When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, it’s a good core workout. If you’re sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More
Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More
December is almost over - the New Year is coming up and everyone is busy drying off from the rain or holiday shopping. Let's take a look at what's happened this month.
In case you've been TaskRabbiting your way through life and haven't had the chance to leave the micro-loft to stroll the alleys and streets of central San Francisco, the number of homeless tent encampments in town is approaching epic levels — as in Hooverville and Great Depression levels.
Considering how anything even remotely New Orleans-related stops traffic, this is big news.
David Kinch, the chef-owner of Los Gatos' Manresa (which won its third Michelin star this fall), will open a comparatively casual bar and restaurant half a mile away from his flagship and named for the gorgeous neighborhood of the city Kinch grew up in. The Bywater, opening Jan. 12, will be cocktail-heavy, as its bar team comes from some top-notch places 50 miles or so to the north, like Trick Dog, Kin Khao, ABV, and Rickhouse, and divide its menu in thirds: Crescent City Classics (think Sazeracs and other Vieux Carré favorites), Exotic Delights (odes to the city's historical association with the tropics), and a slightly more mysterious Creole Goods. If that sounds a little highfalutin for your taste, fear not, because there will be a frozen daiquiri machine.
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Tue, Dec 22, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Courtesy of Bay223 at Sofitel San Francisco Bay
A Bûche de Noël Transamerica Pyramid at Bay223.
Yes, yes, we know South San Francisco as both the Industrial City (according to that iconic hill sign) and the city before SFO that taxis blindly sprint through to get you to your flight on time. What you maybe didn’t know is that “South City” has a pretty happening dining scene going on right now.
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Fri, Nov 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM
Facebook/ Mademoiselle Colette
Raspberry Mille-Feuille at Mademoiselle Colette
Happy Week Before Thanksgiving! But, before we get to the Turkey Day themed activity, let’s take the SF Weekly (or Google or Apple or Facebook, or fill in the blank tech company) bus down the Peninsula for some dining news south of San Francisco.
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Fri, Oct 23, 2015 at 1:30 PM
Trevor Felch
The Kali Dog at Menlo Park's Bradley's Funky Franks
A hot dog should stick with ketchup and mustard, relish being the absolute maximum topping, right? That is what most of the hot dog eating world seems to believe, being as staunch traditionalist about the simplicity of hot dogs, as ardent baseball traditionalists (often the same people) believe the sport has no right to be played at night.
Oh, but times are changing. We don’t do a double-take at magma lava explosion sushi rolls or peanut butter, jelly, and sardine-topped elk burgers. And come on, the Mets are in the World Series. Obviously we are in funky times.
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Thu, Oct 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Trevor Felch
Mac n' Cheese...and PUMPKIN in Half Moon Bay
Happy mid-October from the Peninsula! The lights might be brighter downtown but the pumpkins certainly are brighter (and way bigger) down here.
Unless you’ve been spending October under a rock or a giant pumpkin, chances are you’re aware that Half Moon Bay is the World Pumpkin Capital, which essentially means the secluded coastal town is to Halloween what the North Pole is to Christmas. It's the place to be this time of year.
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Wed, Sep 2, 2015 at 2:00 PM
Facebook/Calave Wine Bar
Calave Wine Bar in Palo Alto
Greetings from the Peninsula!
Yes, it's a region of the Bay Area that barely gets any attention for its eating and drinking options. But we eat chocolate and potato chips as we work on computer chips! These dispatches from the land south of The City will try to highlight some of the interesting openings, noteworthy bites and fun events for your dining satisfaction. The ‘burbs don’t have to be dull. Remember, unless you’re on the San Mateo County coast, it’s (literally) always sunny here.
PostedByBrad Japhe
on Fri, Aug 7, 2015 at 10:15 AM
Levi's Stadium
Bourbon Steak Backyard BBQ
The middle of August signals the approach of yet another exciting season of NFL football. This year, it also marks the first anniversary of chef Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak at Levi's Stadium. To celebrate the occasion, the restaurant — located at the epicenter of Niners football — is hosting a Backyard BBQ this Tuesday, Aug. 11. Granted, for many S.F. residents, trekking an hour south to Santa Clara outside of game day might be a hard sell. Here's why this event might make them consider the commute. (Hint: it involves pulled pork, professional athletes, and unlimited beer).
PostedByTrevor Felch
on Wed, Aug 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Trevor Felch
Gibraltar Ready To Take A Dip Outside Palo Alto's Blue Bottle
News that a third-wave coffee roaster is opening in San Francisco, Oakland, or Berkeley feels like describing new restaurants as "neighborhood bistros focused on seasonal, organic, local ingredients." Captivating and innovative stuff, right?
Old hat for city folks, but not so for Palo Alto. We’re still waiting for that game-changing chef who can make us start to compete with that other university town in the East Bay. Fortunately, legitimate, top-tier coffee arrived with Blue Bottle Coffee’s opening in Downtown Palo Alto around St. Patrick’s Day. It was the seventh Blue Bottle café locally (there are now nine altogether), but remains the only Bay Area Blue Bottle not in San Francisco or Oakland. Peninsula Pride!
PostedByAlice Dishes
on Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM
Alice Dishes
Steak Tartare from Bourbon Steak
Luminary chefs and winemakers gathered in Silicon Valley over the weekend, at the inaugural BITE Silicon Valley conference, giving attendees the opportunity to sample their best "bite" and sip. A real crowd-pleaser was the steak tartare from the Mina Group's Bourbon Steak. Beautifully presented with homemade potato chips, it was the perfect bite.
PostedByAlice Dishes
on Tue, Jun 9, 2015 at 10:00 AM
Alice Dishes
Mushroom tacos made by Chef José Andrés' team on a solar powered stove.
Chef José Andrés and Kirk Smith MPH, PhD, want Silicon Valley to turn its attention to solving a food-related problem that has nothing to do with plant-based proteins and everything to do with reducing the pollution and health problems caused by cooking over an open fire.
According to Dr. Smith’s statistics, at least 40 percent of the world’s population still cooks using solid fuel and an open flame. This leads to environmental pollution and individual health and respiratory issues for those who cook — often
women — and even their infants, who are often strapped to them as they work in the kitchen.
The duo were speaking on a panel at Bite Silicon Valley over the weekend – a new conference which explores where our food will come from as populations increase, looks at the innovations that will change the way people consume and prepare food, and brings chefs and winemakers together to show off their wares.
Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"
