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When Martha Stewart talks about food, she's talking about more than what’s on the plate. The farmers, the chefs, the neighborhood and the loyal regulars all play a part in a fabulous meal. So when she’s visiting a city, you know she's checking in on the chefs and restaurateurs who give a city its flavor. Martha's all about supporting local restaurants and businesses, and we caught up with her during Super Bowl LX in San Francisco while she was in town to give a big assist to Pepsi for their Bay Area Local Eats festival. Part of the NFL Fan Zone experience, the festival featured a lineup of local restaurants, and Martha was on hand to sample the goods and work her magic.
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Martha told us about her favorite neighborhood in San Francisco, some of her favorite restaurants and why supporting local restaurants matters more than ever. She expressed sincere pride and admiration for the chefs and business owners she's encountered, giving shoutouts to some of her all-time favorites. She was on the move—heading next to the Olympics and after that to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival—but she clearly takes the time to support local restaurants wherever she goes as a way to eat well and help keep a city's food culture alive.
Why is it so important to support local restaurants?
This is a really difficult time for restaurants. The increased food costs, increased rents, increasing labor costs… restaurants are suffering. They work so hard, and they are so fantastic. And they offer us so much, especially in a crowded city like San Francisco. We all eat, and we all want to eat the delicious food that these restaurants provide. So, Pepsi has taken it upon themselves to help those restaurants with their PR and with their photography so that they can promote themselves online and get known to the visiting public. And I’m happy to support that.
What's on your San Francisco restaurant bucket list?
I wanted to eat at Mr. Jiu, the Chinese restaurant. But they were sold out for party after party after party. I was sort of going to try to sneak in, but I haven't yet.
What's your favorite romantic date night restaurant in SF?
Oh, I’d go to Chez Panisse. I still love Chez Panisse more than anything Alice [Waters] has done. She’s one of the most incredible American culinary stars. She introduced us to so much; her influence is so wide. Last night I ate at the Japanese restaurant called Rintaro. One of her chefs started this restaurant three years ago, and it is delicious.
Do you have a favorite neighborhood in San Francisco?
I like the Presidio, because it's so very beautiful. And today I went and visited Flora Grubb [Gardens Plant Nursery]. She's one of the best growers of tropical plants in California, and she was the first recipient of the Martha Stewart American Made Award years ago. And I went to visit her today. Her garden is so beautiful. She’s got her shop, and she has incredible varieties of every kind of plant imaginable that grows in this climate. She has another shop in Los Angeles. She's done very well. I'm very proud that I found her years ago.
What’s your favorite iconic San Francisco dish?
Acme Sourdough—I could eat a loaf a day. It’s so good, right out of the oven. And I love going down to the pier and seeing what's there. The cheese selection is so phenomenal. And the fresh vegetables and the fruits… I mean, it's incredible. And wine, of course.