Brett Emerson

Chef
Brett Emerson

San Francisco

About Brett Emerson

Brett Emerson is the chef-owner of Barceloneta, a California-Spanish restaurant and bar opening in downtown Santa Cruz in Spring 2019. Brett and his wife and business partner Elan Emerson ran the popular San Francisco tapas restaurant Contigo for ten years. Brett’s cooking is a product of his two passions: the bold, rustic dishes of Spain and the bounty of Northern California farms, ranches and oceans.

Accolades

  • Bib Gourmand
    Michelin Guide
  • Three Stars
    San Francisco magazine
  • Where to Go Next: San Francisco
    Food & Wine
  • ChefsFeed Winner
    One of the Best Things to Eat in SF

Where I Go Out

Pastrami sandwich
Pastrami sandwich
Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
$$, Outdoor Seating, Sandwiches, Breakfast, Jewish, Deli / Bodega, So Ma
"My prayers have been answered—a great pastrami sandwich in San Francisco! I've had one every week since Wise Sons started selling their sandwiches at the Tuesday Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market. I like mine on rye bread."
Brett Emerson
Chef
Brett Emerson
Pizza funghi
Pizza funghi
Piccino Cafe
$$, Outdoor Seating, Café, Breakfast, Italian, Dogpatch
"I've been a fan of Piccino for years. I like to sit at the kitchen counter at lunch, order a glass or two of wine and several of the always terrific starters. I also always order one of the light crispy pizzas, especially this mushroom one."
Brett Emerson
Chef
Brett Emerson
Massaman nong lai
Massaman nong lai
Kin Khao
$$, Happy Hour, Reservations, Full Bar, Thai, Tenderloin
"Everything—the food, cocktails, wine—is delicious at this new Union Square Thai restaurant tucked inside the Parc 55 Hotel. My favorite so far is the beef shank Massaman curry. It's fall-off-the-bone tender and profoundly spiced."
Brett Emerson
Chef
Brett Emerson
Tacos de carnitas
Tacos de carnitas
La Taqueria
$, Outdoor Seating, Mexican, Burritos, Tacos, Mission
"If I were to ever move away from San Francisco, this is the one dish I would miss the most. Order your tacos with avocado, use plenty of the housemade green salsa, and don't miss the best aguas frescas in town. For an extra special experience, come Tuesday through Saturday to have your taco made by "The Master.""
Brett Emerson
Chef
Brett Emerson
Bohemia beer battered fish tacos
Bohemia beer battered fish tacos
Primavera
$, Mexican, Breakfast, Food Truck, Embarcadero
"Before I head to the Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers' Market, I check online to see what Primavera is selling for breakfast. My favorite item, available once every few weeks, is the fish taco."
Brett Emerson
Chef
Brett Emerson
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