With verve

Clementina, Sam’s Grill, tablehopper, Athens, Basil Racuk, South Tahoe dining, MORE

WORK • Friday Routine

Glorious leap

MARCIA GAGLIARDI • founder/publisher • tablehopper
Neighborhood you work and live in: Lafayette Park

It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Morning? Ha. I’m a complete night owl, often working until 130a or later, so my phone’s on “do not disturb.” I’ve been the boss of me for 25 years, and making my own hours is a major perk. I adore working from home (my cat, Fortuna, is also a fan).

On Fridays, I’ve already sent out my weekly tablehopper newsletter to my supporting subscribers (they get all my restaurant news and insider info first!), so I’m catching up on all the emails and DMs and calls I haven’t answered while I was on my deadline. I’m usually working and writing to the weekly show from KCRW’s Jason Bentley (Metropolis) and disco mixes from my friend, Carrie on Disco.

What’s on the agenda for today?
I’ve been working hard on my plans to celebrate tablehopper’s 20th anniversary this year, which is a huge milestone (especially for an independent media publication). I’m going to be hosting some fun events for my supporting subscribers, and I have a special anniversary feature in the works that only someone who has lived in San Francisco for 31 years could produce. (Yeah, me!)

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
There are a bunch of new openings happening: This past week, I was hopping to previews of TBD Izakaya and JouJou, and I’m checking out the gluten-free Clementina next week. Some recent finds include a Tunisian cheesy wrap on melawi bread at Gada, and the patty melt at the new Goldenette diner on Polk. I’m busy hitting up my local favorites in preparation for my 20th anniversary feature, like Al Carajo, and is there anything better than a booth at Sam’s Grill for crab Louie and martinis? Since it’s crab season, I’ve gone to Lily for their Vietnamese “chau-pino” twice this past month, it’s that good.

How about a little leisure or culture?
My latest crush is recruiting friends to join me for the monthly First Thursday Art Walk. Over 25 Tenderloin/TenderNob galleries and businesses host art openings and stay open late — it’s such a cool San Francisco happening. The eclectic and artsy crowd (spanning all generations) takes me back to how it felt in SF in the mid-’90s. I end the evening with a late-night bite and drinks with friends. A few places open later include Dacha Kitchen & Bar, Meski, Ping Yang Thai Grill, and my forever favorite hideout, Ryoko’s.

I go out dancing all the time and catch a bunch of shows. This month, I’m looking forward to seeing Franc Moody, Fcukers at The Castro, and Peaches at The Midway (which has an awesome new VIP mezzanine).

Any weekend getaways?
Springtime is the best time for a getaway in Wine Country with all the green grassy fields dotted with mustard, baby lambs grazing, and poppies and wisteria blooming. I had a dreamy 24 hours in Napa Valley. On the way up, stop at the new A16 Napa for lunch, and try to get an early check-in at the Mediterranean North Block Hotel in Yountville (pray for mild temps so you can enjoy a swim in their heated pool!). For dinner, stroll next door to The Restaurant at North Block for the new seasonal tasting menu from chef Juan Cabrera. On your way back to the City, book a fabulous lunch and wine tasting at the modern-chic Ashes & Diamonds.

What was your last great vacation?
I can’t get enough of Athens, Greece. I recommend staying at Ergon House. It has a cool, natural-modern style, a rooftop bar, and is centrally located in the Plaka. Before dinner, snag an outdoor table at Heteroclito for a couple glasses of low-intervention Greek wines. The place I dream about constantly is Karamanlidika Tou Fani — it’s a combination deli and restaurant (kind of like a Greek Roscioli), and I eat there multiple times for lunch and dinner. I did a whole Athens writeup on tablehopper.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Considering all the hours I spend writing at my desk, I’ve already paid off the stunning coral Verve chair I bought from Branch Furniture — I can’t believe I found such a comfortable desk chair that matches my apartment walls.

What store or service do you always recommend?
I love swinging by my friend Basil Racuk’s namesake atelier and shop on Valencia Street (look for the “MADE HERE” signage) — he’s known for making leather bags by hand, but he also designs clothes (I’m really digging the direction he’s going with some ’80s-silhouetted jackets right now).

Where are you donating your time or money?
While tablehopper is known for local food coverage, I also highlight queer culture, community, events, and happenings, from Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, to Crooners Cabaret at Stookey’s, to Unspeakable Vice tours. It’s important to me to double down on supporting the queer community and trans visibility during this current administration of hate and dehumanization.

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GETAWAYS • Healdsburg

Jug band

The Backstory: In Healdsburg’s Dry Creek Valley, Preston Farm & Winery has been making wine since the mid-’70s. It’s always had a hippie-ish reputation, with its year-round farmstand, homemade bread, and resident cats wandering about the property. But these days, the place is a well-respected small producer of unusual wines that makes for a great anchor to any Healdsburg day trip.