In the hands of Xumin Liu, a long-spouted copper teakettle becomes a rapier, a whip, a copper-colored wash of light. Three lunches a week, Liu travels from table to table at Z & Y Restaurant, swirling the kettle around his head in intricate circles and letting it pirouette in the air. Every sequence of spins ends with the base of the kettle held high, its yard-long spout lasering a stream of steaming water into a cup of tea leaves.

Counterculture icon Stephen Gaskin (1935-2014) during the Haight Street Faire at Golden Gate Park on May 24, 1969. He led 250 young San Franciscans to rural Tennessee, where they founded The Farm, the ... more Counterculture icon Stephen Gaskin (1935-2014) during the Haight Street Faire at Golden Gate Park on May 24, 1969. He led 250 young San Franciscans to rural Tennessee, where they founded The Farm, the country’s largest vegan commune. less A man poses for a portrait in front of a S.F.

Bauer on Eight Tables: Sublime setting, but at $225 food needs to dazzle, too If I rated Eight Tables on the flash factor alone it would clearly garner four stars. A staff member greets diners outside a metal gate on Vallejo Street and leads them through an old alley to an elevator, where they travel up a flight. Then they enter an entirely different world.

What would you do if all of a sudden one day you were diagnosed with a life-changing disease that put your future into question?For one man, the answer was simply one word: barbecue.Back in 2010, San Francisco-born-and-raised Marvin Lau was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC), a rare type of cancer that affects the head and neck. He underwent years of chemotherapy, and it was during those difficult moments of uncertainty that he had time to think about the important things in life .

Taster glasses of the Third Man Belgian trifel, Red Headed Stranger ale and Jamison's Station porter at Brasserie Saint James in Reno. Taster glasses of the Third Man Belgian trifel, Red Headed Stranger ale and Jamison's Station porter at Brasserie Saint James in Reno. Almost two years after opening its doors on Valencia, Brasserie Saint James (742 Valencia St.) appears to have served it last drink.

Shake Shack is coming to the Bay Area — first Palo Alto, then Marin and SF Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange adjacent to the post that handles Shake Shack. Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange adjacent to the post that handles Shake Shack. Shake Shack, the famed New York burger shack, is making its first foray into the Bay Area restaurant scene.

Locol opens in San Jose, thanks to new Whole Foods venture The interior of Locol in Oakland, Calif. is seen on August 31st, 2016. The interior of Locol in Oakland, Calif. is seen on August 31st, 2016. The interior of Locol in Oakland, Calif. is seen on August 31st, 2016. The interior of Locol in Oakland, Calif. is seen on August 31st, 2016. Foodies, (front to back) , Beans and Cheese, Machaca, Carniyas, and the BBQ Turkey at Locol in Oakland, Calif. are seen on August 31st, 2016.

Art and memorabilia on a bookshelf made by artist and designer Carrie Leeb in her S.F. living room. Art and memorabilia on a bookshelf made by artist and designer Carrie Leeb in her S.F. living room. Ozzie sits on the couch in the living room under an artwork. Ozzie sits on the couch in the living room under an artwork. Artist and designer Carrie Leeb works at her desk in the living room as her dog, Ozzie, naps. Artist and designer Carrie Leeb works at her desk in the living room as her dog, Ozzie, naps.

Dear 2018,So glad you’re here! 2017 had some dark moments in the world of alcoholic beverages, but I’ve already put them behind me. Faux speakeasies? Fraudulent wine gadgets? Sexist Lime-a-Rita commercials? I can barely remember them.I’m confident that you, 2018, will be better. If you could just do a couple of tiny, booze-related favors for me, I promise not to go on any more rants. For at least a couple of months.Here’s my wish list for the new year: More screw caps.

Employees are seen working through the front window during a night shift at Frjtz. Employees are seen working through the front window during a night shift at Frjtz. Anthony Wright prepares orders that came in over the internet at Frjtz. Anthony Wright prepares orders that came in over the internet at Frjtz. Stop us if this sounds familiar: a restaurant on Valencia is closing after roughly a decade.