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New Spin-Off Series of ‘Check, Please! Bay Area’ Coming This Fall

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Check, Please You Gotta Try This

Series premieres September 9!

San Francisco, CA — Host Leslie Sbrocco is back this fall to feed your foodie soul with a new spin-off series from Check, Please! Bay Area. With Check, Please! You Gotta Try This, Sbrocco digs into the most delectable dishes across the Bay Area — from tasty appetizers and entrees to sinful desserts. These are the foods locals love so much they’d stand happily in a long line to savor.

In each episode, three guests share their favorite Bay Area dish, with each reviewing the others’ recommendations. The series takes viewers into the Bay Area kitchens where the dishes are created and hear from chefs about how they’re made — from the ingredients and techniques to the personal stories behind them. Each episode ends with a segment featuring producer/reporter Cecilia Phillips, who hunts down off-the-grid dining experiences for even more delicious bites.

“It feels great to be back talking with guests and sharing our passion for local cuisine,” says Sbrocco. “The pandemic has posed an incredible challenge for the Bay Area restaurant community, as well as our ability to produce traditional Check, Please! Bay Area episodes. With You Gotta Try This, we are able to spotlight and support Bay Area restaurants during this challenging time, while also producing a fresh and entertaining take on the format in a safe and comfortable environment.”

The premiere episode of the eight-part season kicks off on September 9 with three longtime Oakland residents and celebrities who share their favorite Bay Area dishes. Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito finds inspiration at Oakland’s own Dela Curo. Chef Chikara Ono is one of the first in the Bay Area to serve Omu Curry, a dreamy, savory jet-black curry served atop omurice. Next, award-winning director and Blindspotting actor Margo Hall samples the iconic Chicken Milanese at Garibaldis Restaurant in San Francisco. Finally, Oakland Roots soccer player Max Ornstil shares his nostalgic pick, the creamy Chocolate & Vanilla Frozen Yogurt at Yogurt Park, a beloved Berkeley hang-out since 1977.

Sponsored

Check, Please! You Gotta Try This airs on Thursdays at 7:30 PM on KQED 9, starting September 9. Episodes will also be available for streaming on the PBS Video App and at kqed.org/checkplease.

Season Schedule:

Episode 101 | September 9 (with special celebrity guests)

  • Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Fantastic Negrito samples the savory Omu Curry, a jet-black curry served on top of omurice, at Dela Curo (Oakland)
  • Award-winning director and actor Margo Hall delights in the iconic Chicken Milanese at Garibaldis Restaurant (Presidio)
  • Oakland Roots soccer player Max Ornstil join 50 years of devotees of the Chocolate & Vanilla Frozen Yogurt at Yogurt Park (Berkeley)

Episode 102 | September 16

  • Flavorful Brussel Sprout Tacos with garam masala-spiced pepitas and yogurt dressing at Paper Plane (San Jose)
  • House-made Italian comfort food Asiago Roasted Zucchini Ravioli at Ravioli House (San Mateo)
  • Pacifica Brewery’s PB Burger, where beer onions meet sharp cheddar on a handmade pretzel bun (Pacifica)

Episode 103 | September 23

  • A unique Beef Hot Dog with Hawaiian flair at Altamont General Store (Occidental)
  • Italian cuisine meets Indian flavors with “The Best Indian Pizza Vegetarian” at Zante Pizza & Indian Cuisine (San Francisco)
  • Taiwan Bento’s Fried Pork Chop Bento, the ultimate Taiwanese comfort food (Oakland)

Episode 104 | September 30

  • Sweet, flaky Kouign Amann at Arsicault Bakery (San Francisco)
  • Mouth-watering, fresh Crispy La Calaca Loca Especial Grilled Pescado Tacos at La Calaca Loca Taqueria (Oakland)
  • Brasswood Bar + Kitchen’s off-menu Hand-Pulled Mozzarella, a local favorite (St. Helena)

Episode 105 | October 7

  • A garden-fresh, fragrant Rose and Strawberry Waffle at Mints & Honey (San Carlos)
  • A hearty, traditional Columbian Beef Empanada at Milohas (San Jose)
  • Delicate, steamed Xiao Long Bao, handmade soup dumplings, at Din Ding Dumpling House (Union City)

Episode 106 | October 14

  • Sizzling, savory Sisigsilog at Tselogs (Daly City)
  • Beef Tartare with a twist at Ernest (San Francisco)
  • Handmade black bean noodle dish Jajangmyeon at Zazang Korean Noodles (San Francisco)

Episode 107 | October 21

  • Pacifica Pan-Fried Frittata with smoked salmon at Bacon (Novato)
  • Tender Steak Frites with Point Reyes Blue Cheese Butter at Due West Tavern (Olema)
  • Spit-roasted pork Al Pastor Burrito at Al Pastor Papi (food truck)

Episode 108 | October 28

  • Thin, delicate Swedish Pancakes with lingonberry butter at Millbrae Pancake House, a fan-favorite for more than 60 years (Millbrae)
  • Lamb and Beef Shawarma Bowl with fresh hummus and flame-roasted meat at Falafel Boy (Oakland)
  • Savory braised beef short rib Kalbijjim (an Instagram favorite!) at Daeho (San Francisco)

For more information and to watch previous episodes of Check, Please! Bay Area, visit kqed.org/checkplease.

Support
Support for Check, Please! You Gotta Try This is provided by Oakland International Airport, IRG, Total Wine and More, Sutter Health and Oceania Cruises.

About KQED
KQED serves the people of Northern California with a public-supported alternative to commercial media. An NPR and PBS affiliate based in San Francisco, KQED is home to one of the most listened-to public radio stations in the nation, one of the highest-rated public television services and an award-winning education program helping students and educators thrive in 21st-century classrooms. A trusted news source and leader and innovator in interactive technology, KQED takes people of all ages on journeys of exploration — exposing them to new people, places and ideas. kqed.org

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