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As the weather heats up in Napa, thoughts turn to a weekend getaway at Carneros Resort and Spa, which boasts a recently expanded pool, and a lineup of upgraded amenities.

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MELISSA PERFIT • executive chef • Equal Parts
Neighborhood you work in: North Beach

It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The usual morning scene during the weekdays in the kitchen at Equal Parts is centered on prep for dinner service and the week in general. We have 2-3 prep cooks following a prep list that either my sous chef or I write for them the night before. They’ve worked for me at previous restaurants, and I’m lucky to have them working with me again here at Equal Parts.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Once I get to work, I usually check in with the lead prep cook to see if he needs anything, has any questions, or if there were any problems with the orders. Next on the agenda is organizing the walk-in if needed, followed by general daily organization. I double-check the reservations for the day, check on any new parties, and review the menus to make sure we’re set up and ready to go. At 3p, the morning cooks leave for their night jobs, and the night cooks arrive after their morning jobs elsewhere. These cooks work so hard! After that, stations are set up, breaks are taken, I touch base with front-of-house to address any questions, and then, we’re ready to go!

Right now, I’m excited about a seasonal dish that’s about to hit the menu, a pluot and Early Girl tomato salad with a vegan miso bagna cauda, finished with black and white sesame seeds. Simple, but so delicious.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Working so much in the first year of this new restaurant makes me happy to cook dinner at home and relax on the couch. But I did go to Hog Island at the Ferry Building for a late lunch yesterday, and it was great as always. My favorite restaurant in the city is Rintaro (a very common answer for most chefs, I’m told!) and I like to go there whenever I want to treat myself. The environment is fun and relaxed, while the food is always on point and completely different from anything I make.

How about a little leisure or culture?
When I can, I like taking quick overnight trips up to Guerneville and staying at the relaxed motel resort R3. Anytime I have the opportunity to get to a pool or other body of water, I’ll make it happen! This might be the Florida in me that I’ll never shake.

Any weekend getaways?
For a day trip I like to drive up to Tomales Bay and go to The Marshall Store for lunch. I worked with the owner, Shannon Gregory, years ago at Hog Island.

What was your last great vacation?
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to go to Japan (above) to tour historic sake breweries in Fukuoka Prefecture — like Kitaya and Oga Shuzo — to see firsthand how sake is made. From washing the rice to fermentation, and finally, the finished product, it was one of the most amazing things to learn about and see up close. After that, I went to Tokyo for a few days. I wish I could’ve stayed longer, but I’ll never forget that trip!

What store or service do you always recommend?
I always recommend my chiropractor to people, probably too much because now it’s impossible to get an appointment! I’ve been going to Dr. Taylor Rabbetz, at Rabbetz Sports Chiropractic for 20 years, mostly to keep me healthy and on my feet since the long hours make it hard for me to take care of my body sometimes. He’s also helped me heal from multiple injuries.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m taking part in an auction for a private chef experience through North Beach Citizens. It’s a resource center for unhoused and extremely low-income people to help rebuild their lives and reconnect with their community. Equal Parts is also partnering with Up Hill Climb to donate to the Kilimanjaro Orphanage Center to feed the entire center every Monday, for an entire year.

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Divvy up

MELISSA PERFIT • executive chef • Equal Parts
Neighborhood you work in: North Beach

It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The usual morning scene during the weekdays in the kitchen at Equal Parts is centered on prep for dinner service and the week in general. We have 2-3 prep cooks following a prep list that either my sous chef or I write for them the night before. They’ve worked for me at previous restaurants, and I’m lucky to have them working with me again here at Equal Parts.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Once I get to work, I usually check in with the lead prep cook to see if he needs anything, has any questions, or if there were any problems with the orders. Next on the agenda is organizing the walk-in if needed, followed by general daily organization. I double-check the reservations for the day, check on any new parties, and review the menus to make sure we’re set up and ready to go. At 3p, the morning cooks leave for their night jobs, and the night cooks arrive after their morning jobs elsewhere. These cooks work so hard! After that, stations are set up, breaks are taken, I touch base with front-of-house to address any questions, and then, we’re ready to go!

Right now, I’m excited about a seasonal dish that’s about to hit the menu, a pluot and Early Girl tomato salad with a vegan miso bagna cauda, finished with black and white sesame seeds. Simple, but so delicious.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
Working so much in the first year of this new restaurant makes me happy to cook dinner at home and relax on the couch. But I did go to Hog Island at the Ferry Building for a late lunch yesterday, and it was great as always. My favorite restaurant in the city is Rintaro (a very common answer for most chefs, I’m told!) and I like to go there whenever I want to treat myself. The environment is fun and relaxed, while the food is always on point and completely different from anything I make.

How about a little leisure or culture?
When I can, I like taking quick overnight trips up to Guerneville and staying at the relaxed motel resort R3. Anytime I have the opportunity to get to a pool or other body of water, I’ll make it happen! This might be the Florida in me that I’ll never shake.

Any weekend getaways?
For a day trip I like to drive up to Tomales Bay and go to The Marshall Store for lunch. I worked with the owner, Shannon Gregory, years ago at Hog Island.

What was your last great vacation?
A couple of years ago I had the opportunity to go to Japan (above) to tour historic sake breweries in Fukuoka Prefecture — like Kitaya and Oga Shuzo — to see firsthand how sake is made. From washing the rice to fermentation, and finally, the finished product, it was one of the most amazing things to learn about and see up close. After that, I went to Tokyo for a few days. I wish I could’ve stayed longer, but I’ll never forget that trip!

What store or service do you always recommend?
I always recommend my chiropractor to people, probably too much because now it’s impossible to get an appointment! I’ve been going to Dr. Taylor Rabbetz, at Rabbetz Sports Chiropractic for 20 years, mostly to keep me healthy and on my feet since the long hours make it hard for me to take care of my body sometimes. He’s also helped me heal from multiple injuries.

Where are you donating your time or money?
I’m taking part in an auction for a private chef experience through North Beach Citizens. It’s a resource center for unhoused and extremely low-income people to help rebuild their lives and reconnect with their community. Equal Parts is also partnering with Up Hill Climb to donate to the Kilimanjaro Orphanage Center to feed the entire center every Monday, for an entire year.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Sponsor

Summer is here! Meet NatureWind Studio

Bring the soft natural breeze indoors without opening a window.

NatureWind Studio by BALMUDA uses patented dual-blade technology to recreate gentle airflow found in nature.

Soft, comfortable, and remarkably quiet, it delivers refreshing air while operating at sound levels as low as 9 dB. Designed and made in Japan, it combines thoughtful engineering with a deep appreciation for everyday comfort.

Whether you’re sleeping, working, or simply enjoying a slower summer day, NatureWind Studio helps create a calmer, more comfortable home inspired by the outdoors.

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REAL ESTATE • On the Market

Three homes with city views that came to market in San Francisco in the last 30 days.

→ 55 Coleridge St (Bernal Heights, above) • 4BR/1BA • 2420 SF • Ask: $1.759M • 1908 build w/ legal studio and Sutro Tower view • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Jeffrey Salgado, Compass.

→ 239 Princeton St (University Mound) • 3BR/2.1BA • 2802 SF • Ask: $1.449M • MCM classic on cul-de-sac, Dogpatch view • Days on market: 7 • Agent: Kevin Wakelin, Compass.

→ 2833 Vallejo St (Pacific Heights) • 5BR/6.1BA • 6175 SF • Ask: $19.9M • glass-fronted modern build w/ elevator, roof deck, Marina view • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Nina Hatvany, Compass.

REAL ESTATE LINKS: Alamo Square home trades for $9.125M, setting new record • Massive mixed-use development planned at Bernal Heights Safeway site • Can you really buy a house with AI stock?

FOUND FRIENDS • Broke-Ass Stuart

RAD DEALS AT 50+ SF RESTAURANTS: The Delicious Card is here! Discover new eateries and get awesome discounts for visiting your favorite restaurants in San Francisco. New deal-drops and locations every month, all locally owned and loved eateries across San Francisco, $750 worth of savings while discovering amazing spots all around SF. Support independent journalism and small businesses while feeding your face. Sign-up at Broke-Ass Stuart.

GETAWAYS • Napa

Cottage core

As the weather heats up in Napa, thoughts turn to a weekend getaway at Carneros Resort and Spa, which boasts a recently expanded pool, and a lineup of upgraded amenities.

The property’s 100 private cottages, family suites, and residences are arranged across 28 acres, grouped into secluded neighborhoods named after local flora and fauna indigenous to the region (juniper, fig, lavender). Front porches with rocking chairs give the resort a distinct, small-town charm, but inside each cottage you’ll find not-so-small-town features: Heated bathroom floors, and floor-to-ceiling bifold glass doors that open onto private backyards with fire pits and outdoor showers.

As temperatures drop with the sun, request an intimate fireside booth at the FARM restaurant, which last month welcomed Franco Fugel (Per Se, PRESS) as its new executive chef. His arrival has prompted a slight shift in its Italian-inspired menu, including a new tagliatelle with Dungeness crab and Fresno chili, and a blackberry mousse cake with corn ice cream. After dinner, take a snifter of single-malt scotch or cognac to the heated patio, where live music plays five nights a week.

The resort’s adults-only heated pool and infinity-edged hilltop-perched hot tub (above) have some of the better views in Wine Country. The spa, which features 10 treatment rooms reserved exclusively for resort guests, was also revamped in 2024, and just might be worth the visit. –Allison McCarthy

→ Carneros Resort and Spa (Napa, CA) • 4048 Sonoma Hwy • Rooms from $1669/June wknd night.

CULTURE & LEISURE • The Nines

Music venues, outdoors

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.

• Stern Grove (Parkside), free summer Sunday festival concerts in lovely eucalyptus grove for 87 years

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→ 55 Coleridge St (Bernal Heights, above) • 4BR/1BA • 2420 SF • Ask: $1.759M • 1908 build w/ legal studio and Sutro Tower view • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Jeffrey Salgado, Compass.

→ 239 Princeton St (University Mound) • 3BR/2.1BA • 2802 SF • Ask: $1.449M • MCM classic on cul-de-sac, Dogpatch view • Days on market: 7 • Agent: Kevin Wakelin, Compass.

→ 2833 Vallejo St (Pacific Heights) • 5BR/6.1BA • 6175 SF • Ask: $19.9M • glass-fronted modern build w/ elevator, roof deck, Marina view • Days on market: 6 • Agent: Nina Hatvany, Compass.

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Today, three new PROMPTS for which we seek your answers:

• What’s your favorite specialty bookstore in the Bay Area?

• I need a caterer for a casual summer party. Any ideas?

• What Bay Area store or service do you love to recommend?

Hit reply or email found@itsfoundsf.com with more answers or questions.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Sponsor

Summer is here! Meet NatureWind Studio

Bring the soft natural breeze indoors without opening a window.

NatureWind Studio by BALMUDA uses patented dual-blade technology to recreate gentle airflow found in nature.

Soft, comfortable, and remarkably quiet, it delivers refreshing air while operating at sound levels as low as 9 dB. Designed and made in Japan, it combines thoughtful engineering with a deep appreciation for everyday comfort.

Whether you’re sleeping, working, or simply enjoying a slower summer day, NatureWind Studio helps create a calmer, more comfortable home inspired by the outdoors.

→ Learn more [spon]

WORK LINKS: AI boom bumps local execs to billionaires list • Tech workers turn to religion • Escaping a career rut • It’s still a good time to be a lawyer • RTO has stalled out • Hybrid work makes employees happier, fully remote lonelier.

RESTAURANTS • First Word

Any port

The Skinny: The closure in January of Squat and Gobble — arguably the most popular brunch and lunch spot in West Portal for the last 32 years — left a void in the sleepy neighborhood. Five months later, Tur swung open in its place: a restaurant with similar daytime service hours to S&G, but a decidedly different menu. Instead of the standard scrambles, Tur’s menu features breakfast and lunch offerings inspired by what owners Arkaranit Dusitnitsakul and Wipada Rattanapun enjoyed as kids in Thailand. Is the change-averse neighborhood ready for seven kinds of jook at 8a?

CULTURE & LEISURE • Wolf Out

• Valkyries v Lynx • Chase Center (Thrive City) • Fri @ 7p • R17, A1, $383 per

• Shakira • Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour • SAP Center (San Jose) • Sat @ 730p • FLR2, Row 33, $315 per

• Gaffigan Conducts Beethoven 9 • Davies Symphony Hall (Civic Center) • Sun @ 2p • Tier 2, $139 per

CULTURE & LEISURE LINKS: Powell Street adding illuminated art installations • Bay Area students create alternate vuvuzela • SF World Cup watch parties abound.

GOODS & SERVICES • FOUND Shop

Open sesame

Watercolorist Sophie Tivona’s eponymous boutique is just around the corner from Oakland’s buzzy Poppy Bagels, a proximity that led to one of the shop’s most intriguing partnerships.

RESTAURANTS • The Nines

Dining, Embarcadero

FOUND’s 9 favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. Paid subscribers can access all of our neighborhood Nines.

• Coqueta (Pier 5), the late Michael Chiarello’s Spanish dining experience carries on w/ tapas, pintxos, wood-grilled meats, reserve

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A mix of vintage goods, Oaxacan tiles, and feminist books, the Temescal Alley store is presided over by its owner, a former Waterbar server who ended up designing some of the San Francisco restaurant’s special menus, if you’re wondering why those oysters and anchovies look so mesmerizing. Here, you’ll find her behind the counter, perched on a stool as she explains the provenance of her goods.

Tivona takes inspiration from the natural world, and her shelves are filled with watercolors of leaves, flowers, and birds, available as cards, prints, and more. Art depicting seasonal produce is always a bestseller, including prints of local citrus, figs, and persimmons. Tivona also leads classes at her Oakland space and at other locations; while she declines children’s birthday parties, participants over 10 are welcome.

Lately, she’s working with Poppy Bagels, with which she’s created a complete set of bagel cards ($32 per), consisting of two sesame bagels, two poppy bagels, one lox, and one veggie card. The cards are sold only by the set, so don’t show up seeking singles — like a visit to Poppy near closing time, you’ll leave empty-handed. –Becky Duffett

→ Sophie Tivona Paper (Oakland) • 470 49th St • Wed-Fri 12-5p, Sat-Sun 10a-5p.

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The Skinny: The closure in January of Squat and Gobble — arguably the most popular brunch and lunch spot in West Portal for the last 32 years — left a void in the sleepy neighborhood. Five months later, Tur swung open in its place: a restaurant with similar daytime service hours to S&G, but a decidedly different menu. Instead of the standard scrambles, Tur’s menu features breakfast and lunch offerings inspired by what owners Arkaranit Dusitnitsakul and Wipada Rattanapun enjoyed as kids in Thailand. Is the change-averse neighborhood ready for seven kinds of jook at 8a?

The Vibe: If Dusitnitsakul and Rattanapun were “outsiders” (that’s what West Portal folks call the rest of us, don’t shoot the messenger) the answer to the above question might be “no.” But the couple opened Khao Tiew in 2024, a dinner spot that amassed raves as one of the city’s best Thai restaurants, while still managing to prioritize regulars and locals. That banked goodwill spurred the area’s crew of comfortable, older residents to pack Tur since it opened mid-May, thrilled that a walking-distance weekday breakfast is back. And the space is definitely spiffed up since S&G departed, now freshly white, wicker, and wood. It’s an airy, unpretentious upgrade.

The Food: Chef Varunthorn Ratanakachain developed brunch creds after five years at Saratoga’s Asian brunch spot Darla Café, experience showing in a menu that’s compact while still hitting all the most crucial sweet and savory daytime dining notes. Honey walnut shrimp and waffles, served with honey sauce, tobiko, and lemon is a smart twist on the fried classic, while the congee offerings feel a natural fit for the first meal of the day. For lunch, seek out the Caribbean pasta, made with squid-ink spaghetti and dried chiles; it’s savory, and just acidic enough.

The Drink: Coffee is made with Counter Culture beans, and drinks go beyond the usual espresso or latte. The Talay is a whole production: butterfly pea tea and coconut milk with a shot of espresso added as part of the show. There’s also a short list of local beers on draft, pandan milk (on the menu, called Not A Matcha) and freshly squeezed orange juice.

The Verdict: In other hands, a lot of Tur’s menu could feel gimmicky, but the combination of Dusitnitsakul, Rattanapun, and Ratanakachain give its offerings a level of accessible (and inspiring) ease. A good weekday breakfast is hard enough to find in San Francisco, a great one even harder, so what a joy to have Tur fill that gap. And if you decide to go on the weekend, there will be an imposing line, but the wait will be worth it. –Eve Batey

→ Tur (West Portal) • 1 West Portal Ave • Wed-Mon 8a-2p • Walk-ins only.

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WORK • Friday Routine

Wild west

XANDER SOREN • owner • Xander Soren Wines
Neighborhood you live in: Design District

It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I can do all my office work at home, or on the go, so it all depends on where we are in the season and winemaking cycle. I wear a lot of hats, so it could be creative work, administrative, customer service, sales/distribution, or winemaking planning. My favorite activity is going into the cellar with my winemaker, Shalini Sekhar, checking in on how various barrels are tasting, and doing blending trials.

What’s on the agenda for today?
We’re coming off the Memorial Day holiday weekend, and my morning inbox greeted me with new wine orders from some of my favorite San Francisco restaurants that are adding some of our new spring releases to their menus, so that’s great news!

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
As much as I go to Japan, I still love to eat Japanese food in San Francisco, and plan to hit Bar Shoji (from the same team as Shota) tonight. It’s elevated izakaya fare and I think the food and cocktails are so good, and it’s fun, lively — kind of like similar places in Tokyo. The aged sashimi, tebasaki (Nagoya-style chicken wings) and Shoji Burger are my go-tos.

Of course there are many other cuisines I love, and the pinsa at Montesacro in SoMa is a favorite! I also always order either the radicchio or Brussels sprouts and kale salads. For a special occasion or celebration, I love the chef’s counter at Birdsong, it’s just really great food and vibes.

How about a little leisure or culture?
I’ve been so busy with the launch of the new wines I’ve had little time to do much else this year, but late last year some friends and I had a blast seeing Fred Armisen on his tour. A few weeks prior, I attended a fundraiser Armisen was a part of by Musack that aims to connect children in need with musical instruments, and what a lineup they had! Jack Black, Margaret Cho, Lisa Loeb, Thomas Lennon, and The Go-Go’s.

Speaking of The Go-Go’s, I’m participating in a fun upcoming panel for the California Wine Institute at Little Saint in Healdsburg, covering music, wine, and innovation and community. Other guests include my friend Jane Wiedlin, who happens to be the guitarist of The Go-Go’s.

What was your last great vacation?
One of the benefits of working in wine is that I’m able to blend my work trips with vacation time, and whenever I visit Japan I always try to carve out extra days to travel around the country and explore new places. My last trip there this spring was especially memorable because it coincided with the 50th anniversary celebrations surrounding the historic Judgment of Paris. My importer also represents Chateau Montelena, so I had the chance to spend several days in Tokyo and Osaka with the legendary Bo Barrett, celebrating the legacy of those iconic wines and their place in California wine history.

When I’m in Tokyo, I always love staying at the Park Hyatt Tokyo, which recently reopened after an extensive remodel. There’s something incredibly calming about it: the understated elegance, the quiet sense of luxury, and the incredible views over the city, and the feeling of being tucked away above the energy of Shinjuku. I also have a soft spot for the Hotel Okura. The history, mid-century Japanese design, impeccable service, and serene atmosphere make it feel timeless.

Tokyo also never runs short on amazing meals. One favorite I always return to is Ginza Karin, an upscale izakaya in Ginza owned and operated by chef Yuka Nakamura. She and her team prepare an incredible variety of Japanese dishes designed to be enjoyed alongside great drinks, and the whole experience feels warm, lively, and welcoming. The food is outstanding, the energy is fun, and if you stay late enough, there’s a good chance the evening will end with karaoke!

What store or service do you always recommend?
My friends who visit wine country always ask for great places to visit for wine tastings. I have a handful of my favorite wineries and tasting rooms that I like to share, but my number one pick is the wine bar Maison Healdsburg. It’s run by Evan and Jade Hufford, the team who helped launch SingleThread in its inaugural years. They offer amazing local selections, alongside wines from around the world, and also lots of educational and fun tasting experiences, casual chef pop ups, and rotating wines by the glass. And they’ve built an amazing community, as it’s a frequent stop by local winemakers, wine fans, and restaurant industry workers who stop by after their work shifts to end their day with a great drink.

Where are you donating your time or money?
One of my annual contributions is to WAM (Women’s Audio Mission), which I learned about during my career at Apple. They help train and provide job placement for young women who want to learn music production and audio engineering, a space that has been historically underrepresented. One of our team’s goals in creating technology like GarageBand was to help democratize music creation and allow more people to be hands-on with the technology themselves, and bring it into reach for everyone (in an industry that used to be very technical, geeky, and expensive to enter).

REAL ESTATE • On the Market

Three homes with multiple parking spots that came to market in San Francisco in the last 30 days.

→ 349 3rd Ave (Inner Richmond) • 4BR/1.1BA • 1884 SF • Ask: $1.495M • 1900 build w/ demo permit and 3-condo plan • Days on market: 7 • Agent: Jason Chan, BarbCo.

→ 29 Joy St (Bernal Heights, above) • 3BR/3.1BA • 2455 SF • Ask: $2.495M • rare modern build w/ 3 levels, sweeping views • Days on market: 10 • Agent: Rohin Dhar, City Real Estate.

→ 37 Calhoun Ter (Telegraph Hill) • 3BR/3BA • 2260 SF • Ask: $6.25M • rare cul-de-sac offering in SF’s most-coveted neighborhood • Days on market: 5 • Agent: Gregg Lynn, Sotheby’s.

REAL ESTATE LINKS: How the AI goldrush is impacting SF residential sales • SF’s rent boom spreads to other parts of the Bay Area • SF city government signs largest lease yet in Mid-Market.

RESTAURANTS • First Word

Golden brown

The Skinny: To clear up any confusion, a mallard is a breed of duck, while the Maillard reaction is the scientific process for browning food (say it fancy, it was discovered by a French chemist). So despite the cute duck logo, Maillards Smash Burgers was named after the latter, in honor of what makes their burgers so delicious. They’ve been popping up at the Outer Sunset Farmers Market and Heritage Restaurant & Bar since 2023, at the forefront of SF’s smashburger obsession. Now they have a permanent spot in the Outer Sunset outpost of Two Pitchers Brewing, which opened in April.

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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.

• The Nobo (Presidio Heights), IRL pop-up of online luxury resale platform, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Maison Margiela, Nobo bucks ‘barter’ option gives instant purchase power

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There’s no shortage of boutique luxury hotels and charming bed-and-breakfasts in bustling Monterey, but about 10 minutes north on Highway 1, in the tiny town of Marina, an unexpected treat awaits. Nestled among 19 acres of pristine, wind-swept sand dunes, the oceanfront Sanctuary Beach Resort is the ultimate hideaway for the in-the-know, a striking escape designed for unplugging and escaping.

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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: For those trading long-haul itineraries for something slower this summer, Carmel-by-the-Sea delivers the kind of coastal escape people usually fly across oceans to find. Check into a charming inn, then let the rest fall into place. Big Sur, Pebble Beach, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium are wonderful day trips, but the real luxury may be staying put in storybook Carmel. Book a summer trip [spon]

RESTAURANTS • First Word

Boom cycle

The Skinny: If you’re looking for old money in SF, try the top of Nob Hill, where the Huntington Hotel opened in 1924 during San Francisco’s third cycle of bust and boom. Its Big Four restaurant followed in 1976, during boom five, and both borrow names from the founders of the Central Pacific Railroad, robber barons whose narrative arcs have been replicated across SF’s history ever since. After a long pandemic closure, change in ownership, and deep renovation, the hotel and its restaurant reopened in March, the latter back as a glorious steakhouse that channels the Gilded Age of California.

The Vibe: Noted designer Ken Fulk renovated and restored the Big Four’s clubby interiors, featuring dark wood panels, a gleaming brass bar, green leather booths, and hushed tartan carpets. You’ll pass oil portraits of railroad tycoons, a golden bear statue, and ram horns twisted on walls. “This looks like the kind of place that Willie Brown would love,” my friend said, and she called it — as he was wont to do prior to its closure, the former mayor was back in his corner seat, surrounded by business diners and their dates.

The Food: The menu delivers the classics with flourishes. The Louie wedge salad stars local avocado and asparagus, and why wouldn’t you pile on Dungeness crab. Servers finish the cioppino at the table, pouring saffron broth over clams, squid, and yellowtail. One pro expertly sliced round the rim of our puffed pot pie, and asked if we’d like a splash of sherry to spike the cream sauce. There are only three cuts for steaks and chops, and it feels like a moment for filet mignon, alongside creamed spinach swirled with Boursin cheese.

The Drink: Martinis, of course, and other classic cocktails. The Big Four signature martini combines vodka and gin, and gets a floral lift from yuzu bitters and a citrus twist. A long wine list, includes plenty of steak-friendly Napa cabs.

The Verdict: It’s worth sliding into the Big Four for the interiors alone, drinking it all in to the tune of the live grand piano. The second show of the evening is back out on the street, seeing Grace Cathedral lit up at night, completing San Francisco’s timeless illusion. –Becky Duffett

→ The Big Four (Nob Hill) • The Huntington Hotel, 1075 California St • Daily 7-10a & 11a–2p, Mon-Fri 5-9p, Sat-Sun 5-10p • Reserve.

WORK • Wednesday Routine

Peachy keen

BANBURY CROSS • burlesque showgirl & cabaret director • Palace Theatre
Neighborhood you work in: North Beach

It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
My days are a mix of producing, rehearsing, and performing. On any given morning, you’ll find me coordinating rehearsals, checking costume details, communicating with performers, and preparing for my own performances later in the week. The atmosphere is equal parts creative chaos and precision, one moment we’re discussing lighting cues, the next we’re adjusting crystals on a costume.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is all about rehearsal and show preparation for our debut of Bohemienne, a show we just ran and will bring back later in the summer. We’re refining production elements, and making sure every detail is ready for our audience. A large part of my role involves balancing the feel and flow of the group acts within the show juxtaposed with my performance and getting into that mindset. Right this second, I’m likely juggling emails, rehearsal schedules, and notes on acts while planning some ideas for future programming.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
In Oakland I love Tallboy; who doesn’t want to drown in a giant martini and vegan hotdog? In the city, I usually pop in to Li Po Lounge for a drink or stroll to the Ferry Building. I love Lunette’s Cambodian food.

How about a little leisure or culture?
My life revolves around live performance, so even my leisure time tends to include some form of culture. I love catching local cabaret, theater, live music, and immersive experiences around the Bay Area and outside of it. 200Channels, where I also perform, transforms the speakeasy space next to The Pawn Shop into an immersive cabaret. In Brooklyn, I love to go to House of Yes and Red Pavilion. When I need a reset, I enjoy getting outside near the water, whether that’s a walk along the Embarcadero, or simply taking in the views around Alameda.

Any weekend getaways?
A favorite quick getaway is day trips down the coast. It’s close enough to make for a spontaneous day but always feels like an escape. I love combining great food and being by the sea, it’s always reminiscent of England for me. Pescadero is super cute and Half Moon Bay has great food options like a bowl of chowder at Barbara’s Fish Trap.

What was your last great vacation?
I just got back from a lovely holiday in Honolulu and Maui. There are so many excellent places to eat, drink and spend time. The standouts for me were Skull & Crown Trading Co, a tiki bar in the Chinatown district of Honolulu that serves an amazing clarified zombie. Down the street is a cute little vintage shop called Single Double. Lastly, for dining, I’ll jump to Maui where Tiffany’s had some of the best food and drinks of the trip.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A custom acrylic champagne glass designed for my 80s Centrefold performance, along with several recent bespoke feather and Swarovski-crystal costumes and jewelry handmade in Italy. Investing in pieces and props that are beautifully made and uniquely mine makes every performance feel a little more magical.

WORK LINKS: Snowflake’s HR chief Arnnon Geshuri on mandating AI at work • The Silicon Valley diaspora might be over • Feel less busy by thinking in work weeks, not work days.

RESTAURANTS • The Nines

Dining, Piedmont Ave (Oakland)

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.

• Commis (above), East Bay’s best special-occasion tasting menu for East-meets-West flavors from acclaimed chef James Syhabout, reserve

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San Francisco’s own Marine Layer has unveiled a newly redesigned flagship location on Chestnut St. in the Marina. The new shop blends the brand’s coastal aesthetic with a vibrant shopping experience.

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BANBURY CROSS • burlesque showgirl & cabaret director • Palace Theatre
Neighborhood you work in: North Beach

It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
My days are a mix of producing, rehearsing, and performing. On any given morning, you’ll find me coordinating rehearsals, checking costume details, communicating with performers, and preparing for my own performances later in the week. The atmosphere is equal parts creative chaos and precision, one moment we’re discussing lighting cues, the next we’re adjusting crystals on a costume.

What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is all about rehearsal and show preparation for our debut of Bohemienne, a show we just ran and will bring back later in the summer. We’re refining production elements, and making sure every detail is ready for our audience. A large part of my role involves balancing the feel and flow of the group acts within the show juxtaposed with my performance and getting into that mindset. Right this second, I’m likely juggling emails, rehearsal schedules, and notes on acts while planning some ideas for future programming.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
In Oakland I love Tallboy; who doesn’t want to drown in a giant martini and vegan hotdog? In the city, I usually pop in to Li Po Lounge for a drink or stroll to the Ferry Building. I love Lunette’s Cambodian food.

How about a little leisure or culture?
My life revolves around live performance, so even my leisure time tends to include some form of culture. I love catching local cabaret, theater, live music, and immersive experiences around the Bay Area and outside of it. 200Channels, where I also perform, transforms the speakeasy space next to The Pawn Shop into an immersive cabaret. In Brooklyn, I love to go to House of Yes and Red Pavilion. When I need a reset, I enjoy getting outside near the water, whether that’s a walk along the Embarcadero, or simply taking in the views around Alameda.

Any weekend getaways?
A favorite quick getaway is day trips down the coast. It’s close enough to make for a spontaneous day but always feels like an escape. I love combining great food and being by the sea, it’s always reminiscent of England for me. Pescadero is super cute and Half Moon Bay has great food options like a bowl of chowder at Barbara’s Fish Trap.

What was your last great vacation?
I just got back from a lovely holiday in Honolulu and Maui. There are so many excellent places to eat, drink and spend time. The standouts for me were Skull & Crown Trading Co, a tiki bar in the Chinatown district of Honolulu that serves an amazing clarified zombie. Down the street is a cute little vintage shop called Single Double. Lastly, for dining, I’ll jump to Maui where Tiffany’s had some of the best food and drinks of the trip.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
A custom acrylic champagne glass designed for my 80s Centrefold performance, along with several recent bespoke feather and Swarovski-crystal costumes and jewelry handmade in Italy. Investing in pieces and props that are beautifully made and uniquely mine makes every performance feel a little more magical.

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The Skinny: If you’re looking for old money in SF, try the top of Nob Hill, where the Huntington Hotel opened in 1924 during San Francisco’s third cycle of bust and boom. Its Big Four restaurant followed in 1976, during boom five, and both borrow names from the founders of the Central Pacific Railroad, robber barons whose narrative arcs have been replicated across SF’s history ever since. After a long pandemic closure, change in ownership, and deep renovation, the hotel and its restaurant reopened in March, the latter back as a glorious steakhouse that channels the Gilded Age of California.

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San Francisco’s own Marine Layer has unveiled a newly redesigned flagship location on Chestnut St. in the Marina. The new shop blends the brand’s coastal aesthetic with a vibrant shopping experience.

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Wild west

CHRISTIAN ROUTZEN • owner & CEO • San Franpsycho
Neighborhood you live in: Outer Sunset

It’s Friday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
The shop on 9th Ave is bustling with product being printed in the back, as items are being tagged, folded, and split for all of our locations to put on display or sent out for online orders through our website. Meanwhile, our custom merchandise department is on the phones talking with clients regarding art, vision, and fulfillment of orders.

What’s on the agenda for today?
There are always people coming in to shop our brand at the San Franpsycho storefront. While a lot of people know who we are, I always love sharing SFP with new people as they come into the shop to see, touch, and try items on. We’re also gearing up for summer event season, so we’re packing up boxes of gear to take for pop-up sales at shindigs like Downtown First Thursdays, Bhangras and Beats, or Nightlife at the Cal Academy.

Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I go to DamnFine Pizza here in Outer Sunset as much as I can, probably this weekend. Throughout the week I head to Palm City Wines for some nice wines and hoagies. For morning goodness, we’ll definitely hit up Sunset Roasters at their food truck, Andytown’s Ocean Plant location, Irving St. bakery DayMoon, or the classic Devil’s Teeth. Also I like a good craft cocktail so I head over to White Cap, always love their seasonal rotating drink menu.

How about a little leisure or culture?
Some of my favorite venues for live music are The Independent, The Fillmore, The Masonic, Shoreline, and for comedy it’s always Cobb’s and Punchline of course, and I’ve been meaning to check out The Function. On Sundays, it’s all about farmers markets like the Outer Sunset Farmers Market or the Ferry Building. Kid-friendly too!

Any weekend getaways that have been memorable lately?
For an anniversary, my partner and I took off to Carmel, and while it was a trip for us, it was mostly for our dog Bella, ha! We rode e-bikes (above) all the way to Monterey and back. It was super fun and including her was perfect.

What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I don’t buy a lot of things in favor of experiences instead. That being said, I’ve grown up surfing and I’ve been in a Rip Curl wetsuit. I’m loving it!

What store or service do you always recommend to people?
It’s hard to find a reliable mechanic in the city but I’ve gone to Andre’s Foreign Car on Taraval for over 20 years. Always good, always a quick turnaround.

REAL ESTATE • On the Market

Three water-view homes that came to market in San Francisco in the last 30 days.

→ 2434 46th Ave (Outer Parkside) • 2BR/2BA • 1514 SF • Ask: $1.295M • cottage style 2-story w/ wood-burning fireplace, extra-large lot • Days on market: 10 • Agent: Nick Nicklas, eXp.

→ 51 Ellsworth St (Bernal Heights, above) • 3BR/2BA • 1550 SF • Ask: $1.895M • fully updated 1968 build on main Cortland drag • Days on market: 8 • Agent: Peter Tham, Compass.

→ 130 Maywood Dr (Monterey Heights) • 4BR/2.1BA • 2392 SF • Ask: $2.395M • 1919 build tucked behind gated courtyard garden • Days on market: 8 • Agent: Andrew Herrera, Berkshire Hathaway-Franciscan.

REAL ESTATE LINKS: Academy of Art sells Union Square auditorium building to Epic Church • Sale of Oakland Arena moves forward • Bernard Maybeck-designed Ross residence hits market for $13M.

GETAWAYS • The Nines

Hotels, Silicon Valley

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.

• Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley (Sunnyvale), green oasis in concrete jungle, house restaurant is Stephanie Izard’s Valley Goat, $744

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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.

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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

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Since 2005, the St. Regis San Francisco has been one of the city’s top luxury lodging options, a favorite among corporate travelers and visiting professional athletes due to its SoMa location. The ultra-spacious rooms are also a draw, as is the newly debuted spa, which launched in March with a Himalayan salt room as well as the brand’s signature Celebration Bar (a.k.a. complimentary beverage service) and a Scent Bar that sets the olfactory tone for any given treatment.

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