This week the Chronicle checks out Blackbird and Henry, the pub-inspired restaurant from chef Mark Schmidt. Reviewer Claudia Alarcón "wholeheartedly" recommends the campus-area spot, which she says "showcases everything that has made Schmidt one of the country's most acclaimed chefs." On some of her favorite dishes:
I highly recommend the grilled romaine salad ($8), dressed with fresh tomato vinaigrette, garlic confit, and shaved Parmesan, as one of the best salads I've ever had. The Henry burger ($12) has to be in contention for best in town ... And the triple-baked fries that come with it are so addicting I may challenge you to stop eating them before you even take a bite of the burger.
The Chronicle also offers up a review of farmers market vendor Juicy Jay's Meatballs. Kate Thornberry oh-so-eloquently opines:
[Owner Jay] Maffi's sauce is amazing, and his meatballs are wonderful. Flavorful and moist, they complement the acidity of the tomatoes with their rich essence, and the long-simmered marinara enriches the meatballs in return. After one dinner of Juicy Jay's Meatballs over spaghetti, I switched my allegiance over to him completely. For a fraction of the price of a similar meal in a restaurant, Juicy Jay's provides the genuine Sicilian article.
THE BLOGS: Forks Up goes to Olive & June; Mike Sutter of Fed Man Walking presents his top 10 barbecue desserts; A Taste of Koko goes brunch crazy at Apothecary Cafe, Odd Duck and The Hightower.