2023

Published on by @DwPolkLeave a comment

it is the end of 2022
and what are we to do?
celebrate the newfound cold
and embrace all that is beautifully bold

there is a blessing in the air
a promise to live without fear
to love our family and all who are dear
this is what the universe wants us to do

to be kind and speak what is true
stand strong like sycamores against the wind
in this new year we begin again
to be grateful for all that is

and so the days will go by
carrying life like a sparrow song
our spirits dancing on and on
here’s to 2023 and all that is yet to be

My 20 Favorite San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants

Published on by @DwPolk1 Comment

As time goes by I slowly realize that memory becomes less clear. I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 24 years. Specifically in: San Anselmo, San Rafael, Mill Valley, Noe Valley (SF), Western Addition (SF), and Palo Alto. For me, a great restaurant is like excellent theater, an evening where one is transported, both by the food and the ambiance. Not all of the following restaurants are still open, but these are my top 20 (in no particular order, not including the ones that I may have already forgotten).

-Kokkari Estiatorio (San Francisco)

-Wakuriya (San Mateo)

-La Ciccia (San Francisco)

-Paseo (Mill Valley)

-Gary Danko (San Francisco)

-Tosca Cafe (San Francisco)

-L’Ardoise Bistro (San Francisco)

-Iberia (Menlo Park)

-Chez Panisse (Berkeley)

-Acquerello (San Francisco)

-Lark Creek Inn (Larkspur, closed in 2009)

-Jardiniere (San Francisco, closed in 2019)

-Mister Jiu’s (San Francisco)

-Bar Jules (San Francisco, closed in 2015)

-Cotogna (San Francisco)

-Spruce (San Francisco)

-Tadich Grill (San Francisco)

-SPQR (San Francisco)

-Quince (San Francisco)

-Ristorante Ideale (San Francisco)