Eat in Santa Monica: Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

The Godmother made with prosciutto, ham, capi cola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and Provolone cheese 


The Meatball sandwich made with homemade meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and parmesan cheese

While visiting Los Angeles in December, we stopped by Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery on Lincoln and Broadway in Santa Monica for lunch. I've been a couple times before, but it had been a few years.

At Italian delis, I seem to veer towards hot sandwiches that are often entrees put between two slices of bread. This time I went for a classic: the Meatball sandwich. It was made with homemade meatballs, spaghetti sauce, and parmesan cheese — everything I want in a meatball sandwich. My dining companion tried The Godmother, a signature sandwich made with prosciutto, ham, capi cola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and Provolone cheese. He enjoyed it as well.

Beyond the great service, no wait (maybe we were lucky), and fair prices, I also really like exploring the grocery part of Bay Cities. We picked up a few options for our stay in town: meatballs and sauce, pasta, mozzarella, and some sweets for good measure.

Next time I'm in the area I will definitely stop by for lunch, maybe trying another hot sandwich like the Eggplant Parm or Sausage.

Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery

Website | Yelp

1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401

Open: Wednesday - Sunday 9am - 6pm

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Eat in West Hollywood: Marco's Trattoria

Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad with caramelized onions, tomato, and balsamic vinegar


Chicken Picata with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables


Frutti di Mare with shrimp, clams, scallops, and calamari

Marco's Trattoria serves traditional Italian food in the heart of West Hollywood.

When I visited for the first time with my family last month, I tried the Frutti di Mare. This linguine dish came with all the seafood you could ask for, including shrimp, clams, scallops, and calamari. The sauce was tasty and the seafood was fresh and plentiful. It's the perfect dish for fans of seafood and Italian cooking alike.

I tried a bit of my parents' dishes, beginning with the Grilled Salmon and Spinach Salad. The salmon was fresh and the salad was dressed perfectly. The Chicken Picata was tangy in all the right ways and was complemented well by the mashed potatoes and vegetables on the side. I also had a bit of the Lasagna Bolognese (not pictured), which was everything you want in the classic Italian entrée and then some.

Marco's is great if you're looking for delicious Italian cuisine on Santa Monica Blvd.

Marco's Trattoria

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8200 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046
Open: Monday - Wednesday 7am - 10pm, Thursday - Sunday 8am - 10pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Bettola

Side of Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and olives

Left: Bettola Spritz, made with Italian bitter and sparkling wine, and Lambrusco

Right: Arancini made with saffron risotto, beef ragu, English peas, and mozzarella

Lasagna Alla Bolognese made with ground beef ragu, tomato, and bechamel


Tiramisu: creamy coffee-soaked ladyfingers

Budino al Cioccolato: chocolate mousse

Last October, my dining companion and I were on the hunt for an Italian restaurant for dinner when we stopped by Bettola, a relatively new spot on Clement between 4th and 5th in the Inner Richmond. This casual restaurant combines modern and classical elements that make it perfect for the area.

We started with a refreshing drink each: the Bettola Spritz, made with an Italian bitter and sparkling wine, and a glass of the Lambrusco. We shared the Side of Eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, and olives, which was quite good. It's one of those dishes that makes you wonder how ingredients you've had so often can be taken to a new level. We tried the Arancini, which is a croquette filled with saffron risotto, beef ragu, English peas, and mozzarella. It was both fun to eat and had a nice treat inside. 

For our entree, we split the Lasagna Alla Bolognese made with ground beef ragu, tomato, and bechamel. Although it's been a while, I remember it being decadent but not overly so. For dessert, we had the Tiramisu and Budino al Cioccolato, both of which satisfied our sweet tooth. Along with the amazing food, we enjoyed the expert hospitality and surprisingly quick service. There was no wait to get in and we were treated so well when we were there. 

I would definitely return to Bettola for lunch or dinner, next time trying the Orecchiette Con Cime Di Rapa or Gnocchi Con Le Spuntature. I would even stop by to check out their impressive selection of Italian foods that can be purchased on the store shelves that line the interior dining room.

Bettola 

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343 Clement St., San Francisco, CA 94118

Open: Daily 11am - 9pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Limoncello

The Veggie sandwich made with roasted red bell peppers, portobello mushroom, avocado, roasted eggplant, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, greens, tomato, pepper, pesto, olive oil, and vinegar

In mid-April, I visited Limoncello, an Italian deli and market located on the corner of Sutter and Franklin in Lower Pac Heights, for the first time while catching up with an old friend.

I ordered The Veggie sandwich, which was made with roasted red bell peppers, portobello mushroom, avocado, roasted eggplant, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini, greens, tomato, pepper, pesto, olive oil, and vinegar. It hit the spot. Although I don't remember every detail, I remember thinking it had all the vegetables and dynamic flavors I like in a hearty sandwich. It was prepared with care, was affordably priced, and we didn't have to wait in a long line to receive our food, which is often the case at popular Italian delis.

I would definitely visit Limoncello if I'm in the area in search of lunch again. Beyond their expansive menu, I'd like to continue exploring their market, which features tons of Italian foods I didn't even know I wanted.

Limoncello

Website | Instagram | Yelp

1400 Sutter St., San Francisco, CA 94109

Open: Sunday - Thursday 9am - 8pm, Friday - Saturday 9am - 9pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Stacks

Italian Fritatta made with three whipped eggs, spicy Italian sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and black olives, topped with marinara sauce & mozzarella cheese, served with potatoes and a bagel


Left: Hot Links, Mushrooms, and Onions Skillet made with potatoes and cheddar-jack cheese, served with two fried eggs and a bagel
Right: Savory "Carnitas" Pancakes made with sautéed carnitas and caramelized onions in an Apple Jack BBQ glaze and three plain pancakes

A couple weeks ago I visited Stacks for brunch with a couple of old friends. Stacks is a traditional American restaurant in San Francisco's Hayes Valley that specializes in breakfast and brunch.

Although I was attempted to order the Eggs Benedict, my friend urged me to try something different. I ordered the Italian Fritatta, which came with potatoes and a bagel. Since the portions are so large at Stacks, I only really made it through the potatoes and a couple of bites of the fritatta. What I tried, however, was pretty good. The potatoes were the kind you'd expect at a typical diner, but didn't feel as greasy and heavy. The fritatta satisfied my eggs craving thoroughly.

I also tried a bite of my friends' dishes. The Savory "Carnitas" Pancakes are a pretty ingenious creation. The carnitas are sautéed to perfection and their savory flavor balances the sweetness of the pancakes. The Skillet made with hot links, mushrooms, and onions was also very flavorful. The hot links have that Louisiana kick that'll wake you up on a lazy weekend morning. 

Overall, Stacks is a must-try place for breakfast or brunch. It's priced relatively well for San Francisco and, given their portion sizes, you essentially get two meals in one. If you're visiting on the weekend, try to go before the brunch crowd arrives. If you're on the waiting list, you can always explore the neat boutiques Hayes Valley has to offer within the area.

Stacks

Website | Yelp

501 Hayes St., San Francisco, CA 94102

Open: Monday - Friday 7 - 2:30, Saturday - Sunday 7 - 3:30

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Eat in Berkeley: Smoke’s Poutinerie

Traditional Poutine with Smoke's Poutinerie Signature Gravy and Wisconsin cheese curd


Triple Pork Poutine with chipotle pulled pork, double-smoked bacon, and Italian sausage




Chicken Chili Poutine with grilled chicken, homemade chili, and cheese sauce




Veggie Rainbow Poutine with Smoke's Poutinerie Veggie Gravy, Sriracha, cheese sauce, guacamole, and sour cream

I remember first hearing about poutine a few years ago, not quite sure what it was. It sounded like a frou-frou French delicacy that hadn't quite made it to the States. I later learned that this dish hails from Quebec and is essentially fries covered in gravy and cheese curds. Since I've never tried poutine before, I was excited when Callie invited me to try a few varieties at Smoke's Poutinerie at their Berkeley location on Durant and Telegraph.

When I arrived, I was greeted by Danny and Kenneth, the franchise owners of this location. Danny provided me with a background about poutine, Smoke's, and their extensive menu. He even recommended watching Poutine Nation, a short documentary about the namesake dish. At Smoke's Poutinerie, all of their poutine start with the same base of hand-cut and custom seasoned fries, their signature gravy, and Wisconsin cheese curd. I tried four types of poutine during my visit: Traditional Poutine, Triple Pork Poutine, Chicken Chili Poutine, and Veggie Rainbow Poutine, with a bottle of Jones Crushed Melon Soda on the side.

The Traditional Poutine came with the base of their signature gravy and Wisconsin cheese curd. I've never had cheese curd before, but theirs was really good. The mild flavors of the gravy and the cheese curd blend well together. This dish is perfect for poutine neophytes such as myself. I then tried the Triple Pork Poutine, which comes with chipotle pulled pork, double-smoked bacon, and Italian sausage. It would not be an understatement to say that this is a meat-eater's dream. The pulled pork is tender, the bacon is crispy, and the sausage is tasty. The flavors of the different kinds of pork are complemented by the gravy and cheese curds well.

The third dish was the Chicken Chili Poutine, which comes with grilled chicken, homemade chili, and cheese sauce. The chicken is tender and the chili is flavorful. Like in the Triple Pork Poutine, the ingredients combine to create a flavorful dish. The Veggie Rainbow Poutine was also quite a treat. The fries were topped with their signature veggie gravy, cheese curds, Sriracha, cheese sauce, guacamole, and sour cream. The Veggie Rainbow includes every topping you'd want in one place.

Overall, I had a great experience at Smoke's Poutinerie. The staff is helpful and attentive. They have a fun atmosphere and the shop has a sleek, efficient design. It's the perfect spot for a late night snack, especially for college students looking for a break. I'd like to thank Callie, Danny, and Kenneth for giving me this wonderful opportunity to try Smoke's Poutinerie.

If you've visited Smoke's Poutinerie, what do you recommend trying?

Smoke’s Poutinerie

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2518 Durant Ave., Unit A, Berkeley, CA 94704

Open: Daily 11am - 4am

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Eat in Los Angeles: Little Dom's

Italian sausage, peppers, and smoked mozzarella frittata


Ricotta cheese and blueberry pancakes with maple syrup


(Breakfast) Pizza with sunny side up eggs, speck, mozzarella, and tomato sauce






Cappuccino

Over the past few years, I've learned that brunch can be a hit-or-miss experience. Oftentimes, over-hyped brunch spots don't live up to my expectations. Fortunately, Little Dom's in Los Feliz is not one of them. Their brunch is everything I wanted and then some. Last weekend, I visited the Los Angeles-based restaurant on Hillhurst and Avocado for the first time with two old friends.

After reading about the Breakfast Pizza on LAist, I knew I had to try it for myself. It has a thin, floury crust as its base, which is then covered with tomato sauce, mozzarella, sunny side up eggs, slices of speck (a type of prosciutto), and sprinkles of basil. It's pretty much as good as it looks. It's great for one (hungry) person, or for sharing with the whole table. It was prepared perfectly and would satisfy any fan of smoked pork and eggs. My friends had the frittata made with Italian sausage, peppers, and smoked mozzarella, and the ricotta and blueberry pancakes, both of which they enjoyed. I was also served a great cappuccino.

When we visited on a Sunday around 11, there was no wait, which is not often the case. They've got an old school restaurant vibe and seats named after celebrity patrons like Jon Hamm. The next time I visit, I'll probably try another one of their egg specials like the Polenta and Fried Egg or the Scrambled Eggs Bruschetta.

If you've stopped by Little Dom's, what did you try?

You're gonna need more photos of the Breakfast Pizza in your life. Stat.

Little Dom's

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2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Breakfast and Lunch: Daily 8 - 3
Dinner: Sunday - Thursday 6 - 11, Friday - Saturday 6 - midnight

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Eat in Oakland: Square Pie Guys

The Big Von made with garlic ricotta cream, Italian sausage, pavone pepperoni, and Mike's hot honey

I visited Square Pie Guys, a Detroit-style pizza spot located on 9th and Washington in Old Oakland, for the second time last week. 

As before, I had The Big Von, which is made with garlic ricotta cream, Italian sausage, pavone pepperoni, and Mike's hot honey. From the pools of honey and grease in each pepperoni slice to the ricotta cream baked throughout, this pizza was a decadent dream. Since they're pretty rich, I usually only have a couple slices. With only four slices total, it's perfect for two.

Next time I stop by, I might try the Spring Monkey Bread. If you've visited Square Pie Guys recently, what do you recommend trying?

Square Pie Guys

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499 9th St., Oakland, CA 94607

Open: Monday - Thursday 11:30am - 9pm, Friday - Saturday 11:30am - 10pm, Sunday 11:30am - 8pm

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Eat in San Francisco: sweetgreen

Nancy's Chopped Salad made with salami, pickled celery, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, Parmesan, chickpeas, romaine, kale, oregano, and Nancy's Italian vinaigrette

Last Friday I was treated to a meal by sweetgreen, the salad shop whose Berkeley location I previously reviewed, at their San Francisco location on the corner of 2nd and Natoma in SoMa.

This time I ordered Nancy's Chopped Salad made with salami, pickled celery, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, Parmesan, chickpeas, romaine, kale, oregano, and Nancy's Italian vinaigrette. In case you were wondering, the eponymous Nancy is none other than Nancy Silverton (of Osteria Mozza and Pizzeria Mozza), the Los Angeles based chef who won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef in 2014 and Best Pastry Chef of the Year in 1990. Unsurprisingly, Nancy's salad was pretty good. The ingredients were very fresh and all the flavors complemented each other nicely. I would definitely order this again.

If you've visited sweetgreen, what did you try?

sweetgreen
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171 2nd St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Open: Monday - Friday 10:30am - 9pm, Saturday 10:30am - 7pm

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Eat in Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Mangonada

I've been craving a Mangonada since first trying the spicy dessert at Nieves Cinco de Mayo in Fruitvale in August 2017. Luckily I got my hands on one this past weekend at the Italian Ice food cart at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and it was as good as I remembered. This one had a base of mango Italian ice and was then topped off with chunks of mango, peppery sauce, and a straw covered in tamarind candy. It was a refreshing balance of sweet and spicy.

If you've visited Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk recently, what food do you recommend trying?

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
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400 Beach St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Open: Monday - Friday 12pm - 5pm, Saturday 11am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 8pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Sandy's

Classic Muffuletta made with Italian bread, mortadella, prosciutto, salami, provolone, spicy olive spread, and Duke's mayo

Last May I tried my first muffuletta from Sandy's, a casual New Orleans style restaurant on Haight and Ashbury. Mostly known for these hearty sandwiches, they also serve their own spin on deli staples, like Herby 'Slaw, Pickled Egg Salad, and Pimento Cheese.

I had the Classic Muffuletta made with Italian bread, mortadella, prosciutto, salami, provolone, spicy olive spread, and Duke's mayo. This sandwich was both packed with filling and flavor. It had a lot of ingredients, making it a great lunch option. Moreover, all of the savory, spicy, and creamy notes joined together to create a truly delicious meal that surpassed expectations. (Who knew a sandwich could be so good?)

I would stop by again, next time ordering the Roasted Mushroom Muffuletta or the Pickled Egg Salad Sandy. They also feature intriguing specials like the Red Beans & Rice Burrito, Buttermilk Biscuits, or Pimento Dogs.

Sandy's

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1457 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94117

Open: Monday - Thursday 11am - 4pm, Friday 11am - 5pm, Saturday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

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Eat in San Francisco: Beretta

Pear pizza with pancetta, gorgonzola, and caramelized onions


Spicy Marinara pizza with peperoncino and olives


Calamari Fritti with tomato, peperoncino, and arugula

This weekend I stopped by Beretta, a delicious Italian restaurant on Valencia and 23rd in the Mission, for the second time while catching up with friends.

We ordered two pizzas (the Spicy Marinara for the dairy-free and the Pear for the dairy fiends), along with a side of fried calamari. Everything was incredible. The Pear pizza was my favorite. It was topped with pancetta, gorgonzola, and caramelized onions; all of the flavors complemented each other nicely.

Along with the incredible food, Beretta has a sleek interior and serves great cocktails at the bar.

If you've visited Beretta recently, what do you recommend trying?

Beretta
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1199 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Open: Monday - Friday 5:30pm - 1am, Saturday - Sunday 11am - 1am

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Eat in Oakland: Lois the Pie Queen

Gennies' Scramble made with sweet peppers, green onions, and Italian sausage, served with grits and muffins


Deviled Egg Sandwich served with chips


Super Chick Cheesecake: rum cheesecake with gingersnap crust and rum-infused caramel

This past weekend, I finally visited a place I've been wanting to try for a while: Lois the Pie Queen in North Oakland. This popular pie shop and breakfast spot is known for a wide selection of pies and cheesecakes. It has a modest interior, but seems to always be busy on the weekend.

I tried the Deviled Egg Sandwich, which came with a side of chips. It was pretty good. It was made with more eggs than I can count as well as lettuce and tomatoes. It was messy, eggy, and I can't complain. My dining companion confirmed that he enjoyed the Gennies' Scramble, which came with grits and muffins, as well. Of course, the main event was the Super Chick Cheesecake. It had a delicious rum flavor throughout and an incredible gingersnap crust. The crust crumbled in your mouth, just how I like it.

The next time I visit, I'll try the Sweet Potato Pie or Pecan Pie. If you've visited Lois the Pie Queen, what did you enjoy?

Lois the Pie Queen
Yelp

851 60th St., Oakland, CA 94609
Open: Monday - Friday 8 - 2, Saturday 7 - 3, Sunday 7 - 4

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Eat in San Francisco: Caffè Greco

Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Panini


Cappuccino

Last weekend, after photographing amazing street style at West Coast Craft, I stopped by Caffè Greco for coffee and a bite to eat. Located in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood, Caffè Greco serves delicious Italian coffee drinks, sandwiches, and desserts. 

In an effort to make my North Beach experience as authentic as possible, I ordered a Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato Panini with a cappuccino. Both were quite good.

If you've visited Caffè Greco recently, what do you recommend trying?

Caffè Greco
Website | Yelp

423 Columbus Ave., San Francisco, CA 94133
Open: Sunday - Thursday 7am - 11pm, Friday - Saturday 7am - 12am

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Eat in San Francisco: Accarrino's Coffee & Donuts at SPQR

Peach Lemon Verbena beignets


Cinnamon Sugar beignets


Left: Cappuccinos

In late August, my dining companion and I met a friend at the Accarrino's Coffee & Donuts pop-up that occurs every weekend at SPQR, an Italian restaurant on Fillmore between Bush and Pine in Lower Pacific Heights. I've never been to this pop-up or the restaurant, so I was in for a treat. 

We ordered cappuccinos, which were well-made, and a few of the beignets on offer: the Cinnamon Sugar and the Peach Lemon Verbena. These pillowy donuts were excellent and bigger than expected. The former was covered in as much cinnamon and sugar as desired and was complemented by the coffee well. The Peach Lemon Verbena beignets were definitely the star of the show. They were made with sizable chunks of peach (as opposed to merely peach flavor), which created such an unexpected burst of flavor and freshness when combined with the lemon. It was very clear that they use the best ingredients and know how to create dynamic flavor combinations. 

Of course, we expected to enjoy a donut and coffee breakfast, but we were pleasantly surprised by how much Accarrino's raised the bar for both. I will definitely stop by for coffee and seasonal donuts the next time I'm in the area on a weekend morning.

 

Accarrino's Coffee & Donuts

Instagram

Open: Saturday - Sunday 9am - 2pm

SPQR

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1911 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115

Dinner: Monday & Thursday - Sunday 5 - 8:45pm

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Eat in Oakland: Pizzaiolo

Breakfast Sandwich with a poached egg, La Quercia speck, cheese, braised greens, and Calabrian chili butter

This weekend I caught up with a friend over breakfast at Pizzaiolo, an Italian restaurant in Temescal. I ordered a latte and the Breakfast Sandwich made with a poached egg, La Quercia speck, cheese, braised greens, and Calabrian chili butter. Both were pretty good. The egg provided some protein while the chili butter added a nice kick.

I've also tried Pizzaiolo for a dinner of salad and pizza that was also quite good. If you've visited Pizzaiolo recently, what did you try?

Pizzaiolo
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5008 Telegraph Ave., Oakland, CA 94609
Breakfast: Monday - Saturday 8 - 12
Dinner: Monday - Thursday 5:30 - 10, Friday - Saturday 5:30 - 10:30

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Eat in West Hollywood: Urth Caffé (Pt. 2)

Blackout Pound Cake 

A couple weeks ago my mom and I visited our favorite coffee shop in town: Urth Caffé.

We finally accomplished our goal of trying one of the delicious cakes they always have on display. We ordered the Blackout Pound Cake with our usual Italian Cappuccinos. The cake was as chocolaty as expected and went well with the perfectly prepared coffee.

If you've visited Urth Caffé recently, what did you try?

Urth Caffé

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8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA 90069
Open: Sunday - Thursday 6am - 11:30pm, Friday - Saturday 6am - 12am

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Work It, Bloggers: Tiffany Wang

Tiffany is wearing a t by Alexander Wang shirt via Rand + Statler, Cos cardigan, Reformation shorts, Zara sandals, Givenchy bag, Janessa Leone hat, Ray-Ban sunglasses, rings from Etsy, and Larsson & Jennings watch.

What’s your name? Where do you live? What do you do?

My name is Tiffany Wang and I’m currently based in Nob Hill in San Francisco, CA.

I’m a former magazine editor-turned-insurance broker – a huge departure, I know, and I’m still trying to find that balance between my creative pursuits and my family business. My parents first established Wang Insurance over 35 years ago and have since grown it into a thriving business. My younger sister and I have now been tasked with expanding upon their success, and carving out a place for it in modern-day – and increasingly tech- and startup-crazed – San Francisco. It’s tricky juggling customer service, marketing, social media and sales, but we’re trying our best, and learning more about being entrepreneurs every day.

How did you get into blogging?

I first started blogging regularly when I was living in China and working as style editor of the Beijinger, an English-language magazine in Beijing. I actually find it far easier to write about other people and events than about myself and my clothes (I’m still trying to get more comfortable with that). But I didn’t have total freedom in the type of content I was producing, and that’s when I decided to launch my own blog.

How would you describe your style?

Pretty mutable depending on my mood – sometimes I channel my inner Californian, with flowy linen shirts, boyfriend jeans and sandals; other times I feel more New York, and don all-black get-ups, structured blazers and ankle boots. But one thing that’s consistent about my everyday attire is my commitment to being low-fuss. I tend to shop in the men’s section, and prefer looser, more comfortable fits.

How has living in Beijing and now San Francisco influenced your style?

There were far more occasions to dress up in Beijing – girls generally wore heels and dresses, even just for a night out. Not the case here in San Francisco… I think I’d be shunned for putting so much effort into going to a bar. And so my style has gradually become more insouciant and low-key, particularly when it comes to my footwear. It really doesn’t make much sense to be wearing heeled shoes in a city with so many hills. I now own a lot more sneakers and Birkenstock sandals, though of course San Francisco’s year-round autumnal weather also plays a role in that.

What are some of your favorite places to shop in Beijing and San Francisco? 

Gosh, so many in Beijing. I love Triple-Major (brilliant concept boutique disguised as a Chinese medicine shop), Dong Liang Studio (stunning space that stocks exclusively Chinese labels) and Brand New China (opened by media mogul aka China’s Oprah, Hung Huang, which also touts only wares by local designers). My favorite Chinese designer Vega Zaishi Wang’s beautiful studio is also open to the public, if you can find it (it’s tucked away in a quiet alleyway).

In San Francisco, I love Welcome Stranger, Rand + Statler and the General Store. To be honest, I could use some suggestions – I’m still getting into my shopping groove here since I just moved back a couple years ago.

In addition to blogging, you’ve reviewed over two hundred places on Yelp. What are some of your favorite places to eat in the Bay Area at the moment?

Terra Cotta Warrior for Chinese, Pho Huynh Hiep II for pho, Pancho Villa for burritos, Kokkari for Greek, Rosamunde for sausages, Flour + Water for Italian, 4505 Meats for burgers and The Progress (State Bird’s new restaurant) for a culinary adventure.

What do you do when you’re not blogging?

Checking out new bars and restaurants and hanging out with friends. I’m a huge extrovert, so I need my social time. When I’m not out and about, I’m probably watching the Food Network and HGTV, tweeting, reading about current events and/or Instagramming.

You can follow Tiffany on her blog, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.

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