BEN RHAU

Ben Rhau is Managing Editor at Mode Media (Foodie.com, Glam.com).

What was the food highlight of your year?

Friends of ours who’d recently taken a cooking class in Hanoi hosted a small dinner party where they prepared and served a Northern style pho. Their house smelled gloriously of charred onion, roasted bones, cinnamon, star anise, and clove. Like other guests, we assumed that the sliced peppers on the side were jalapeños. They were actually thai bird chilies, which are (for the record) a bit hotter.

What was the music highlight of your year?

Sharon Van Etten’s performance of “All I Can” this year at The Independent was probably the funniest and most memorable. Guitarist Doug Keith interlaced the opening lines with a Smoove B style talking sequence, resulting in a bizarre call and response duet with a mostly straight-faced Van Etten. Highlight #2 was being introduced to the not-new music of Brandi Carlile. What a talent.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Seeing Yo La Tango for the first time at Outside Lands while famished, dehydrated, and grimy with the unique combo of sweat, music festival filth, and sunscreen. I had a half-vegetarian, half-lamb poutine from The Whole Beast with a crappy, $8 lemonade while listening to Autumn Sweater. At that moment, I was tasting the best thing in the universe.

@brhau

BEN RHAU

Ben Rhau is the Editor of Foodie.

What was the food highlight of your year?

To me, the ultimate is eating sushi at the bar, because it’s such a rare occasion to connect directly with a chef, who’s cooking for you in real time. I don’t do it often anymore, because what I really want is omakase, where the chef has total creative control. I’m not a hippie or anything, but I don’t eat the endangered fishes, which are a pretty important part of the palette. I felt self-conscious about being THAT guy, poo-pooing the maguro in front of a chef I totally admire. Well, this past year I decided to give it a shot, and ate at Koo with Kiyoshi at the bar. I said “No maguro, no hamachi, no unagi. Anything else.” He totally got me and crafted a beautiful meal. Just goes to show you that it doesn’t hurt to ask for what you want.

Also, though I’m not normally a filet mignon guy, discovering that bone-in filet mignon has a TON of flavor (Boboquivari’s and Osso). Who knew? 

What was the music highlight of your year?

It seems like I get to fewer and fewer shows every year, but I still get excited in that same way I did when I went to amusement parks at age 10. My favorite was seeing Savages at The Independent. Jehnny Beth, in particular, is such an amazing presence, and reminds me of PJ Harvey in her ability to manage tension and deliver these intense bursts of tightly controlled rage. Great sounding show, as well.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Our friends had us over and served us a home-brewed saison and a copycat recipe of the Calamars a la Planxa with Arròs Negre dish from Contigo — one of my favorite dishes in the city. They were spinning The Walkmen, Thao Nguyen, and The Evens. Perfection.

@brhau

BEN RHAU

Ben Rhau blogs about cooking for his young family at You Fed A Baby Chili?

What was the food highlight of your year?

Nicolaus Balla’s menu at Bar Tartine. That was a complete overhaul in format, and the menu is both exciting and smart. We went as a group and basically ordered everything. The wine and beer pairings are thoughtful, right down to the desserts. One of the most joyful meals I’ve had in a long time.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I was late the party on Neutral Milk Hotel, and assumed that I’d never see Jeff Mangum perform live. I’ve been obsessed with Aeroplane for years, and kept reading with insane jealousy about his secret popup shows in Brooklyn. Seeing him perform at the Fox was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Was there a moment when food and music came together in a memorable way?

Yes, I always enjoy the musical curation at Thomas McNaughton’s restaurants. The first time, I ate at Flour+Water, they played The Stage Names in its entirety. I mean, who does that? Every time I’ve been back to one of his spots, I always pay attention to what they’re spinning. It’s like they made the experience for me. Or, I’m a completely typical San Franciscan. Either way, I like it.