Weekend in SF | Reno, Napa, Saison, and more...
Caught flight #4 back to SF earlier this month. Being bicoastal is super fun until you’re stuck at the airport catching another red-eye.
What I love about being home now is that everything I do is intentional. There’s so much I want to accomplish in such a short period of time - people I want to see, and not to mention the places I bookmarked to eat.
Overall it was a super special weekend spent with the ones I love most and I’m so glad I got to get away for a little bit and just soak in their company.
Here’s a look at the places I went + things I ate:
R E N O
My cousins and I took our families on a quick trip to Reno. I know you’re probably all wondering, “What the hell is there to do in Reno?” and yes the answer is nothing… except the Chicken Wing Festival happening the same weekend! Naturally, we packed up our cars headed three hours north and drowned ourselves in saucy, barbecue, and lemon-pepper goodness.
The one thing that I would strongly recommend is indulging on the buffets. It may seem like a splurge but when traveling with so many people it’s an awesome way to satisfy everyone’s tastebuds. We went to Toucan Charlie’s, the all you can eat restaurant inside the Atlantis casino. Lines can get long but this place is so worth it! The next day before going back to SF we had breakfast at The Buffet (no seriously that’s what it was called, lol), it was mediocre at best, would probably go back to Toucan Charlie’s (go ahead and judge me!) #BackToBack. If you’re interested in staying for the weekend, I would highly suggest the Peppermill Resort - their pool is insane!
SAISON
Like I mentioned, this weekend was special, and for so many reasons but one in particular was because I got to eat at Saison with my best friend!! Before working at Eleven Madison Park, I had dined at State Bird Provisions, my first-ever one Michelin star dining experience and it was phenomenal. I had DREAMED about being able to make reservations at these $$$$, Michelin-rated restaurants in SF - my bank account thought otherwise, and so I waited. A year later, here I am with my biggest supporter dining at one of SF’s best. It was a moment I won’t forget. Shoutout to my friend Richard Lee who is Saison’s Executive Sous Chef for #MakingItNice and giving us a kitchen tour, it was an amazing meal!
NAPA
We headed to Napa and revisited one of my favorite wineries, Ashes & Diamonds, while exploring a new one I’ve never gone to like Artesa. They were both so incredibly charming and unique from one another. If you’re in the area you should definitely check them out, I loved Artesa because they offer a delightful rosé caviar tasting that was definitely the highlight of our trip!
DAEHO
After Napa, I headed to Daeho, SF’s newest Korean restaurant that specializes in Galbijjim located in Japantown. Tip: arrive around 4ish to line up because people start to get their place in line even though it opens at 5pm. Don’t forget to add the cheese to get your Instagram pic!
and that’s a wrap! Hope you guys enjoyed a peek into my weekend back home. Until next time SF!