Thoughtful Gourmet Blog

all the chefs at Press restaurant in St. Helena, Napa Valley, surround the editor of Salty magazine, Geeta Barsal

A recent pop-up dinner event at PRESS restaurant in St. Helena offered the chance to experience an event sponsored by Salty magazine. And meet a few of the chefs who helped prepare the meal.

two lattes in cups on the patio at Tiburon's Malibu Farm

I had never heard of Caffe Luxxe before a recent dinner at Tiburon’s Malibu Farm. A Malibu-based brand with coffee shops around SoCal and elsewhere, the coffee roaster also sells coffee to fellow Malibu-based brand, Malibu Farm. After a full meal, I still managed to drink three cups, the coffee whispering sweet nothings and creamy […]

Enjoy a pop-up dinner at the CIA at Copia by an esteemed female chef in honor of Women’s History Month.

Pippal's business partners at the bar

A friend who “does not like Indian food” was my particular challenge when dining at Pippal restaurant in Emeryville. Wait. Let me reframe.

Pici, aka hand-rolled pasta dish at Alora, San Francisco restaurant

At Alora and other San Francisco restaurant newcomers like Dalida and Movida, Persian flavors are edging in alongside Mexican and dining rooms are becoming less lounge-y.

Cover of The Unofficial Yellowstone Cookbook includes images of the American West, a cowboy and dishes from the book

Food writer, recipe developer, and photographer Jackie Alpers was so inspired by Taylor Sheridan’s TV series Yellowstone, she crafted an entire cookbook around it.

A Silver Fizz cocktail at Starlite atop Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco

Once again an iconic cocktail bar, Starlite returns atop Beacon Grand Hotel in San Francisco’s Union Square.

chef Marcus Jernmark headshot, of Habitué restaurant in Los Angeles

On January 30, a one-night Michelin pop-up features chefs from Napa’s PRESS, Chicago’s Esmé, and L.A.’s Habitué