Chef

Charlie Kleinman

"Everything here is stunning in that it looks so simple but has complex layers of technique and flavor. Bone marrow with pickled sunchokes and shaved aged beef was rich, sour, crunchy, warm, salty and packed with aged beef umami. Go to otway now."

"Perfectly smoked pork, rich creamy grits, a runny egg and two awesome Carolina BBQ sauces. It's the best brunch deal in town."

"Everything at Monsieur Benjamin is beautifully prepared, but the sweetbreads have it all. They're crispy, tart, briny, creamy and rich. I could eat them every day. My wife says I'm not allowed to, though."

"Wow, these are the best tacos I think I've ever had. Amazing tortillas and each bite is more complex and interesting than the last. Definitely try as many as possible. When are they opening in SF?"

"I came after jury duty to try the tripe (which they were unfortunately out of that day), but in the land of pork sandwiches, this one stands out. It's rich, juicy, and fatty with a great foil of briny goodness. Looks like I'll have to find another excuse to come to Civic Center."

"They can call it whatever they want, but this is a dish of glorious, wonderful stir-fried pork belly. Chili oil, leeks, tofu, and dried, fermented black beans are cooked with pork belly and copious amounts of jalapeños, which creates this fatty, sticky, and rich meat in the best way possible. Strong, spicy flavors cut through the richness in each bite. I have eaten at Spices! over a hundred times and have never failed to order this dish."