Dog days
Chez Noir, Post Ranch Inn, Mentone, Mission Bay listings, Lady Gaga tix, Nick’s Cove, MORE
WORK • Friday Routine
Smooth operator
JONNY BLACK • chef & proprietor • Chez Noir
Neighborhood you live in: Carmel-by-The-Sea
It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I usually wake up around 630a and head downstairs, where the morning team is already getting the kitchen ready setting up stocks, sauces, and working on pastry. While they’re busy with prep, I make my coffee and (my wife) Monique’s cappuccino. Then I head back upstairs (we live above the restaurant), give Mo her coffee, and we spend some time together as a family. If it's a school day, I’ll make breakfast for the kids, help them with homework, and hang out for a bit before they catch the bus. After that, I usually head out for my run. The weather’s beautiful this time of year, so I always check on a few of my favorite foraging spots along the way.
Once I’m back, I get ready to dive into the kitchen. I like to be in by 9, so I can check the reservations for the day and start working on sauces, or sometimes I’ll be testing out new dishes. I also go through market orders and try to stop by the farmers market in Carmel on Thursdays. If I have time, I’ll swing by my buddy Anthony’s spot, The Stationæry, or grab a bagel from my friend Adam Silverstein at the market.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Tonight we’re fully booked at Chez Noir, with around 70 covers coming in. I’m spending some time with the team doing recipe reading and working on one of our current pasta dishes.
Any weekend getaways?
Monique and I recently celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary at Post Ranch Inn, and it was just incredible. The views were breathtaking, and it was such a peaceful retreat. When we’re not traveling for special occasions, we love heading up to Santa Cruz for hikes. There's something about the coastal trails and the fresh air that makes it such a great escape. We usually make a point of stopping by some of our favorite spots while we're there — like Mentone, which has such a cozy vibe, or The Emerald Mallard for some great food and a laid-back atmosphere.
What was your last great vacation?
It wasn’t exactly a vacation, but I went down to Los Angeles to cook for the 8 Nights at Birdie G’s. I brought our general manager, Nate, and our sous chef, Chantz, along with me. We had a great time hanging out with a lot of friends, and I got to cook alongside my good buddy Jeremy Fox, chef/owner of Birdie G’s. We ate at some amazing spots while we were there — Felix, Sqirl, Bakers Bench, and Perilla LA, just to name a few.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I recently picked up a Nenox chef’s knife, something I’ve wanted for ages but could never quite justify buying. But when my buddy went to Tokyo, I finally decided to treat myself and had him bring one back for me. It’s an amazing knife, and I’m really glad I finally pulled the trigger on it.
WORK LINKS: The average worker is interrupted every two minutes • Asynchronous work gains favor • Did millennials ruin the service industry? • Report: Raleigh is the best city for job-hunting college grads (SF/Oakland #11) • To avoid burnout, CEOs need to train like pro athletes.
REAL ESTATE • First Mover
New and now
Mission Bay is San Francisco’s newest neighborhood, a 303-acre series of high-rises bordered by China Basin, Dogpatch, and the Bay. Condos rule the area, which transformed from an industrial area into residential as UCSF built a campus in the late aughts. In the last year, 86 have changed hands, with a median price of $932.5K, per Compass. Here, three listings for those with a yearning for the old San Francisco lifestyle with a glossy new sheen:
→ 207 King St, #402 (Mission Bay) • 2BR/2.1BA, 1675 SF condo • Ask: $1.448M • 2-level loft built in 2003 • Days on market: 64 • Agent: Michelle Kennedy, Coldwell Banker.
→ 718 Long Bridge St, #1002 (Mission Bay, above) • 2BR/2BA, 1417 SF condo • Ask: $1.8M • corner unit in the Arden w/ extra-large balcony • Days on market: 12 • Agent: Dunja Green, Compass.
→ 325 China Basin St, #416 (Mission Bay) • 2BR/2BA, 1673 SF condo • Ask: $1.85M • waterside open-concept built in 2008 • Days on market: 99 • Agent: Apsara Oswal, Compass.
REAL ESTATE LINKS: Where to live in SF, microclimate edition • The Mission’s Roxie Theater just bought its building • Commercial landlords resort to cold-call DMs • California Forever plots Solano Foundry manufacturing plant.
CULTURE & LEISURE • Easy Reader
Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience • Davies Hall (Civic Center) • Fri @ 730p • DD108, $99 per
Lady Gaga • The Mayhem Ball • Chase Center (Thrive City) • Sat @8p • 203, row 15, $233per
Giants vs Mets • Oracle Park (Embarcadero) • Sun @ 410p • FC112, $227 per
CULTURE & LEISURE LINKS: It’s kitten season • SF in 100K steps a day • The Odyssey has already sold out in the Bay • Presidio Tunnel Tops opens huge new rec area • Palm Tree Fest comes to Napa.
GETAWAYS • Tomales Bay
Lab friendly
Chicago transplant Matt Alfus recently took over the kitchen at Nick’s Cove in West Marin after a recent stint at Hog Island. Go for the classics, like barbecued oysters from just down the road, clam chowder studded with bacon, and fresh local cod in crisp fish and chips. The burger, featuring Stemple Creek grass-fed beef on a soft brioche bun, shouldn’t be underestimated. All pair well with a bottle of minerally bubbles from the wine list, such as western Sonoma County’s Iron Horse Ocean Reserve.
We recently made a night of it in one of Nick’s 12 charming bungalows, each with distinct personalities. We were handed the keys to the Nicolina, a converted hay ferry that still looks like a boat, complete with porthole windows and a clawfoot tub. The entire property is dog-friendly, and at low tide our Labrador retriever ripped around the beach. By bedtime, the waves rolled in. We lit the wood-fired stove and listened to them lap under the deck.
Freshly baked croissants — delivered to our door in the morning — were a sweet cap on the scene. –Becky Duffett
→ Nick’s Cove (Marshall, CA) • 23240 Highway One • cabins start at $700/night/Aug weekend • Reserve.
GETAWAYS LINKS: In Santa Barbara, Ritz Carlton Bacara completes major renovation • Joshua Tree gets promising new entry in desert music scene • Finest farm stays in Europe • Kimpton expands to Bali • Why do airport restaurants feel the same?
LOST & FOUND • Behind the Paywall