, and the other one was mushroom. And they had an umami flavor to them, especially the mushroom one. They just felt both decadent and light at the same time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. And, Roland, what about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Similar to Luciana, I had a great experience going there. It was our first time, so we went in the morning. We also had the beef empanada, which was really good. The ratio from veggies, bell peppers, the caramelized onions, to the meat was perfect and a perfect flaky crust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What is it that you get besides the açaí bowl?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> My favorite item is their combo breakfast. It’s almost like a little buffet on a board. So it starts off with some scrambled eggs, and then you get to have either a cheese-bread waffle or a other type of French roll, always choosing the cheese-bread waffle 10 out of 10 times. And so it’s just like this crispy, chewy, beautifully warm and hot waffle. And then it’s served with maple syrup or a Brazilian cream cheese. So it’s really smooth and silky, a little bit tangy. And, honestly, with that cheese-bread waffle, like, that’s a marriage made in heaven in terms of food. It truly is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So part of the combo breakfast there was a guava juice, freshly squeezed. I wish I could take, like, an extra-extra-large cup home, but it was delicious. It was perfect for the morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We did get the açaí juice, and we also got a papaya juice, and they were both excellent. They were just juice. However, they tasted like a smoothie, you know, because they’re so — they’re so thick. And so it has kind of that mouthfeel of a smoothie, which goes down really easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Anything else that you can recommend for people to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I would absolutely recommend their tapioca. It’s kind of like a crepe, but minus the flour crepe part. They use tapioca instead. So you get that same kind of chewy texture as the cheese bread, and it’s flat. It gets crispy, and then all of the fillings can be sweet or savory. I always get their breakfast tapioca, so it has scrambled eggs, some tomatoes in there, and it’s just like a very hearty meal served with some fruit or salad on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We didn’t get the breakfast items. However, we did have room for a hot dog and…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Oh! That’s awesome. Love it. Love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Well, so the Brazilians have elaborated on the hot dog, and this was actually a hot dog with potatoes two ways. So it was a base of mashed potato spread on the very flaky and crispy French bread that had been warmed, and then sprinkled over the top of that, we had matchstick potatoes, and they were delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Would you try that? Would you go back?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. For sure. Hot dog, potatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries basically — yeah, I’m in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You’re in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything else?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We did. We actually got these delicious little desserts that I had not tried as a Brazilian, I’m embarrassed to say, but they were so worth it. They come in a little box, and they are a peanut-butter two-bite dessert. It’s just the perfect amount of savory and sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Actually, with those, you can take them and kind of crumble them on top of your açaí or your juice, and it just adds, like, another flavor-texture element. So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And pricing? I mean, it seems like you get a lot of food for the price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah, very bang-for-your-buck type of restaurant. And something else I noticed was that we were in the patio, which is great ambiance. You start hearing the owner talking with other Brazilians, and he’s speaking with them. I was like, oh, that’s a stamp of approval that local Brazilians are coming to the restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> And, thankfully, it’s so close to where I live, so it’s just over the Golden Gate Bridge, and we’ll be there in 15 minutes, so it’s…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Nice. We’re only missing Ipanema Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All right, if you would like to try World Green Açaí, it’s located on Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur, and the average tab per person is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Boasting hilly streets, waterfront views, and plenty of fresh seafood, the cities of San Francisco and Istanbul have a lot in common. The menu at Roland’s favorite restaurant is a love letter to both cities, as Mediterranean mezes infused with locally foraged California herbs and aromatics forge the perfect blend of east-meets-west. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio Main Post, it’s Dalida.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> When people walk into Dalida… We have some… we just want them to feel that they’re welcome. You guys doing the tasting?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Bon appétit, guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> All right. Coming from Mexico and Turkey… we’re trying to build something unique with the food and the culture and the hospitality. This is the baklava.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> We call our cuisine Eastern Mediterranean. So it’s really centered around this idea of a cosmopolitan Istanbul that celebrated all the cultures, Greek and Ladino and Armenian, along with Turkish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> People can relate to that in San Francisco because we are a melting pot of cultures. Having a restaurant inside the Presidio is just magical. We are in the community garden where we pick all our beautiful herbs for Dalida.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> There’s rose geranium, lemon verbena, pineapple sage growing wild here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Well, now you put one on your shirt. One of my favorite things that I pick from the garden — the nasturtium flowers. We fill them almost like a dolma, we tempura fry, and then we also serve it with a yogurt made with the leaves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> It’s been really, really cool to be able to capture the essence of the Presidio, the aromas of the Presidio, in the dishes. The chubby pitas are Laura’s recipe, and they’re named after me — chubby pitas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> After my chubby husband.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> So it’s my legacy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Chuckles]\u003c/em> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Oh, my God. The pita is delicious. I think just by having that freshness that comes from the oven to the table in about a minute, a minute and a half, it makes a huge difference.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> One of the things that makes me very happy is, you know, bringing people together. It is something that we’ve always been really passionate about, and really seeing it manifest itself in the dining room is one of the most rewarding feelings. And people actually get frustrated a little bit. They’re like, “Oh, my God. There’s so many good things on the menu, and I cannot experience everything in one visit.” Then come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Roland, is it Dalida that you love, or is it the location that you really love?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> It’s definitely two-for-one because the location is beautiful on a sunny, even foggy day in San Francisco, which I love. This is a great restaurant. It’s Middle Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, and usually when I go to a new restaurant, I ask, “What do you recommend?” And the first thing that they said was the breaking bread. And it comes out immediately — the fresh, perfectly warm pita. It’s decked with three dips. You have classic hummus, then you have your smoked yogurt, and then my favorite, which is the roasted red pepper. And it comes with some almonds on top, which, when you put that with the pita, it’s just a perfect bite with the texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Luciana, you’re saying…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh. Roland, you’re taking me back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> I’m getting hungry now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> It was so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah. So we did the same thing. So it’s exactly as you described. It’s warm, it’s pillowy, it’s soft. And it’s just the perfect vehicle for all of those dips and spreads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, after bread, where did you go next?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So from there, we went to the arayes burger. And if you didn’t have enough pita, there’s more pita on the arayes burger. So it’s basically a kebab-stuffed pita with great spices. It’s also grilled with some chives. Once you take a bite, it’s so tender, it’s juicy, and you see the juices just ooze to the bottom of the pita. And you can just have that last tasteful bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, were you pita-ed out at that point?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Absolutely not, and I wish I had ordered the burger now that you’ve described it, Roland. But I’ll go back for that. We actually had a different dish that also had a different kind of pita. It was a much thinner pita. It was the Çöp Sis, which are skewers with short rib and sweetbreads, which are generally not something that a lot of people love, but I do. But the bread was served over the skewers, which was an interesting way to serve it, and it kept the skewers warm until we were ready to eat them. And that was really delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Yeah, well, I was excited to find out that the lamb is halal at this restaurant. And so because I only eat halal meat, I was like, “I’m ordering the lamb.” So I actually went with one of their pasta-esque dishes. It was a lamb manti. And these manti were really tiny and so cute. I’ve never had a pasta like that. It was served in a red sauce with some sort of yogurt in the middle that balanced out the acidity, and it was a delicious bowl of food. It was very hearty and warm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> We also ordered the 12-hour lamb shoulder tandoor. It comes with some braised chickpeas. And also you got to have some greens on the dish, so it comes with mustard greens as well. Once you take a bite of it, it’s just very rich, melts in your mouth, 12 hours to cook that. They have so much precision and just mastered their creativity with the art that they’re presenting, which is the food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We had the kibbe, which is also something that we enjoy a lot in Brazil. And so I like the flavors of kibbe, and I was not disappointed. This was a really good one. Its meat that has been ground and mixed with grains, with bulgur wheat, and then shaped into a little fun shape. And it comes with a dip, which is sort of a yogurty, yummy, sweet-and-savory dip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> I also had the shoestring fries, and whenever I see fries on a menu, I have to have the French fries. They were thinly sliced, perfectly crisp, and they were seasoned, which I really love in a seasoned fry. And then it came with a dipping aioli which had a little bit of spice to it. They were delicious. It was a nice way to complement the rest of the meal and just, you know, have some French fries on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So… oh, man, the choices were endless. And you can kind of see the flavors from the Mediterranean and from Central America, Latin America on the dessert menu because you have your tres leches and your rice pudding, but you have to go with the traditional baklava. But the nice thing about this — it’s deconstructed. You have your pistachio cream, you have pistachios on top of the puff pastry for the baklava, and also adds raspberry cream sauce at the bottom, and it’s just drizzled all over the plate. And unfortunately, I had to share with my girlfriend, so that entire bite was just mesmerizing and hit my sweet tooth very well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We had a different dessert, which was the gata tart, and it’s an almond-based cross between a cake and a tart, and it comes with a side of honey ice cream, and it was just a perfect way to end the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. Sweet tooth?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Of course. And I did not share, unlike you, Roland. So I ordered the chocolate muhallebi, and it was a chocolate pudding. It had a Turkish coffee whipped cream with some hazelnuts on top. Delicious. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciate for a dessert. But the real star of the show was a drink. It was a wild pistachio coffee, but it’s not coffee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> So this is the wild pistachio berries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> So they take pistachios, and they treat them like they would a coffee bean. They roast them, they grind them, and they turn it into almost like a warm nut milk. It was fantastic. I’ve never had something like that before. And just for that alone, I would go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Speaking of drinks, I mean, Dalida has a commitment to an extensive cocktail program and really one of the best wine lists I’ve seen. Did you have anything to drink with your meal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Absolutely, yes. So we had the pleasure of sitting at the bar because it was impossible to get a reservation. And so we showed up right at opening time, and they greeted us very warmly. And I said, “Well, we don’t have a reservation.” They said, “That’s okay. You can sit at the bar.” And that was a stroke of luck because the bartender was fantastic. He gave us great recommendations. And then we also had a few glasses of wine by the glass, and some of them were obscure that we wouldn’t have tried necessarily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So I had the Efendi, which is “The Gentleman.” It had tequila, tamarind, lime. And then it comes in a very beautiful goblet that keeps the drink very cold. And on top is the pebbled ice. So you can drink like three or four of those and not even notice because it’s so well…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> As long as your girlfriend’s driving.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Exactly. Oh, we’re walking, we’re walking. We’re good. Yes. Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about service?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So we were lucky enough when the dessert came, Chef Laura Ozyilmaz presented the dessert for us. I was like, “That’s Chef Laura,” in my mind. And then I told everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> She was also on “Top Chef.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Exactly, which, it’s a great show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s better to be on “Check, Please!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> For sure. 100%, 100%. So it was great seeing Chef Laura, seeing the team just work together. And it was just a beautiful experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. It felt like a well-oiled machine. There were no snags and no snafus. Everything was just like an orchestra conducted beautifully.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, if you would like to try Dalida, it’s located in the Presidio in San Francisco. The average dinner tab per person without drinks is around $85.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Luciana’s a big fan of under-the-radar, family-owned-and-operated places. Her favorite Mexican eatery is no exception. Serving the traditional dishes of Jalisco for more than 50 years, in Napa, it’s Villa Corona.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Villa Corona is a piece of Napa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> It’s comfort food, it’s comfort feeling, it’s comfort vibe. Villa Corona is my parents and my siblings. My sister Gabriela — she runs the kitchen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fernando Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Butter and garlic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> My younger brother Fernando runs operation of the restaurant here. They call us the Burrito Brothers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> So my parents started in 1972. We grew up going to all the vineyards selling burritos. My dad would make the burritos at the restaurant, and then we’d go out to the vineyards and he’d sell them out of a van. The only reason we went to school was because my mom made us. My father would have had us working, I swear. Seriously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fernando Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> This is a butter-and-garlic shrimp with the rice and beans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Our parents wanted to bring some part of Jalisco in our food. These are all their recipes. It was just basic what you call antojitos, enchiladas, flautas, sopitos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Our shrimp dishes, fish tacos. Our burritos are massive. Like five people can eat off one burrito. The distinct burrito for us is the wet burrito. The sauce is — it’s smothered in our homemade gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> My parents did not just make a green sauce. They made a chile verde sauce with a lot of ingredients that gave it a lot of taste.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> And the red sauce is made from the broth of the chicken that we cook. Everything’s fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Everything’s made daily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Good ingredients, and we don’t have a walk-in, so we don’t have stuff sitting around.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Food doesn’t sit around because it doesn’t last long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> It’s fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> We’re still old-school. This is old-school Napa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> The nice thing about our restaurant is the range of people, from the farm worker coming in, and you would see one of the Mondavis here. I mean, we love the community. We have people that have been eating here for 40-plus years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Together:\u003c/strong> Buen provecho.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Luciana, what’s unique about this spot is it’s been going for 50 years. That is something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> It really is, Leslie. And, you know, it really is unpretentious Mexican comfort food is the best way I can describe it. My husband and I really enjoy their generous, extensive menu, but we also have honed in on a couple of dishes that are our tried-and-true ones. And we always get the plato de carne with carne asada, and it comes with your choice of corn or flour tortillas. It comes with a side of black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans, Spanish rice with a little cheese on top. Most recently, I discovered the fish tacos, which are delicious and fresh and actually a fairly healthy dish because it’s a grilled piece of fish. I get mine on a flour tortilla, on a bed of lettuce that’s shredded and chopped tomatoes, and it comes with a side of the rice and the beans. And it’s just a really nice, fresh lunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. What about you, Roland?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So I actually got the fish tacos, also. And you can just tell that the fish was grilled immediately right when you ordered it. It’s just a fresh bite with pico de gallo. And I got mine also with flour tortillas, so it was delicious. As well, I got the especial of the day. It was Maria’s enchiladas, and Maria’s enchiladas was a spicy green sauce with tangy crema, some Spanish rice, and frijoles. So I felt at home. Once you walked in, it felt like my tia’s house with all the decor, with all the art. So it was a great meal. And then, of course, I had to get the horchata. The horchata was so good. My grandma and I used to make horchata growing up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Really?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Very nostalgic for me. Rich, creamy, milky, cinnamony, rice. It’s the perfect drink for a hot day in Napa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So they also have these delicious chips and salsa and guac, and you can get them from the case. You can get them to go, or you can get them for the table. It’s a really generous portion, like all the other portions, and it just goes down way too easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have those?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> No, I actually didn’t have the chips and salsa, but I did start with their chile relleno. It was good. It was a chile, and it was stuffed with a bunch of cheese, battered, and deep fried, and it had some sort of tomato sauce around it. I thought it could have had a little bit more oomph in the flavor, but it was a nice first-appetizer type of portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I agree. It’s a good option for vegetarians or people who really want to keep it light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> But the star of the show for me were their camarones a la diabla. Again with the spicy food. I have to order something with chilies on the menu. It was really, for me, a solid plate of food. It came with some rice. It came with, of course, the shrimp marinated in a spicy sauce. It had the beans on the side, flour tortillas, and a really fresh salad. It felt healthy. It felt well-balanced. There were just a lot of nice components on the plate to kind of break up the spiciness on your palate, and so it was really a good, hearty dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about dessert? Because they do have dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So I had to order dessert. And so I actually got their paletas, which are essentially popsicles that you can get from a cooler in the back. And so they have a takeout counter which is accessed through a side door. There were multiple different flavors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I got dessert as well. I went with the traditional Mexican churro, and I had that to go because I wanted to eat it on the road because I was too full. But, you know, your traditional Mexican churro with cinnamon sugar and just a good crunch, a good bite. So while I was driving, I had one hand on my churro and one hand on the steering wheel, and thankfully I made it home safely, so it was all good. But hopefully next time I’ll get the paletas because a nice, warm day before maybe you go to, you know, Napa wine country to start your day, you can have a paleta just to refresh you. So next time for sure getting that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> And now I’m feeling some type of way about not having dessert. A popsicle would have been amazing. I’ll have to go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you feel like you got value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. I mean, I took leftovers home — it was such a massive plate of food — and I had it the next day. Good bang for your buck.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, if you would like to try Villa Corona, it’s located in Bel Aire Plaza in Napa, and the average lunch tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — Luciana Duarte, who’s very fond of the fresh fish tacos at Villa Corona in Napa, Rolando Aguilar, who loves breaking bread at Dalida in San Francisco, and Mavish Mahomed-Silva, who tucks into hearty Brazilian breakfasts at World Green Açaí Bowl and Juice in Larkspur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So 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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cheers, and cheers to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> We don’t ever feel like we’re working. It’s just, you know, what we do. Sometimes we just look in each other’s eyes and…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Just to work with you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Exactly. Sometimes I’m like, “Oh, my God. Can you pinch me?”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> I remember when we were washing dishes. I must have been 7 or 8. I think we broke more dishes than what we washed.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> I love when people go, “Okay, give me one açaí, no sugar.” “Okay.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>[ad floatright]\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> “Wow! This is different.” “Is it possible with sugar?” “Yes!” “Wow! I love it with sugar.”\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 10, airs Thursday, November 14, 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\">On this episode of \u003c/span>\u003ci>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">Check, Please! Bay Area\u003c/span>\u003c/i>\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400\">, we kick things off in Larkspur at \u003cstrong>World Green Açaí Bowl & Juice\u003c/strong>, a vibrant little spot serving authentic açaí bowls packed with superfoods and other Brazilian favorites. Next, guests head to San Francisco’s scenic Presidio to visit \u003cstrong>Dalida\u003c/strong>, where a former Top Chef contestant serves up contemporary Mediterranean flavors like their 12-hour lamb shoulder tandoor and California tahdig, all served in a chic, modern setting. Finally, the journey takes us to Napa’s \u003cstrong>Villa Corona\u003c/strong>, a family-owned gem dishing out delicious Mexican favorites like platos de carne and tacos de pescado in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.\u003c/span>\u003c/p>\n\u003cfigure id=\"attachment_23280\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\" style=\"max-width: 800px\">\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-23280\" src=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-800x533.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" srcset=\"https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-800x533.png 800w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-1020x680.png 1020w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-160x107.png 160w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-768x512.png 768w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests-1536x1024.png 1536w, https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2024/10/CPBA_1910_Guests.png 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\">\u003cfigcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Host Leslie Sbrocco joins guests Luciana Duarte, Roland Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva from KQED in San Francisco.\u003c/figcaption>\u003c/figure>\n\u003cp>Get Restaurant Information:\u003c/p>\n\u003cul>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://worldgreenacai.com/\">\u003cstrong>World Green Açaí Bowl & Juice\u003c/strong> (Larkspur)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://dalidasf.com/\">\u003cstrong>Dalida\u003c/strong> (San Francisco)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003cli>\u003ca href=\"http://villacoronanapa.com/\">\u003cstrong>Villa Corona\u003c/strong> (Napa)\u003c/a>\u003c/li>\n\u003c/ul>\n\u003cdiv class=\"mceTemp\">\u003c/div>\n\u003ch2>Episode Transcript\u003c/h2>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> This is so healthy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Brazilian bites in Larkspur…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003c/p>\u003c/div>",
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"content": "\u003cdiv class=\"post-body\">\u003cp>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> You will never want to have another açaí bowl again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in San Francisco…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Just a perfect bite with the texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …and traditional Mexican fare in Napa…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> It just goes down way too easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> …just ahead on “Check, Please! Bay Area.” Everybody say that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Olive pao de queijo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> You guys are good. You’re ready.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Hi. I’m Leslie Sbrocco. Welcome to “Check, Please! Bay Area,” the show where Bay Area residents review and talk about their favorite restaurants. 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 culture transformation consultant Luciana Duarte, law enforcement detective Roland Aguilar, and partner program manager Mavish Mahomed-Silva. Welcome, everyone. How are you doing?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Great.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So happy to be here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Mavish gets us started with her go-to breakfast spot. It’s a tiny, little cafe that packs a big punch when it comes to Brazilian flavors, including her hands-down favorite, a made-to-order açaí bowl she says is the best in the Bay. Tucked away in downtown Larkspur, it’s World Green Açaí Bowl and Juice.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> \u003cem>[Speaking Portuguese]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We try to show for all to Americans to try the real açaí bowls. Here in United States, we use just the pulp. It’s frozen. We put a little sugar. They come with granola, banana, strawberry at the top. This is so healthy, superfood. We’re so happy when people try.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> “Wow! I never tried that. This is so different. This is so good flavor.” Our menu, it’s a little big. We have cheese-bread sandwiches. Sandwich are normally the French bread.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Hot doggie.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We have a hot dog, yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Is big sandwich…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> Normally, we make the hot dog from Brazil. You can put mashed potato, the hot dog.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> I love it. Every time for me, eating hot dogs, my wife is stopping only one. Okay. No problem.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> Yeah, all the time. You can share with your friends.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> \u003cem>[Speaks Portuguese]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Rabelo:\u003c/strong> We try to create a space for the people to feel happy, to feel comfortable.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Laughter]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>When people come in the store, “Wow! This is so different place. Has a lot of life.” The color, the plants. We have a lot of American, Brazilian, the spot that people get together here to hang out here, the good spot. We’re so excited to show all the people our Brazilian foods.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Man:\u003c/strong> Saúde.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Roberto Saldanha:\u003c/strong> Saúde.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, Mavish, I love that you say this is your “best in the Bay açaí bowl.” Do you travel the Bay looking for açaí bowls?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Well, honestly, I have had a decent number of açaí bowls at other places. This one knocks it out of the park. You will never want to have another açaí bowl again.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. Now, why is that?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> You know, there’s something about the flavor of their açaí — it tastes pure, and you won’t know what I mean until you try it, even side by side with another one. There’s a little bit of sweetness to it, but it doesn’t taste like there’s other stuff in it. It just — it’s pure açaí, and it has toppings of fruit, their homemade granola, beautifully presented. It’s just — it’s magic in a bowl.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And the owners are Brazilian, and you’re Brazilian.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> How lucky that we got to go to this restaurant. And I didn’t know it, so it was — thank you, Mavish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> It worked out.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It worked out. And you went and spoke Portuguese to the owners, right?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> To the owner, who was just so friendly. And they actually have terminals for you to order. We were trying to figure out, like, what all the options are. It’s an extensive menu. And so he immediately just, you know, came over and helped make suggestions since it was the first time that we were there.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. And what did you get?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So we started with the olive pao de queijo, which was excellent.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Everybody say that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar and Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Olive pao de queijo.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> You guys are good. You’re ready. You’re ready to go to Brazil. Then we had two different kinds of empanadas, which are technically more of an Argentinean specialty. But, you know, we love all kinds of things that are Latin American. And so we had one that was filled with chicken, and the other one was mushroom. And they had an umami flavor to them, especially the mushroom one. They just felt both decadent and light at the same time.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right. And, Roland, what about you?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Similar to Luciana, I had a great experience going there. It was our first time, so we went in the morning. We also had the beef empanada, which was really good. The ratio from veggies, bell peppers, the caramelized onions, to the meat was perfect and a perfect flaky crust.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What is it that you get besides the açaí bowl?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> My favorite item is their combo breakfast. It’s almost like a little buffet on a board. So it starts off with some scrambled eggs, and then you get to have either a cheese-bread waffle or a other type of French roll, always choosing the cheese-bread waffle 10 out of 10 times. And so it’s just like this crispy, chewy, beautifully warm and hot waffle. And then it’s served with maple syrup or a Brazilian cream cheese. So it’s really smooth and silky, a little bit tangy. And, honestly, with that cheese-bread waffle, like, that’s a marriage made in heaven in terms of food. It truly is.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So part of the combo breakfast there was a guava juice, freshly squeezed. I wish I could take, like, an extra-extra-large cup home, but it was delicious. It was perfect for the morning.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We did get the açaí juice, and we also got a papaya juice, and they were both excellent. They were just juice. However, they tasted like a smoothie, you know, because they’re so — they’re so thick. And so it has kind of that mouthfeel of a smoothie, which goes down really easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Anything else that you can recommend for people to try?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I would absolutely recommend their tapioca. It’s kind of like a crepe, but minus the flour crepe part. They use tapioca instead. So you get that same kind of chewy texture as the cheese bread, and it’s flat. It gets crispy, and then all of the fillings can be sweet or savory. I always get their breakfast tapioca, so it has scrambled eggs, some tomatoes in there, and it’s just like a very hearty meal served with some fruit or salad on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We didn’t get the breakfast items. However, we did have room for a hot dog and…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Oh! That’s awesome. Love it. Love it.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Well, so the Brazilians have elaborated on the hot dog, and this was actually a hot dog with potatoes two ways. So it was a base of mashed potato spread on the very flaky and crispy French bread that had been warmed, and then sprinkled over the top of that, we had matchstick potatoes, and they were delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Would you try that? Would you go back?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. For sure. Hot dog, potatoes, mashed potatoes, French fries basically — yeah, I’m in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> You’re in.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you have anything else?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We did. We actually got these delicious little desserts that I had not tried as a Brazilian, I’m embarrassed to say, but they were so worth it. They come in a little box, and they are a peanut-butter two-bite dessert. It’s just the perfect amount of savory and sweet.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Actually, with those, you can take them and kind of crumble them on top of your açaí or your juice, and it just adds, like, another flavor-texture element. So good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And pricing? I mean, it seems like you get a lot of food for the price.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah, very bang-for-your-buck type of restaurant. And something else I noticed was that we were in the patio, which is great ambiance. You start hearing the owner talking with other Brazilians, and he’s speaking with them. I was like, oh, that’s a stamp of approval that local Brazilians are coming to the restaurant.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yes.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> And, thankfully, it’s so close to where I live, so it’s just over the Golden Gate Bridge, and we’ll be there in 15 minutes, so it’s…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Nice. We’re only missing Ipanema Beach.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>All right, if you would like to try World Green Açaí, it’s located on Magnolia Avenue in Larkspur, and the average tab per person is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Boasting hilly streets, waterfront views, and plenty of fresh seafood, the cities of San Francisco and Istanbul have a lot in common. The menu at Roland’s favorite restaurant is a love letter to both cities, as Mediterranean mezes infused with locally foraged California herbs and aromatics forge the perfect blend of east-meets-west. Located in San Francisco’s historic Presidio Main Post, it’s Dalida.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> When people walk into Dalida… We have some… we just want them to feel that they’re welcome. You guys doing the tasting?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Bon appétit, guys.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> All right. Coming from Mexico and Turkey… we’re trying to build something unique with the food and the culture and the hospitality. This is the baklava.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> We call our cuisine Eastern Mediterranean. So it’s really centered around this idea of a cosmopolitan Istanbul that celebrated all the cultures, Greek and Ladino and Armenian, along with Turkish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> People can relate to that in San Francisco because we are a melting pot of cultures. Having a restaurant inside the Presidio is just magical. We are in the community garden where we pick all our beautiful herbs for Dalida.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> There’s rose geranium, lemon verbena, pineapple sage growing wild here.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Well, now you put one on your shirt. One of my favorite things that I pick from the garden — the nasturtium flowers. We fill them almost like a dolma, we tempura fry, and then we also serve it with a yogurt made with the leaves.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> It’s been really, really cool to be able to capture the essence of the Presidio, the aromas of the Presidio, in the dishes. The chubby pitas are Laura’s recipe, and they’re named after me — chubby pitas.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> After my chubby husband.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> So it’s my legacy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[Chuckles]\u003c/em> That’s right.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Laura Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> Oh, my God. The pita is delicious. I think just by having that freshness that comes from the oven to the table in about a minute, a minute and a half, it makes a huge difference.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> One of the things that makes me very happy is, you know, bringing people together. It is something that we’ve always been really passionate about, and really seeing it manifest itself in the dining room is one of the most rewarding feelings. And people actually get frustrated a little bit. They’re like, “Oh, my God. There’s so many good things on the menu, and I cannot experience everything in one visit.” Then come back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, Roland, is it Dalida that you love, or is it the location that you really love?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> It’s definitely two-for-one because the location is beautiful on a sunny, even foggy day in San Francisco, which I love. This is a great restaurant. It’s Middle Eastern Mediterranean cuisine, and usually when I go to a new restaurant, I ask, “What do you recommend?” And the first thing that they said was the breaking bread. And it comes out immediately — the fresh, perfectly warm pita. It’s decked with three dips. You have classic hummus, then you have your smoked yogurt, and then my favorite, which is the roasted red pepper. And it comes with some almonds on top, which, when you put that with the pita, it’s just a perfect bite with the texture.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Luciana, you’re saying…\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Oh, my gosh. Roland, you’re taking me back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> I’m getting hungry now.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> It was so good.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah. So we did the same thing. So it’s exactly as you described. It’s warm, it’s pillowy, it’s soft. And it’s just the perfect vehicle for all of those dips and spreads.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay, after bread, where did you go next?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So from there, we went to the arayes burger. And if you didn’t have enough pita, there’s more pita on the arayes burger. So it’s basically a kebab-stuffed pita with great spices. It’s also grilled with some chives. Once you take a bite, it’s so tender, it’s juicy, and you see the juices just ooze to the bottom of the pita. And you can just have that last tasteful bite.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Now, were you pita-ed out at that point?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Absolutely not, and I wish I had ordered the burger now that you’ve described it, Roland. But I’ll go back for that. We actually had a different dish that also had a different kind of pita. It was a much thinner pita. It was the Çöp Sis, which are skewers with short rib and sweetbreads, which are generally not something that a lot of people love, but I do. But the bread was served over the skewers, which was an interesting way to serve it, and it kept the skewers warm until we were ready to eat them. And that was really delicious.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Yeah, well, I was excited to find out that the lamb is halal at this restaurant. And so because I only eat halal meat, I was like, “I’m ordering the lamb.” So I actually went with one of their pasta-esque dishes. It was a lamb manti. And these manti were really tiny and so cute. I’ve never had a pasta like that. It was served in a red sauce with some sort of yogurt in the middle that balanced out the acidity, and it was a delicious bowl of food. It was very hearty and warm.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> We also ordered the 12-hour lamb shoulder tandoor. It comes with some braised chickpeas. And also you got to have some greens on the dish, so it comes with mustard greens as well. Once you take a bite of it, it’s just very rich, melts in your mouth, 12 hours to cook that. They have so much precision and just mastered their creativity with the art that they’re presenting, which is the food.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We had the kibbe, which is also something that we enjoy a lot in Brazil. And so I like the flavors of kibbe, and I was not disappointed. This was a really good one. Its meat that has been ground and mixed with grains, with bulgur wheat, and then shaped into a little fun shape. And it comes with a dip, which is sort of a yogurty, yummy, sweet-and-savory dip.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> I also had the shoestring fries, and whenever I see fries on a menu, I have to have the French fries. They were thinly sliced, perfectly crisp, and they were seasoned, which I really love in a seasoned fry. And then it came with a dipping aioli which had a little bit of spice to it. They were delicious. It was a nice way to complement the rest of the meal and just, you know, have some French fries on the side.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about dessert?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So… oh, man, the choices were endless. And you can kind of see the flavors from the Mediterranean and from Central America, Latin America on the dessert menu because you have your tres leches and your rice pudding, but you have to go with the traditional baklava. But the nice thing about this — it’s deconstructed. You have your pistachio cream, you have pistachios on top of the puff pastry for the baklava, and also adds raspberry cream sauce at the bottom, and it’s just drizzled all over the plate. And unfortunately, I had to share with my girlfriend, so that entire bite was just mesmerizing and hit my sweet tooth very well.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> We had a different dessert, which was the gata tart, and it’s an almond-based cross between a cake and a tart, and it comes with a side of honey ice cream, and it was just a perfect way to end the meal.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Okay. Sweet tooth?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Of course. And I did not share, unlike you, Roland. So I ordered the chocolate muhallebi, and it was a chocolate pudding. It had a Turkish coffee whipped cream with some hazelnuts on top. Delicious. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciate for a dessert. But the real star of the show was a drink. It was a wild pistachio coffee, but it’s not coffee.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> So this is the wild pistachio berries.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> So they take pistachios, and they treat them like they would a coffee bean. They roast them, they grind them, and they turn it into almost like a warm nut milk. It was fantastic. I’ve never had something like that before. And just for that alone, I would go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Speaking of drinks, I mean, Dalida has a commitment to an extensive cocktail program and really one of the best wine lists I’ve seen. Did you have anything to drink with your meal?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Absolutely, yes. So we had the pleasure of sitting at the bar because it was impossible to get a reservation. 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Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> What about service?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So we were lucky enough when the dessert came, Chef Laura Ozyilmaz presented the dessert for us. I was like, “That’s Chef Laura,” in my mind. And then I told everyone.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> She was also on “Top Chef.”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Exactly, which, it’s a great show.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> It’s better to be on “Check, Please!”\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> For sure. 100%, 100%. So it was great seeing Chef Laura, seeing the team just work together. And it was just a beautiful experience.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Absolutely. It felt like a well-oiled machine. There were no snags and no snafus. 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My sister Gabriela — she runs the kitchen.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fernando Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Butter and garlic.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> My younger brother Fernando runs operation of the restaurant here. They call us the Burrito Brothers.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> So my parents started in 1972. We grew up going to all the vineyards selling burritos. My dad would make the burritos at the restaurant, and then we’d go out to the vineyards and he’d sell them out of a van. The only reason we went to school was because my mom made us. My father would have had us working, I swear. Seriously.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Fernando Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> This is a butter-and-garlic shrimp with the rice and beans.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Our parents wanted to bring some part of Jalisco in our food. These are all their recipes. It was just basic what you call antojitos, enchiladas, flautas, sopitos.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Our shrimp dishes, fish tacos. Our burritos are massive. Like five people can eat off one burrito. The distinct burrito for us is the wet burrito. The sauce is — it’s smothered in our homemade gravy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> My parents did not just make a green sauce. They made a chile verde sauce with a lot of ingredients that gave it a lot of taste.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> And the red sauce is made from the broth of the chicken that we cook. Everything’s fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Everything’s made daily.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Good ingredients, and we don’t have a walk-in, so we don’t have stuff sitting around.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Food doesn’t sit around because it doesn’t last long.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> It’s fresh.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> Yeah.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Carlos Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> We’re still old-school. This is old-school Napa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Daniel Villaseñor:\u003c/strong> The nice thing about our restaurant is the range of people, from the farm worker coming in, and you would see one of the Mondavis here. I mean, we love the community. We have people that have been eating here for 40-plus years.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Together:\u003c/strong> Buen provecho.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Luciana, what’s unique about this spot is it’s been going for 50 years. That is something.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> It really is, Leslie. And, you know, it really is unpretentious Mexican comfort food is the best way I can describe it. My husband and I really enjoy their generous, extensive menu, but we also have honed in on a couple of dishes that are our tried-and-true ones. And we always get the plato de carne with carne asada, and it comes with your choice of corn or flour tortillas. It comes with a side of black beans, pinto beans, or refried beans, Spanish rice with a little cheese on top. Most recently, I discovered the fish tacos, which are delicious and fresh and actually a fairly healthy dish because it’s a grilled piece of fish. I get mine on a flour tortilla, on a bed of lettuce that’s shredded and chopped tomatoes, and it comes with a side of the rice and the beans. And it’s just a really nice, fresh lunch.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right. What about you, Roland?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> So I actually got the fish tacos, also. And you can just tell that the fish was grilled immediately right when you ordered it. It’s just a fresh bite with pico de gallo. And I got mine also with flour tortillas, so it was delicious. As well, I got the especial of the day. It was Maria’s enchiladas, and Maria’s enchiladas was a spicy green sauce with tangy crema, some Spanish rice, and frijoles. So I felt at home. Once you walked in, it felt like my tia’s house with all the decor, with all the art. So it was a great meal. And then, of course, I had to get the horchata. The horchata was so good. My grandma and I used to make horchata growing up.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Really?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Very nostalgic for me. Rich, creamy, milky, cinnamony, rice. It’s the perfect drink for a hot day in Napa.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So they also have these delicious chips and salsa and guac, and you can get them from the case. You can get them to go, or you can get them for the table. It’s a really generous portion, like all the other portions, and it just goes down way too easy.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> Did you have those?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> No, I actually didn’t have the chips and salsa, but I did start with their chile relleno. It was good. It was a chile, and it was stuffed with a bunch of cheese, battered, and deep fried, and it had some sort of tomato sauce around it. I thought it could have had a little bit more oomph in the flavor, but it was a nice first-appetizer type of portion.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I agree. It’s a good option for vegetarians or people who really want to keep it light.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> But the star of the show for me were their camarones a la diabla. Again with the spicy food. I have to order something with chilies on the menu. It was really, for me, a solid plate of food. It came with some rice. It came with, of course, the shrimp marinated in a spicy sauce. It had the beans on the side, flour tortillas, and a really fresh salad. It felt healthy. It felt well-balanced. There were just a lot of nice components on the plate to kind of break up the spiciness on your palate, and so it was really a good, hearty dish.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And what about dessert? Because they do have dessert.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Luciana Duarte:\u003c/strong> So I had to order dessert. And so I actually got their paletas, which are essentially popsicles that you can get from a cooler in the back. And so they have a takeout counter which is accessed through a side door. There were multiple different flavors.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Rolando Aguilar:\u003c/strong> Yeah, I got dessert as well. I went with the traditional Mexican churro, and I had that to go because I wanted to eat it on the road because I was too full. But, you know, your traditional Mexican churro with cinnamon sugar and just a good crunch, a good bite. So while I was driving, I had one hand on my churro and one hand on the steering wheel, and thankfully I made it home safely, so it was all good. But hopefully next time I’ll get the paletas because a nice, warm day before maybe you go to, you know, Napa wine country to start your day, you can have a paleta just to refresh you. So next time for sure getting that.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> And now I’m feeling some type of way about not having dessert. A popsicle would have been amazing. I’ll have to go back.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> And did you feel like you got value?\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Mavish Mahomed-Silva:\u003c/strong> Oh, absolutely. I mean, I took leftovers home — it was such a massive plate of food — and I had it the next day. Good bang for your buck.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Leslie Sbrocco:\u003c/strong> All right, if you would like to try Villa Corona, it’s located in Bel Aire Plaza in Napa, and the average lunch tab per person without drinks is around $25.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Looking for more Bay Area bites you’ve just got to try? Check out “Cecilia Tries It” online at kqed.org/checkplease.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>I have to thank my great guests on this week’s show — Luciana Duarte, who’s very fond of the fresh fish tacos at Villa Corona in Napa, Rolando Aguilar, who loves breaking bread at Dalida in San Francisco, and Mavish Mahomed-Silva, who tucks into hearty Brazilian breakfasts at World Green Açaí Bowl and Juice in Larkspur.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>So 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.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>Cheers, and cheers to you.\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cem>[music playing]\u003c/em>\u003c/p>\n\u003cp>\u003cstrong>Sayat Ozyilmaz:\u003c/strong> We don’t ever feel like we’re working. It’s just, you know, what we do. 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"order": 1
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"id": "code-switch-life-kit",
"title": "Code Switch / Life Kit",
"info": "\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em>, which listeners will hear in the first part of the hour, has fearless and much-needed conversations about race. Hosted by journalists of color, the show tackles the subject of race head-on, exploring how it impacts every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, sports and more.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em>, which will be in the second part of the hour, guides you through spaces and feelings no one prepares you for — from finances to mental health, from workplace microaggressions to imposter syndrome, from relationships to parenting. The show features experts with real world experience and shares their knowledge. Because everyone needs a little help being human.\u003cbr />\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch\">\u003cem>Code Switch\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />\u003ca href=\"https://www.npr.org/lifekit\">\u003cem>Life Kit\u003c/em> offical site and podcast\u003c/a>\u003cbr />",
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"meta": {
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"id": "commonwealth-club",
"title": "Commonwealth Club of California Podcast",
"info": "The Commonwealth Club of California is the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum. As a non-partisan forum, The Club brings to the public airwaves diverse viewpoints on important topics. The Club's weekly radio broadcast - the oldest in the U.S., dating back to 1924 - is carried across the nation on public radio stations and is now podcasting. Our website archive features audio of our recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history. This podcast feed is usually updated twice a week and is always un-edited.",
"airtime": "THU 10pm, FRI 1am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Commonwealth-Club-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
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"meta": {
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"source": "Commonwealth Club of California"
},
"link": "/radio/program/commonwealth-club",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL3d3dy5jb21tb253ZWFsdGhjbHViLm9yZy9hdWRpby9wb2RjYXN0L3dlZWtseS54bWw",
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},
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"id": "forum",
"title": "Forum",
"tagline": "The conversation starts here",
"info": "KQED’s live call-in program discussing local, state, national and international issues, as well as in-depth interviews.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 9am-11am, 10pm-11pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Forum-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Forum with Mina Kim and Alexis Madrigal",
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 9
},
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM5NTU3MzgxNjMz",
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"id": "freakonomics-radio",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "http://freakonomics.com/",
"airtime": "SUN 1am-2am, SAT 3pm-4pm",
"meta": {
"site": "radio",
"source": "WNYC"
},
"link": "/radio/program/freakonomics-radio",
"subscribe": {
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/WNYC-Podcasts/Freakonomics-Radio-p272293/",
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},
"fresh-air": {
"id": "fresh-air",
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"link": "/radio/program/fresh-air",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=214089682&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"info": "A live production of NPR and WBUR Boston, in collaboration with stations across the country, Here & Now reflects the fluid world of news as it's happening in the middle of the day, with timely, in-depth news, interviews and conversation. Hosted by Robin Young, Jeremy Hobson and Tonya Mosley.",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510051/podcast.xml"
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},
"hidden-brain": {
"id": "hidden-brain",
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"info": "Shankar Vedantam uses science and storytelling to reveal the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, shape our choices and direct our relationships.",
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"airtime": "SUN 7pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"source": "NPR"
},
"link": "/radio/program/hidden-brain",
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},
"how-i-built-this": {
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"title": "How I Built This with Guy Raz",
"info": "Guy Raz dives into the stories behind some of the world's best known companies. How I Built This weaves a narrative journey about innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists—and the movements they built.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2018/05/howIBuiltThis.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510313/how-i-built-this",
"airtime": "SUN 7:30pm-8pm",
"meta": {
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"link": "/radio/program/how-i-built-this",
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"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/3zxy",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/how-i-built-this-with-guy-raz/id1150510297?mt=2",
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"hyphenacion": {
"id": "hyphenacion",
"title": "Hyphenación",
"tagline": "Where conversation and cultura meet",
"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. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Hyphenacion_FinalAssets_PodcastTile.png",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/hyphenacion",
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"order": 15
},
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},
"jerrybrown": {
"id": "jerrybrown",
"title": "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown",
"tagline": "Lessons from a lifetime in politics",
"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. ",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/The-Political-Mind-of-Jerry-Brown-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
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"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
"meta": {
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"order": 18
},
"link": "/podcasts/jerrybrown",
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},
"latino-usa": {
"id": "latino-usa",
"title": "Latino USA",
"airtime": "MON 1am-2am, SUN 6pm-7pm",
"info": "Latino USA, the radio journal of news and culture, is the only national, English-language radio program produced from a Latino perspective.",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/latinoUsa.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "http://latinousa.org/",
"meta": {
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},
"link": "/radio/program/latino-usa",
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"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?s=143441&mt=2&id=79681317&at=11l79Y&ct=nprdirectory",
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"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510016/podcast.xml"
}
},
"marketplace": {
"id": "marketplace",
"title": "Marketplace",
"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.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 4pm-4:30pm, MON-WED 6:30pm-7pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Marketplace-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.marketplace.org/",
"meta": {
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"source": "American Public Media"
},
"link": "/radio/program/marketplace",
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},
"masters-of-scale": {
"id": "masters-of-scale",
"title": "Masters of Scale",
"info": "Masters of Scale is an original podcast in which LinkedIn co-founder and Greylock Partner Reid Hoffman sets out to describe and prove theories that explain how great entrepreneurs take their companies from zero to a gazillion in ingenious fashion.",
"airtime": "Every other Wednesday June 12 through October 16 at 8pm (repeats Thursdays at 2am)",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Masters-of-Scale-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://mastersofscale.com/",
"meta": {
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"source": "WaitWhat"
},
"link": "/radio/program/masters-of-scale",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "http://mastersofscale.app.link/",
"rss": "https://rss.art19.com/masters-of-scale"
}
},
"mindshift": {
"id": "mindshift",
"title": "MindShift",
"tagline": "A podcast about the future of learning and how we raise our kids",
"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>",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Mindshift-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED MindShift: How We Will Learn",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/mindshift/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 12
},
"link": "/podcasts/mindshift",
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"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vS1FJTkM1NzY0NjAwNDI5",
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}
},
"morning-edition": {
"id": "morning-edition",
"title": "Morning Edition",
"info": "\u003cem>Morning Edition\u003c/em> takes listeners around the country and the world with multi-faceted stories and commentaries every weekday. Hosts Steve Inskeep, David Greene and Rachel Martin bring you the latest breaking news and features to prepare you for the day.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3am-9am",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Morning-Edition-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/programs/morning-edition/",
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"link": "/radio/program/morning-edition"
},
"onourwatch": {
"id": "onourwatch",
"title": "On Our Watch",
"tagline": "Deeply-reported investigative journalism",
"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?",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/On-Our-Watch-Podcast-Tile-703x703-1.jpg",
"imageAlt": "On Our Watch from NPR and KQED",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"meta": {
"site": "news",
"source": "kqed",
"order": 11
},
"link": "/podcasts/onourwatch",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1567098962",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ucHIub3JnLzUxMDM2MC9wb2RjYXN0LnhtbD9zYz1nb29nbGVwb2RjYXN0cw",
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"stitcher": "https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-our-watch",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510360/podcast.xml"
}
},
"on-the-media": {
"id": "on-the-media",
"title": "On The Media",
"info": "Our weekly podcast explores how the media 'sausage' is made, casts an incisive eye on fluctuations in the marketplace of ideas, and examines threats to the freedom of information and expression in America and abroad. For one hour a week, the show tries to lift the veil from the process of \"making media,\" especially news media, because it's through that lens that we see the world and the world sees us",
"airtime": "SUN 2pm-3pm, MON 12am-1am",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/onTheMedia.png",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.wnycstudios.org/shows/otm",
"meta": {
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"source": "wnyc"
},
"link": "/radio/program/on-the-media",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-media/id73330715?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/On-the-Media-p69/",
"rss": "http://feeds.wnyc.org/onthemedia"
}
},
"pbs-newshour": {
"id": "pbs-newshour",
"title": "PBS NewsHour",
"info": "Analysis, background reports and updates from the PBS NewsHour putting today's news in context.",
"airtime": "MON-FRI 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PBS-News-Hour-Podcast-Tile-360x360-1.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/",
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"source": "pbs"
},
"link": "/radio/program/pbs-newshour",
"subscribe": {
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/pbs-newshour-full-show/id394432287?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/radio/PBS-NewsHour---Full-Show-p425698/",
"rss": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/feeds/rss/podcasts/show"
}
},
"perspectives": {
"id": "perspectives",
"title": "Perspectives",
"tagline": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991",
"info": "KQED's series of daily listener commentaries since 1991.",
"imageSrc": "https://cdn.kqed.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Perspectives_Tile_Final.jpg",
"imageAlt": "KQED Perspectives",
"officialWebsiteLink": "/perspectives/",
"meta": {
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"source": "kqed",
"order": 14
},
"link": "/perspectives",
"subscribe": {
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"npr": "https://www.npr.org/podcasts/432309616/perspectives",
"rss": "https://ww2.kqed.org/perspectives/category/perspectives/feed/",
"google": "https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93dzIua3FlZC5vcmcvcGVyc3BlY3RpdmVzL2NhdGVnb3J5L3BlcnNwZWN0aXZlcy9mZWVkLw"
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},
"planet-money": {
"id": "planet-money",
"title": "Planet Money",
"info": "The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, Meet me at the bar and tell me what's going on with the economy. Now imagine that's actually a fun evening.",
"airtime": "SUN 3pm-4pm",
"imageSrc": "https://ww2.kqed.org/radio/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2018/04/planetmoney.jpg",
"officialWebsiteLink": "https://www.npr.org/sections/money/",
"meta": {
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"source": "npr"
},
"link": "/radio/program/planet-money",
"subscribe": {
"npr": "https://rpb3r.app.goo.gl/M4f5",
"apple": "https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/planet-money/id290783428?mt=2",
"tuneIn": "https://tunein.com/podcasts/Business--Economics-Podcasts/Planet-Money-p164680/",
"rss": "https://feeds.npr.org/510289/podcast.xml"
}
},
"politicalbreakdown": {
"id": "politicalbreakdown",
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