Chef, Las Vegas, Restaurant, Restaurant Review

Picasso at Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Michelin Starred Chef Julian Serrano

May 25, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

2 Michelin Starred Chef Julian Serrano’s menu is inspired by the regional cuisine of France and Spain where Pablo Picasso spent much of his life. Award-winning Chef Julian Serrano brings his memorable Mediterranean cooking to Picasso. Serrano earned the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award Best Chef twice and is regarded as one of the finest culinary talents in the nation.

At Picasso, the décor of this Mediterranean-style restaurant features a collection of Picasso originals, including paintings, rare tile work and a collection of hand-painted plates. This Picasso originals work alone, is worth a visit, simply amazing to dine there and got to admire these beautiful paintings, without even visiting a museum in New York City or Europe.

The restaurant’s rustic yet elegant charm is reflected in vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams, terracotta tile and hanging pottery mingling with table settings of fine china and lavish floral arrangements. From the scenic lakeside patio, guests can view the spectacular fountain show that performs nightly. It’s one of the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas. It’s a perfect place for any special occasion celebration.

On this visit, I got to tried some of my favorite dishes here such as Foie Gras au Torchon, Japanese Wagyu Filet Mignon Symphony of Vegetables, Colorado Lamb, Poached Oysters Garnished with Osetra Caviar, Pan Seared U-10 Day Boat ScallopPotato Mousseline and Jus de Veau, and more. The lamb and Oyster used to be my favorite dishes to indulge here, not this time, the Sautéed Ruby Red Shrimp, Roasted Zucchini, Crispy Artichoke, Tomato Confit and Piquillo Pepper Vinaigrette got me at the first bite. The shrimp was fresh, the broth was light, citrusy, sweet, yet tasty and full of flavor. I picked up the gigantic plate, and drank to the last drop. This is probably one of my favorite dishes of this spring in Las Vegas.

Picasso at Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas
HOURS: Dinner, Wednesday – Monday 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
RESERVATIONS: 1. 702.693.8865
Website: http://www.bellagio.com/restaurants/picasso.aspx
Twitter: https://twitter.com/chefjserrano

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Author: Manda Bear
To follow her food and wine adventure, you can follow her on:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/1mandabear
Twitter: https://twitter.com/1mandabear

Manda Bear has a passion for food and wine as a very young age. She’s currently with Dep Lifestyle Magazine San Francisco Bay Area, as a publisher and contributor @DepLifestyleMag @DiningOutVegas @FabMediaSF. She also contrinbuted for Drink Me Magazine www.DrinkMeMag.com, Viet Press USA, Studio 14 Magazine, DiningOut Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s a certified level II Sommelier at www.VintageWineMerchants.com on Santana Row in Silicon Valley. She’s also a PR/brand ambassador for hospitality, food, and wine industry, as well as a Social Media consultant for high tech companies in Silicon Valley. She has traveled to dine at hundreds of Michelin Star/James Beard Award winning restaurants around the world.

Chefs, Culinary Events, San Francisco Bay Area

Bite Silicon Valley, the nation’s first-ever FESTIVAL exploring the intersection of food + tech, to be held at levi’s® stadium June 5-7, 2015

May 10, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

For a weekend, the best and the brightest in the worlds of culinary and tech will converge at the epicenter of American innovation, Silicon Valley. Bite has been crafted to be like no other food festival before it – a place where ideas, issues, and solutions flow as easily as wine.

It’s about time that San Francisco and Silicon Valley foodies, get to enjoy their own Food and Wine Festival of their own for the very first time. With almost 30 chefs, 30 wineries, 20 speakers, and all for great cause, this is an event you don’t want to be miss. Support your local Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties and the 49ers Foundation, join your favorite chefs and Bite Silicon Valley to make a difference in our community.

Bite Silicon Valley www.BiteSV.com, the nation’s first-ever FESTIVAL exploring the intersection of food + tech, to be held at levi’s® stadium June 5-7, 2015

Festival headliners Chef Chair José Andrés, chefs Roy Choi and Michael Chiarello, Hampton Creek CEO

Josh Tetrick among culinary and technology innovators

Octagon Culinary announces BITE Silicon Valley, the first-ever event to celebrate and explore the intersection of food and technology, featuring some of the nation’s top celebrity chefs and tech innovators. The inaugural, three-day event combines conference and food & wine festival elements June 5-7, 2015 at Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

BITE Silicon Valley will be hosted by internationally-recognized culinary innovator, James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef and one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2012, Chef José Andrés, who will serve as Chef Chair. “Food is our most important resource, and touches every aspect of our lives – from culture and science, to national defense!” said Andrés. “Chefs need to play a bigger role in the world’s food issues and learn how to harness technology, whether new or age-old, in this mission. I’m honored to host the inaugural BITE Silicon Valley, and to help create an event that drives these conversations to effect real change through the intersection of food and innovation.”

“We’re bringing together the most progressive celebrity chefs, respected thought leaders, innovative brands and savvy consumers to discuss the future of food,” Octagon Culinary Vice President Caryl Chinn said. “Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area are truly the epicenters of innovation, so it makes perfect sense to hold BITE Silicon Valley there.”

BITE Silicon Valley will feature:

Conference – BITE Silicon Valley’s will bring together tech, culinary, business and academic leaders to discuss some of the world’s most pressing food issues.

Keynote addresses will be given by Chef José Andrés and Josh Tetrick, CEO of Hampton Creek.

The Renewed Debate Around GMOs led by Chef and Vintner Michael Chiarello and Dr. Robert Fraley, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Monsanto

The Challenge of Food Waste led by Robert Egger, Founder of L.A. Kitchen and DC Central Kitchen and Maisie Ganzler, Vice President of Strategy, Bon Appétit Management

What Are You Doing to Enable the Planet to Feed 9 Billion People? led by Michael Bakker, Director of Global Food Program, Google and Danielle Nierenberg, Barilla Center for Food & Nutrition

The Story of Loco’l – Bringing Restaurants to Food Deserts led by Roy Choi, Chef, Food Truck Pioneer, Co-Creator of Loco’l

Grand Tasting – The Grand Tasting, held Saturday June 6 and Sunday June 7, will feature world-class chefs and beverage experts from across the U.S. serving up tastes of their signature dishes. Participating brands will showcase their newest products and demonstrate the latest innovative technologies and apps. You can find tickets here: www.bitesv.com/#buyTickets

Cooking Demonstrations – BITE Silicon Valley’s roster of celebrity chefs will share their latest tricks and techniques, giving guests a taste of how technology is changing everything from the home chef experience to how the world feeds itself.

Interactive Workshops – Foodies embrace technology as a way to share their passion for food – blogging and posting every bite, photographing every meal, and creating virtual dining experiences for fellow food lovers all over the world. BITE Silicon Valley’s tech experts will lead workshops on creating, sharing and curating foodie-quality content.

BITE Silicon Valley is pleased to support two outstanding organizations: Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara & San Mateo Counties which is the trusted leader dedicated to ending local hunger, and the 49ers Foundation whose mission is to ‘Keep Kids Safe, on Track and in School.’

Celebrity chefs and speakers for this event:

José Andrés
Veronica Arroyo
Miriam Lueck Avery
Charlie Ayers
Michiel Bakker
Bradley Ceynowa
Michael Chiarello
Roy Choi
Tom Colicchio
Chris Curtiss
Kerry Diamond
Robert Egger
Dmitry Elperin
Kathy Fang
Richie Farina
Anya Fernald
Lisa Fetterman
Marco Fossati
Robert Fraley
Maisie Ganzler
Jake Godby
Danielle Gould
Dorothy Cann Hamilton
Gerald Hirigoyen
Chris Jones
Patrick Kelly
Lucas Knox
Mei Lin
Jordan Mackay
John Madriaga
Louis Maldonaldo
Francisco Migoya
Michael Mina
Ariel Nadelberg
Danielle Nierenberg
Frank Otte
Charlie Parker
Scott Peabody
Charles Phan
Ben Roche
Brian Smith
Ray Tang
Josh Tetrick
Michael Voltaggio
William Werner
Alder Yarrow

To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit www.BITESV.com; for updates, follow us at @BiteSV on Twitter and Instagram.

By Manda Bear
Instagram.com
Twitter.com

Chefs, Culinary Events, Las Vegas, Restaurant, Restaurant Review

Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit April 2015 Recap

May 10, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

It was surely an incredible weekend of food, wine, drink, and social in Las Vegas April 23-26, serving up exciting culinary events at ARIA, Bellagio, Caesars Palace and MGM Grand. This year’s extravaganza features intimate dinners and interactive experiences hosted by acclaimed chefs, sommeliers and mixologists such as first-time participant Emeril Lagasse, along with talents like Gordon Ramsay, Michael Mina, Guy Savoy, Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Julian Serrano, Shawn McClain and Ho Chee Boon, as well as Emeril Laggase, Francois Payard, Wolfgang Puck, and Alain Ducasse.

Las Vegas where more than 30 celebrity chefs and 100 wineries come together to showcase a dynamic weekend of exceptional lunches, dinners, cooking demos, chef collaborations, and experience the amazing Grand Tastings, featuring the industry’s leading experts and most coveted restaurants in the world. And it’s all surrounded by some of the most beautiful hotels in Las Vegas

The Grand Tasting at Caesars Palace is the grandest event of all, with over 2,500 guests. This is the evening that you can get up close and personal with celebrity chefs for the first hour or so, it’s best if you get the VIP $300 ticket, to avoid the crowd, you got to meet your favorites, TV celebrities, Master Top Chefs, you name it, they were there to greet and hand you food. There is no place else can do a grander epicurean extravaganza event for foodies than Las Vegas.

Thank you www.vegasuncorked.com and Bon Appétit Magazine for an unforgettable weekend, no surprise that Vegas Uncork’d was voted the top 10 Best Readers’ Choice: Best Food Festival Winners on USA Today 2015.

Until 2016, let’s eat, drink, be merry and celebrate life in Las Vegas style.

Thursday APRIL 23, 2015

The ninth annual Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, presented by Chase Sapphire Preferred®, began with a splash as some of the biggest names in the culinary world united in Las Vegas. Joined by more than 20 other iconic chefs, including Emeril Lagasse, Michael Mina and Guy Savoy, chef Julian Serrano did the honors of traditionally sabering a bottle of Mionetto Prosecco on the patio of his newest restaurant, LAGO at Bellagio, as the resort’s famed Fountains of Bellagio danced in the background.

A-list celebrity chefs including Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Julian Serrano, Michael Mina and Shawn McClain came together for an all-star feast at The Buffet at ARIA to
put their gourmet spin on self-service style dining. Diners sipped champagne while sampling dozens of award-winning specialties including Julian Serrano’s Spanish tortillas, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s smoked kurabota pork rack with ancho chili glaze and escargot from Michael Mina.

Over at the new Boarder Grill inside Caesars Palace, Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger spiced things up with a fabulous fiesta, fueled by tequila and tacos during their Master Series Dinner. Foodies embraced savory Mexican fare including oysters on the half shell, a variety of ceviche, grilled fish tacos and seafood cocktails while sipping free flowing and award-winning margaritas from the interactive drink station.

Acclaimed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten created an exclusive
dinner at the lakeside patio of Prime Steakhouse, offering guests a spectacular view of the famed Fountains of Bellagio. Guests were treated to an elegant four-course dinner showcasing various cuts of beef which included A5 Japanese wagyu beef Carpaccio and prime dry aged rib-eye, served by Jean-Georges Vongerichten himself and perfectly paired with premier wines.

Friday APRIL 24, 2015

The culinary masters of Wolfgang Puck’s Las Vegas restaurants came together for a special lunch, hosted by Spago Executive Chef Eric Klein, to showcase the many flavors of Wolfgang Puck’s empire at Spago in Caesars Palace. Foodies enjoyed five courses prepared by top chefs Eric Klein, Dustin Lewandowski, Mike Tiva, Jorge Martinez and Matt Hurley, and guests were treated to a surprise appearance by Wolfgang Puck.

Dessert connoisseurs became pastry savvy during the sweetest Master Series at Vegas Uncork’d in Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro at Caesars Palace. Pastry Chef François Payard shared his techniques as attendees enjoyed the freshest, most delicious French pastries, including rice crispies with milk chocolate and crispy
chocolate filo, white chocolate and raspberry napoleons and floating islands with spiced chocolate sauce.

The luxurious Garden of the Gods Pool Oasis at Caesars Palace hosted the ultimate culinary event, The Grand Tasting. Guests experienced the best of the best with free-flowing wines and spirits while mingling with more than 75 award-winning chefs including Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Gordon Ramsay, Jean-George Vongerichten, Guy Savoy, François Payard, Michael Mina, Mary Sue Milliken, Susan Feniger and more.

Guests got up close and personal with Border Grill chef-owners Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger during the fun-filled boozy brunch and cooking class at Caesars Palace. Foodies gathered during this exclusive demonstration to watch the innovative Mexican dishes such as huevos rancheros, homemade chorizo chilaquiles and Jalisco burro as well as intricate libations including sparkling pineapple mimosas, vere maria and blood orange jalapeno margaritas come to life before indulging on the five-course brunch.

Saturday APRIL 25, 2015

Over at Bellagio, award-winning chef Julian Serrano curated a special brunch to debut his new restaurant, Lago. The exclusive afternoon of creative Italian small plates and innovative cocktails included build-your-own Bloody Mary and champagne cocktails along with frittata della nonna, spiedino di salsiccia and biancomangiare.

Cocktail connoisseurs learned to pour like a pro with ARIA Mixologist Craig Schoettler at Alibi Cocktail Lounge. Attendees broke into teams to show off their best bartending skills and competed against fellow participants to see who could shake up the best original cocktail. The winning team’s cocktail will be featured in Alibi’s Cocktail Lounge menu.

Chef Guy Savoy and luxury Champagne house, Krug Champagne, brought a one-of-a-kind experience to diners at Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace. Ticket holders sat at the only Krug Chef’s Table in the U.S., sipping on luxurious Krug champagne while Chef Guy Savoy prepared a tantalizing menu of artichoke and black truffle soup and colors of caviar, perfectly paired with Krug Vintage 2000, Krug Vintage 2003 and Krug Rose.

Culinary enthusiasts united poolside for a New Orleans Style Fish House experience at MGM Grand Producer’s Pool. Guests were treated to craft beer on tap with freshly shucked raw and grilled oysters, cooked to order whole grilled market fish and New Orleans style boiled seafood delicacies.
During the event, students Elsa Sabellano Jenstad and Krista Burdick of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Las Vegas teamed up with Vegas Uncork’d chefs Emeril Lagasse and Michael Mina to battle it out for a $20,000 scholarship during the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Grill Challenge. Ultimately, the grand prize went to Elsa Jenstad of Team Emeril.

Jasmine Restaurant at Bellagio hosted an educational tasting and welcomed representatives from four member wineries from In Pursuit of Balance, Rajat Parr of Domaine de la Côte, Jasmine Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards, Matt Licklider of Lioco and Steve Matthiasson of Matthiasson. During California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir: A Tasting of Balance, an array of wine was served including LIOCO Chardonnay “Hanzell Vineyard,” Domaine de la Cote Pinot Noir “Estate,” Matthiasson Merlot “Red Hen Vineyard” and Hirsh Vineyards Pinot Noir “San Andreas Fault Estate.” sipping on the selected Pinot Noir and California Chardonnay’s from Bellagio’s Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith, alongside Bon Appétit Wine editor David Lynch.

Internationally acclaimed chef Gordon Ramsay gave foodies the chance to compete in a friendly cook-off to experience the heat of Hell’s Kitchen at Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace. Following the cook-off, participants celebrated with a corresponding dinner alongside Ramsay and Hell’s Kitchen winning chefs Christina Wilson and Scott Commings for a three course meal which included a spring garden journey, Kurobuta pork tenderloin and strawberry rhubarb mosaic.

Guests enjoyed an interactive journey through the art of modern Cantonese cooking with Michelin-starred chef Ho Chee Boon at Hakkasan Restaurant & Nightclub at MGM Grand. Diners embraced the special six-course dinner that featured the restaurant’s globally acclaimed cuisine paired with exquisite wines selected by Christine Parkinson, the world-renowned curator of Hakkasan’s award-winning wine program.

Guests at ARIA’s Sage Restaurant enjoyed a sophisticated five-course dinner celebration by tasting some of the most highly-coveted vintage wines, hand selected by Flower’s Vineyard Estate Director, Greg Miller, and ARIA Director of Wine, Kim Wood and paired with farm-to-table fare from James Beard and award-winning chef Shawn McClain, including Maine lobster pave, Hawaiian kampachi, aged ricotta ravioli, glazed veal cheek and blackberry panna cotta.

Bravo’s newest TV competition series came to life during the star-studded Saturday soiree, presented by Buick, at the Bravo’s Best New Restaurant Pop-Up at Caesars Palace. Guests enjoyed a four-course seated dinner prepared by America’s “Best New Restaurant,” DOLCE Italian, with signature dishes such as ricotta cavatelli, grilled octopus and seared branzino.

Sunday APRIL 26, 2015

Inside ARIA at BARDOT Brasserie, internationally celebrated chefs Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Michael Mina, Jean Philippe Maury, Shawn McClain and Julian Serrano created a one-of-a-kind daytime soiree. Guests enjoyed the bountiful brunch that featured classic French dishes including Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s char grilled wagyu strip steak, Michael Mina’s hunters waffle, Shawn McClain’s Maine lobster ravioli, Julian Serrano’s huevos Serrano and “The Sweet French Affair” prepared by Jean Philippe Maury with opera, warm chocolate cake and lemon sensation. World-class French wines, which included a 2006 Domaine La Tour Vieille Rimage Banyuls and a 2010 Jean Follard Cuvee Corcelette Morgan flowed throughout brunch to pair perfectly with the French cuisine and sultry sounds of the live French jazz band.

Attendees’ senses took a trip to Southern Italy during an afternoon affair at Rao’s at Caesars Palace. Frank Pellegrino, Jr. entertained guests in true Italian fashion by serving multi-course family-style plates that featured family favorites such as the beef and pork braciola, Rao’s meatballs, and sweet and hot Italian sausage braised together in a rich and flavorful Italian meat sauce known as “Sunday Gravy.” Perfectly paired with the authentic specialties, guests also enjoyed seasonally inspired libations including Quercerto Chianti and Nuschese Pinot Grigio alongside non-stop entertainment that comes with a traditional Italian Sunday meal.

Over at Bellagio, in the private room of Sensi, Vegas Uncork’d guests took center stage for one final over-the-top social dining extravaganza. Foodies feasted on whole roasted beasts of land and sea, including a whole roasted lamb, ketchup dusted pork rinds, deviled duck eggs and a whole roasted fish served spit-roasted, crispy-skinned, slow-smoked and salt-baked, while giant bottles of hand selected artisanal and craft label beers from Brooklyn Brewery and Samuel Adams flowed throughout the evening.

Author: Manda Bear
https://instagram.com/1mandabear
https://twitter.com/1mandabear
Manda Bear has a passion for food and wine as a very young age. She’s currently with Dep Lifestyle Magazine San Francisco Bay Area, as a co-publisher and contributor @DepLifestyleMag @DiningOutVegas @FabMediaSF. She has contributed for Viet Press, Viet Tribune, Studio 14 Magazine, DiningOut Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is currently contributing for Drink Me Magazine www.DrinkMeMag.com and Dep Lifestyle Magazine.

She’s a certified level II Sommelier @VintageWineSR at www.VintageWineMerchants.com on Santana Row in Silicon Valley and you can find her on YouTube for her “Wine Not” Rượu Cho Người Việt by Dep Lifestyle Magazine.

She’s a PR/brand ambassador for hospitality, food, and wine industry, as well as a Social Media consultant for high tech companies in Silicon Valley. She’s also a former restaurant owner and has traveled to dine at over hundred of Michelin Star/James Beard Award winning restaurants around the world.

Uncategorized

5 favorite Vietnamese Noodle Soup and they are not Pho, in Silicon Valley, Cheap Eat

May 9, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

Follow Dep Lifestyle Magazine:

By Manda Bear

Banh Canh Cua – Udon-like Crab & Pork Noodle Soup

Truong Thanh Restaurant
680 Barber Ln
Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone: (408) 383-0886

When I crave for Banh Canh Cua, and my mother too busy to cook, I come here for it. One of my childhood memories that I vividly remember how my grandma cooked this delicious bowl of Banh Canh Cua, each time I got a cold. It’s a dish originated from Northern Vietnam where my grandma from. Forget about Pho Ga (Chicken Pho noodle soup), I want a bowl Banh Canh Cua. Banh Canh Cua came to my rescue as a perfect hangover noodle soup, this slippery udon-like noodles, I can just slurp it till the last drop of the thicken savory broth.

Banh Canh is literally translated to Soup Cake. Banh Canh Cua is #1 on their menu, they use a thick Vietnamese noodle, similar to Japanese udon, that can be made from tapioca flour or a mixture of rice and tapioca flour, serve in thick broth of pork and bone, serves in the big bowl of noodle soup with crab meat, pork, topping with spring onion, scallion, cilantro; serves on the side of bean sprout, lime, and chili. When Dungeness crab is in season, they serve the whole crab legs for you. My mouth is watering just think about it now. Truong Thanh Restaurant serves it best in the Bay Area. Don’t tell my mother, that I prefer this place, it’s as good as my grandma used to make for me.

Hu Tieu Ba Nam Sa Dec Meat & Seafood Noodle Soup

Vung Tau Restaurant
535 E Santa Clara Street
San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: (408) 288-9055
Website: www.vungtaurestaurant.com

VUNG TAU Restaurant is the most consistent Vietnamese restaurant in the Silicon Valley. After so many years, this is still the most successful family runs Vietnamese restaurant around town. Every time we have relatives visiting from out of town, my mom would take them here.

The majority of the dishes here at VUNG TAU Restaurant are on point in flavor, taste, and authenticity. Dinner serve in family style to share but I love to take some of my non-Vietnamese clients here to showcase the food I grow up with. And one of my favorite dishes here for lunch, is “Hu Tieu Ba Nam Sa Dec”, a dish originated from Sa Dec City, Dong Thap Province, Mekong Delta of Southern Vietnam; Ba Nam literally means Mrs. #5, it’s a common for the Southern families to call their children by the birth order, rather than their names. This glass noodle (Mung Bean) with pork bone broth serves on the side (dry style); the glass noodle is topping off with jumbo prawn, crab claw, ground pork in tomato sauce & a crispy fritter shrimp cake. Serves with a side of beans sprout, lime, and chili, mix everything together, you have a bowl of Southern Vietnamese goodness.

Bun Moc Pork & Ham Noodle Soup

Pho Ga Hung
1818 Tully Road, # 120
San Jose, CA 95122
Phone: (408) 238-2543

Inconveniently located inside the Lion Plaza Food Court in East San Jose, CA, It can be tough to find a table here at lunch time and sometimes or weekend. However, Pho Ga Hung offers better Pho Ga chicken noodle soup than most Pho places around Silicon Valley. But don’t let the restaurant name fools you, PHO GA HUNG offers a whole lot more Northern Vietnamese dishes than just Pho.

1 of the dishes that I love to eat on a raining day, the kind of comfort food, noodle soup that I can only get at home in my mom’s kitchen. I find it here at Pho Ga Hung, their special noodle soup Bun Moc. This underrated light noodle soup is very popular in Ha Noi, Vietnam, while most of us are familiar with PHO, and maybe BUN BO HUE; this noodle soup is hearty and much lighter than other ever popular Vietnamese noodle soups.

This rice stick noodle soup made from a pork bone, pork base, and dried shiitake mushroom broth. The meats are mainly Vietnamese ham/pork sausage – “Cha” (similar to spam), the steamed one wrapped in banana leaves & broiled, the fried ham, and the cinnamon ham, and raw pork sausage mixed with dried shiitake mushroom, serves as meat balls in the broth; serves with a side plate of fresh herbs, and shredded water spinach (Ong Choy), when it’s in season, fresh chili, and lime. This noodle soup is so delicious and somehow, it’s forgotten in most of Vietnamese restaurants in Silicon Valley. If you are dare to venture out of your comfort zone, try this noodle soup and I’m sure you will fall in love.

Canh Bun Crab & Shrimp Noodle Soup

Com Tam Thanh
1150 Story Rd
San Jose, CA 95122
Phone: (408) 278-1888

Another popular Vietnamese in East San Jose, CA, COM TAM THANH restaurant is specialized in “Broken Rice dishes,” but they also offer many authentic dishes from Northern Vietnam. This family runs has been here for almost 2 decades. I love seeing the owner, in her late 60s, she’s always at the cashier, beautifully make up, and has a biggest smile greeting you in Vietnamese. She’s one of the hardest working women and she makes killer dishes like this Canh Bun soup here, that there is no competitors can come close.

Canh Bun is quite similar to Bun Rieu, a Northern Vietnamese rice noodle soup with tomato based but serves with thicker rice noodle, almost like the noodle in Bun Bo Hue. The broth are from pork, shrimp, and crab based, accompaniments with fried tofu, congealed pork blood, shrimp paste, and steamed water spinach (Ong-Choy), chive, chili and lime. The crab meat smashed in with shrimp paste then combines with eggs, it becomes fluffy, and it melts in your mouth when you eat it. If you love seafood, tangy, and hearty flavor, try this special dish.

Bun Bo Hue Spicy Beef & Pork Noodle Soup

Bun Bo Hue An Nam
740 Story Road, Ste 3
San Jose, CA 95122
Phone: (408) 993-1755

The restaurant name says it all: BUN BO HUE AN NAM. Unlike any other Vietnamese Restaurants in San Jose, Bun Bo Hue An Nam only serves this 1 dish, and they serve it real well, even the infamous chef Andrew Zimmern from the TV show “Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern” had praised his visit here. Hue city is famous for all the spicy & tasty dishes in central Vietnam and Bun Bo Hue is a very popular dish here for foodies in Silicon Valley.

My best friend Coco’s family is from Hue City. She cooks Bun Bo Hue for me once or twice a year, if I get lucky, and she cooks with a lot of love. This dish reminds me of her, colorful, beautiful, spicy and full of flavor, just like her. She taught me how to make it, but it would take me a whole day to make it. So Bun Bo Hue An Nam is my best bet in the Bay Area. This spicy Hue noodle soup serves with pork leg, pork, beef, congealed pork blood, in spicy lemongrass and shrimp paste tasty broth, that has been shimmering for half a day with beef bones, beef shank, oxtail, pork knuckles; then pour this broth over the tick rice noodle, topping it off with Hue ham, coriander, green onion, and onion. Serves with banana blossom, mint, basil, bean sprouts, lime, and add a little sate chili to the broth, bring out the best flavor in all. If you love spicy, this is a must try for you.

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Author: Manda Bear
https://instagram.com/1mandabear
https://twitter.com/1mandabear
Manda Bear has a passion for food and wine as a very young age. She’s currently with Dep Lifestyle Magazine San Francisco Bay Area, as a co-publisher and contributor @DepLifestyleMag @DiningOutVegas @FabMediaSF. She was a contributor for Drink Me Magazine, Viet Press USA, Studio 14 Magazine, DiningOut Magazine in the San Francisco Bay Area.

She’s a certified level II Sommelier @VintageWineSR at www.VintageWineMerchants.com on Santana Row in Silicon Valley and you can find her on YouTube for her “Wine Not” Ruou Cho Nguoi Viet by Dep Lifestyle Magazine

She’s also a PR/brand ambassador for hospitality, food, and wine industry, as well as a Social Media consultant for high tech companies in Silicon Valley. She’s also a former restaurant owner and has traveled to dine at over hundred of Michelin Star/James Beard Award winning restaurants around the world.

Wineries

Sweet Triumph: The Great First Growth of Royal Tokaji

April 19, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

Royal Tokaji wine tasting with panelists: Legendary Larry Stone, MS, Charlie Mount of Royal Tokaji, Karen MacNeil of The Wine Bible, Carlton McCoy, MS of The Little Nell, and Royal Tokaji Co-founder Ben Howkins.

I was honor to be here at the Royal Tokaji tasting with the Co-Founder Ben Howkins himself, and panelists for the top celebrated wine professionals in the world at the beautiful Pebble Beach on a Saturday afternoon. There was absolutely nothing I would rather do more than being there in the great company of other wine professionals and Royal Tokaji fans alike, there was about 30 of us here. I got to drink Royal Tokaji Mézes Mály of every single vintage was ever produced, except the 1993 vintage when Royal Tokaji was founded, 1995, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. “We had one tasting like this since Royal Tokaji was founded since 1993, so this is only our second time. This amazing line up of First Growth tasting will never happen again.” Charlie Mount said.

I thought I should savor to the very last drop of this delicious sweet wine, or I can just stare at it with my camera so that moment would last longer. History was made at Pebble Beach Food & Wine this year and I was there.

After an hour and 15 minutes of educational, informative and enjoyable to walk through one of the world’s most royal and historic wine regions, and most notably, the world’s first-recorded first growth vineyard – Mézes Mály in Tokaj. “Think of Champagne, Madeira, and here we have Royal Tokaji , the reason we’re all here now because we want to preserve the legacy of Royal Tokaji .” said Larry Stone, MS.

Wines from Tokaj region in Northeast Hungary, located 240 kilometers Northeast of Budapest in the Zemplén Mountains, have been considered the world’s finest since 17^th century. These outstanding wines deliver concentrated orange and honeyed sweetness, combined with steely minerality and astonishing clean acidity, and they will continue to develop and evolve for decades to come.

“Royal Tokaji was founded in 1990 by well-known author Hugh Johnson and a small group of investors who were inspired after the fall of Communism to restore and preserve Hungary’s precious wine legacy, to craft and age these exceptional Aszú wines. Royal Tokaji ’s first growth single-vineyards (and great-first-growth Mézes Mály) have always been privately owned. Betsek and Szr. Tamás were owned by Prince Rakoczi I and Prince Rakoczi II.” Charlie Mount continued to explain to us about the wonderful history of this wine and the story of Royal Tokaji. I was simply amazed.

In Tokaj, the volcanic soil, climate, indigenous grape varieties, indigenous yeasts ad deep underground cellars, combined with the genius and traditions of their Magyar creators, have withstood 400 years of change.

Royal Tokaji owns more than half of Mézes Mály meaning honeycomb), one of only two vineyards in all of Tokaj to be named as a great first growth in the classification of 1700. It has been referred to as “to be the first choice as the royal table,” an honorable distinction like Chateau d’Yquem in Bordeaux.

Karen MacNeil of The Wine Bible, 2^nd edition is available everywhere in October 2015, was a great commentator, she was engaged with other panelists to have them describe the tasting notes for the audience throughout the tasting.

Carlton McCoy, MS of The Little Nell, in Aspen, Colorado was sharp, distinctive, and edgy in the way he describes his tasting notes, the audiences couldn’t get enough of it. McCoy had worked at some of the best restaurants in New York City such as Chef Thomas Keller’s Per Se, Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit and Chef Tom Colicchio’s Craft Steak. He was named to Forbes’ list “30 under 30,” Wine Enthusiast’s “Best New Sommelier”

Charlie Mount was passionate about Royal Tokaji. He answered many questions and was very informative with guests. Listened to him while sipping the wines, it was a perfect harmony. He was a great story teller with a passion like no other. Charlie Mount is no stranger to sweet wine, when he compared Royal Tokaji to Chateau d’Yquem; I should have know the connection. The first wine he could remember tasting at the age of 5 was Chateau d’Yquem 1971. After years of branding for LVMH Group, he moved to Champagne Krug and helped to launch the Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, and the expansion of the “Krug Room.”

After an hour or so of tasting and indulging one of the finest wines in the world, I got to talk with Co-Founder and Director at Royal Tokaji Ben Howkins about the legendary Essencia, which I got to taste a spoon of it at the 3 Michelin Star Saison Restaurant in San Francisco, thank you to the introduction of this royal wine by Master Sommelier Mark Bright two years ago. I had the 5 and 6 Puttonyos Aszú many times before but this was the first time I got to try the Essencia. I wasn’t sure what to expect then, but ever since that experience, I became a fan of Royal Tokaji.

“The legendary Essencia, produced in exceptional vintages, is wowing collectors and diners alike, especially when it is served in crystal or porcelain spoon.” Ben Howkins added.

“It took about 200 lbs of grape to produce a bottle of Essencia, so approximately 8 lbs of grape over 7 years, to get 1 spoon of the Essencia. The 2003 Essencia is offered in a beautifully designed brass-hinged wooden boxed carved from Hungarian oak, lined with silk and containing the crystal spoon for sipping. The spoon was designed exclusively for Royal Tokaji, enabling 25 sips per bottle. Essencia is an immortal wine and may last for 200 years.” Charlie Mount added on his last note.

It was an incredible one in a life time experience of this tasting with Royal Tokaji. I’m humbled by the experience and broaden my knowledge of this royal wine. After the nine first growth vintages of Mézes Mály, with so many tasting notes for me to go back and remember what it was like when I first smell the aroma of each vintage. It’s something that I will never forget, and something I will pass on to my colleagues, my clients, those that will not have this chance ever again in the history of Royal Tokaji tasting.

So if you love Foie Gras as much as I do, ask your sommelier for a pour of Royal Tokaji with the dish, or if you lover cigars, fruit tarts, chocolate desserts, and cheeses, this royal wine can be your newest companion. Don’t forget to tweet or Instagram me your photo, I would love to hear from you, and I hope your experience with Royal Tokaji will be as good as I have.

Website: Royal Tokaji
Twitter: https://twitter.com/royal_tokaji

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Chef, Chefs, magazine

Interview with Master Chef Richard Rosendale

April 19, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

The 8^th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine event this month, I got to sit down and interview this Master Chef Richard Rosendale at the beautiful Pebble Beach Resorts – The Beach and Tennis club, with the breathtaking view of Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach. Chef Rosendale looks even younger in person, with a bright smile, and warm personality, greeted me nicely at the Dining Room here. Chef Rosendale is a Certified Master Chef, a distinction earned through the American Culinary Federation. The grueling 130 hour cooking exam held at the Culinary Institute of America has a 90% fail rate and only 67 chefs have ever made it through successfully, Chef Rosendale being the youngest to ever pass the exam. The Exam is detailed in the book “Soul of a Chef” walking readers through this culinary marathon that few dare to take. Chef Rosendale is also the most internationally competitive chef with over 55 International cooking competitions under his belt and there will be many more to come. So having to sit down with chef and photograph him at Pebble Beach Food & Wine, I can only say that it’s a privilege for me to be here.

Why did you choose to participate at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine?
What not to love about this wonderful culinary event, with a lot of great chefs, somms, industry people, fans, and a great networking event too. Since I was involved with Ment’or and the BOCUSE D’OR, on this year event, I got to cook along with other top chefs at “The Culinary Olympics, The Ment’or dinner” on Friday and Saturday. Each of us got to cook a dish, and this time, I got to cook the main dish, 48 hour short ribs & Steaks were cooked to perfection last night. Plus look at this stunning view and weather around us here at Pebble Beach, I kind of feel guilty to send my wife the picturesque view photo today.

Tell us about the BOCUSE D’OR experience?
BOCUSE D’OR is the most demanding five-hour cooking competition in the world; I was mentored and trained with top chefs from round the country, including chefs Thomas Keller, Daniel Boulud, and Grant Achatz. I was the USA Champion and earned the right to represent the USA in Lyon, France where we cooked against 22 other countries, finishing in the top third of the field. My experience during this competition was filmed and turned into a documentary called THE CONTENDER that will be released sometime in 2015. I had a lot of fun during my time in Lyon, France and a lot of respects for my mentors and competitors. It’s a great honor to represent my country.

What have you been doing, since you left the Tavern Room Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia?
I’ve started my company at www.RichRosendale.com where I share some of my favorite recipes, offer cooking classes for other chefs as well as home cooks, and focus of our dinner event planning. I’ve cooked for many high clienteles, celebrities, the Dubai Royal family, foreign dignitaries and supervised meals for U.S. congress and the President of the United States, where I plan the whole dinner as an experience that would be memorable for them.

Beside my business, I’m currently involved with the CBS TV Show “Recipe Rehab” http://cbsdreamteam.com/recipe-rehab/ air on Saturday morning on CBS nationwide – Families submit their favorite high-calorie, family-style recipes, chef Vikki Krinsky and myself face off in a head-to-head competition to give the recipes a low-calorie twist, and the family chooses their new favorite. This recipe makeover challenge helps to transform America’s family favorite dish into a healthier meal, approachable, easy to cook, and nutrition dense. We have aired over 70 shows already and counting. I’m glad to have make a difference with the show, just how I would cook for my family.

What would you say your style of cooking is?
I was influenced at an early age by my Italian and German grandmothers. However, a lot of my style of cooking is heavily influenced by my world traveling experiences. I enjoy lighter food, but with nice flavor profile, I cook just about everything. I teach BBQ class to sous vide technique, from a light dish to a world class competition dish, I’ve done it all.

Since you have cooked for some for the royal families, celebrities, and politicians, who is your favorite people to cook for?
My favorite people to cook for are for my family, my lovely wife Laura and three kids. Wish they can be here with me right now at Pebble Beach, but maybe next time, when my one year old daughter gets a little older. And I can’t wait to be home to cook for them.

Thank you chef Richard Rosendale for taking your time from the hectic schedule at cooking for the Ment’Or Dinner at Pebble Beach Food & Wine to sit down with us, all the best to you chef, and we’re looking forward to see you on the road again soon.

To follow Chef Richard Rosendale:
https://instagram.com/richrosendale
https://twitter.com/RichRosendale
http://cbsdreamteam.com/recipe-rehab/

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Chef, Chefs, Culinary Events, San Francisco Bay Area, San Francisco Bay Area

THE 8TH ANNUAL PEBBLE BEACH FOOD AND WINE, April 9 – 12, 2015, Pebble Beach, CA

April 1, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

Enjoy 4 days of the decadent in food and wine with an epic epicurean event, Pebble Beach Food and Wine. One of the country’s premier destinations, bringing together the world’s most revered culinary
talent for 3 nights and 4 days of epicurean excellence. Attendees are invited to explore the three world-class resorts including The Inn at Spanish Bay, Lodge at Pebble Beach, and Casa Palmero, where more than 100 celebrity chefs and 250 wineries come together to showcase a dynamic weekend of exceptional lunches, dinners, cooking demos, chef collaborations, and expirience the amazing Grand Tastings, featuring the industry’s leading experts and most coveted restaurants in the world. And it’s all surrounded by 1 of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

At Pebble Beach Food & Wine, ment’or will present Team USA for a very special evening of intimate dinners and culinary demonstrations as inspired by the prestigious biennial competition. Team USA’s Chef Philip Tessier of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group and his Commis Skylar Stover of The French Laundry in Yountville, CA will design a menu inspired by the “Culinary Olympics” at The Imperial Dinner, the pinnacle of the four-day festival, curating a menu that will highlight what helped the Team win the silver prize at the Bocuse d’Or competition.

Other Pebble Beach Food & Wine event highlights include “An Evening at Maude” as celebrated chef and culinary personality Curtis Stone transports the flavors, aromas, and essence of his first-ever Los Angeles restaurant to Pebble Beach; join Master Sommeliers and winemakers for unprecedented wine tastings with Chateau Margaux, Domaine Faiveley, Kosta Browne, and Penfolds Grange. Meat purists will enjoy a whole-animal “Meatopia” marquee event co-produced by Esquire Magazine’s Josh Ozersky while others will get ready for cooking demonstrations with the likes of Iron Chef Jose Garces, Dana Cowin, or Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto as he pays homage to the quintessential comfort food–Ramen 101. Additionally, the Lexus Grand Tasting, an annual favorite, will host one of the greatest lineups of wine and culinary talent since its inception in 2008.

Opening Night Reception

The 8th Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine kicks off on Thursday APR 9 at 6 PM at the famous Inn at Spanish Bay for a night of unbridled indulgence. The Opening Night Reception features delicious bites from from 23 top chefs and tasting of over 200 domestic and international wines

Please Note: The bulk of this event is reserved for our Weekend Package Ticket Holders; individual tickets are extremely limited.
Get your ticket now!

Wine Seminars

With 22 dedicated wine seminars over the course of the weekend, Pebble Beach Food and Wine is the perfect place for the true wine connoisseur. Whether you prefer to compare a broad spectrum of wines within a certain varietal, discover the diverse range of wines that one winery can produce, or taste how different the same wine from the same vineyard can be depending on the vintage, Pebble Beach Food and Wine offers the experience you’re looking for. Whatever tasting you visit, you’re assured to be trying the finest wines the world has to offer. A few events with tickets are still available: Get your ticket here!

The Best of Beringer Treasures from the Library – showcase the wines of perennial powerhouse Beringer Vineyards, who’ll be pulling from their Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon library to showcase some of the most memorable vintages of the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s. Known for Cabernets that balance power with finesse, Beringer Vineyards extensive winemaking experience and exceptional vineyard sources result in some of California’s very best bottles.

Champagne Billecart The Epitome of Effervescent Excellence – True Champagne connoisseurs know that the mark of a great house is excellence across its entire portfolio of bubbles, not just in its most luxurious tête de cuvée blends. Here at the Eighth Annual Pebble Beach Food & Wine, showcases the wines of Champagne Billecart, which for many, is the benchmark for effervescent integrity. Led by Geoffrey Loisel, we’ll taste across the spectrum of sparkling wines made by this Mareuil-sur-Ay house, one of the last that remains family-owned among the Champenoise. Join us for a truly exceptional afternoon of sparkling magic!

Penfolds and the Pinnacle of Australian Wine – Penfolds celebrates a strong winemaking heritage built over 170 years and has become one of Australia’s oldest and most esteemed houses. While it produces a dizzying array of award-winning wines from a variety of grapes, its reputation is firmly based on powerhouse reds like Grange and St. Henri, where the shiraz grape arguably reaches its New World zenith. Special featured Penfolds’ Winemaking Ambassador, and long-time friend to Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Mr. DLynn Proctor, as he guides us through an unparalleled tour of Penfolds’ finest.

Rock Stars of Pinot Kosta Browne – For anyone who’s ever dreamed big, the story of Dan Kosta and Michael Browne’s unlikely ascent from waiters to winemakers is particularly inspiring. Based in Sebastopol, this duo’s phenomenal success with pinot noir has made Kosta Browne an iconic brand in just over a decade’s time. Highly collectible and hotly coveted, the wines of Kosta Browne will be presented by Dan Kosta in this ‘only at Pebble Beach’ event.

Cooking Demonstrations

Pebble Beach Food and Wine is your opportunity to learn cooking techniques and skills directly from renowned chefs like Curtis Stone, Masaharu Morimoto, Jose Garces and Kevin Gillespie. Each chef will give a demonstration that shows off his or her unique skills, providing you with insights you can use in your own kitchen.

Lunches

Experience extravagant cuisine in exquisite restaurants with exceptional views of the Pacific coastline and the famed golf courses of Pebble Beach. Celebrity chefs unite to create delectable lunches, each one united around a specific theme. Your wine (or, in the case of the Best of Belgium lunch, beer) will, of course, be perfectly matched to your meal.

Dinners

Dinners at Pebble Beach Food and Wine provide the best in fine dining. Whether your meal showcases “A Taste of The Big Apple” or “Beauties & Their Beasts” you are sure to have the ultimate gastronomic experience.

Lexus Grand Tastings

The Lexus Grand Tasting Tent at Pebble Beach Food & Wine is the weekend’s most spectacular opportunity for maximum culinary indulgence. With over 300 wines from top-notch producers from around the world to a “who’s who” list of 30 top celebrity chefs, this is your chance to mingle, mix and sip with the very best in the field. As always, there will be opportunities for book signings and photo moments with many of the weekend’s biggest and brightest names, so buy your tickets early as this extravaganza sells out each year. Package Guests get VIP access 30 minutes early.

Happy Hours

After Hours v.1-01 At Pebble Beach Food & Wine, the partying continues for our select group of celebrity chefs, winemakers, sommeliers and industry influencers who dance quite literally until dawn.

Please Note: This is a private, invitation-only event.

Tickets

Major partners for this year’s event will include FOOD & WINE, Lexus, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, as well as more to be announced. Tickets or gift certificates are now available and may be
purchased a la carte or as a weekend package, with prices ranging from $100 to $4,750 for a VIP, all inclusive four-day pass including
Lexus transportation and access to exclusive celebrity chef and winemaker after-hours parties.

Three total weekend packages are available. Tickets can be purchased at: Pebble Beach Food and Wine website.

As some of our proud Northern California famous chefs will be creating special dishes on the Opening Night, dinners, lunches, and the Lexus Grand Tastings, for you with the best sommeliers team; featured chefs Jared Gallagher (Chez TJ), Dmitry Elperin (The Village Pub), Peter Rudolph (Madera Restaurant), Peter Armellino (The Plumed Horse), Matthew Accarrino (SPQR), Justin Cogley (Aubergine at L’Auberge), Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn), Bill Corbett (The Absinthe Group), Lissa Doumani (Terra/Urchin Bistro/Ame), Kelly McCown (Selland Family Restaurants), Charles Phan (Slanted Door Group), Richard Reddington (REDD), Skylar Stover & Philip Tessier (The French Laundry), William Werner (Craftsman and Wolves), and more. I’m so looking forward to support this great cause epicurean event, as well as meeting these chefs, and industry influencers. There’s so much to learn, to explore, and to be inspired. Don’t forget to harshtag us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook #PBFW @PBFW @DrinkMeMag @DepLifestyleMag and @1MandaBear.

Pebble Beach Food & Wine Hotels

Many of the motels and hotels at Pebble Beach are within walking distance or just 10, 15 minutes drive to the Pebble Beach Food & Wine events. Nearby options, search in Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and Monterey also provide easy access to the event with shuttles daily by half an hour or an hour, please check www.PBFW.com website for details. To check for hotels availability here Travelocity.com/Hotels

Website | Facebook.com | Twitter.com | Instagram

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Chef, Restaurant, Restaurant Review, San Francisco Bay Area

RN 74 SF, Chef Adam Sobel, San Francisco, CA

April 1, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

People often ask how do I get the passion with food and wine, beside my parents, this chef was my inspiration, the newest chef/partner of RN74 Adam Sobel (from Bradley Ogden, Guy Savoy, Rick Moonen Las Vegas, Charlie Trotter Chicago, then Bourbon Steakhouse in DC).

Finally chef Adam Sobel is here back to the Bay Area where he first started over a decade ago. Chef Sobel is so talented and cooks with a passion, precision and creativity like no other chefs of his age that I know. He is also the winner of GRAND COCHON 2013 in Aspen Food & Wine Classic – he’s now the KING OF PORC.

Thanks to the recent law changed in California, we once again get to enjoy Foie Gras. Chef Sodel’s latest dish, Foie Gras Torchon with toasted brioche, garniture de saison, with Perigord black truffles topping; It’s so decadent, so worth it, oh Foie Gras how I missed you so.

Taking its name from the highway, Route Nationale 74, which runs directly through the Burgundy region of France, RN74 is a wine-centric French inspired restaurant. They have the best Burgundy and Champagne list in San Francisco. RN74’s menus are clearly inspired by the wine program; built on a foundation of regional French cuisine, yet market driven with refined, modern American influences. Executive Chef Adam Sobel, recently crowned “King of Porc” at Grand Cochon 555, brings an exciting flair and strong identity to the kitchen of RN74.

RN74 San Francisco
301 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: 415.543.7474

Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm
Wine Bar: Mon-Fri 11:30-close // Sat-Sun 5pm-close
Dinner: Sun-Thu 5:30pm-10pm // Fri-Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm
RN74 Twitter // Facebook
Chef Adam Sobel Twitter

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Chef, Restaurant, Restaurant Review, San Francisco Bay Area

Alexander’s Steakhouse SF, Chef Marc Zimmerman, San Francisco, CA

April 1, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

The best steakhouse in the Bay Area, the Japanese Wagyu meat selection here is unbelievable. They have an amazing wine list, an exquisite cocktails list, and always impeccable service here. Chef Marc Zimmerman, a CIA graduate, staging in a few of the most respected restaurants in New York City – Craft, Le Bernardin, and Café Gray. Later he worked at Lutece, in the Venetian, Nobu Matsuhisa and Takashi Yagihashi. He became part of the opening team for Guy Savoy, also Las Vegas. Then he’s now the executive chef at Alexander’s Steakhouse in San Francisco for the last few years.

The dish that I always get when I’m here is the ‘Braised oxtail marrow toasted brioche, 1000 island, and uni topping it off’, if this mouthwatering dish doesn’t get you fall in love at the first bite, I don’t know what does!

Located in the SOMA district of the city near AT&T Park, Alexander’s Steakhouse is a welcome addition to the city dining scene offering a fine dining interpretation of the classic American steakhouse with hints of Japanese influence throughout the menu. Featuring a variety of classic cuts such as Porterhouse, T-bone and New York, they specialize in Certified Angus Beef grain-fed from the Mid-West.

They also highlight dry-aged steaks and offer the finest and most luxurious products available including a tasting menu by chef Marc Zimmerman and an award winning wine list designed by Sommelier, Johnny Slamon.

ALEXANDER’S STEAKHOUSE SAN FRANCISCO
448 Brannan Street,
San Francisco, CA 94107

Opening Hours:
Monday ~ Thursday: 5:30pm to 9:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Sunday 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Alexander’s Steakhouse: Twitter // Facebook
Chef Marc Zimmerman Twitter

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

Chef, Restaurant, Restaurant Review, San Francisco Bay Area

Hakkasan Restaurant, Chef Ho Chee Boon, San Francisco, CA

April 1, 2015 DepLifestyleMag

Hakkasan is beautifully designed, gorgeous spaces, some private dining room for events. This happening Cantonese restaurant offers extensive wine and cocktail list. Hakkasan offers lunch and dinner menu. They are both equally impressive. For lunch, if you think of Dim Sum in China Town, think again. Hakkasan is not your typical Cantonese cuisine restaurant, to say the least. Chef Ho Chee Boon is Hakkasan’s International Executive Chef responsible for new openings and menu development around the world, with a particular focus on creating new dishes for specific locations using the finest local ingredients.

Beside the Dim Sum dishes, you must try the ‘Maine Loster Soup with enoki mushroom and whiskey’ here, presented beautifully in a baby blue ceramic bowl, the soup is rich in flavor, a little thicker, creamier, and just lingering in your mouth, The lobster is generous and the perfectly cook. This lobster soup is my go to on a cold evening in the city. It’s 1 of the best lobster soups I’ve ever tried.

Don’t forget to say hello to the General Manager Charles Chen, he’s 1 of the many reasons why this Hakkasan San Fancisco has become such a hot spot in town.

Hakkasan San Francisco overlooks the bustling Market and Geary Streets, and benefits from natural light during the day and softly-lit hand-blown glass pendants at night, with an impressive bronze V-shaped bar as the restaurant’s centre piece.

Featuring two private dining rooms, the menu includes Hakkasan signature dishes as well as an extensive tea menu and innovative cocktails made with hand-pressed juices.

Hakkasan San Francisco is open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner, with extended brunch hours on Saturdays.

HAKKASAN
1 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 829-8148
11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:30 – 11:00 pm
Lunch: Tuesday – Sunday 11:30am – 2:30pm
Bar5: Monday – Saturday 2:30pm – 5:00pm
Dinner: Monday – Wednesday 5:00pm – 10:00pm //
Thursday – Saturday 5:00pm – 11:00pm

Twitter // Facebook

by Manda Bear – Twitter | Instagram

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Banh Canh Cua – Udon-like Crab & Pork Noodle Soup

Hu Tieu Ba Nam Sa Dec Meat & Seafood Noodle Soup

Bun Moc Pork & Ham Noodle Soup

Canh Bun Crab & Shrimp Noodle Soup

Bun Bo Hue Spicy Beef & Pork Noodle Soup

Three total weekend packages are available. Tickets can be purchased at: Pebble Beach Food and Wine website.

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