Escuchar Check, Please! Bay Area Podcast

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 20 airs Thursday, September 10 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084. And never miss an episode by https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2. Our season finale begins in West Oakland with central Texas barbeque meets Italian delicatessen. With a beer garden, pinball machines and games, https://www.staygolddeli.com/ has something for everyone. Then, we head to San Francisco’s Sunset District for expertly crafted brews and tasty bar bites. Outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds drop their surfboards and bikes for a seat at http://sunsetbeersf.com/. Finally, we journey to San Francisco’s Financial District for a turn-of-the-century-inspired American tavern experience. Tyler Florence’s famously flaky popovers and fried chicken satisfy travelers and locals alike at https://www.wayfaretavern.com/. Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 20. (Maya Wise/KQED) Get Restaurant Information: * https://www.staygolddeli.com/ * http://sunsetbeersf.com/ * https://www.wayfaretavern.com/ Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco) My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/ of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. https://www.dreyfusashby.com/dopff-irion/ Crémant d’Alsace, France, $20 If you love pink sparkling wine like I do, you will want to scoop up bottles of this beautiful bubbly. Hailing from the Alsace region of France, it’s NOT Champagne rather a French style of sparkling called Crémant. This dry, pale-garnet hued wine is crafted with Pinot Noir grapes that showcase delicate red berry fruitiness. It’s a very well-priced fizz that will take you from A to D to D (that’s Appetizers through Dinner and Dessert) with ease. http://raeburnwinery.com/ Russian River Valley, California, $18 A superbly balanced Chardonnay that wraps a crisp core with a creamy texture. Juicy aromas and succulent stone fruit flavors are supported by zesty acidity from grapes grown in the cool Russian River Valley. With barrel fermentation and sur lie ageing layering on lightly-lush complexity, this affordable white is a must buy worth twice the price. https://primrosewines.com/products/copy-of-2015-primitivo-solano-county-green-valley-ava Solano County-Green Valley, California, $40 Primitivo is Zinfandel with what I like to call an “Italian soul.” This California-grown version of southern Italy’s famed grape variety (genetically identical to Zinfandel), is lush and spicy with a richness tempered by earthy notes. Whip up a bowl of pasta with long-simmered meat sauce and uncork this stylish red. https://purplebrands.com/products/spirits/ California, $35 Gin is a spirit with personality. Each one is a blend of botanicals that impart unique character. This upcoming-star bottling from founder Derek Benham, uses local Sonoma County ingredients such as Meyer lemon and Buddha hand citrus...

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 14 airs Thursday, August 13 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084. And never miss an episode by https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2. This week, it’s all plant-based plates for our vegetarian guests! In San Francisco’s Mission District, https://www.curryupnow.com/ dishes out fast-casual Indian street food in funky packages: fried ravioli, sexy fries, and loaded burritos. Then, we devour fried falafel and freshly baked pita made from imported Israeli dough at Sunnyvale’s https://www.falafelstop.com/. Finally, in South San Francisco, sisig, lumpia, and other Filipino classics are given the meatless treatment at https://www.nicksongrand.com/. Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 14. (Olivia Won/KQED) Get Restaurant Information: * https://www.curryupnow.com/ * https://www.falafelstop.com/ * https://www.nicksongrand.com/ Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco) My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/ of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. http://www.umanironchi.com/en/wines/vini_abruzzo/pecorino_vellodoro Abruzzo, Italy, $17 I’m a fan of Italian white wines – especially those made with obscure grapes like Pecorino. The name of the variety refers to the “grape of the sheep” because it traditionally comes from areas in central Italy where sheep-farming and agriculture dominate. Pecorino (yes, there is a sheep’s milk cheese with the same name) is a deliciously crisp, high acid wine that still carries roundness and weight on the palate. The Vellodoro is one of the best white wines I’ve sipped all year long. https://www.frankfamilyvineyards.com/wine/bubbles/ Carneros, California, $55 Sparkling red wines have a rich history, but they’re enjoying a renaissance of sorts with examples from around the globe. This one from bubbly superstar, Frank Family Vineyards, is deep ruby in color with succulent, layered flavors. Made in the traditional method from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with the intense color and dark-berry character coming from Petite Sirah grapes, it’s a unique fizz that will surprise and delight. Try it alongside dark chocolate raspberry tart or a selection of cheeses served with plum jam. Deliciously decadent. https://jardesca.com/ Sonoma County, California, $35 Aperitifs are classic before-dinner sippers in Europe, but the tradition is just developing here. This delicious drink falls somewhere between a wine and a spirit in terms of richness and alcohol levels. Jardesca Red Aperitiva blends three different California red wines with Zinfandel as the main variety. It’s then fortified with Eau de Vie and soaked with a selection of ten botanicals such as ginger, tangerine and cardamom. I like to drink it simply poured over ice with a twist of lemon, but it’s also stellar with a splash of soda or tonic. Red AND refreshing!

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 19 airs Thursday, August 6 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084. And never miss an episode by https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2. First, let’s take a stroll through North Beach for Neapolitan pizza at https://www.ilcasaropizzeria.com/, which translates to “cheese maker” in Italian. Then, we may have died and gone to noodle heaven at https://sobaichioakland.com/, where handcrafted soba noodles are made onsite with traditional practices. Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 19. (Olivia Won/KQED) Get Restaurant Information: * https://www.ilcasaropizzeria.com/ * https://sobaichioakland.com/ Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco) My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/ of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. https://www.prosecco.it/en/scheda-cantina/conte-collalto/ Italy, $11 What a fantastic deal! If you are a Prosecco fan (and let’s face it…who isn’t?) this is a sparkler you’ll want to purchase by the case. Light, refreshing and crafted in a dry style, it hails from the steep, hilly region of northeastern Italy called Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Anchored by two towns of the same names, it’s an historic wine area blanketed with vineyards planted primarily to Glera grape vines. This version from Collalto is named for an historic castle – San Salvatore -- located on the highest part of the vineyard. When you see the words “Prosecco Superiore” is signifies quality and affordability rolled into one bottle. https://www.thelarsenprojekt.com/grenache-rose Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, California, $22 Attention lovers of pink wine…this is one you’ll want to seek OUT and sip IN. I adore the Grenache-based wines of The Larsen Projekt, which is a boutique Sonoma producer. This garnet-hued rosé is succulent and crisp with enough freshness and complexity to pair poolside and tableside. The wine’s label depicts a time the owners went to an outdoor café in Provence, France, and saw buckets of rosé sitting in a nearby the fountain ready to pour for thirsty diners. Hmm…I think I need one of those fountains in my backyard. https://www.trinityhill.com/ Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, $40 New Zealand is known for Sauvignon Blanc, but for those who delve into the small country’s great wines know it’s also a place for world-class reds and Chardonnay. Hawkes Bay is on the north island (two islands comprise the country) and is a spot that makes famed Bordeaux blends and Syrah. It’s also home to this full-bodied Chardonnay from one of New Zealand’s star producers, Trinity Hill. The vines come from a uniquely stony area called the Gimblett Gravels. This imparts taut minerality to the wine, which is wrapped with ripe fruit flavors, exotic aromas and a lush texture. I call it finely focused yet fleshy – the best of both Chardonnay worlds.

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 18 airs Thursday, July 30 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084. And never miss an episode by https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2. Check, Please! Bay Area KIDS Special: For our first course, an avid reader strikes gold with fresh bites and stunning views at Treasure Island’s http://www.mersea.restaurant/. Next up, a tennis champ hits an ace with rich khinkali and khachapuri at https://www.bevri.com/, Palo Alto’s first Georgian restaurant. Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 18. (Maya Wise/KQED) Get Restaurant Information: * http://www.mersea.restaurant/ * https://www.bevri.com/

Check, Please! Bay Area Season 15 episode 17 airs Thursday, July 23 at 7:30pm on KQED 9. See other http://www.kqed.org/tv/programs/index.jsp?pgmid=14084. And never miss an episode by https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/check-please-bay-area-podcast/id192399537?mt=2. In the Tenderloin, Ethiopian cuisine shines in the orange oasis of San Francisco’s Tadu Ethiopian Kitchen. Across the Bay in Alameda, Afghan and Mediterranean flavors combine into unique delights at Angela’s Kitchen. Finally, two born and raised South Bay chefs deliver a rotating farm-to-table menu at Braise in San Jose’s Willow Glen neighborhood. Host Leslie Sbrocco and guests on the set of season 15 episode 17. (Olivia Won/KQED) Get Restaurant Information: * http://taduethiopiankitchen.com/ * https://angelasalameda.com/ * https://www.braisewillowglen.com/ Host Leslie Sbrocco sipping wine (Courtesy of Leslie Sbrocco) My name is Leslie Sbrocco, and I’m the http://ww2.kqed.org/checkplease/host-biography/ of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I’ll share my tasting notes about the wine, beer and spirits the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. https://olemawines.com/cremant Crémant de Loire, France, $25 A light and lovely sparkling wine that will make summer sipping a joy. This is not Champagne, rather a bubbly from the Loire Valley of France called Crémant. Crafted with mostly red Cabernet Franc grapes, it’s a dry-styled fizz with red-berry fruitiness making it ideal to serve before, during and after any meal. https://www.brcohn.com/2018-silver-label-sauvignon-blanc Sonoma County, California, $17 B.R. Cohn’s Silver Label is consistently one of the best values in California Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a wine that looks and tastes like it should cost twice the price. This bottling is crisp and juicy with citrusy freshness. Try it with spicy Thai takeout or cooked-at-home vegetable pasta topped with lemon-infused olive oil. It’s also a perfect wine for simply enjoying in your patio lounge chair. https://shop.argylewinery.com/product/2017NuthouseChardonnay Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon, $45 Argyle is an iconic winery from Oregon having established itself in 1987 as a pioneer in sparkling wine. They also craft classic styles of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This bottling is part of their Master Series blending two select blocks of Chardonnay from their Lone Star Vineyard. It showcases a core of minerality wrapped in succulent fruit then layered with richness from barrel fermentation. A balanced beauty. https://calcu.cl/en/nuestros-vinos/icono/ Colchagua Valley, Chile, $65 As a long-time fan of the wines of Viñedos Calcu from Chile, I tend to cover their affordably delicious bottlings, which always over-deliver in quality. This wine, however, is the peak of their offerings and deserves a place in any wine lover’s cellar. The stunning label brings to life the meaning of the word Futa, which is “big and magnificent” in the indigenous Chilean Mapuche language. The complex Cabernet Sauvignon is structured and built to age beautifully, but it also offers a lush texture making it ready to drink now. A wine to seek out as you explore the world of world-class Cabernet Sauvignon.