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KQED’s award-winning restaurant review program, Check, Please! Bay Area, is back with four new episodes spotlighting must-try dining destinations, including Ethel’s Fancy in Palo Alto, Cato’s Ale House in Oakland, and Kiku Sushi in Berkeley.
For two decades, Check, Please! Bay Area has been your trusted guide to the Bay Area’s most delicious dining spots, and we’re celebrating this milestone with a brand-new season premiering in April! Each week, three Bay Area locals join host Leslie Sbrocco to share their top restaurant picks, swap dining stories, and debate their experiences. From the mouthwatering scent of buttery pastries in San Francisco’s Mission District to vibrant Peruvian flavors featuring indigenous ingredients in Burlingame, this season is packed with bold flavors and must-try spots.
Since its launch in 2005, Check, Please! Bay Area has explored the region’s dynamic food landscape, welcoming locals who have reviewed over 800 restaurants in 94 cities across 12 counties. Our very first guests reviewed a French spot in the Marina, an Italian trattoria, and an Afghan restaurant in Fremont. Over the years, the show has spotlighted everything from neighborhood gems to Michelin-starred dining destinations, earning both James Beard and Emmy Awards along the way. Special themed episodes have highlighted Bay Area sports stars, kid guest reviewers, and even the cast of Broadway SF’s Hamilton. With the addition of the Cecilia Tries It segment, from farmers markets and food truck gatherings to u-pick apple ranches and oyster tours, viewers were treated to dozens of delicious, off-the-grid dining experiences.
Join us for four new episodes starting Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 7:30pm on KQED 9, as three guests join Leslie to break down what’s tasty on the menu at Ethel’s Fancy in Alameda, where a Michelin-trained chef reinvents Japanese American cuisine, Cato’s Ale House in Oakland, a Oakland institution since 1994 featuring satisfying sandwiches to pair with nearly two dozen craft beers, and Kiku Sushi in Berkeley, known for its pristine seafood alongside an extensive vegetarian and vegan sushi selection. Visit here for the premiere link on YouTube, and don’t forget to click the “Notify me” button for a reminder!
Want to see where else we’re headed this season? Visit our website for the latest scoop on our 20th season! |
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Prefer to watch online? Stream Check, Please! Bay Area episodes whenever and wherever you want, on our website or with the PBS App, with new episodes premiering at the same time as on broadcast!
Want to hype up your favorite restaurant? Applications for Check, Please! Bay Area are always open, so if you have a favorite spot in the Bay to recommend, fill out this form and tell us all about it. |
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| Lastly, we’re excited to give a shout-out to KQED Food’s newsletter, The Sauce! Subscribe to stay in the know about the Bay Area’s delicious trends, undiscovered food gems, culinary events and upcoming Check, Please! Bay Area episodes. |
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| None of this would be possible without the support of our amazing sponsors! Thank you to Graham’s Port, IRG, OAK Airport, and Water Heaters Only for their support of Check, Please! Bay Area. |
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