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

KIERSTEN STEVENS

2013 IN FOOD & MUSIC - KIERSTEN STEVENS

Kiersten Stevens is a food, fashion, and prop stylist.

What was the food highlight of your year?

We went to Tomalas Bay a few times this year and it’s just my favorite. Grab a bottle of champagne and a bag of oysters and shuck them with your feet in the water. Doesn’t get much better!

What was the music highlight of your year? 

Seeing The Soft White 60s play the main stage at Outside Lands! For them to play on the same stage as Paul McCartney was just a really special moment.

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

South By South West is my favorite for food and music. Both surround you! Seeing Iggy Pop at a small club and then grubbing down on some BBQ late night was the best.

@kikithedinosaur

CARL SUTTON

2012 IN FOOD & MUSIC - CARL SUTTON

Winemaker Carl Sutton founded San Francisco’s Sutton Cellars in 1996. 

What was the food highlight of your year?

I had to think a lot about this, I don’t think in superlatives because food is such a quotidien experience. My wife and I cook at home and have a bottle of wine nightly so I’m fortunate (in my mind) to have a good food experience daily. And that’s the definition of a good food experience for me - some good food, a bottle of wine, and great company. This can be accomplished on a daily basis, there’s no reason to compromise or expect more… That said there was a food experience in 2012 that got my attention - the night market on Place Djemaa el Fna in Marrakech. Every evening there a hundred plus stalls set up with a broad variety of foods. I can’t remember the stall number for sure, I think it’s #31, but we got a tip that the merguez there was the best - we were not disappointed. We snuck a little red wine with us (local of course, who knew Morocco makes wine?!?) and the experience was fantastic. I could go on about how good the merguez and the khob (bread) and the sauces were but it was also the noise, heat, stink, energy, life, and everything else. Sure the food was simple but the experience was sensory overload. This is the original Off the Grid! Thanks for asking and making me think of it.

What was the music highlight of your year?

I was honestly disheartened with Neil Young’s performance at Outside Lands. He’s still got something to prove and he did it loud and fucking distorted for the first 20 minutes or so. Good for him, he’s not an old fart… For the rest of us out in the freezing fog, IDK. I’m sure people ate it up, I went and got the car and drove home early. On a positive note - music is like wine in our house, we have some every day. Most of the time it’s KALX for the great mix of DJs, new and well known music, and the DIY/indie spirit that embodies my winemaking as well. If I’m not listening to KALX it’s old 60’s garage/psych/R&B/soul or music made by my friends like Mike Therieau. Bart Davenport, Tim Bluhm, or any of the musicians I’ve met through them over the years.

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

Dinner at home with my wonderful wife. I don’t care what we’re listening to or what we’re eating so much as I enjoy the company. Best part: it’s easy to duplicate. 

EVA FRYE

Eva Frye writes about food for 7x7 Magazine. Photo: Ben Rhau

What was the food highlight of your year?

The food highlight had to have been the tasting menu and pairings at Benu. Chef Cory Lee has such intention with his food it is incredible. That tiny piece of chervil on top? Not just for garnish, but an integral part of the flavor composition. Everything served at perfect (and varying) temperatures, everything a play on texture and consistency. And the pairings? Well I never would have thought to pair a Belgian sour with a lemongrassy Asian lobster soup dumpling, but the combination blew my mind and taste buds. Not only did they compliment each other beautifully, but they each held their own and contributed to the overall flavor individually.

What was the music highlight of your year? 

The music highlight of the year either had to be M83 at the Fillmore - hearing “Wait” live, seeing their glimmering lights, experiencing the passion with which Anthony Gonzalez grips his mic, or how Morgan Kibby projects her striking vocals on stage is enough to raise you a little closer to heaven. Or, it was seeing Sigur Ros at Outside Lands. Their spirituality transcends the stage, and their haunting vocals make your spirit shiver. Don’t even get me started on the twinkling, star-like projections on stage that warmed your eyes like visual fire; you forgot about the icy chill in the air. All together, it was an ethereal experience.

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

I’d say my superwarm carnitas Tacolicious taco at Outside Lands was just the sustenance I needed to shrug off the SF chilliness so I could dance through Jack White. The salsa probably put a little pep in my step, too.