Tatiana's jacket, originally from Ecuador, was found at L Train Vintage. You can follow Tatiana on Instagram.
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Friday, December 29, 2023
Thursday, December 28, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Sally
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Alan Bui and Sae Du
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Work It, Oakland: Quyen Luong
Friday, December 22, 2023
Work It, Oakland: Demir
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Work It, Oakland: Misty Powell
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Luna
You can follow Luna on Instagram.
Spotted outside San Francisco Museum of Modern Art on 3rd and Minna.
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Tuesday, December 19, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Clara
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Monday, December 18, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Burçin
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Friday, December 15, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Sergio
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Thursday, December 14, 2023
Eat in Oakland: Doña
Enchiladas made with shredded chicken, cheese, corn tortillas, and mole rojo
Calabaza y kale taco (left) made with roasted butternut squash, ancho chile oil, kale salad, pepitas, and crema. Pescado taco made with chipotle aioli, cabbage, and pickled fresno chiles
I cannot believe I haven't reviewed Doña — a casual Mexican restaurant located on Piedmont and W. MacArthur, right next to Pomella — yet. Doña opened in 2019, after owner Dona Savitsky closed her original restaurant Doña Tomás in Temescal earlier that year. (She also is behind Tacubaya on Fourth Street in West Berkeley. Basically, she knows how to open a restaurant serving delicious Mexican food.) I've been to Doña almost a dozen times since they opened, most recently in late November.
I usually order the fish and veggie tacos. The Pescado (fish) taco is made with chipotle aioli, cabbage, and pickled fresno chiles, while the Calabaza y kale (veggie) taco is made with roasted butternut squash, ancho chile oil, kale salad, pepitas, and crema. (Here's a better photo of the latter.) They use fresh ingredients and pair flavors in dynamic ways. I'm usually not one for chicken, pork, or beef tacos — that's where burritos come into play for me — but I'm impressed when fish or veggie tacos are done well. My dining companion really enjoyed his Enchiladas made with shredded chicken, cheese, corn tortillas, and mole rojo.
Beyond the consistently well-made food, I'm always impressed by the wonderful service and atmosphere. This space is huge with seating on two floors, inside and outside, making it perfect for both small and large groups year-round. Next time I stop by I will most likely order the fish and veggie tacos.
Doña
3770 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, CA 94611
Open: Daily 11am - 9pm
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Eat in San Francisco: Asian Box
Chicken Curry Box made with six-spice chicken, yellow coconut curry sauce, potatoes, carrots, jasmine rice, herbs, scallion oil, peanuts, and crispy shallots
I visited Asian Box, a casual Vietnamese street food style restaurant located on Chestnut and Fillmore in the Marina, for the first time in mid-November. They serve a variety of boxed lunches that feature proteins like chicken, salmon, and tofu on a base of rice, noodles, or salad, topped with flavorful sauces, curries, and other ingredients like pickled veggies and peanuts.
I tried the Chicken Curry Box made with six-spice chicken, yellow coconut curry sauce, potatoes, carrots, jasmine rice, fresh herbs, scallion oil, peanuts, and crispy shallots. It was incredible. It was made with fresh ingredients, had a nice contrast of textures, and a dynamic curry flavor. I had no exposure to this restaurant before stopping by and I was pleasantly surprised. It is now my go-to spot for an incredible meal in an expensive area.
Next time, I may try the Chicken & Veggie Green Curry — considering how good their curry is — or Chef Gracie's Grandma's Pho.
Asian Box
2031 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Open: Monday - Saturday 10:30am - 9pm, Sunday 10:30am - 8pm
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Tuesday, December 12, 2023
Eat in Oakland: Panadería Matilija at Xochi the Dog, Cafe
Pan de Muerto
Olive Oil Cake made with verbena custard, lemon curd, figs, and berries
Flan de Muerto made with marigold and vanilla
In early November, my dining companion and I stopped by the Panadería Matilija pop-up at Xochi the Dog, Cafe, a cafe on E. 21st Street and 11th Avenue in East Oakland. A self-described "vagabond bakery by the bay," Panadería Matilija serves beautiful Mexican pastries, cakes, and other baked goods at pop-ups throughout the East Bay as well as takes cake commissions for weddings and other occasions. This was the first time I was able to visit the pop-up and, given the caliber of pop-ups that the cafe has hosted in the past, I knew this would be a treat.
We ordered three items when we stopped by for breakfast: the Pan de Muerto, the Olive Oil Cake, and the Flan de Muerto. The Pan de Muerto was decorated with a criss-cross pattern reminiscent of bones (we visited the same week as Halloween) and a healthy dusting of sugar. It was the freshest, lightest pan dulce I've had and was complemented by the latte I dipped it in well. The Olive Oil Cake was also delicious; made with verbena custard, lemon curd, figs, and berries, it had a brightness from the lemon and freshness from the fruit on top. While olive oil cakes can be too mellow in flavor, that was not an issue with this one. The Flan de Muerto was made with marigold petals and vanilla. Like the pan and cake, this was probably the best flan I've ever had — it was photogenic, decadent, and seeped in flavor.
I will be on the lookout for the next Panadería Matilija pop-up at Xochi the Dog, Cafe. I hope I can try the Peach Tres Leches cake during stone fruit season.
Panadería Matilija
Pop-ups: see Instagram for details
Xochi the Dog, Cafe
1038 E. 21st St., Oakland, CA 94606
Open: Monday - Saturday 8am - 3pm, Sunday 8am - 1pm
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Monday, December 11, 2023
Eat in Oakland: Edith's Pie (Pt. 2)
Caramel Dutch Apple pie
Crème Brûlée pie
Grandma's Brisket hand pie
Although I previously reviewed Edith's Pie — a pie shop located on 22nd and Broadway in Uptown Oakland — in July, it is quite worth reviewing them again so soon. My dining companion and I stopped by on a Friday afternoon in mid-October for a couple slices as well as a hand pie.
Seeking a balance of the fruity and the custardy, we ordered a slice of the Caramel Dutch Apple and the Crème Brûlée pies. Like everything else we've had there, they were both delicious. The apple pie had layers of apple slices covered in crumbles on top and the flakiest crust. The Crème Brûlée pie had a silky texture and was a creative take on an already well-loved dessert. We also tried a hand pie for the first time: Grandma's Brisket served with a side of chimichurri in a beautiful glass ramekin. Although I don't remember the specifics, I know we enjoyed this too and would definitely try all three again.
Next time we stop by, I hope to see what winter pies they have on deck.
Edith's Pie
412 22nd St., Oakland, CA 94612
Open: Wednesday - Thursday 7:30am - 6pm, Friday - Saturday 7:30am - 10pm
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Friday, December 8, 2023
Eat in San Francisco: Gambit Lounge
Left: Espresso Martini made with vodka, cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur, and vanilla
Right: Sazerac made with rye, sugar, bitters, and absinthe rinse
I visited Gambit Lounge, a cocktail bar on Hayes and Laguna in Hayes Valley, for the first time in early October. I had previously seen their sign advertising an $8 Espresso Martini for happy hour, an intriguing offer for an upscale neighborhood.
During our visit, I ordered one, while my dining companion got a Sazerac. The Espresso Martini was made with vodka, cold brew coffee, coffee liqueur, and vanilla and it was quite a treat. Although it was very well-priced for the city, it was expertly crafted. The Sazerac was made with rye, sugar, bitters, and absinthe rinse and he enjoyed it as well.
I would definitely stop by Gambit Lounge the next time I'm in the area during happy hour looking for excellent drinks and great service.
Gambit Lounge
581 Hayes St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 5 - 11pm, Friday - Saturday 4pm - 1am
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Thursday, December 7, 2023
Coffee in San Francisco: Blue Bottle Coffee (Pt. 2)
Black Cardamom Latte
I've visited Blue Bottle Coffee, a third wave coffee chain, countless times since I originally reviewed them in 2014. Since then, Nestle has bought a majority stake in the company, resulting in a global expansion of their stores and products across grocery shelves. I visited the original kiosk on Linden and Gough while killing time in Hayes Valley in early October.
I've been slowly making my way through a gift card I received from there before the pandemic started, which is when I a) would walk by multiple locations on my way to work in SoMa and b) go to work in person. Luckily, I was happy to see this time around that they have added to their menu quite a bit; I was eager to try the Black Cardamom Latte. It was perfectly prepared and had the sweet, dynamic cardamom flavor I love. I've since had it again at one of the two locations on 2nd in SoMa and it also brightened my day.
This will be my go-to drink as long as I have this gift card and I'm within a stone's throw of a Blue Bottle.
Blue Bottle Coffee
315 Linden St., San Francisco, CA 94102
Open: Monday - Wednesday 6:30am - 6pm, Friday - Sunday 6:30am - 7pm
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Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Eat in Oakland: Cellarmaker Oakland
Polenta cheese fries with house red sauce
Hot Pickled Okra
Classic Pepperoni Detroit style pizza made with a cheese blend, pepperoni, tomato, and oregano
Divorciado Detroit style pizza made with half red top and half pesto
Fall Bounty bar style pizza made with leeks, lemon chili ricotta, Castelvetrano olives, squash blossom, and house marinated fresh mozzarella
I tried Cellarmaker Oakland, a brewery serving delicious pizza on Webster and 3rd near Jack London Square, for the first time with friends in early October. My dining companion was eager to try this place, which is located in the old Blue Bottle Coffee spot, after hearing about it for a while.
We tried a few appetizers: the Polenta Fries and the Hot Pickled Okra, both of which were very good. The Polenta Fries were made with cheese, served with a house red sauce, and perfect for dipping, while the okra had a bit of bite I like. Since they're known for their Detroit style pizzas, we ordered two of those: the Classic Pepperoni and Divorciado. The first was made with a cheese blend, pepperoni, tomato, and oregano, while the latter was half pesto and half red sauce. Both were excellent — filled with flavor, made with fresh ingredients, and featuring the perfectly crispy cheese crusts I seek in a Detroit style pizza. We also enjoyed the Fall Bounty, a bar style pizza made with leeks, lemon chili ricotta, Castelvetrano olives, squash blossom, and house marinated fresh mozzarella. It was made with seasonal ingredients that showed off their brilliant flavor pairing skills. We all had our own drinks — I believe mine was a cider — as well as a slice of chocolate cake made with a stout for dessert.
I would definitely return to Cellarmaker Oakland when I'm looking for an incredible meal and excellent service. I will probably order a Detroit style pizza and the seasonal bar style pizza too.
Cellarmaker Oakland
300 Webster St., Oakland, CA 94607
Open: Monday - Thursday 5 - 9pm, Friday - Sunday 12 - 9pm
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Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Yael Hendel
Yael's jacket is from a consignment store and her dress is by Ulla Johnson. You can follow Yael on Instagram.
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Monday, December 4, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Christina
Christina's dress is from Nettle Studios, whose co-founder Alex I've photographed previously. You can follow Christina on Instagram.
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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Friday, December 1, 2023
Work It, San Francisco: Sigi and Ollie
Sigi's pants are thrifted, while Ollie's are from Dolls Kill. You can follow Sigi and Ollie on Instagram.
Spotted at West Coast Craft at Fort Mason Festival Pavilion.
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