Posts tagged foodandmusic

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - KIERSTEN STEVENS Kiersten Stevens worked at Foodbuzz before becoming a photo stylist. What was the food highlight of your year? Lolinda’s bone marrow hands down. Delicious melted meat butter in your mouth, really doesn’t get any better. Anothony Bourdain loves a good blood sausage, I can’t get enough bone marrow. I would suggest posting up at the communal table, order a Gilda (with mescal instead of Calle Blanco) and ordering a few bites! What was the music highlight of your year? M. Ward at the Fillmore was a real treat for me. I love that man’s voice so much and the Filmore is one of my all time favorite places to see music. I also stumbled across Canadian duo Whitehorse at The Continental Club in Austin during SXSW, which has been one of my favorite records of the year! Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? The best food and music moment was definitely Noise Pop’s new festival, Noisette (such a cute name!). Top SF restaurants, mixing with the raddest bands, doesn’t get much better. A highlight of that event was seeing Dennis Lee, chef and owner of NAMU totally hammered. Good times! MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - KIERSTEN STEVENS

Kiersten Stevens worked at Foodbuzz before becoming a photo stylist.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Lolinda’s bone marrow hands down. Delicious melted meat butter in your mouth, really doesn’t get any better. Anothony Bourdain loves a good blood sausage, I can’t get enough bone marrow. I would suggest posting up at the communal table, order a Gilda (with mescal instead of Calle Blanco) and ordering a few bites!

What was the music highlight of your year?

M. Ward at the Fillmore was a real treat for me. I love that man’s voice so much and the Filmore is one of my all time favorite places to see music. I also stumbled across Canadian duo Whitehorse at The Continental Club in Austin during SXSW, which has been one of my favorite records of the year!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The best food and music moment was definitely Noise Pop’s new festival, Noisette (such a cute name!). Top SF restaurants, mixing with the raddest bands, doesn’t get much better. A highlight of that event was seeing Dennis Lee, chef and owner of NAMU totally hammered. Good times!

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - NICK TANGBORN Nick Tangborn has worked in both the food and music industries long enough to know better. He currently lives in Austin, TX. What was your food highlight of the year? My parents come to visit every year in early December on their way from Northern Minnesota to Arizona — they’re snowbirds, with the big white Ford 750 and fifth wheel RV. They always bring me canned tomatoes, pickles (my mom’s pickles blow away the competition), pickled green beans, “red hot” cinnamon cucumber pickles, sauerkraut, and plenty of Christmas cookies. This year, we went to Central Market (the big gourmet paradise grocer in Austin) and my dad said “Those tomatoes look just like the ones we canned — man they were hard to peel.” I looked at the tomatoes and realized that, somehow, my parents had meant to plant beefsteak tomatoes for canning, but had planted heirlooms instead. So now I have 12 jars of amazing, perfect peeled heirloom tomatoes canned and ready. That’s pretty awesome. What was your music highlight of the year? In March, when Batter Blaster — the company I helped run for 5 years — was still a functioning entity, a bunch of us were at a bar called Donn’s Depot here in Austin. I heard, across the bar, my CEO say “Don’t worry — Nick can book that Saturday show.” This was 3 weeks before SXSW. So I had 3 weeks, no budget, and a Saturday afternoon party to throw. Three weeks later, we had John Doe, both of The Posies (Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, playing separately), Ian Moore and Jesse Dayton together, Loquat, Shurman, Beaver Nelson, Carletta Sue Kay and Dave Mulligan from Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Ken and Ian, on the floor with no mics, singing “Give Me Another Chance” by Big Star is still my absolute favorite moment of the past year. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? A lot of my memories of the past year seem to be tied to the Hole in the Wall — that’s where we threw that party in March, and that’s where a bunch of my friends tend to play, like The Mother Hips, David Dondero, etc. They just opened the back kitchen up with Paul Qui, the Top Chef winner, and his East Side King concept. Previously food trailers, now it’s a full blown brick and mortar place, just behind where the bands play. The squid ink curry ramen is outstanding, as is the chicken tortilla soup (made with bacon dashi and chicken-tortilla tom yum paste to carry the East meets West theme). It’s awesome now to go to a show there and be able to walk 25 feet and get Chicken Kara-Age and a bowl of Beer Bacon Miso Ramen. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - NICK TANGBORN

Nick Tangborn has worked in both the food and music industries long enough to know better. He currently lives in Austin, TX.

What was your food highlight of the year?

My parents come to visit every year in early December on their way from Northern Minnesota to Arizona — they’re snowbirds, with the big white Ford 750 and fifth wheel RV. They always bring me canned tomatoes, pickles (my mom’s pickles blow away the competition), pickled green beans, “red hot” cinnamon cucumber pickles, sauerkraut, and plenty of Christmas cookies. This year, we went to Central Market (the big gourmet paradise grocer in Austin) and my dad said “Those tomatoes look just like the ones we canned — man they were hard to peel.” I looked at the tomatoes and realized that, somehow, my parents had meant to plant beefsteak tomatoes for canning, but had planted heirlooms instead. So now I have 12 jars of amazing, perfect peeled heirloom tomatoes canned and ready. That’s pretty awesome.

What was your music highlight of the year?

In March, when Batter Blaster — the company I helped run for 5 years — was still a functioning entity, a bunch of us were at a bar called Donn’s Depot here in Austin. I heard, across the bar, my CEO say “Don’t worry — Nick can book that Saturday show.” This was 3 weeks before SXSW. So I had 3 weeks, no budget, and a Saturday afternoon party to throw. Three weeks later, we had John Doe, both of The Posies (Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, playing separately), Ian Moore and Jesse Dayton together, Loquat, Shurman, Beaver Nelson, Carletta Sue Kay and Dave Mulligan from Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers. Ken and Ian, on the floor with no mics, singing “Give Me Another Chance” by Big Star is still my absolute favorite moment of the past year.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

A lot of my memories of the past year seem to be tied to the Hole in the Wall — that’s where we threw that party in March, and that’s where a bunch of my friends tend to play, like The Mother Hips, David Dondero, etc. They just opened the back kitchen up with Paul Qui, the Top Chef winner, and his East Side King concept. Previously food trailers, now it’s a full blown brick and mortar place, just behind where the bands play. The squid ink curry ramen is outstanding, as is the chicken tortilla soup (made with bacon dashi and chicken-tortilla tom yum paste to carry the East meets West theme). It’s awesome now to go to a show there and be able to walk 25 feet and get Chicken Kara-Age and a bowl of Beer Bacon Miso Ramen.

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - SHAUN LOPEZ Shaun Lopez has played guitar in Far, The Revolution Smile, and ††† (Crosses). He owns The Airport studio in LA and has production, engineering and songwriting credits that span from The Deftones to Lupe Fiasco. What was the food highlight of your year? Man, I love good food, so this is a tough one, but I will always come back to Mexican food. Other states that think they have good Mexican food are tripping, California takes it hands down. My favorite place in LA is a lil spot called El Caapintero. Hector is the owner, chef, & he takes your order as well. He’s a one man show, and my dude throws down some of the best salsa I’ve ever had. It’s located across the street from the big Warner Bros Studios, and it has the chillest outdoor seating area. What was the music highlight of your year?  My musical highlight was traveling down to South America with my band ††† (Crosses). We played Lollapalooza in Chile and the Quilmes Festival in Buenos Aires. The people down there make you feel really welcome and we had some great support from the fans/friends. Over 100 kids were at the airports when we arrived just to say hello - very surreal. I will never take something like that for granted. It was a good reminder of how music can connect with people. As far as songs go, the first time I heard Usher’s Climax, I couldn’t believe how good it was. The production and mix still blow me away every time I hear it. That’s definitely the JAM of the year for me. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? I remember standing in line for catering at Lollapalooza and right behind me walks up Perry Farrell. I had met him the night before, and as we served up our food we rapped a bit about the various bands/DJ’s we had been checking out. I was a huge Jane’s fan growing up, so this was a cool moment for me. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - SHAUN LOPEZ

Shaun Lopez has played guitar in Far, The Revolution Smile, and ††† (Crosses). He owns The Airport studio in LA and has production, engineering and songwriting credits that span from The Deftones to Lupe Fiasco.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Man, I love good food, so this is a tough one, but I will always come back to Mexican food. Other states that think they have good Mexican food are tripping, California takes it hands down. My favorite place in LA is a lil spot called El Caapintero. Hector is the owner, chef, & he takes your order as well. He’s a one man show, and my dude throws down some of the best salsa I’ve ever had. It’s located across the street from the big Warner Bros Studios, and it has the chillest outdoor seating area.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

My musical highlight was traveling down to South America with my band ††† (Crosses). We played Lollapalooza in Chile and the Quilmes Festival in Buenos Aires. The people down there make you feel really welcome and we had some great support from the fans/friends. Over 100 kids were at the airports when we arrived just to say hello - very surreal. I will never take something like that for granted. It was a good reminder of how music can connect with people. As far as songs go, the first time I heard Usher’s Climax, I couldn’t believe how good it was. The production and mix still blow me away every time I hear it. That’s definitely the JAM of the year for me.


Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

I remember standing in line for catering at Lollapalooza and right behind me walks up Perry Farrell. I had met him the night before, and as we served up our food we rapped a bit about the various bands/DJ’s we had been checking out. I was a huge Jane’s fan growing up, so this was a cool moment for me.

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - OLIVIER CORDIER Olivier Cordier owns Olivier’s French Butchery in San Francisco where he hand-selects all carcasses, uses old world techniques, and specializes in unique cuts. What was the food highlight of your year? A fantastic bottle of red wine with 100 days ages Cote de Boeuf. What was the music highlight of your year? Always a good old disco will bring life to us at the shop.  Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Food and music will always set a better mood and make food taste better.  MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - OLIVIER CORDIER

Olivier Cordier owns Olivier’s French Butchery in San Francisco where he hand-selects all carcasses, uses old world techniques, and specializes in unique cuts.

What was the food highlight of your year?

A fantastic bottle of red wine with 100 days ages Cote de Boeuf.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Always a good old disco will bring life to us at the shop. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music will always set a better mood and make food taste better. 

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - EMILY HOBSON Emily Hobson has worked at several music technology companies and can occasionally be found spinning vinyl in her hometown of San Francisco. What was the food highlight of your year?  Bar Tartine’s Fermentation feast with Sandor Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation. The Fish stew there continues to be one of the most comforting dishes in town.  State Bird Provisions opened in January and has been a delight to visit all year long. The concept is perfect for sharing and they never fail to send out amazing food.  Even after two years, Bar Agricole continues to produce amazing and food and drinks. Everything is super-fresh and thoughtful without being precious.  The prevalence of purslane all summer long on nearly everything.  Boot and Shoe Service’s great brunch.  Turnip soup at Comstock Saloon‘s Friday (free) lunch.  Portland Cocktail Week. It’s like to a music festival but totally focused on spirits and community. What was the music highlight of your year?  Bob Mould plays Sugar’s Copper Blue at Bottom of The HillOther Lives at Great American Music HallSharon Van Etten/The War On Drugs at The Independent Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? It turns out combining food, music, and the outdoors can be a winning combination. Who knew? Most of my memorable combinations of food and music arrived in a variety of excellent outdoor settings. Two shows at Mountain Winery: Blondie/Devo and Go-Go’s/Psychedelic Furs pre-show tailgating at Mountain Winery. A beautiful view followed by great music at a stunning venue.  The Woodist Fest, Henry Miller Memorial LIbrary, Big Sur and the two day picnicking in the redwoods.  A hillside picnic at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for Nick Lowe. The confluence of food, wine, and music and sun at The Huichica fest. Our host cracked open a bottle of 1969 Lanson Champagne for breakfast to kick it all off. New Order at The Fox followed by snacks and cocktails at Flora. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - EMILY HOBSON

Emily Hobson has worked at several music technology companies and can occasionally be found spinning vinyl in her hometown of San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

Bar Tartine’s Fermentation feast with Sandor Katz, author of Wild Fermentation and The Art of Fermentation. The Fish stew there continues to be one of the most comforting dishes in town. 

State Bird Provisions opened in January and has been a delight to visit all year long. The concept is perfect for sharing and they never fail to send out amazing food. 

Even after two years, Bar Agricole continues to produce amazing and food and drinks. Everything is super-fresh and thoughtful without being precious. 

The prevalence of purslane all summer long on nearly everything. 

Boot and Shoe Service’s great brunch. 

Turnip soup at Comstock Saloon‘s Friday (free) lunch. 

Portland Cocktail Week. It’s like to a music festival but totally focused on spirits and community.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Bob Mould plays Sugar’s Copper Blue at Bottom of The Hill
Other Lives at Great American Music Hall
Sharon Van Etten/The War On Drugs at The Independent

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

It turns out combining food, music, and the outdoors can be a winning combination. Who knew? Most of my memorable combinations of food and music arrived in a variety of excellent outdoor settings.

Two shows at Mountain Winery: Blondie/Devo and Go-Go’s/Psychedelic Furs pre-show tailgating at Mountain Winery. A beautiful view followed by great music at a stunning venue. 

The Woodist Fest, Henry Miller Memorial LIbrary, Big Sur and the two day picnicking in the redwoods. 

A hillside picnic at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass for Nick Lowe.

The confluence of food, wine, and music and sun at The Huichica fest. Our host cracked open a bottle of 1969 Lanson Champagne for breakfast to kick it all off.

New Order at The Fox followed by snacks and cocktails at Flora.

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - JEFF BUNDSCHU Jeff Bundschu is President of Gundlach Bundschu Winery a co-producer of Sonoma’s Huichica Music Festival. What was the food highlight of your year?  I’d have to say the Italian Night meal at the local Catholic School here in Sonoma.  Though I heard it was fun, my kids don’t go the school and I had never attended until this year. It is a fundraiser for the school put on by their Dad’s Club.  The red and white checkered table cloths were expected, as was the copious amounts of wine, and the generations of Italian-Sonoman families in attendance.  What blew me away though was the food! Homemade antipasto, Chicken Cacciatore, and Spaghetti Marinara.  Turns out that the three head chefs/dads (none of whom cook professionally) concoct the meal every year using old family recipes, and start cooking days beforehand.   Everything was so good, in a head-spinning way.  Deep rich flavors not from this world, or at least this hemisphere. What was the music highlight of your year?  Pond, an Australian hard rock band. The best live show I’ve seen in some time, though seriously self destructive lead singer.  Saw them at SxSW in March.  Like Led Zeppelin crossed with Deep Purple with a large dose of Gibby Haynes. Run don’t walk if/when they come to town. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Actually, I’ve been working on a project that combines wine and music and was blown away to see first hand that that what you are listening to really does impact what you taste.  Stay tuned for much more on that in 2013. 5 RECORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - JEFF BUNDSCHU MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - JEFF BUNDSCHU

Jeff Bundschu is President of Gundlach Bundschu Winery a co-producer of Sonoma’s Huichica Music Festival.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

I’d have to say the Italian Night meal at the local Catholic School here in Sonoma.  Though I heard it was fun, my kids don’t go the school and I had never attended until this year. It is a fundraiser for the school put on by their Dad’s Club.  The red and white checkered table cloths were expected, as was the copious amounts of wine, and the generations of Italian-Sonoman families in attendance.  What blew me away though was the food! Homemade antipasto, Chicken Cacciatore, and Spaghetti Marinara.  Turns out that the three head chefs/dads (none of whom cook professionally) concoct the meal every year using old family recipes, and start cooking days beforehand.   Everything was so good, in a head-spinning way.  Deep rich flavors not from this world, or at least this hemisphere.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Pond, an Australian hard rock band. The best live show I’ve seen in some time, though seriously self destructive lead singer.  Saw them at SxSW in March.  Like Led Zeppelin crossed with Deep Purple with a large dose of Gibby Haynes. Run don’t walk if/when they come to town.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Actually, I’ve been working on a project that combines wine and music and was blown away to see first hand that that what you are listening to really does impact what you taste.  Stay tuned for much more on that in 2013.

5 RECORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - JEFF BUNDSCHU

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - BLAIR SHEHAN Blair Shehan was a founding member of Knapsack and currently fronts The Jealous Sound. What was the food highlight of your year? Quite a good chunk of  2012 was spent traveling america with three other grown men in a 15 passenger van. My dining choices at home in LA are spent at my usual spots, so when I”m on tour I enjoy heading out on my own for some quiet time and hopefully a great meal. It grounds me out and helps me reset from the daily grind of touring. I often comment on how this country’s highways are littered with horrible fast food and people with broken down bodies from eating it on a daily basis. I then realize I’m standing in line behind them waiting for the same food.  When we played San Diego recently I got a great tip on a shrimp burrito so I headed out. I wound up at a place called El Zarape. They make a burrito with shrimp, some kind of Jack cheese, poblano sauce, and massive shrimp and that’s all there is to it. I came back to the club and described it as” luxurious”. Deep, rich, and totally unlike any other mexican seafood I have had… Extraordinary. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? As far as music and food colliding, the band recieved an email offering us a free dinner at a Taiwanese noodle bar called Toki Underground before we played in DC, simply because the owner enjoyed our music. We were raggedy and tired and some free hot asian noodles sounded perfect. First off it’s not underground, it’s upstairs in a dining  room that is a cross between a Japanese pub and a treehouse. We belly up to the bar where they make Ramen and soups to order. I ordered a fried chicken in a red curry broth with noodles, a soft boiled egg, and ginger. I love all types of Ramen, but this was the hands down best I have ever had. Fantastic ambience and food in a hectic urban center. It was a generous gesture and much appreciated. Indie food community reaching out to indie music…just wonderful! MORE #2012F&M  

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - BLAIR SHEHAN

Blair Shehan was a founding member of Knapsack and currently fronts The Jealous Sound.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Quite a good chunk of  2012 was spent traveling america with three other grown men in a 15 passenger van. My dining choices at home in LA are spent at my usual spots, so when I”m on tour I enjoy heading out on my own for some quiet time and hopefully a great meal. It grounds me out and helps me reset from the daily grind of touring. I often comment on how this country’s highways are littered with horrible fast food and people with broken down bodies from eating it on a daily basis. I then realize I’m standing in line behind them waiting for the same food. 

When we played San Diego recently I got a great tip on a shrimp burrito so I headed out. I wound up at a place called El Zarape. They make a burrito with shrimp, some kind of Jack cheese, poblano sauce, and massive shrimp and that’s all there is to it. I came back to the club and described it as” luxurious”. Deep, rich, and totally unlike any other mexican seafood I have had… Extraordinary.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

As far as music and food colliding, the band recieved an email offering us a free dinner at a Taiwanese noodle bar called Toki Underground before we played in DC, simply because the owner enjoyed our music. We were raggedy and tired and some free hot asian noodles sounded perfect. First off it’s not underground, it’s upstairs in a dining  room that is a cross between a Japanese pub and a treehouse. We belly up to the bar where they make Ramen and soups to order. I ordered a fried chicken in a red curry broth with noodles, a soft boiled egg, and ginger. I love all types of Ramen, but this was the hands down best I have ever had. Fantastic ambience and food in a hectic urban center. It was a generous gesture and much appreciated. Indie food community reaching out to indie music…just wonderful!

MORE #2012F&M

 
2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - SEAN TIMBERLAKE Sean Timberlake is the founder of Punk Domestics, a social network for the DIY food community. What was the food highlight of your year? Back in January, I brought a group to Italy for a week of hands-on DIY food classes in preserving, salumi, pasta, piadina and more. One day was dedicated entirely to fish. For lunch that day after visiting the town’s fish market, we ate at Ristorante San Marco, in the heart of Cesenatico, where we were based. The fish was unbelievably fresh. I’ll never forget the tiny clams the size of fingernails that burst with flavor, and the sweet cannocchie, or grey mantis shrimp. My organizer laughs that we all raved about the place, as it’s not fancy, but it was extraordinary. What was the music highlight of your year?  I have been unreasonably obsessed with one album for a few months now: Look Around the Corner by Alice Russell and Quantic with his Combo Bárbaro. It’s a marvelous harkening to Latin pop of the 60s and 70s, infused with some funk and soul for good measure. I listed to it nearly every day. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? In sort of a funny way, actually. We recently went to a restaurant here in San Francisco called Mozzeria. It’s an Italian place, unsurprisingly, but what makes it unique is that the owners, chef and all the staff are entirely deaf. Somewhat atypically, the staff, even the kitchen staff, were quiet as mice. (Deaf people often aren’t aware when they make noise, for obvious reasons.) Consequently, all the patrons in the restaurant were disproportionately quiet as well. As a result, you couldn’t help but hear the music, which was not inordinately loud, but there was just nothing to push it to the background. So we enjoyed our pizzas to a soundtrack of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Rolling Stones. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - SEAN TIMBERLAKE

Sean Timberlake is the founder of Punk Domestics, a social network for the DIY food community.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Back in January, I brought a group to Italy for a week of hands-on DIY food classes in preserving, salumi, pasta, piadina and more. One day was dedicated entirely to fish. For lunch that day after visiting the town’s fish market, we ate at Ristorante San Marco, in the heart of Cesenatico, where we were based. The fish was unbelievably fresh. I’ll never forget the tiny clams the size of fingernails that burst with flavor, and the sweet cannocchie, or grey mantis shrimp. My organizer laughs that we all raved about the place, as it’s not fancy, but it was extraordinary.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

I have been unreasonably obsessed with one album for a few months now: Look Around the Corner by Alice Russell and Quantic with his Combo Bárbaro. It’s a marvelous harkening to Latin pop of the 60s and 70s, infused with some funk and soul for good measure. I listed to it nearly every day.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?


In sort of a funny way, actually. We recently went to a restaurant here in San Francisco called Mozzeria. It’s an Italian place, unsurprisingly, but what makes it unique is that the owners, chef and all the staff are entirely deaf. Somewhat atypically, the staff, even the kitchen staff, were quiet as mice. (Deaf people often aren’t aware when they make noise, for obvious reasons.) Consequently, all the patrons in the restaurant were disproportionately quiet as well. As a result, you couldn’t help but hear the music, which was not inordinately loud, but there was just nothing to push it to the background. So we enjoyed our pizzas to a soundtrack of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and the Rolling Stones.

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - BEN RHAU Ben Rhau blogs about cooking for his young family at You Fed A Baby Chili? What was the food highlight of your year? Nicolaus Balla’s menu at Bar Tartine. That was a complete overhaul in format, and the menu is both exciting and smart. We went as a group and basically ordered everything. The wine and beer pairings are thoughtful, right down to the desserts. One of the most joyful meals I’ve had in a long time. What was the music highlight of your year? I was late the party on Neutral Milk Hotel, and assumed that I’d never see Jeff Mangum perform live. I’ve been obsessed with Aeroplane for years, and kept reading with insane jealousy about his secret popup shows in Brooklyn. Seeing him perform at the Fox was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Yes, I always enjoy the musical curation at Thomas McNaughton’s restaurants. The first time, I ate at Flour+Water, they played The Stage Names in its entirety. I mean, who does that? Every time I’ve been back to one of his spots, I always pay attention to what they’re spinning. It’s like they made the experience for me. Or, I’m a completely typical San Franciscan. Either way, I like it. MORE 2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - BEN RHAU

Ben Rhau blogs about cooking for his young family at You Fed A Baby Chili?

What was the food highlight of your year?

Nicolaus Balla’s menu at Bar Tartine. That was a complete overhaul in format, and the menu is both exciting and smart. We went as a group and basically ordered everything. The wine and beer pairings are thoughtful, right down to the desserts. One of the most joyful meals I’ve had in a long time.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I was late the party on Neutral Milk Hotel, and assumed that I’d never see Jeff Mangum perform live. I’ve been obsessed with Aeroplane for years, and kept reading with insane jealousy about his secret popup shows in Brooklyn. Seeing him perform at the Fox was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Yes, I always enjoy the musical curation at Thomas McNaughton’s restaurants. The first time, I ate at Flour+Water, they played The Stage Names in its entirety. I mean, who does that? Every time I’ve been back to one of his spots, I always pay attention to what they’re spinning. It’s like they made the experience for me. Or, I’m a completely typical San Franciscan. Either way, I like it.

MORE 2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CHRIS SIMPSON Chris Simpson has fronted the bands Mineral, The Gloria Record, and Zookeeper. What was the food highlight of your year? Uchiko, an excellent sushi restaurant in Austin. It was my wife’s birthday dinner and my first time eating there. What was the music highlight of your year? Probably the Rodriguez documentary, Searching for Sugarman. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Food and music come together all the time in Austin as there are food trailers everywhere here, includng at many venues. Meso Hungry, located at Cheer Up Charlie’s is always a fave. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CHRIS SIMPSON

Chris Simpson has fronted the bands Mineral, The Gloria Record, and Zookeeper.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Uchiko, an excellent sushi restaurant in Austin. It was my wife’s birthday dinner and my first time eating there.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Probably the Rodriguez documentary, Searching for Sugarman.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Food and music come together all the time in Austin as there are food trailers everywhere here, includng at many venues. Meso Hungry, located at Cheer Up Charlie’s is always a fave.

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CAROLYNN SPENCE Carolynn Spence is the chef at Hollywood’s iconic Chateau Marmont. Photo: LA Times What was the food highlight of your year? By far a lunch in Paris at Chef Jean Francois Piege’s Thoumieux. It almost made me weep. Each course felt like part of an opera.  What was the music highlight of your year? Watching the Refused perform. The singer Dennis is like a bad ass Swedish punk rock Mick Jagger. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? The most timeless way music & food come together for me is when i get to work in a quiet kitchen alone in the mornings. Those days are few and far between nowadays but there’s nothing like throwing on some Desmond Dekker and straining a perfect veal stock at the ass crack of dawn. 5 RECORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - CAROLYNN SPENCE MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CAROLYNN SPENCE

Carolynn Spence is the chef at Hollywood’s iconic Chateau Marmont. Photo: LA Times

What was the food highlight of your year?

By far a lunch in Paris at Chef Jean Francois Piege’s Thoumieux. It almost made me weep. Each course felt like part of an opera. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

Watching the Refused perform. The singer Dennis is like a bad ass Swedish punk rock Mick Jagger.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The most timeless way music & food come together for me is when i get to work in a quiet kitchen alone in the mornings. Those days are few and far between nowadays but there’s nothing like throwing on some Desmond Dekker and straining a perfect veal stock at the ass crack of dawn.

5 RECORDS THAT CHANGED MY LIFE - CAROLYNN SPENCE

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2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - MATT NORRIS Matt Norris manages the beverage program at Soluna and 50 Mason in San Francisco. What was the food highlight of your year? Food highlight of the year is a toss up between a gorgeously executed anniversary dinner at Quince and a casual, yet delicious night at State Bird Provisions. Both experiences provided an opportunity to enjoy many different tastes and textures. Quince made me feel like royalty, lavishing us with personal touches and excellent wine pairings. State Bird feels as though you have stumbled into an alternate universe where dim sum buns and dumplings have been replaced with unique, fresh offerings showcasing the bounty of our amazing local produce. What was the music highlight of your year? Saw some great music this year, but the highlight would have to be the Flaming Lips playing The Soft Bulletin at Bimbo’s. Getting a chance to see a band that now headlines festivals play a seminal album in it’s entirety at an intimate venue can’t be beat. Plus, I got invited to the show the night of, so that spontaneity contributed to the surreal feel of the night. I also got a chance to bond with my brother-in-law and I almost forgot, confetti canons in small spaces are awesome! Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Day 2 of Treasure Island while sharing a Korrito from the Seoul On Wheels truck with my wife, while watching the Divine Fits, M83, and the sunset. Need I say more? MORE 2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - MATT NORRIS

Matt Norris manages the beverage program at Soluna and 50 Mason in San Francisco.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Food highlight of the year is a toss up between a gorgeously executed anniversary dinner at Quince and a casual, yet delicious night at State Bird Provisions. Both experiences provided an opportunity to enjoy many different tastes and textures. Quince made me feel like royalty, lavishing us with personal touches and excellent wine pairings. State Bird feels as though you have stumbled into an alternate universe where dim sum buns and dumplings have been replaced with unique, fresh offerings showcasing the bounty of our amazing local produce.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Saw some great music this year, but the highlight would have to be the Flaming Lips playing The Soft Bulletin at Bimbo’s. Getting a chance to see a band that now headlines festivals play a seminal album in it’s entirety at an intimate venue can’t be beat. Plus, I got invited to the show the night of, so that spontaneity contributed to the surreal feel of the night. I also got a chance to bond with my brother-in-law and I almost forgot, confetti canons in small spaces are awesome!

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Day 2 of Treasure Island while sharing a Korrito from the Seoul On Wheels truck with my wife, while watching the Divine Fits, M83, and the sunset. Need I say more?

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - ZACH ROGUE Zach Rogue fronts the bands Release The Sunbird and Rogue Wave. What was the food highlight of your year? Splitting a brisket sandwich with my father at Il Cane Rosso with a side of Blue Bottle espresso.  What was the music highlight of your year? Wymond Miles at Brick and Mortar. Great album, great performer. SF is deep in talent.  Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? Enjoying a fried mashed potato ball whilst watching Unknown Mortal Orchestra play to the oncoming sunset at the Phono del Sol festival was a magic moment in time, even though my Roxy Music LP melted earlier in the day when I was DJing. It was worth it. More #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - ZACH ROGUE

Zach Rogue fronts the bands Release The Sunbird and Rogue Wave.

What was the food highlight of your year?

Splitting a brisket sandwich with my father at Il Cane Rosso with a side of Blue Bottle espresso. 

What was the music highlight of your year?

Wymond Miles at Brick and Mortar. Great album, great performer. SF is deep in talent. 

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Enjoying a fried mashed potato ball whilst watching Unknown Mortal Orchestra play to the oncoming sunset at the Phono del Sol festival was a magic moment in time, even though my Roxy Music LP melted earlier in the day when I was DJing. It was worth it.

More #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - JOHN LEE John Lee fronts the recently-reunited band aMiniature. He currently lives in Korea. What was the food highlight of your year?  Living in Seoul, there’s no shortage of interesting places to eat. I frequent Nepalese, Moroccan, Italian and so many other types of restaurants here, and a lot are quite good but my favourites are usually the little weird Korean places. There’s a small alley near a palace in Seoul that’s full of tiny eateries, usually catering to drinkers of Korean booze. The foods that go with it are typically savoury pancakes, grilled meats or seafood. I went into a grilled fish place and was kinda blown away. It seats about 20 people and one poor lady is working a smoking hot grill (a half barrel on fire). All I know is she can grill a mean side of fresh mackerel and eel. The eel was fluffy and white. It looked like marshmallows that had been put over an open fire. Some parts caramelised and crispy, the rest impossibly puffy and light. The super white meat melted on my tongue and I began to sing a song of joy. I was promptly beaten with a stick. What was the music highlight of your year? My very awesome pals from No Knife rocked the stage again in San Diego this October. It’s hard for me to describe the feeling I had while watching them and the 700 or so people totally immersed in the live show. It was a weird time/space thing. People from several stages of my life were there enjoying the show and at moments I popped into the realisation that I’d be headed back to Seoul the next day, to a totally different life I’m leading there. That made the concert that much more special. It was a moment that made me really appreciate all the great people I did a lot of growing up with in San Diego’s music scene of the 1990s. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? The Japanese band Mono came to Seoul this summer. My friend Fred Weaver is their manager so I got a chance to see their live show and hang out for the requisite food/drink thing after the show. It was a mighty late night that started with Soju and grilled pork and ended with Sake at an Izakaya place. My taxi ride home was in the morning light. There’s really nothing better than watching an amazing band and then eating/drinking with them. Two of the best things rammed into one great experience. Kinda like a peanut butter cup. Only louder. MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - JOHN LEE

John Lee fronts the recently-reunited band aMiniature. He currently lives in Korea.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

Living in Seoul, there’s no shortage of interesting places to eat. I frequent Nepalese, Moroccan, Italian and so many other types of restaurants here, and a lot are quite good but my favourites are usually the little weird Korean places. There’s a small alley near a palace in Seoul that’s full of tiny eateries, usually catering to drinkers of Korean booze. The foods that go with it are typically savoury pancakes, grilled meats or seafood. I went into a grilled fish place and was kinda blown away. It seats about 20 people and one poor lady is working a smoking hot grill (a half barrel on fire). All I know is she can grill a mean side of fresh mackerel and eel. The eel was fluffy and white. It looked like marshmallows that had been put over an open fire. Some parts caramelised and crispy, the rest impossibly puffy and light. The super white meat melted on my tongue and I began to sing a song of joy. I was promptly beaten with a stick.

What was the music highlight of your year?

My very awesome pals from No Knife rocked the stage again in San Diego this October. It’s hard for me to describe the feeling I had while watching them and the 700 or so people totally immersed in the live show. It was a weird time/space thing. People from several stages of my life were there enjoying the show and at moments I popped into the realisation that I’d be headed back to Seoul the next day, to a totally different life I’m leading there. That made the concert that much more special. It was a moment that made me really appreciate all the great people I did a lot of growing up with in San Diego’s music scene of the 1990s.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

The Japanese band Mono came to Seoul this summer. My friend Fred Weaver is their manager so I got a chance to see their live show and hang out for the requisite food/drink thing after the show. It was a mighty late night that started with Soju and grilled pork and ended with Sake at an Izakaya place. My taxi ride home was in the morning light. There’s really nothing better than watching an amazing band and then eating/drinking with them. Two of the best things rammed into one great experience. Kinda like a peanut butter cup. Only louder.

MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - MARC HAWTHORNE Marc Hawthorne is a journalist and editor whose credits include The Onion, SPIN, and The Bold Italic. What was the food highlight of your year?  This year I discovered the magic that is the Inner Richmond’s Firehouse Pizza. It’s somewhat surprising that two of my favorite pizza places (the other being Pizzetta 211) are located in San Francisco’s Richmond District, but for a vegetarian, Firehouse’s use of fake hamburger is a godsend. I substitute it on the Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger, where the smoked bacon is magically turned into green peppers. Mixed in some garlic butter, deliciously kick-ass giardiniera peppers, mozzarella, jalapeños, and cheddar, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a great veggie pie. What was the music highlight of your year?  Though I erroneously placed it atop one of my Top 10 albums lists last year when it still had a 2011 release date, technically my favorite record of 2012 is St. Lucia’s self-titled debut EP. Due to that mix-up, I’ll probably end up making Nada Surf’s The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy my #1 this year, but 2012 was still mostly the year of St. Lucia, whose epic little electro-tinged pop songs have inspired me to attempt to convert everyone I know into fanatics of the Brooklyn band (led by South African native Jean-Philip Grobler). The group’s show at SXSW this year only strengthened my love, and the crazy-packed show in July at San Francisco’s Rickshaw Stop proved that I’m not the only one who feels this way. Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way? This year I celebrated Burns Night with a can of vegetarian haggis (yes, it really exists!), a pile of turnips and potatoes, plenty of Scotch, and as many Scottish bands as we could pile into iTunes: Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Pastels, The Vaselines, and so on. (We even included Nirvana’s covers of The Vaselines’ “Son Of A Gun” and “Molly’s Lips.”) But probably the most Burns Night of them all were the Robert Burns poems that Camera Obscura set to music for famed British DJ John Peel, including the hilariously titled “Cock Up Your Beaver.” Who would have thought that celebrating an 18th-century Scottish poet could be this fun? MORE #2012F&M

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - MARC HAWTHORNE

Marc Hawthorne is a journalist and editor whose credits include The Onion, SPIN, and The Bold Italic.

What was the food highlight of your year? 

This year I discovered the magic that is the Inner Richmond’s Firehouse Pizza. It’s somewhat surprising that two of my favorite pizza places (the other being Pizzetta 211) are located in San Francisco’s Richmond District, but for a vegetarian, Firehouse’s use of fake hamburger is a godsend. I substitute it on the Spicy Bacon Cheeseburger, where the smoked bacon is magically turned into green peppers. Mixed in some garlic butter, deliciously kick-ass giardiniera peppers, mozzarella, jalapeños, and cheddar, and you’ve got yourself one heck of a great veggie pie.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Though I erroneously placed it atop one of my Top 10 albums lists last year when it still had a 2011 release date, technically my favorite record of 2012 is St. Lucia’s self-titled debut EP. Due to that mix-up, I’ll probably end up making Nada Surf’s The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy my #1 this year, but 2012 was still mostly the year of St. Lucia, whose epic little electro-tinged pop songs have inspired me to attempt to convert everyone I know into fanatics of the Brooklyn band (led by South African native Jean-Philip Grobler). The group’s show at SXSW this year only strengthened my love, and the crazy-packed show in July at San Francisco’s Rickshaw Stop proved that I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

This year I celebrated Burns Night with a can of vegetarian haggis (yes, it really exists!), a pile of turnips and potatoes, plenty of Scotch, and as many Scottish bands as we could pile into iTunes: Belle & Sebastian, Teenage Fanclub, The Jesus & Mary Chain, The Pastels, The Vaselines, and so on. (We even included Nirvana’s covers of The Vaselines’ “Son Of A Gun” and “Molly’s Lips.”) But probably the most Burns Night of them all were the Robert Burns poems that Camera Obscura set to music for famed British DJ John Peel, including the hilariously titled “Cock Up Your Beaver.” Who would have thought that celebrating an 18th-century Scottish poet could be this fun?