Check, Please! Bay Area Returns with Delicious New February Episodes You Can’t Miss!

Kick off the new year with a fresh lineup of Bay Area dining discoveries! Check, Please! Bay Area, KQED’s beloved James Beard and Emmy-winning series, is back this February with a new batch of must-try local restaurants. Whether you’re diving into your culinary resolutions to try something new or searching for the perfect Valentine’s date spot, we’ve got you covered.

Each week, three locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their favorite neighborhood gems, check out each other’s picks, and dish on their dining adventures. From Indonesian-Texas fusion to East Coast Jewish deli favorites, we’ve scoured the Bay Area to find the season’s standout spots.

Tune in for four tasty new episodes, Thursdays beginning February 6 at 7:30pm on KQED 9.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s on the menu:

February 6

• Traditional Indonesian flavors meet Texas barbecue with highlights such as dino ribs, smoked brisket, and nasi goreng at Fikscue (Alameda)
• Guests trade a trinket for entry to enjoy tapas including tortilla española and jamón serrano at The Pawnshop (San Francisco)
• Playful takes on breakfast classics, from donut burgers to Nutella-stuffed french toast, at Apple Fritter (San Mateo)

February 13

• East Coast Jewish deli favorites, including matzo ball soup, pickled fish boards and cinnamon babka, at Grossman’s Noshery & Bar (Santa Rosa)
• Soulful comfort dishes, from fall-off-the-bone oxtails to creamy mac and cheese, at Jackie’s Place (San Jose)
• Fresh Californian-inspired American cuisine featuring pork belly buns and succulent red wine-braised short ribs at Crescent Bistro (Pleasant Hill)
• “Cecilia Tries It” explores fresh produce, local goods and culinary delights at the historic Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (San Francisco)

February 20

• Bold and aromatic Laotian flavors such as papaya salad and crispy pork belly at the vibrant Bhan Mae Vane (Alameda)
• Italian-American comfort food in quirky digs, including Cadillac lasagna and steak served with pesto spaghetti, at Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack (San Francisco)
• An artfully curated selection of wines and cocktails paired with shareable plates from tender lamb meatballs to creamy elote at District (Oakland)

February 27

• A creative take on soulful comfort food like hoecake, gumbo fries and grilled shrimp po’boys at Gumbo Social (San Francisco)
• Decadent dishes, from lobster pot pie to crème brûlée French toast, paired with stunning waterfront views at The Bungalow Kitchen (Tiburon)
• An inventive and fresh take on farm-to-table offerings, including “ugly” mushroom-filled pasta and Hokkaido milk bread rolls, at Pomet (Oakland)

Got a favorite restaurant we haven’t featured yet? Now’s your chance to share it! We’re gearing up for the next round of guests and want your must-try spots in the spotlight. Nominate your top picks and apply to join us as a guest at kqed.org/checkplease/apply. And if you have a pick in the Carmel or Monterey area we’d especially like to hear from you!