ChefsGeneralGreat FindsRestaurantsSpirits/Cocktails/BeerWineaffordable prix fixe San Josebargain pirx fixe menu San JoseChef Robert MendozaDan Phandowntown San Jose restaurantGeorge LahlouJohnny WangMO HospitalityRon BonafacioStrata San Jose
In these economic times, bargain bliss is hard to come by. But look to the new downtown San Jose restaurant Strata, set to open on Wednesday, and you will unexpectedly find it. Relatively speaking. After all, when’s the last time you enjoyed an upscale 5-course prix fixe dinner for $75? With a wine pairing for all of $40 for four
ChefsChocolateGeneralRecipes (Sweet)baking recipes with misomiso chocolate chip cookie recipemiso cookie recipeMiso Walnut Double-Thick Chocolate-Chip Cookies recipemiso walnuts recipeNicola Lamb cookie recipeSift: The Elements of Great Baking
Crisp or chewy. Brown sugar or granulated. Softened butter or browned. Chips or chopped chocolate. Baked immediately or from chilled dough. Chocolate-chip cookies come in all sizes and manners, and we love each and every one. Get ready to add another fabulous one to your repertoire — this one with miso. As in miso-glazed walnuts. “Miso Walnut Double-Thick Chocolate-Chip Cookies”
GeneralGreat FindsRestaurantsWinebest truffle friescertified Madeira wine educatorMark Brightoysters with madeiraPaul CarayasSaison Wine Bar San FranciscoSan Francisco wine barsteak tartare a la Mina
There are wine bars. And then there is Saison Wine Bar. Located in the South of Market neighborhood in San Francisco, it boasts not only exceptional wines by the glass, flight or bottle, but French fare that’s far more elegant and refined than you might expect. But then again, it is from the same restaurant group that operates Michelin two-starred
“Ready for Dessert” has got to be the most rhetorical of questions. Because when it comes to desserts, I don’t know about you, but I am ready and willing 24-7. If you’re the same, then you’re sure to appreciate this aptly named cookbook (Ten Speed Press, 2025), of which I received a review copy. It’s actually a newly revised edition
GeneralRecipes (Savory)Jessica Darakjian recipeSheet-Pan Meals cookbookSheet-Pan Steak Tacos with Poblano Peppers and Corn recipesheet-pan taco recipesteak taco recipeTaco Tuesday recipe
Taco Tuesdays never tasted so good. It’s hard to beat the snappy ease and warm flavors of “Steak Tacos with Poblano Peppers and Corn.” The recipe is from “Sheet-Pan Meals” (Hardie Grant, 2025), of which I received a review copy. It was written by By Jessica Darakjian, a cook, writer, and research editor based in Claremont, CA. Who doesn’t love