August/September 2018 73
a study of minimalist design. The calming atmosphere is amplified
in the penthouse-level spa, which features its own bamboo
garden and al fresco soaking tubs, where guests relax and rejuvenate
while enjoying stunning views of the Embarcadero waterfront
and downtown city vistas near the Ferry Building.
Dine: International Smoke, internationalsmoke.com; China
Live, chinalivesf.com. Plan ahead if you want to snag a table at
International Smoke (301 Mission St.), the wildly popular collaboration
between Chef Michael Mina and celebrity cook and
author Ayesha Curry. Reservations to this game-changing restaurant
are currently the hottest ticket in town, perhaps in no small
part due to the popularity Curry’s local hero husband Stephen
Curry, star forward of the Golden State Warriors. But celebrity
chops aside, this smoky sensation has garnered accolades from
notoriously fickle local critics. Inspired by Curry’s and Mina’s
individual heritages and travels, the menu explores global approaches
to fire, grilling and smoke to create flavorful dishes that
bring communities together all around the world.
Just a short 15-minute walk from the Embarcadero and Ferry
Building, in the heart of Chinatown, China Live is one of the city’s
current must-visit culinary destinations. Founded by restaurateurs
George Chen and Cindy Wong-Chen, the center educates guests
on the rich history and influence of Chinese cuisine and culture,
inspiring a new wave of interest in Chinese food by providing unprecedented
access to its techniques, ingredients and philosophy.
The first-floor Market Restaurant and Bar Central features a
daily changing menu of seasonal products prepared at eight specialized
stations; the second floor includes Cold Drinks, a lush
and mysterious Scotch-centric bar evoking the sensuous exoticism
of Old Shanghai, and Eight Tables, the restaurant’s fine dining
concept offering an evolving Chinese tasting menu.
5
AT THE PARK
Vasona Lake Park
LOCATED AT THE base of the Santa Cruz Mountains, just a short
drive from frenetic Silicon Valley, this park is a haven for harried
South Bay folks who need to take a break from the startup scene
without traveling too far.
Explore the streets of Los Gatos’ charming 19th-century downtown,
sip on some gourmet java and then head for Vasona Lake
Park, where an array of outdoor activities await. Rent a paddle
BRUNCH AT
THE BYWATER
VASONA
LAKE COUNTY
PARK
A D V E N T U R E
