Home stretch
Dingles, Goop Kitchen, Holbrook House, Chemine, Flamingo Estate, MORE
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Social play
ALLIE TONG • content creator & founder • @allie.eats, All Day Social
Neighborhood you live in: Marina
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Every day is different for me. Sometimes I’m working from home, other times I’m out on a client shoot, or I’m shooting content for my own page. The one thing that’s consistent is how I start my day — breakfast. I almost always have fruit with Greek yogurt and coffee. If I’m not in a rush, I’ll make a matcha latte, since it requires more time (and it’s more like a ritual).
What’s on the agenda for today?
I just launched my first-ever merch drop “Matcha is a Luxury” for all the matcha lovers, and as a nod to the current state of matcha (demand’s gone up so much that suppliers are having a hard time keeping up). Now that it’s launched, marketing and shipping take up most of my time.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
For drinks, you can never go wrong with Bar Sprezzatura or Holbrook House. I recently visited Alora on the Embarcadero for lunch, which was delicious. For comfort food, Bacogai in Alameda is a Vietnamese hot pot restaurant that always hits the spot. Super Mensch is a fun spot if you like to eat brunch for dinner. My current dessert obsession is the baklava cheesecake at Chemine, a family-owned cafe that recently opened up in Cow Hollow.
Any weekend getaways?
I love Healdsburg’s food scene and Jordan Winery has amazing, French Chateau–inspired suites on their property for members. In Napa, I like to stay at the Alila in St. Helena or Carneros Resort, which are both luxurious resorts with great restaurants on site. For something a little more family (and dog) friendly, MacArthur Place in Sonoma is a great option.
What was your last great vacation?
My husband and I visited Spain for the first time last year and already want to go back, specifically to Barcelona. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Central right after it was renovated. For restaurants, we loved Bar del Pla’s pan con tomate and mushrooms & wasabi and pretty much everything we ate at Mediamanga.
What’s a recent big ticket purchase that you love?
I recently had a custom pinky ring made by A&G Jewelers in Walnut Creek and couldn’t be happier.
What store or service do you always recommend?
My massage therapist, Cash at Inja Basch Spa Studio, has been a constant recommendation for the past four years. If you like a lot of pressure, he’s your guy! He does home visits and brings everything with him, including a variety of scented oils and heat packs, so you can literally roll right into bed after your massage and have the best sleep of your life.
Where are you donating your time or money?
For as long as I can remember, my family has been supporting Asian Health Services, a non-profit organization that provides medical, dental, and behavioral health services for underserved communities throughout Alameda County. My dad helps organize their charity golf tournament every year and I help secure auction prizes for both the golf tournament and the gala.
WORK LINKS: Bitcoin miners pivot to AI • The robot chef made to cook dinner while you work • Is this the end of the billable hour? • The best way for CEOs to quit • Mercado Libre founder: ‘Real power is choosing when to step away.’
BARS & RESTAURANTS • First Round
British persuasion
The Skinny: George and Anissa Dingle met over French bistro fare while working at Corey Lee’s acclaimed Monsieur Benjamin. British by birth, George’s background as a chef includes time cooking at posh country houses, and now he’s finally returning to those roots. After months on everyone’s “most anticipated” list, the couple opened their proper English pub, Dingles, in Civic Center last month.