DOMINIQUE CRENN’S BAY AREA BITES

Jane “Of course, I’m French, so I like my bread and my chocolate croissant. Amanda Michael has Jane, which is where I go to get my croissant or patisserie. She has a few locations. It’s delicious, all of it. I love what she does.” (itsjane.com)

Mourad

“This is an amazing place where you can discover the soul of a chef. [Mourad Lahlou] is bringing to the table his Moroccan roots in ways that are a little more refined. The flavors are amazing, especially his chicken and couscous. I just feel so at home here.” (mouradsf.com)

Foreign Cinema

“[Gayle Pirie] has created this very San Francisco restaurant in the Mission where it’s seasonal, farm-to-table, and fun—but then you can also watch old movies. I go there all the time and sit at the bar, but my favorite is brunch, when I get an omelet.” (foreigncinema.com)

Chez Panisse

“This [Berkeley] restaurant is central to what the philosophy of California and San Francisco are all about—the idea of seasonality and knowing where your food comes from. Alice [Waters] draws on her time from France, but she brings an awareness that food is essential to the culture where you are living.” (chezpanisse.com)

Rich Table

“Husband and wife [Evan and Sarah Rich] came from fine dining before they opened this casual restaurant. I love his cooking, and she’s a great pastry chef. The menu changes all the time, but the flavors of anything they cook are so bold and

beautiful.” (richtablesf.com)

Zuni Café

“When I moved to San Francisco in the ’90s, this was the first place where I felt I was in France. It’s an iconic place. It’s small, and the menu changes every day. I get the roast chicken, a bottle of rosé, and oysters.” (zunicafe.com)

Benu

“The first time I ate Corey Lee’s food was at the French Laundry when he was chef de cuisine. I could taste the talent behind the food. What I love about Benu is he celebrates where he’s from—Korea—and he communicates that in a very special way.” (benusf.com)