2026 Northern and Central California Food News and Journalism [SF Bay Area, Northern California, Central California, Northern Nevada]

It’s a Golden Age for Asian-Style Afternoon Tea in the Bay Area

Luke Tsai

Feb 12, 2026

British-style scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam sit alongside curried potato canapés on gluten-free crackers during afternoon tea at Malaya Tea Room in Alameda on Feb. 6, 2026. (Gustavo Hernandez/KQED)

Fungi Fest Brings Mushroom Foraging, Food and Forest Science to Sonoma County

Sarah Mohamad

Feb 12, 2026

Fungi Fest is Feb 21-22 in downtown Guerneville.

Mushrooms picked at a Northern California foraging event in 2025. (Gina Castro/KQED

chonkyABG on YouTube

Dim Sum faceoff: $30 at Dim Sum Bistro VS. $100 at Palette Tea House. Who wins?

:round_pushpin:Dim Sum Bistro
675 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

:round_pushpin:Palette Tea House
900 North Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109

2 Likes

from KCBS radio

San Leandro elementary schools bringing back metal lunch trays

https://www.audacy.com/podcast/kcbs-radio-on-demand-011f4/episodes/san-leandro-elementary-schools-bringing-back-metal-lunch-trays-f60ef

James Madison Elementary is the first of eight San Leandro Unified elementary schools to switch to washable and reusable trays in an effort to reduce cafeteria waste. KCBS’ Albert James reports from the lunch lines.

Mobley in SF Chronicle.

Margins Wine in Santa Cruz County is closing.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/margins-wine-closing-21351576.php

Bell stands in the doorway of the Margins Wine Cubby in 2024, a 120-square-foot tasting room that she took on significant debt in order to open.
Bell stands in the doorway of the Margins Wine Cubby in 2024, a 120-square-foot tasting room that she took on significant debt in order to open.

Jessica Christian/S.F. Chronicle
.

1 Like

Zareen’s Pakistani-Indian in Redwood City, with other locations

(650) 376-8206
2039 Broadway Redwood City, CA 94063

From SF Gate

Looking for love at the SF Hayes Valley Trader Joe’s

https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/trader-joes-singles-mixer-21352766.php

Maggie Carroll got the idea to host a Trader Joe’s matchmaking event on a whim after her friend mentioned they had exchanged phone numbers with someone at a TJ’s. She expected 50 or 100 people would attend, and received 500 RSVPs. The crowd later moved to a nearby park.

Jess Lynn Goss/For SFGATE

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Vietnamese Tet New Year was celebrated earlier today, Feb.15, in East Oakland. I will try and post some video when I see it.

Our Tết (Lunar New Year) Festival will take place on Sunday, February 15th from 12PM–5PM at Clinton Park (655 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606)! Join us in welcoming the Year of the Horse and experience the vibrant heart of Little Saigon as we celebrate this meaningful holiday together.

chonkyABG on YouTube visits SF Chinatown - Part II

:loudspeaker: WATCH PART 1 HERE: • 24 HOURS Eating in San Francisco CHINATOWN… :loudspeaker: Bay Area Food Tour Playlist: • What to Eat in Vancouver: Ultimate Food To… :round_pushpin: Yin Du Wonton Noodle 648 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133 :round_pushpin: Ma’s Dimsum & Cafe 1315 Powell St, San Francisco, CA 94133 :round_pushpin: Garden Bakery 765 Jackson St, San Francisco, CA 94133 :round_pushpin: The Spicy Shrimp 150 Waverly Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108 :round_pushpin: The Lucky Creation Vegetarian Restaurant 854 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94108 :round_pushpin: Taishan Cuisine 781 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133

Kaitlyn Bui’s mom first time crabbing with her daughter on SF Ocean Beach.

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KQED 88 5 fm radio

Aired Tues, Feb 17 at 9 am, repeated at 8 pm, will be available online soon.

Guests:

Kate Brown, author, “Tiny Gardens Everywhere”

Luke Tsai at KQED

How Dzui’s became San Jose’s favorite durian dessert shop.

2451 Allen Av, San Jose

Dzui’s traditional durian bánh pía, seen here alongside a container of Labubu-shaped rice pudding. (Luke Tsai/KQED)

Excerpt:

As for his family’s famous bánh pía, Thai sells a few different variations on the treat, including a savory version that has a char siu pork filling with crunchy bits of candied winter melon that act as a wonderful counterpoint. But in his view, a truly traditional bánh pía never omits the durian.

Deseran in SF Standard.

Hidden gems in SF Chinatown - New Lung Tin, iCafe, New Hollywood, Moongate, more

An insider’s guide to Chinatown’s hidden-gem restaurants https://sfstandard.com/2026/02/16/best-restaurants-chinatown-san-francisco/?utm_source=native_share&utm_medium=site_buttons&utm_campaign=site_buttons

Russian River Fungi Festival. Feb 21-22,
Downtown Guerneville
$15

Nosh.

Beer Week

Feb 20-March 1

KQED

Ramadan 2026

This week starts the holy month of Ramadan — and here are the spots where you can break your fast in the Bay Area. (Tashdique Mehtaj Ahmed/Getty Images

I’m always torn about whether to eat at Muslim-owned restaurants during Ramadan. My shopping route tomorrow takes me near an excellent Yemeni hole-in-the-wall–should I have lunch there?

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A quick walkthrough should allow you to gauge the scene. Some may be closed during daylight hours, others may be takeout only. A search on the topic should yield suggested guidelines or just ask.

I don’t have personal knowledge on the matter.