For SoCal adrenaline junkies, Knott’s Berry Farm has always been more of a day trip than an overnight staycation. But that might change now that the theme park’s adjacent hotel has spruced itself up with a multimillion-dollar renovation that has given a whole new look to the nearly 50-year-old hotel.
Once a blocky afterthought to the 57-acre theme park, the Knott’s Berry Farm hotel hasn’t always had the cache (or the exorbitant price tag) of, say, a Disney brand hotel, despite being steps from Knott’s most beloved attractions (open a window and you’ll hear the screams of Ghostrider’s victims). Yelp reviews have long complained of a “tired” look and feel to the hotel’s hallways and guest rooms.
But dinginess be gone! The revamped (and slightly renamed) Knott’s Hotel now has a sophisticated farmhouse-chic feel, with all 322 of the hotel’s guest rooms having been fully renovated. It’s also got a redesigned restaurant, lobby, and meeting spaces. Even better? The bargain price tag is still there, so anyone wanting to get a theme park hotel experience can do it in style… and still have room for a custom lightsaber or two should they decide to tack on a day and go park-hopping elsewhere.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Knotts Berry Farm Hotel’s big makeover:
Joshua Sudock/ Knott’s Berry Farm
The Lobby
You may be 500 steps from the park gates, but step into the lobby and you’ll feel like you’re worlds away from the chaos. A cavernous space with just the right amount of warmth, the lobby’s rustic farmhouse decor is an upscale ode to Knott’s founders, Walter and Cordelia Knott, who started the Knott’s empire when they founded their boysenberry farm at the location that would later become the bustling theme park. Nods to the founders are everywhere, including a guest registration wall made of oversized replicas of the farm’s first jam jars, filled instead with fresh flowers and seasonal displays.
Got a brood? Queen rooms offer space for up to six plus amenities including a mini refrigerator and a sleeper sofa.
Joshua Sudock/ Knott’s Berry Farm
The Restaurant
At the new Thirty Acres Kitchen and Bar (the name is a nod to the original 30 acres of land that made up the farm), guests can enjoy a “modern version of the farm,” featuring a double-sided wrap-around bar that extends into the lobby. While the 300-degree bar will serve locally inspired craft cocktails and small plates, the full-service restaurant menu will offer distinct twists on traditional American cuisine, with signature dishes and menu items connected to the park’s season. It’s an upscale complement to the neighboring Mrs. Knott’s Fried Chicken Restaurant at Knott’s Marketplace, which serves the legendary fried chicken dinner that started it all back in 1934.
Need a quick bite in the morning? There’s a new walk-up option, The Pantry, which serves Starbucks coffee, snacks, pastries, and grab-n-go options.
Joshua Sudock/Cedar Fair
The Location
This is the best part about staying at the Knott’s Hotel: Not only are you a short walk to the park (meaning, an easy way out at naptime when your tiny coaster fanatic hits a wall), but the hotel is a just short drive from other Orange County destinations including Disneyland, Great Wolf Lodge, and Angel Stadium. It’s also just across the street from Knott’s Soak City (a huge win for anyone who’s ever known the urgent need for a long, hot shower after a day at a waterpark).
Joshua Sudock/ Knott’s Berry Farm
The Price:
You can’t beat $167 a night (what we found when we searched on Expedia) which is less than anything comparable if you wanted to stay at a Disney hotel (we still love you, though, Disney Hotels)—so not only is Knott’s an upscale, clean and comfy place to sleep when your kids are totally wiped after a day at the park, but it could save you a few Disneyland tickets’ worth of cash. Win-win! You can even save on some packages that combine park admission with an overnight stay.
A vacation with your partner or friends should be on your list for 2024
With the holidays on the horizon and all of that togetherness planned, now is the perfect time to book an adults-only vacation for the new year. Parents need time away. Adults-only vacations can strengthen your relationship with your partner, your favorite group of moms, or even your own mother. You can remember what you were like before you had kids. You can relax on the beach and actually read a book. Yes, a whole book!
These adults-only all-inclusive resorts know what parents want: delicious dinners that last well past sunset, afternoons spent at the spa, swim-up suites, and nobody calling you “mommy” or “daddy.” Here are some of our favorite resorts in the Caribbean, Mexico, the U.S, and beyond.
Whether you plan to spread out your towel at the infinity pool or at one of the oceanside cabanas, you are in for a treat at Hyatt Zilaria Cancun. All of the 310 rooms are extra-large suites and they even have swim-up suites if you want that easy access to the water. Evening entertainment is available if you are looking to take advantage of your late bedtime. The property even has a romance concierge who is at your beck and call to arrange a dinner under the stars or couples’ massage on the beach.
Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort is the place to go if you are looking for an adults-only, wellness-inclusive sanctuary. Situated alongside the white sand and turquoise-blue waters of Bávaro Beach. Meliá Punta Cana Beach Resort offers a fully immersive “Wellbeing 360 Experience,” that includes activities like yoga, meditation, culinary classes, bike tours, botanical garden workshops, and fire ritual ceremonies. Those looking for a more introspective space can visit the resort’s Silent Spaces which offer solo painting, sound healing spots, reading pods, and spiritual labyrinth rituals. We are relaxed just thinking about it!
We know you’re going to feel pampered at this adults-only all-inclusive resort as your reservation comes with your own guest ambassador ready to book your couples massage or organize a champagne breakfast in bed. All the rooms are private villas so you’ll feel miles away from your everyday life. Gastronomy is a huge focus here with Michelin star dining options available. Don’t leave without enjoying a Carribean-flavored cocktail at the three-tiered infinity pool.
Whether you are planning a moms’ weekend or are looking to bring a little more zen back into your relationship, Miraval delivers. The Sonoran desert is well known for its healing properties and you’ll be able to feel it and when you visit. The pace is slow and the sun is plentiful—this area near the Santa Catalina Mountains typically sees about 350 days of sunshine a year. Unplug and enjoy yoga, meditation, and breathwork before you head to the spa for an intuitive massage or reiki treatment.
This five diamond resort is set on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Retreat to your luxury suite with a balcony or terrace that’s perfect for watching the waves crash along the shore. You’ll enjoy many different types of gourmet cuisine including French, Italian, seafood, and Pan-Asian. Book a couples massage and then enjoy the whirlpool with sauna and steam room. If you want to take advantage of your later bedtime, the resort offers shows, dance lessons, theme nights, and movies on the beach.
The adults–only, all-inclusive Treasure Beach is set on a stunning stretch of the Platinum Coast with a variety of gorgeous suites to choose from. Foodies can perfect the art of pastry-making and food-styling, savor signature dishes with an interactive Chef’s Table experience, and try wine-tasting and pairing sessions with the resort’s sommelier. Enjoy complimentary water sports or tours of the island’s art galleries. Following the day’s activities, guests can enjoy nightly cocktail sundowners against a picture-perfect Barbados sunset.
This visually stunning property welcomes guests to Greece’s largest island, Crete, for some rest and relaxation. Massive lagoon pools wind their way around the property, making you feel like you are floating on water. You can choose from pool-view rooms, swim-up rooms, and overwater bungalow suites with hot tubs. Dining centers around local Mediterranean cuisine including some top-notch Green wines. You’ll definitely want to try out some of the wellness offerings including spa treatments which include access to the sauna, jacuzzi, hammam, and indoor heated pool.
From as far back as the late 19th century, elite families like the Rockefellers and the Vanderbilts would make the bumpy journey via stagecoach to remote Castle Hot Springs, an oasis in the desert well known for its restorative water. The once-popular resort eventually declined and then burned down in 1976. The resort was brought back in February 2019, and those looking for relaxation and a zen-like atmosphere have enjoyed it ever since. Once there, couples will find just 32 bungalows and cabins, along with the signature natural hot springs. The restorative water flows into bedroom soaking tubs, the main swimming pool, and three rock grotto pools. The water can also flow into your veins if you swig the resort’s own Lithium Lagerbeer, made from the natural spring water. Spa services incorporating spring water are available, as well as horseback riding and yoga.
From indoor gardens and satin pillowcases to indulgent skincare and eye-catching accessories, these gifts for moms are perfect for her
Moms are amazing at so many things, but sharing their own wish lists during the holiday season isn’t always one of them. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and rounded up the best gifts for moms—and we mean every type of mom. Between ways for her to relax, options for beautifying her space, and just-for-fun goodies, you’ll find something she’ll love to unwrap this year. (As moms ourselves, we are experts at this sort of thing.) Read on for our picks to make their holiday merry and bright—and feel free to send an item or two our way if you’re feeling extra generous!
Clinique Cult Classic Lip Duo
Clinique
No two lip colors are more iconic than Clinique's Black Honey and Pink Honey Almost Lipsticks. They're universally flattering (seriously, every skin tone), so moms everywhere will adore this perfect-for-everyday-wear set.
Easiest way to make someone cozy this season? This Holiday Sock Gift Box. Inside, there’s the comfiest socks in the history of feet, with foot-hugging arch support, seamless toes, and three different frosty friends, all bundled up.
Talk about instant-chic. Obsession-worthy is an understatement when it comes to this drapey cardi that can be worn with everything from loungewear, jeans, dresses—name it.
It's as if a pinch bowl and a cool kitchen decoration merged together. The Salt Sphere keeps spices within reach and includes a magnetic swinging lid to keep things fresh. Available in 2 finishes.
Artist Julie Thevenot designs glass jewelry that gives the illusion of flowing water. These stunning earrings are an absolute showstopper with the opalescent sheen.
Small essentials get stowed safely away and tied securely with the leather tie for easy access, anywhere. Pick from one of the 8 lovely colors and add their initials with foil-embossed customization.
Her bedtime routine is about to become a lot more luxurious with the Kitsch Satin Pillowcase. It's gentle on hair and skin, helping to prevent frizz, dry skin, and sleep creases. They're also available in a bunch of different colors and prints.
Share joy. Connect generations. Do it all privately. Tinybeans is the photo sharing app that makes sharing your pictures with only the people you want to see them easy. You can easily and privately capture and organize your kiddo’s best moments and milestones in a single platform. Its intuitive interface, along with features like photobook creation and easy customization, make organizing and searching for memories a breeze. There's no better time of year to capture memories.
Art-meets-crafts with this artist-created 800-piece puzzle. A percentage of each Jiggy Puzzle sold goes directly to the artist, and the puzzle comes in a reusable glass jar and includes a tube of puzzle glue, a straight-edge tool to spread the glue, and a print of the art to follow.
No matter what your style is, this textured, movement-inspired vase will fit right in. It's such a unique piece and is available in short (pictured) or tall.
Made for moms who love having hours of energy, mental clarity, and focus (actually, who doesn't want those things?). This brain-boosting, mildly caffeinated set is stacked high with powerful adaptogenic herb and plant ingredients that are third-party tested for quality and efficacy. Formulated to skip stress, crash, and jitters, too.
Whether she's a jetsetter or just loves to be cozy, there's no beating this responsibly-made cashmere travel set that includes socks, sleep mask, and blanket. Available in 3 colors.
Coupe glasses are having a moment, and we're not mad about it. They're beautiful, functional, and gives major Gatsby vibes. They come in a set of 4 in three color options.
In black, merlot, or bourbon, this sling bag is perfect for everyone. It can be dressed up or down and is super comfortable to wear. The included zip pouch and exterior phone pocket makes it a bag they'll use for years.
With 12 different sheet masks for all skin types, designed to hydrate, firm, and boost radiance, this is a great way to help her add some much-needed self-care into her life.
No one deserves to waste time more than mom, and with over 200 pages of fun time-wasting activities, she'll have no problem avoiding adulting for a while.
We adore functional + adorable, and the Rollink Flex delivers. Available in multiple colors and 4 sizes, it collapses to just 6" for easy storage, plus it's so easy to maneuver through airports (or wherever you're going).
BAGGU's best-selling reusable bag can hold up to 50 lbs (or 2-3 plastic grocery bags worth of stuff), and it folds down to a 5"x5" pouch so it can go everywhere with you. Comes in multiple colors and prints.
It's a dress. It's a hoodie. It's your new favorite cozy piece. Wear it with sneakers, with tights, with leggings, and the defined waist is oh-so-flattering. Available in multiple colors and in POPFLEX's signature yummy fabrication.
This organic Matcha soak has tulsi and eucalyptus essential oils for a subtle, bright and creamy scent, making your bath ultra-moisturizing and indulgent.
The number of hours we spend shaving over the course of a year adds up (and it's kinda depressing, to be honest). The Air3 IPL handset offers a quick 12 minute treatment, skin-cooling technology for a nearly-painless experience, and results in only 3 weeks.
Wooden Spoon Herbs x Cap Beauty Light Ray Tincture
Cap Beauty
This tincture is designed to reveal radiance and luminosity from the inside out. Made with a unique blend of herbs and superfood to hydrate, plump, and nourish for your clearest gleaming glow by taking just a few drops a day.
The Stagg EKG electric kettle created in collaboration with Fellow means not only do you get a fabulous Stagg kettle; you get it in this special limited-edition Broccoli color.
Moms are notorious for forgetting to take care of themselves. Make it easier for them with the genius that is Ritual Women's Multivitamin. It leads the pack in absorption, uses a 'beadlet in oil' technology that combines oily and dry ingredients in one caplet, and the mint essence keeps everything feeling fresh when you take it.
This starter set comes with everything you need to grow fresh herbs from your kitchen year-round: a complete Auk, 4 packets of seeds, coco soil, plant chip, and nutrients.
These handmade, sustainable California wines are boxed in chic packaging that creates 84% less waste than glass (while holding 2 full bottles) and keeps your wine fresh for up to 6 weeks. There are multiple options to choose from, too.
Meet the gorgeous balm that looks just like lipstick but won't actually dry out your lips (your winter skin will thank you). Available in 8 flattering shades.
For the new mom, the Elvie Stride is a massive timesaver. The best connected control on-demand and hospital-grade suction in-bra. With Elvie's smart, specialized breastfeeding app, you can fully manage your pump without so much as readjusting your shirt.
Speaking of cheese, Curdbox includes a delivery of 3 cheeses, 3 pairings, information on all of them, and more. You can also include wine with your subscription gift.
'You Could Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir' by Maggie Smith
Amazon
A story about finding beauty no matter where you are or what you're going through, in a way only Maggie Smith could write. Just read the absolutely glowing reviews.
If there's anything more relaxing than a hammock, we haven't found it yet. The Signature is the most popular hammock from Yellow Leaf, woven with extra-soft yarn that's cozy and durable. There are multiple places to hang this baby, too, inside or out.
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
For those who just can’t get enough of the sweet salty combo, Pop-Tarts Pretzel is the new perfect snack.
Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries have long been a staple sweet either for breakfast or an anytime snack. Now the company that revolutionized breakfast on-the-go is bringing you a whole new way to enjoy its signature dish. Pop-Tarts Pretzel features a salty pretzel crust with a sweet filling in one of two flavors, Chocolate and Cinnamon Sugar.
photo: Courtesy of Pop-Tarts
“Pop-Tarts is always ingeniously creating new ways to enjoy familiar, loved foods,” said Joe Beauprez, marketing director, Pop-Tarts. “With the debut of Pop-Tarts Pretzel, we’ve fixed a snacking staple, and added two more delicious options to our line-up of flavors.”
Both new flavors will be available in stores nationwide in an 8-pack for $3.49 starting Jan. 2020.
Sometime a few years ago, your typical lunch out likely went from three martinis to three Martinelli’s. But just because you have a toddler in tow doesn’t mean you have to give up your special lunch dates—they just may be a tad messier now and involve more French fries. Check out these casual eateries for a midday meal you and your little one will both enjoy.
photo: Chelsea Lin
Gnocchi Bar
Chef Lisa Nakamura used to run a fine dining restaurant on Orcas Island; she just opened an uber casual Capitol Hill spot based around one of her most popular dishes: gnocchi. There’s soup, salads, and focaccia sandwiches, but you’ll want to order the signature dish—potato gnocchi with roasted portabellas and spicy pickled peppers for you, polenta gnocchi with meatballs and tomato sauce for your tiny diner. A little secret: the sweets here are just as good as the savories. Pastry chef Adana Protonentis is a whiz with butter and flour, and you can still get a scoop made by former tenants D’Ambrosio Gelato to round out the Italian experience.
Before or After: Walk the few blocks to Cal Anderson Park, where you both can burn off that sugar high in the acres of green space or take advantage of the wading pool, play area or fountain.
1542 12th Ave.
Seattle, Wa 98122
206-328-4285
Online: gnocchibarseattle.com or on Facebook
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 7 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sat., 8 a.m.-12 a.m.; Sun., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sky View Café
Looking for a better view than the Space Needle? Head to the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center, where the Sky View Observatory recently launched a modern, stylish café catered by Ravishing Radish. The menu is perfect for kids, ranging from snacks like popcorn and cookies to full meals like minestrone soup or a ham and Swiss sandwich. And for working parents nearby (or even in the building), this makes an ideal noontime family meet-up.
Before or After: Since you’re spending $12.50 on admission (kids under 5 are free, thankfully) to the highest public observatory on the West Coast, take your time to look around and enjoy the bird’s-eye view.
Kukai Ramen & Izakaya
When the weather (or this week’s preschool bug) calls for a bowl of steaming soup, there’s none better than the real-deal ramen at this Northgate location of a Japanese chain. Do as we do: order a bowl of simple shio or more complex tonkotsu shoyu ramen and a side of extra noodles—you can share the broth and toppings. It’s also easy to make a meal out of the small plates, like veggie tempura, fried chicken, or edamame.
Before or After: Catch a flick at Regal Thornton Place, just steps away. The theater is running $1 movie tickets to popular kids’ movies from June 23 to August 19 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
319 N.E. Thornton Pl.
Seattle, Wa 98125
206-946-6792
Online: kukai-ramen.com or on Facebook
Hours: Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sun., 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Pike Place Market
This may be an obvious choice, but Seattle’s most quintessential hotspot is also one of its best places for a parent/kiddo lunch. The best way to approach your date is a progressive meal: mac ‘n’ cheese from Beecher’s, fresh fruit and veggie samples from the stalls (try to find something your hungry munchkin has never seen before), a baggie of hot doughnuts from Daily Dozen. There are plenty of people to watch, you can sit for a while to check out the ferries, and it’s loud enough that no one will notice a tantrum or two.
Before or After: Walk down the Harbor Steps and take your pick: the aquarium is a delightful place to while away a few hours, or you could simply spend the time watching the sea wall construction machinery.
85 Pike St.
Seattle, Wa 98101
206-682-7453
Online: pikeplacemarket.org or on Facebook
Hours: Vary by business
Señor Moose Café
Seattle may not be known for its Mexican food, but this Ballard restaurant breaks the mold—it’s cheesy enough for selective eaters but with options both spicy and authentic for more adventurous ones. There are quesadillas if you must, but we recommend the spectacular chilaquiles (tortilla chips tossed in green or red salsa and scrambled with eggs), any of the sopes (thick tortillas made from masa and filled), and the fried plantains. Weekend brunch means long waits, but weekday lunch or brunch is generally breezy.
Before or After: The Seattle Gymnastics Academy’s Ballard location is within walking distance, and their drop-in indoor playground—where your tot can bounce and run to her heart’s content—opens at noon on weekdays.
5242 Leary Ave. N.W.
Seattle, Wa 98107
206-784-5568
Hours: Sun.-Thurs., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Online: senormoose.com or on Facebook
Did we miss your favorite go-to lunch spot? Share your favorites in the Comments below!
If you’ve got a little visionary and or mini explorer, one with an exploding imagination and fearless ideas, you may have found that the regular old summer camps aren’t doing the trick. Enter Galileo Innovation Camp, a beloved Bay Area summer camp that has arrived in LA just in time for summer. The imaginative curriculum and nurturing environment instills confidence alongside the learning, and it’s so much fun kids beg for an extra week.
Welcome to the City of Angels
The camp founder, a SoCal native, was happy to bring his camp back to his roots, and felt like it was a great fit. “LA is a hotbed for creativity and innovation and we felt like our program would be a perfect addition to that ecosystem,” said Glen Tripp, Founder and CEO, Galileo Innovation Camps for Kids. “Plus, having grown up in Southern California, I wanted to bring home the camp I developed and would have loved to attend when I was a kid.”
A Day In The Life
Camp Galileo is for kids from PreK-5th Grade. Each week, budding innovators explore one of four themes, such as “Galileo Rocks” where they will get to unleash their inner rock star or virtuoso while creating their own works of art and experimenting with frequency and vibration. Each theme combines art, science and outdoor activities, and is cleverly adapted for three different age groups.
For example, within the theme “Destination San Francisco” one one day you’ll find Nebulas (Pre-K to K) constructing a richly-textured bison collage inspired by a imaginary trip to the Golden Gate Park, then building a mini version of the country’s first public playground (built in San Francisco) and finally taking part in a city-themed scavenger hunt. Meanwhile, the Stars (1st and 2nd Grades) bring the sea lions of Pier 39 to life using oil pastels and engineer their very own miniature cable car system with working pulleys. The big kids, Supernovas (3rd to 5th Grades), are working on more advanced concepts such as building a skyscraper that can stand up to a simulated earthquake or using paper-folding techniques to create a robust, three-dimensional cardboard structure.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Galileo Summer Quest is for big siblings, grades 5-8. They can direct how they choose to explore their passions, picking from more than a dozen majors including Fashion Design, Mod Design with Minecraft®, or Chefology: International Eats. Whether these up-and-coming visionaries are designing their own mini-collection to be featured at the end-of-session runway show or inventing a signature dish to serve at the camp-wide international food festival, they can dive into a new major each week or return to a major that they love and try even more ambitious projects.
All work and no play, you say? Aside from spending four hours a day working in their majors, big kid campers will have plenty of time to participate in camp-wide activities and games, build new friendships and relax with some of Galileo’s inspiring leaders.
Feed the Brain, Feed the Body
When these future inventors are working and playing this hard, they get famished. Here kids have the option of packing their own lunches or parents can sign them up for a nutritious lunch program provided by Choicelunch for $36 a week. The lunch program offers more than five entrée options every day and includes a morning snack, a big lunch, a healthy afternoon snack and fresh-cut fruit. Health-conscious parents can rest assured that all ingredients are organically and locally sourced (whenever possible) 100% trans-fat free and that no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners are added. Just add water, and you can send kids off for the day, without a care (or a packing frenzy) in the world.
Investing In Your Innovator
Camp Galileo starts at $379 and Galileo Summer Quest starts at $489 for the first week. Save $20 if you sign up for a second week, $30 for a third week and $50 for a fourth and subsequent week(s). Extended care is $40 for the morning session and $80 for the afternoon session. For the Nebula campers, there is also a part-day program option from 9 a.m.-1 p.m., if they’re not ready for a full day.
How Soon and Where Do We Send Them?
Camps are held Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with extended care available starting at 8 a.m. and available until 6 p.m., at the following locations:
Registration has already begun, so you can sign up online now at galileo-camps.com.
So if you’re tired of the same-old same-old (or you missed the hour window you had to sign up for Zoo Camp—that sucker filled up fast!), there’s a cool new camp in town. And we think it will fit right in.
Do you have an innovative camp that your kids love? Let us know in the comment section; we’re always looking for a fantastic find that will keep kids busy and happy all summer long.
— Judy Park
All photos courtesy of Galileo Innovation Camps for Kids
Welcome to our first weekly post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF on a day-to-day basis. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas around San Francisco.
All eyes might be on the city’s Italian hot spots, but our true neighborhood restaurants are French. Flying under the radar with an average of 40 seats, SF’s bistros are refreshingly low on hipness and rich with steak frites. Straight out of your last trip to Paris, these seven are packed to the brim nightly with regulars often greeted by the owner with a kiss on both cheeks. Bon appétit!
1. L’Ardoise (Duboce Triangle), 151 Noe St., 415-437-260
Chef-owner Thierry Clement grew up in Orval, a village near Sancerre, where his parents own a butcher shop. In SF, while working at restaurants such as Fringale and the former Frisson, he dreamed of opening his own bistro. One day, he took a wrong turn (of course, while on his scooter—how French) onto a tree-lined street in Duboce Triangle. “I said to myself, Wow. It’s like a small village inside the city,” says Clement of L’Ardoise’s surrounding block. He recently took over the stoves at Le Charm too, the very first restaurant he worked at when he moved here. Not coincidentally, he’s engaged to be married to its owner.
Best seat in the house: Plant yourself at the bar so you can watch the kitchen action. Signature dish: Coq au vin. “You can make this dish in an hour and a half, but it takes me five hours, plus the marinating. I’m very precise about it,” says Clement. —Sara Deseran
After 18 years of owning the popular Baker Street Bistro, Jacques Manuera’s eyes started to wander. His heart settled on an ex-crack house in NoPa that had been burned to a crisp in a fire. “It seemed like an interesting undertaking,” says the modest Frenchman wryly. Barely a year after opening Bistro Central Parc, a skip away from the Panhandle, the former drug den is now a neighborhood gathering spot with chef Nicolas Jardin—a Marseille-native who can say he worked with Guy Savoy (if briefly)—at the stove. It’s clear their devoted regulars have followed them. Not a moment goes by in the perpetually packed restaurant without hearing Manuera bid a customer adieu with a “bonsoir!”
Best seat in the house: A window table looking out onto the tree-lined street. Signature dish: Juicy rack of lamb served with ratatouille. —Laura Mason
Twenty or so years ago, Chapeau chef and co-owner Philippe Gardelle moved to San Francisco to learn English. The self-taught cook from Toulouse has always loved to entertain. “When you come to this restaurant, it’s like coming to my house,” he says. The only French restaurant on a strip of Asian eateries and markets on Clement Street, Chapeau is a destination. And Gardelle is the perfect dinner party host, darting back and forth from the kitchen to the front of the house to make sure everyone is enjoying their meals. “During the day, I write the menu, cook, and choose the wine, but at night I like to be where everyone is,” he says.
Best seat in the house: The bar, especially for drop-ins. Signature dish: Cassoulet de Toulouse. “I like to have a country dish on the menu,” says Gardelle. —Allison McCarthy
Before owner and Hong Kong native Lina Lew worked under Hubert Keller at Fleur de Lys in the early ’90s, she cut her teeth in kitchens all over France, including Michelin-starred Moulin de Mougins in the French Riviera. In 1994, Lew and her then-husband (whom she met in Paris) opened Le Charm. With its burnt-orange walls and white tablecloths, it has long offered a romantic respite on a busy corner of SoMa. Today, Lew floats between the front of the house and the kitchen, where she cooks with executive chef and fiancé Thierry Clement (see L’Ardoise).
Best seat in the house: A table on the heated patio strung with lights. Signature dish: Cassoulet —Lauren Ladoceour
5. Le Zinc (Noe Valley), 4063 24th St., 415-647-9400
“French food doesn’t have to be a fancy occasion,” says Diana Braud, who once owned a wine bar called Millesimes with her husband Max Braud, right near the Odeon Metro Station in Paris—a casual spot where they crammed as much food as they could behind the bar. When the couple married, they decided to take their love of Parisian food to San Francisco, the only city that felt right for the little place they envisioned. They opened Le Zinc (the name is a colloquial term for “cafe” in France) 10 years ago and have cultivated a following of French customers who stop in weekly for a taste of home.
Best seat in the house: The one window table in the front is where the action is.
Signature dish: The bouef bourguignon. —Jennifer Pollock
6. Gamine (Cow Hollow), 2223 Union St., 415-771-7771
This red, storybook bistro located in the old Chez Maman space was transformed into Gamine three years ago when owner Stephen Bouillez bought out his former partner Jocelyn Bulow (the owner of Chez Papa and Chez Maman in Potrero Hill). Bouillez, who now runs the tiny 30-seater with his partner Susannah Dempsey, greets every single one of his guests as if he’s known them for a lifetime. He hails from Marseille and his food is the kind his grandmother used to make in the south of France. “We sell four cases of rosé every week because rosé is my milk,” he says. Oldies but goodies like escargot steeped in butter are on the menu, as are three kinds of mussels. On sunny days, the few seats under the awning offer some Parisian-style people watching mixed with Cow Hollow-style Lululemon fashion.
Best seat in the house: Parties of 8 to 12 can reserve the cozy, drapery-laden private room upstairs free of charge. Signature dish: Grilled pork chops with mustard sauce and Brussels sprouts. —S.D.
You could call owner Laurent Legendre a bistro-generating machine. The Paris native studied at Ecole Hoteliere and honed his chops at culinary institutions like L’Arpege and the four-centuries-old Tour D’Argent. But he gave that up when a 1996 vacation to San Francisco lured him westward for good. Soon after, he debuted the much-loved Clementine in the Inner Richmond, followed by Bistro Clement, before opening Le P’tit Laurent nearly four years ago on an angled corner of Glen Park so village-like it could be straight out of Amelie. And he’s not done yet: Look for his new wine-and-oyster bar right across the street this spring.
Best seat in the house: The romantic two-top in the window corner or the bar if you’re solo. Signature dish: The $22 three-course “neighborhood” menu, available Sunday through Thursday. If it’s on the menu, don’t miss the rabbit Normandy and the chocolate soufflé for dessert. —Robin Rinaldi
