Savory tarts
The St Regis, East Bay croissants, Kokkari, China Live, Canyon Club, Alexander Michael's, MORE
RESTAURANTS • The Ask
Since we launched FOUND, we’ve been asking all new subscribers to tell us their favorite restaurant. Thousands of you have obliged, for which we’re grateful. (It’s a great list!) Today, as we prepare to draft the first-ever canonical list of FOUND’s favorite SF restaurants (the FOUND 45), we’re asking those of you who haven’t shared your favorite restaurant to reply to this email and give up the goods. A bonus line or two explaining why you love the restaurant is welcomed, but not essential.
THE STORYBOOK COAST: As the fog lifts, California’s coastal gem comes into view in Carmel-by-the-Sea. The walkable, fairytale village offers unique surprises and secret passageways where you’ll discover vibrant food and wine, boutique shops, local artist galleries, and the iconic white sands of Carmel Beach. Transport yourself to one of the most beautiful places in the world, nestled along famous Highway 1. Book a summer trip [spon]
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Family affair
ANNA NAIDIS PODOSKAYA • co-founder, CPO & COO • Apart AI
Neighborhood you work in: Mission Bay
Neighborhood you live in: Russian Hill
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Every day kicks off with an all-team sync at 8a, and I mean all of the team. We’re a global crew spread across the US, Brazil, and Portugal, so that morning standup is the heartbeat that keeps us all moving together. We’re building AI for family law, helping automate the operations of family law firms so attorneys can spend less time on admin and more time actually helping clients.
After a string of calls with different engineering teams, I head into our office near Oracle Park. It’s a great spot unless the Giants are playing, in which case parking becomes a whole adventure.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
My go-to spot right now is Bluestone Lane on Folsom. It’s one of those places where you sit down to get work done and end up having four unexpected catch-ups before lunch. That literally happened last week. Earlier this week, I was at Kokkari for a dinner organized by Women in Legal Tech: incredible evening, incredible food. And if I’m picking a personal favorite spot in the city? China Live on Broadway. Their noodles are exceptional. It’s one of those places that reminds you why SF is one of the greatest food cities in the world.
Any weekend getaways?
I’ve done the North Bay two weekends in a row now. There’s something about that part of California that just slows everything down in the best way. Next on my list is Moraga, in the East Bay, where there’s a great brewery, Canyon Club, which I can’t wait to return to. I’m also planning to go wakesurfing on Lake Berryessa with Wake & Lake.
What was your last great vacation?
Charlotte, NC. The city is stunning and I’d recommend it to anyone. Two highlights I’ll be thinking about for a while: we visited a gorgeous winery in Bessemer City, Veronét Vineyards & Winery, having the kind of afternoon where time just dissolves. The second was at the Fourth Ward, the historical district with those incredible old brick buildings. We found a gem of a restaurant, Alexander Michael’s, that felt like stepping back in time in the best way. The kind of place that has real character, the kind you can’t manufacture. Charlotte doesn’t always make it onto people’s travel lists, but it should. Go. You’ll be surprised.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Crostini & Java is a to-go for delicious breakfast croissants.
WORK LINKS: What it takes to get a job at Anthropic • So-called ‘soft skills’ are underrated • Why Everlane and Shein are actually a good match • The exclusive retreat where wealthy kids learn how not to blow an inheritance.
GOODS & SERVICES • The Nines
Bakeries, East Bay
The Nines are FOUND’s distilled lists of the best in the Bay Area and surrounds. Paid subscribers have access to the complete Nines archive.
Grand Opening (West Oakland), Melissa Chou’s wildly popular Asian-inflected pop-up’s more permanent home, pies, tarts, cake by-the-slice, pre-order recommended