10 best female-led restaurants
In a post-Harvey Weinstein world, certain pastimes no longer sit well: Louis C.K. stand-up, Kevin Spacey movies and star restaurants headed by charismatic male chefs who’ve been accused of harassing the women who work for them.
Just as Americans have discovered their love for “Wonder Woman” and other entertainment created by and about powerful, intriguing women, they’re no doubt ready to support restaurants headed by dynamic, talented female chefs.
Luckily, the Bay Area is home to a number of restaurants led by women who put the lie to the long-standing idea that a professional kitchen can only pioneer new trends, earn Michelin stars or serve amazingly delicious food if its vision is directed by someone with a Y chromosome.
Here are 10 of the best and most exciting female-led restaurants in the Bay Area.
Atelier Crenn
This sensational San Francisco restaurant from celebrity chef Dominique Crenn was the first female-led restaurant in the country to hold two Michelin stars. Reservations are a must at this tiny, tasting-menu-centric restaurant. www.ateliercrenn.com
Kin Khao
From a culinary career as a Santa Cruz jam maker and food blogger, the Bangkok-born Pim Techamuanvivit made the leap to chef-restaurateur in San Francisco in 2014 — with great success. Her Kin Khao now holds a Michelin star. www.kinkhao.com
Adega
This Portuguese restaurant in San Jose helmed by the Carreira family, with chef Jessica Carreira wearing the pastry toque, earned a Michelin star its first year. Raised in this Little Portugal neighborhood, Carreira finetuned her skills in Lisbon. www. adegarest.com
Brown Sugar Kitchen
The fried chicken and cornmeal waffles at this Tanya Hollandhelmed restaurant in Oakland are a favorite with celebs, politicos and average Joes alike. You can watch Holland on the current season of “Top Chef,” but we’d rather admire her delicious fare firsthand. www. brownsugarkitchen.com
Flea St. Cafe
Long before organic was cool, Cool was organic. That’s chefowner Jesse Ziff Cool, who for four decades has espoused a philosophy of seasonal, organic cooking at her flagship Menlo Park restaurant, Flea St. Cafe, and her Palo Alto cafe, tucked inside the Cantor Arts Center on the Stanford campus. www.cooleatz.com
Shakewell
The cocktails are handcrafted, the Spanish tapas delish and the vibe effortlessly cool at this hot spot near Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Shakewell hails from “Top Chef” alum Jen Biesty and the mood is so convivial, you may find yourself sharing bites with the folks at the next table. www. shakewelloakland.com
Copita
Sausalito’s fresh, seasonal Mexican tequileria and comida is the work of co-owner Joanne Weir, longtime chef, culinary instructor and KQED cooking show host. Everything here is gluten-free, the produce hails from the restaurant’s gardens, and the tacos and margaritas are top-notch. www. copitarestaurant.com
Zazu Kitchen & Farm
Duskie Estes is the co-owner and chef behind this award-winning Sebastopol farm-to-table restaurant, which grows much of the produce for its sensational, micro-seasonal menu. Recommended by the 2016 Michelin Guide. zazukitchen.com
Nido Kitchen & Bar
Silvia McCollow’s Nido is a culinary jewel located in the Jack London warehouse district of Oakland, where the team specializes in farm-fresh Mexican plates from the country’s central and Pacific coast. Be sure to check out the mezcals and margaritas. www.nidooakland.com
Oeste
This ambitious new Oakland restaurant from owners Sandra Davis, Lea Redmond and Anna Villalobos has two storefronts: a small cafe serving Roast Co. coffee and grab-and-go items and a 21-and-over rooftop bar and restaurant specializing in Latin American small plates with Asian and Middle Eastern influences. www.oesteoakland.com