Check, Please! Bay Area Returns for Its 20th Season!

For two decades, Check, Please! Bay Area has been your go-to guide for uncovering the Bay Area’s best dining spots and we’re celebrating this milestone with a fresh lineup in April! The James Beard and Emmy Award-winning series is back with fresh restaurant discoveries, from Michelin-level tasting menus to local comfort food favorites.

Each week, three Bay Area locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their top restaurant picks, swap stories, and debate their dining experiences. From elegant, French-inspired tasting menus in San Jose, handmade pastas that transport you straight to Italy in Berkeley, and plant-based dishes that redefine expectations in Burlingame, this season is packed with bold flavors and must-try spots.

Get ready for a season packed with unforgettable meals, hidden gems, and lively food-loving guests. Catch four new episodes to kick off the season starting April 10, Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9.

Hungry for a preview? Here’s what’s on our plate this season:

April 10

• At Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto, a Michelin-trained chef puts a modern twist on Japanese American cuisine, serving up dishes like charcoal-grilled prawns and black sesame soft serve.
• Cato’s Ale House, an Oakland institution since 1994, keeps locals coming back with its rotating craft beer selection, the satisfying Retroburger, and the crispy-yet-juicy Hallelujah! fried chicken sandwich.
• Sushi lovers — both seafood fans and plant-based eaters — find something to love at Berkeley’s Kiku Sushi, known for its sake toro nigiri, crispy rice with avocado, and creative vegetarian rolls.

April 17

• Big, bold breakfasts define Skillet’z Cafe in Fremont’s historic Niles District, where locals enjoy caramel lattes alongside decadent Monte Cristo sandwiches, and Nutella-strawberry-banana pancakes.
• Peony Seafood in Oakland’s Chinatown serves up a classic dim sum experience with handmade shrimp dumplings, salt-and-pepper custard tofu, and fried daikon cake wrapped in crispy rice noodles.
• In San Jose, the fine-dining gem Le Papillon impresses with its elegant French-inspired tasting menus, featuring Dungeness crab soufflé, grilled beef tenderloin, and a stunning black sesame terrine.
• “Cecilia Tries It” explores the Niles Farmers Market, sampling fresh malasadas and savory hand pies while taking in the local vintage car scene.

April 24

• A taste of Hawaii awaits at Got Plate Lunch in Benicia, where the ultimate loco moco — beef patties, grilled Spam, and fried eggs — is a must-try alongside crispy kalua pork tots.
• Berkeley’s Via del Corso transports diners to central Italy with handmade pastas, slow-braised meats, and highlights like ravioli alla coda di bue and garlicky tagliolini alle vongole.
• At Curry Leaves Bistro in Pleasanton, wok hei reigns supreme in smoky char kway teow, while crispy roti canai with fragrant chicken curry brings the bold flavors of Penang, Malaysia.

May 1

• At Kahnfections in San Francisco’s Mission District, the air is filled with the scent of buttery pastries, from chocolate croissants to indulgent bacon-cheddar-scallion biscuit sandwiches.
• In Burlingame, Twelvemonth redefines plant-based dining with creative vegetable-forward dishes like crispy maitake mushrooms and the umami-packed panzanella alla puttanesca.
• Pucquio in Oakland’s Rockridge neighborhood delivers vibrant Peruvian flavors, balancing citrus and spice in cebiche de pescado and showcasing deep, rich comfort in chupe de camarones.
• “Cecilia Tries It” dives into the high-energy world of Bhangra and Beats, a San Francisco festival pulsing with Punjabi rhythms, electrifying dance performances, and a bustling night bazaar.

Have a restaurant you think deserves the spotlight? Nominate your favorite spots and apply to be a guest at kqed.org/checkplease/apply!