Sommelier Raj Parr's favorite haunts
ON THE TOWN Sommelier's haunts include plenty of bars but also the great outdoors and farmers' market
The native of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), India, was introduced to wine by an uncle in London and studied under famed sommelier Larry Stone at the long-gone Rubicon restaurant.
The sommelier, who lives a single life (ladies, are you listening?) in San Francisco's Financial District, is learning that making wine is far different than serving wine.
Where do his tastes lie when bouncing around town?
Parr's favorite hangouts Zuni Cafe, 1658 Market St. I like Sunday brunch here with my wine team from RN74.
There are three things in the dish, and it's all about the oven, in roasting the chicken and toasting the bread for the salad.
Most laid-back places have a skeleton crew late at night; one bartender and most of the servers have gone home.
Sitting at the bar, you can see the restaurant and the action and eat off a great menu.
Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, 1 Sausalito at the Embarcadero.
When I travel anywhere in the world, I go to a farmers' market.
In my refrigerator, I always have Andante Dairy cheese, Marin Sun Farms eggs, fruit from Hamada Farms, and vegetables from Dirty Girl Produce like tomatoes, strawberries, radishes and kale.
Bay Club, 150 Greenwich St. I grew up playing squash in Calcutta and continue to pursue the passion.
With squash, your heart rate is always 150-160 beats per minute.
La Ciccia, 291 30th St. Chef Massimo was a sommelier at Acquerello and then he left and opened a restaurant and is making killer Sardinian food.