East Bay food
fromSFGATE
5 days agoFormer Zuni Cafe and Chez Panisse chef to close famed Berkeley restaurant
Berkeley's Standard Fare will close Dec. 19 after 11 years as chef-owner Kelsie Kerr retires.
A hamlet of restored rural buildings in the Ortolo valley in Corsica reopened in June as A Mandria di Murtoli. Guests can stay in a former sheepfold, stable or barn, or one of five rooms in the main house. Three of the smaller properties have private pools, all rooms have terraces and there is a big shared pool. The buildings have been refurbished by Corsican craftspeople in a minimalist Mediterranean style, using local materials.
Borgo Laudato Si' sits within the historic Papal Villas of Castel Gandolfo, which dates back to the 17th century and has been a summer residence and vacation retreat for popes. The site, steeped in nearly 2,000 years of history, encompasses gardens, agricultural and farming land, and a solar-powered greenhouse modeled after St. Peter's Square's iconic colonnade. The greenhouse will supply ingredients for the restaurant, while Borgo Laudato Si' also offers training programs in organic farming, winemaking, olive harvesting, and more.
Nestled high in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Old Edwards Inn & Spa offers the feel of a European countryside retreat-without the transatlantic flight. The property blends historic charm with modern luxury: stone fireplaces, spa-level bathrooms, copper soaking tubs, and terraces that overlook lush mountain views. For a truly immersive experience, the inn and sister property Half-Mile Farm combine tranquility with enriching hosted weekends and culinary events.