Restaurants & Bars
'Miss Cheesemonger' Blogger Vero Kherian's Guide To San Francisco
From where to go whale-watching to which eateries have the best brunch, this food blogger has top-notch suggestions around the Bay Area.
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Blogger and photographer Veronique Kherian, otherwise known as Miss Cheesemonger, is a woman of many talents. Formerly an attorney, Kherian eventually traded in her suits and law books to pursue a creative career in the thing she loves most — tasting, photographing and celebrating cheese. (We know, we're jealous too.)
Although Kherian originally hails from New Jersey, San Francisco has been her home for the past seven-plus years. Her cheese-focused blog was inspired not only by her passion for cheese and photography, but by the city itself, and the vast cheesemakers, animals and farmland that it has to offer.
"For me, San Francisco is an artists’ community," Kherian explains. "It’s a city rich in many histories, with so much beauty on almost every street corner." As a Marina District resident, one of her favorite things about the place she calls home is its proximity to wildlife. Case in point: she can often hear sea lions barking from her own living room window.
Find out what's happening in San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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Find out what's happening in San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.
When she's not photographing artisan cheese or performing in local operas (we told you she was a woman of many talents!), you can sometimes find Kherian whale-watching along Land's End or indulging in some dessert at Lush Gelato.
Take a look at this cheese lover's must-see destinations in the Bay Area, from her favorite Italian restaurant to the most romantic date spot:
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How long have you lived in San Francisco? Seven and a half years
What neighborhood do you live in? The Marina
What’s your occupation? Photographer and blogger at Miss Cheesemonger
Describe San Francisco in a few words: Creative, entrepreneurial, close to nature
What’s your favorite overall San Francisco restaurant? Shanghai Dumpling King. I don’t need frills or wonderful ambiance most of the time. Just give me delicious food, and quickly!
Best sushi: Ebisu
Best Italian food: The Italian Homemade Company
Best dessert: Lush Gelato
Best pizza: Pizzetta 211
Best spot for a quick lunch: Delarosa
Best spot for a romantic date: Atelier Crenn
Best glass of wine: Press Club
Best cheese board: I make my boards at home. I purchase most of my cheese at Cheese Plus, but sometimes I will go to Rainbow Grocery. Mission Cheese is another excellent San Francisco cheese shop. Fisher's Cheese and Wine is also excellent but it is in the North Bay in Larkspur.
Best Sunday brunch: Brenda’s French Soul Food
Best spot for a power business meeting: The Slanted Door
Best cup of coffee or tea: Song Tea, but you’ll need to stay for a tasting!
Best craft cocktail: Smuggler’s Cove
Favorite shopping venue or boutique: The SFMOMA Museum Store. It’s gorgeous.
Best gym or fitness studio: Outside near Crissy Field
Best spa: Kabuki Springs and Spa
Favorite charity event or organization: The San Francisco SPCA
Favorite cultural event: Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Favorite cultural institution: The San Francisco Opera
What’s the best museum or current exhibit in San Francisco? Bouquets to Art at the De Young Museum
Best historic or iconic San Francisco landmark to see or explore: Sutro Baths, then go walk along Land’s End, where you may see some whales.
What’s your all-time favorite spot in San Francisco? The Presidio
The best aspect of San Francisco is: Its proximity to nature and abundance of marine life visible to us every day.
Main photo taken by Yann Kherian.
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