Thoughtful Take on Cuisine Appropriation, International Smoke Lives On, More A.M. Intel

Luke Tsai tackles cultural appropriation in restaurants

The East Bay Express’ food critic penned a thoughtful article on the history of cultural appropriation in restaurants in the Bay Area and beyond, and its very real impact on people and cultures. It’s definitely worth a read.

Ayesha Curry’s International Smoke heads to Hawaii

SF superstar chef Michael Mina knows a good thing when he sees it, so he’s finding a way for Ayesha Curry’s International Smoke to continue after its run at Mina Test Kitchen is done. The globally-influenced barbecue restaurant will open in Mina’s the Street in Waikiki, Hawaii, a 12,500-square-foot food hall set to open next spring, the Chronicle reports.

You can now brunch at Barzotto

Barzotto, the new pasta bar on Valencia, has added brunch to its repertoire. The slim menu will feature three brunchy dishes that rotate each week on Saturdays and Sundays, in addition to the regular menu. The first one, debuting Saturday, September 3, has baked eggs, porchetta and potatoes, and French toast. See the menu in full below.

Berkeley’s soda tax is a success

It’s been a year and a half since Berkeley enacted a soda tax — at one cent per ounce — and it’s been a success so far. Soda consumption by low-income residents has fallen by 22 percent, and water consumption has gone up by 63 percent, according to the American Journal of Public Health.

The Perennial gets some national press

Bloomberg News food editor (and longtime Food & Wine restaurant editor) Kate Krader realized higher-end restaurants around the country are getting in on happy hour, and cites The Perennial as an example.