Gil Riego

Armin van Buuren Brings Good Vibes to the Fox Oakland, 5/5/13

By RACHEL GOLDEN Armin van Buuren Antillas Sunday, May 5, 2013 The Fox Theater Better than: Fumbling for your keys The Bay Area raised a glass to famed Dutch trance producer and DJ Armin van Buuren last night night at the Fox. Cinco de Mayo came on a Sunday this year, but that didn't stop this cr ... More >>

S.F. Observes 420 With Lots and Lots and Lots of Marijuana

If you're more of a drinker than a (marijuana) smoker, then you definitely missed a good time at Hippie Hill this weekend, where all types of people, not just your regular Golden Gate Park stoners, gathered to get high. Here's what was going on Saturday afternoon while you were sipping Bloody Mary ... More >>

Bay Bridge Awesomeness Unveiled Last Night

If you didn't think the Bay Bridge could get any prettier at night, then you must see "The Bay Lights", aka that massive 25,000-light display that's giving the Golden Gate Bridge a run for its money. Throngs of Bay Area folks found a good spot to watch as the world's largest LED light sculpture wa ... More >>

Noise Pop: Starfucker and Blackbird Blackbird Bring the Beats to Regency Ballroom

Starfucker Blackbird Blackbird Regency Ballroom March 1, 2013 Better than: That second time you saw Phoenix, this time at an arena. Midway through Starfucker's Noise Pop set at the Regency Ballroom, something strange is happening. The band is in the middle of strumming the opening moments to the b ... More >>

5 Reasons You Should Move to S.F. If You Are Fat

We weren't that surprised to learn this morning that San Francisco is the No. 1 spot to live if you were hoping to shed that baby fat in 2013 -- it's a walkable city filled with steep, steep hills, endless hiking trails, and other thin, attractive people who make you want to be a better person. Bu ... More >>

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Go In-Depth at the Regency Ballroom, 12/10/12

Macklemore and Ryan LewisDee-1Xperience Dec. 10, 2012Regency Ballroom Better than: A rapper with a sloppy haircutRyan Lewis rocks back and forth in the dark corridor that connects the dressing rooms to the main stage, stretching his legs and messing around with a scooter the group uses onstage. ... More >>

The Killers and M83 Rule Day 2 of Not So Silent Night, 12/8/12

The Killers, M83, Passion Pit, Tegan and Sara, Grouplove, Imagine Dragons Live 105's Not So Silent Night Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 Oracle Arena Better than: The Not So Silent Night lineup from 10 years ago, which featured Moby, Disturbed, Sum 41, Papa Roach, Good Charlotte, Jurassic 5, and the Donnas. ... More >>

World Series: San Francisco Goes Crazy After Giants Win (Video)

If you were in the East Bay last night watching the Giants sweep the World Series, you missed the mega street party across the Bay. San Franciscans poured into the streets by the thousands in almost every neighborhood, blocking traffic and unleashing their excitement in whatever way it felt right.&n ... More >>

Public Nudists Say "No" to Scott and "Yes" to Wiener (NSFW Photos)

You can't say we didn't warn you that there would be a ton of dicks out this weekend in the Castro. A legion of pro-public nudists hung out (literally) on the Jane Warner Plaza Saturday to protest Supervisor Scott Wiener's proposed ban on being naked in public. Did you see them?If you had other plan ... More >>

Live Review, 8/17/12: Phish Pleases the Loyalists at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Phish Aug.17, 2012 Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Better than: The record, as always. As comedians Harris Wittels and Scott Aukerman concluded in their hilarious and thoughtful Analyze Phish podcast, Phish is an objectively silly musical phenomenon with an undeniably infectious appeal, mostly owing ... More >>

Occupy the Pop Charts: Five Reasons Why We Like Third Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins

Gil RiegoThird Eye Blind's Stephan Jenkins performing in S.F. last year.​ Yesterday, San Francisco's own Third Eye Blind released "If There Ever Was a Time," a new song in support of Occupy Wall Street. Penned by frontman Stephan Jenkins, the song's lyrics are a cheery encouragement for young ... More >>

The Six Best Restaurants to Bring Tourists to (Besides the Ferry Building or the Wharf)

Imelda/FlickrThe Ferry Building is the ideal place to bring tourists to, but it's not the only one.​ So your Aunt May is in town from San Diego or Modesto or Charleston and you've promised her two days of guided sightseeing, just as long as you don't have to accompany her to Pier 39. (Don't worry ... More >>

House of Sisig: Banana Leaves, Salted Eggs, and Rice-Covered Fingers

Gil Riego, Jr.Vegetables and salted eggs on House of Sisig's kamayan platter.​Maybe because restaurant critics like me spend so many nights at restaurants, shuffling bread plates and wine glasses, anticipating the arrival of courses, playing my role in the fixed rituals of the restaurant world -- ... More >>

Memorable Bits and Bites at SF Weekly's DISH

We arrived early and hungry to SF Weekly's fourth annual DISH event on Sunday. Having braved the crowds over the past three years (twice at the Metreon and once at the Westfield Center), we knew that was the best bet to encounter tasting tables that still had food on them. But this year the festiv ... More >>

Top 10 Reasons You Should Be Very Afraid of Kesha Fans (Photos)

Kesha came to the Fox Oakland last night. We couldn't hear the sonic damage from our home in the city, but we're sure it was cacophonous and despicable. The queen of trash-pop (or is it pop-trash?) is notorious for luring innocent, unsuspecting persons into those treacherous dens in which she perfor ... More >>

Top 7 Most WTF Photos from the All Shook Down Music Fest

Music festivals are funny places. You think you're just one of the crowd, minding your own business, acting silly among your friends, and all of a sudden, bam! You've been snapped by a photographer. Or you're a performer onstage, making funny faces at the crowd, when one particularly weird moment ge ... More >>

Muppets Off Duty: a Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Bar Slideshow

Gil Riego Jr.This is not Animal​Last weekend we were all excited to see the new Mission district bar Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Bar. Would Animal show up? If so, what does he drink? And how much of it makes it into his mouth? Unfortunately we cannot answer the last two questions, but i ... More >>

The Best of SF Weekly June Concert Photography

You know it's going to be a good month of concerts when the lineup starts with U2 and ends with Rihanna. Whether small or large, sweet and soulful or eardrum-piercing, you can be sure that SF Weekly was at the concert. Here are the best of the Bay Area June concerts in photos. Christopher Victorio ... More >>

Panic! at the Disco, Fun., and Funeral Party Rock a Sea of Tweens (and Their Parents) at the Warfield

Gil Riego, Jr.Panic! at the Disco at the Warfield last night​ Panic! at the Disco Funeral Party fun. June 22, 2011 @ The Warfield Theater [Editors' Note: We sent SF Weekly photographer Gil Riego, Jr., to both shoot and write about last night's Panic! at the Disco show. What follows is his rat ... More >>

SFoodie Bloggers: Behind the Music

Artist's rendition of the SFoodie blog team.​Before I started writing for SFoodie, I imagined the bloggers as a tight-knit team of scallywags, palling around town and sharing robust food adventures. Thus I was scandalized when former SFoodie editor John Birdsall told me many of the bloggers ha ... More >>

Motley Crue Plays a Literally Explosive Show with Poison and the New York Dolls at Bill Graham Civic (Photos)

Gil RiegoMotley Crue​ Motley Crue Poison The New York Dolls June 15, 2011 @ Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Looking at those names above, how could it not have been a wild night? Brett Michaels and Tommy Lee in one giant room -- not to mention punk legends the New York Dolls? Plus, a contraption ... More >>

Meet the Bloggers: Gil Riego, Jr.

You read them here, now find out who the hell they are: We give you the diverse group of men and women who cover the local food and drink scene for you on SFoodie. Gil Riego, Jr. Contributes: Food photography (look here, here, and here) You might call Gil Riego, Jr., an omnivore of photography. ... More >>

A Full List of the 92 Best Dishes in S.F. for Fresh Eats

The 10 Sweetest Things in San Francisco

Albert Law/porkbellystudio​San Francisco may be known as the capital of vegetable-loving, sustainability-obsessed dining, but that doesn't mean this town doesn't eat enough sugar to bake a scale model of AT&T Park out of red velvet cake. Today, we've decided to recap 10 of the sweets that sent ... More >>

Bam! by the Bay: Emeril Checks Out S.F. in Debut of New Show

Cooking ChannelEmeril Lagasse chats with Buena Vista Cafe's Robert Freeman.​The original bam!-tastic O.G. Food Network veteran, Emeril, just debuted a new show, The Originals with Emeril, on its sister Cooking Channel network. Last night's show may have been a premiere, but there was nothing n ... More >>

No. 17: Wayfare Tavern's Steak Tartare

Gil Riego, Jr.Wayfare Tavern's steak tartare, $16.​SFoodie's countdown of our 92 favorite things to eat and drink in San Francisco, 2011 edition.Cooking beef causes all sorts of delicious chemical reactions: Amino acids and sugars on the surface of the meat combine, the beef browns, and dozens of ... More >>

Dominic Venegas Aces SF Weekly Cocktail Competition

Gil Riego Jr.Dominic Venegas of 83 Proof straining his Chandelier, the award-winning cocktail at Saturday's Drink event.​Hundreds of the thirsty showed up at the Fairmont Saturday for SF Weekly's first-ever Drink, a tipplers' tour through dozens of spirits, beer, wine, and cocktails. The night ... More >>

Cupcakes for Choice, Drinks for Dogs, and Gumbo for Mardi Gras!

​SFoodie's roundup of tips, news, and rants from the week in animal-free eats. • Pissed about Congress-approved federal funding cuts for Planned Parenthood? I am because it's total bullshit. In response, we're doing some culinary activism in the form of a delicious bake sale at this Sunday' ... More >>

No. 53: Vegan Flan at Gracias Madre

Gil Riego Jr.Gracias Madre's almond-and-cashew-milk flan, $8: No ersatz custard this.​SFoodie's countdown of our 92 favorite things to eat and drink in San Francisco, 2011 edition.In general, SFoodie prefers not to bestow praise on vegan copies of meat- and dairy-based foods. There are so many ele ... More >>

Friday: Town Hall Meeting to Explain New Mobile Food Rules

Gil Riego Jr.DPW's formal implementation of S.F.'s new mobile vending ordinance starts Mar. 7.​The city's new mobile food ordinance was formally approved back in January, but as anyone closely following the JapaCurry saga can tell you, implementation has still been in the hands of the Police D ... More >>

Your Itemized Bill for Clean Up After Valentine's Day Pillow Fight

Gil Riego, Jr.Time is money​Yesterday, we reported that the annual Valentine's Day Pillow Fight had a much lower turnout, thanks to the winter downpour. As promised, the Public Works Department has given us an itemized bill detailing what it cost to clean up the mess of feathers. You can find the ... More >>

Fewer Feathers Fly at Valentine's Day Pillow Fight

Gil Riego, Jr.Fewer people, fewer feathers...​Update: The Department of Public Works says it cost the city $3,500 to clean up feathers at the Justin Herman Plaza yesterday. Itemized bill to come.Original Story 1 p.m.: If anyone is thrilled with the long overdue rain in San Francisco, it's the cit ... More >>

One Love Bake Sale Yields Big Haul for City Clinic

Gil Riego Jr.Thanks to you guys, we made nearly $1,300 for a good cause.​Sunday's One Love bake sale at La Victoria is now no more than a memory, a cake box or two we forgot to compost (sorry, Jaime!), and a huge pile of cash. That's right: Thanks to the generosity of the 12 pastry shops who d ... More >>

Tonight: Paris on the Tongue

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodie​Elizabeth Bard and Lunch in Paris: A Love Story Where: Omnivore Books, 3885a Cesar Chavez (at Church), 282-4712 When: 6-7 p.m. Cost: Free The rundown: SFoodie overheard some flashy types at Sunday's Stag Dining event, boo-hooing about not getting to visit France this ... More >>

SFoodie's Throwing a Bake Sale, and You're Invited

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodieLemon bar from Pinkie's Bakery: Show yourself just how much you love yourself.​Valentine's Day can feel downright plastic-wrapped. If you're in a relationship, you don't need sweatshop roses or a Twilight box set to tell your boyfriend that you love him, or ask forgiveness ... More >>

Learn How to Just Stay Home

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodie​Menu Planning for the Time-Strapped Where: 18 Reasons, 593 Guerrero (at 18th St.) When: Tue., Feb. 1, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $35 The rundown: Have you started to notice the occasional Hot Pocket creeping into your lunchtime regimen? Are brownies from the box not seeming like ... More >>

Calling all Cookie Monsters

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodie​Cookie Jar Throwdown Where: Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez (at Church), 282-4712 When: Sat., Jan. 29, 3-4 p.m. Cost: Free for cookie entrants/ $5 for just-eaters The rundown: Past food contests at Omnivore have ranged from the arty to the esoteric, but fo ... More >>

Wine and Awe at Omnivore

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodie​Terry Theise: Reading Between the Wines Where: Omnivore Books on Food, 3885a Cesar Chavez (at Church), 282-4712 When: Thu., Jan. 20, 6-7 p.m. Cost: Free The rundown: In Reading Between the Wines (University of California Press, $24.95), Terry Theise argues that wine o ... More >>

Come Out of the Pastry Closet at 18 Reasons Sweets Mixer

Gil Riego Jr./SFoodie​DIY Dessert: Something New Where: 18 Reasons, 593 Guerrero (at 18th St.) When: Thu., Jan. 13, 7-9 p.m. Cost: $2-$10 if you bring baked goods, $10 purely to taste The rundown: A sort of coming out party for the pastry shy. From the organizers: "We get skittish, too, wh ... More >>

Tell Tale Trunk Show to Stay Through January

Gil Riego Jr.William Werner's temporary holiday cafe in Potrero Hill's Big Daddy's antique shop will stick around a few weeks more.​It's the time of the year when every sidewalk turns into a pine-tree graveyard and the shop windows still decorated with snowflakes look pathetic, not festive. It's a ... More >>

NYE in Photos: Dresden Dolls and Pomplamoose Howl in 2011 at the Warfield

Gil RiegoThe Dresden Dolls' Amanda "Fucking" Palmer​Dresden DollsPomplamooseDecember 31, 2010@ The WarfieldBetter than: Ringing in the new year in 1939. All those chicks wearing corsets you saw on New Year's Eve? Most likely they were either coming or going from the Warfield, where the Dresde ... More >>

Steve Smith of HopeNet Demonstrates How Hash Is Made (VIDEO)

Eat your heart out, Betty Crocker. SF Weekly met Steve Smith of HopeNet inside the dispensary for an old-fashioned hand-pressed hash-making demonstration. The clicking you can hear in the background is photographer Gil Riego, Jr.'s camera; he captured images of the hash-making process. The demonst ... More >>

Ten Reasons Bay Area Street Food Will Expand in 2011

Gil Riego Jr.​Matt Cohen is the organizer of San Francisco's Off the Grid street food events and a consultant for the mobile vending industry via the SF Cart Project. John BirdsallOff the Grid's Matt Cohen.​A year ago I gave you "5 Reasons People Will Tell You Street Food is Dead in 201 ... More >>

Oh, Snap! The Best San Francisco Food Photos of 2010

San Francisco's culinary landscape is an ever-changing one, and this past year was no exception. Scores of restaurants opened and closed, events were thrown, and new chefs stepped into the spotlight. Here are some of the most arresting images SF Weekly and SFoodie captured in 2010. Lara Hata​ ... More >>

A Saturday in Dungeness Season at Swan's

Gil Riego Jr.One of the oldest businesses in S.F., Swan Oyster Depot attracts a mob of crab lovers at the dawn of Dungeness season.​The run-up to Turkey Day means one thing in San Francisco: local Dungeness. And when crab makes its annual reappearance here, things get frantic at Swan Oyster De ... More >>

Flan Queen: Gracias Madre's Carmen Vazquez Ditches the Dairy

Gil Riego Jr.Gracias Madre's Carmen Vazquez with her cashew-milk flan.​Carmen Vazquez is the genius behind the mind-blowing vegan flan at Gracias Madre in the Mission. She's also one of the chefs behind the now-defunct Brassica Supper Club, may it rest in peace/come back to life as a full-blow ... More >>

Loretta Keller, Leading Lady

Gil Riego, Jr.Loretta Keller​​There's the quick-to-heat, flash-in-the-pan hawt -- the kind that disappears after too many stints in rehab and plastic surgeons' offices -- and then there's hotness of the long, steady rolling boil variety. Specifically, Loretta Keller, the Helen Mirren of the kitc ... More >>

San Francisco Semi-Charmed by Third Eye Blind Semi-Concert

Gil Riego​Third Eye Blind was in San Francisco yesterday to -- wait, that's not right. Third Eye Blind is from San Francisco, is working on its fifth album here, has enough to say about Lincecum's pitching game to be composed of credible locals. Anyway, the band played yesterday, in Union Squ ... More >>

Richie Nakano, Ramen Renegade

Gil Riego Jr./SF WeeklyHapa Ramen's Richie Nakano.​Audrey Fukuman​When we asked you to ID the easiest-on-the-eyes chefs in San Francisco, Richie Nakano's name kept surfacing, like eggs in a poaching pot. Nakano ditched the restaurant track earlier this year to strike out on his own (he'd ... More >>

Five of San Francisco's Best New Pastries

Gil Riego Jr.​These five pastries are the highlights from two weeks of high-calorie eating that resulted in last week's article about San Francisco's new strain of micropatisseries. All photos were taken by Gil Riego Jr., who can vouch for their deliciousness. Blueberry cream cheese muffin (above ... More >>