San Francisco Bay Area
BBQ at long last
The lines at pitmaster Matt Horn’s new restaurant, finally open in West Oakland, are reminiscent of Austin’s famously popular Franklin Barbecue. But the achingly tender Texas-style brisket (smoked for 18 hours) at Horn Barbnecue is worth the two-hour-plus long wait, says 7×7. Don’t forget the side of cornbread and sweet rum cake for dessert.
Art blossoms in the Castro
It started off as a way to beautify local storefronts boarded up for the pandemic. It’s now blossomed into a neighborhood-wide phenomenon in the Castro as beautiful murals—most by underrepresented artists—are popping up like beautiful flowers all across San Francisco’s Castro district.
A retro trip down Market Street
Ever wonder what it was like in downtown San Francisco back in the 1930s? A video from that era documenting a “trip down Market Street” has been remarkably restored—with extra boosts of color and high definition—to offer a realistic experience of what life was like in The City nearly 100 years ago. Check it out.
Thanksgiving dinner, reimagined
There’s no getting around it. Thanks to the upsurge in Covid cases, this year’s Thanksgiving gathering will be a more intimate affair. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, says the San Francisco Chronicle, which collected four fun recipes that put a new creative spin on traditional Turkey Day classics.
Los Angeles Greater Area
Vintage Thanksgiving dishes to revive
Time was when these recipes were Turkey Day musts. Today, they’re lost in the cookbooks of time. Maybe this is the year to bring retro treats like cola glazed ham and Indian pudding back. Unless at your house, they never went away.
Cut your own Christmas tree
You’ll need a saw (unpowered, puh-leeze), work gloves, tarps … and a tree farm. The first two are pretty much up to you. But some of the best farms are in this handy guide. Clearly, you’ll want to make a fragrant, festive day of it.
Experience the garden in a whole new light
Welcome to South Coast Botanic Garden Glow, an immersive encounter that wraps you in stunning designer lights and a curated soundtrack from Train to Vivaldi. It’s the garden’s first after-dark presentation … and an awesome holiday experience.
Pasadena Showcase House … virtually
Welcome to Locke House, 7,600 square feet of modest country living. True, it’s not the live walkthrough we know and love. But with aerial video, 360° zoomable interior views, up-close designer interviews and more, it’s quite the awesome alternative.
