"Fernay McPherson, chef-owner of Minnie Bell's, is still in shock after learning that her Southern food restaurant, which started off at a kiosk in an Emeryville food hall, was selected among the best in the nation. "I can't believe that the food I thought was great growing up could touch so many hearts," McPherson told SFGATE. "To reach these heights is an accomplishment I didn't even think could happen." Last year, Minnie Bell's opened its first brick-and-mortar space in the Fillmore District. The restaurant is best known for its fried rosemary chicken and brown butter cornbread, which are inspired by McPherson's grandmother's traditional Southern recipes."
"Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, chefs and co-owners of Sun Moon Studio, told SFAGTE in a joint statement via email that they felt honored to be mentioned in the Bon Appétit list, which called Sun Moon Studio "a revelation." Sun Moon Studio was also recently included in the New York Times' 2025 list of best new restaurants. "The amount of support we've received from guests and industry folks alike over the last year cannot be understated," Cooper and Hsu told SFGATE. "We've felt so welcome by the community here in Oakland and the larger Bay Area in a way we could have never anticipated." The pair opened their 12-seat restaurant last summer in West Oakland, and Sun Moon Studio earned its first Michelin star in June. The win marked the city's second restaurant to claim the prestigious honor. Sun Moon Studio is known for its selection of seasonal dishes made"
Bon Appétit released its 2025 list of the 20 best new restaurants and included San Francisco's Minnie Bell's and Oakland's Sun Moon Studio. Minnie Bell's began as a kiosk in an Emeryville food hall and recently opened a Fillmore District brick-and-mortar, earning recognition for fried rosemary chicken and brown butter cornbread inspired by the chef's grandmother. Sun Moon Studio opened a 12-seat space in West Oakland last summer, earned a Michelin star in June, and was described as a revelation. Both restaurants received strong community and industry support and national recognition alongside other West Coast establishments.
Read at SFGATE
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