SPIRIT OF THE PENINSULA uplifting JANUARY 25 Backyard Bounty Atherton Gardens Lisa Sten Home Maker A New Look Inside Carmel Modern Coastal Home’s Breathtaking Views Awe-inspiring Scenes From Around the Globe PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM
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ith 30+ years of knowledge-building Jeff Veliquette leads his dedicated team as they create the most beautiful landscapes on the Peninsula. Lifescapes uniquely provides the entire experience: landscaping, swimming pools, professional outdoor kitchens, incredible woodwork, fire pits, waterfalls, and everything in between. You deal with one contractor only, Jeff, who excels at creating outdoor magic with a seamless, stress-free one-stop experience. Contact him today to set up a complimentary review of your dreams and aspirations. Jeff will help you realize them with professionalism, punctuality and meticulous detail. W Jeff: 650.948.4485 | jeff@lifescapeweb.com | lifescapeweb.com LANDSCAPE | POOL | PRODUCTS “Jeff and his team gave us our dream backyard!!” —CHRISTINE SCHREMP CA License #913269, Licensed, Insured & Bonded
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As we enter and celebrate our 40th year in business, Harrell will kick off the year with inspiring events, social media, and communication. We aim to highlight our history, talent and experience. Feature our community service, trends from our valued vendors, educate with our insightful designer workshops and honor our client stories and appreciation. We look forward to celebrating with you! 40 YEARS IN A BLINK OF AN EYE. BUT OUR SIGHTS ARE SET ON TOMORROW. 650.230.2900 HarrellDesignBuild.com - LISA STEN, CEO
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12 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 31 {punchline} Peninsula Culture 31 Backyard Bounty 38 Perfect Shot 40 Diary of a Dog: Aki {due west} Travel & Wellness 53 Carmel Explored IN EVERY ISSUE 18 Editor’s Note 20 Sloane Citron 25 QuickPUNCH PHOTOGRAPHY: PAULETTE PHLIPOT / COURTESY OF: JONATHAN MITCHELL / BRUCE WASHBURN / RACHEL WEILL 61 {food coloring} Eats, Drinks & Scoops 61 Star Power 66 Empanada Innovator 70 The Beat on Your Eats {home & design} Style and Substance 73 The Scenic Route {punchout} Features 80 Coastal Contemporary 84 A Lens on the World {landmark} 90 San Francisquito Creek {january 2025} contents 73 80 COVER PHOTO: JONATHAN MITCHELL
14 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM “I was going to quit all my bad habits for the new year, but then I remembered that nobody likes a quitter.” —UNKNOWN FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Sloane Citron EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Andrea Gemmet CREATIVE DIRECTOR Britt Johnston SENIOR EDITOR Johanna Harlow CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sheri Baer COPY EDITOR Carrie Lightner PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORS Annie Barnett Paulette Phlipot PHOTOGRAPHERS Gino De Grandis Robb Most Irene Searles Robert David Siegel WRI TERS Jennifer Jory Sharon McDonnell Sophia Markoulakis Loureen Murphy EDITORIAL INTERN Margaret Koenig ASSOCIATE PUBLISHERS Sally Randall Georgina Fox CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR Airiel Mulvaney ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Alexa Randall PRINT QUALITY DIRECTOR George Marquez PUNCH is an idea about how to live a life that is more engaging and authentic, from personal adventures, growth and what we feed our bodies and souls to the culture that fulfills us and the traditions and new discoveries offered by the Peninsula. It is about appreciating and exploring the richness of where we live and how that understanding can enhance our lives and make them more fulfilling and happy. PUNCH MAGAZINE ADVERTISING Please call 650.383.3636 or email hello@punchmonthly.com PUBLISHED 1047 El Camino Real, Suite 202 Menlo Park, CA 94025 ©2025 by 36 Media, LLC Members Sloane Citron, David Arfin hello@punchmonthly.com punchmagazine.com PUNCH® is a registered trademark of 36 Media, LLC FOLLOW PUNCH: @punchmonthly PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM FOR EVERYTHING PUNCH, COMPLETE CALENDAR, INSIDE SCOOPS & MORE: punchmagazine.com
AlysGraceMP alysgracebayarea A L Y S G R A C E . C O M MENLO PARK 899B SANTA CRUZ AVE SAN FRANCISCO 3490 SACRAMENTO ST LOS ALTOS 208 MAIN ST SAN RAMON 6000 BOLLINGER CANYON RD ALEXA LEIGH AMO DENIM APIECE APART APOTHEKE ASKKNY ATM AUTUMN CASHMERE B. BELTS CHAN LUU CIRCOLO 1901 CLARE V. COLLABORATION COSABELLA COTES OF LONDON FRAME FRANK & EILEEN G1 HARRIS WHARF LONDON ILLESTEVA JAO BRAND KAI FRAGRANCE KUTJEN LOEFFLER RANDALL MANSUR GAVRIEL MICHAEL STARS MOTHER MOUSSY NEST FRAGRANCES NEVER A WALLFLOWER NILI LOTAN ONCEPT ONE GREY DAY REPEAT CASHMERE RIDDLE OIL ROYAL NOMAD SAINT ART SAVE THE DUCK SEA NEW YORK THE GREAT TROVATA ULLA JOHNSON URBAN APOTHECARY VALSPORT VELVET WHITE + WARREN XIRENA
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18 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM chose El Granada to build their home, a modern marvel with clean lines and a wonderful view of that glorious ocean. (Page 80) January is an ideal time to venture out. In this issue, explore the latest additions and hidden gems in everyone’s favorite coastal charmer, Carmel-by-the-Sea. (Page 53) Most backyards are not at their best in the depths of winter, but it’s not too early to start planning for a bountiful summer. Read how an Atherton woman teamed up with a talented landscape designer to transform her property into a beautiful edible garden—and gather tips on the best plants to buy right now. (Page 31) If you’re longing for a change of scenery from the comfort of your living room, Menlo Park photographer Jennifer Fraser’s riveting images from around the world should do the trick. (Page 84) Also in this month’s pages are stories to tantalize your tastebuds. Chef Anthony Secviar of Palo Alto’s Protègè shares his vision for approachable fine dining and his painstaking process for preparing standout dishes at the Michelin-starred restaurant. (Page 61) Find out how Marianne Despres puts a personal spin on the classic empanada at El Sur, located in the same Redwood City building where her parents used to run a grocery store. (Page 66). As the holiday glow subsides and spring still feels far away, this in-between time offers a chance to slow down, count your blessings and think about the year ahead. January may not have December’s razzle-dazzle but it still has plenty of charm if you know where to look. Happy New Year! Andrea Gemmet andrea@punchmonthly.com {editor’s note} the year. We almost always go to the same spot, and every year we discover how the ocean has reshaped the beach’s familiar contours into something new. What started as romantic strolls shifted to fussing over a bundledup baby, then to skipping rocks and chasing seagulls, and (all too soon) to begging an embarrassed teen to please stand still for a photo. Every year, we change and the beach changes right along with us. Will this January 1 find us dodging raindrops or soaking up sunshine? Marveling at Technicolor clouds or searching for the sinking sun through thick gray fog? It has been suggested more than once that witnessing the sunrise on the first day of the year would carry more symbolic weight, but that argument holds no water here. Maybe if you live on the East Coast, where the sun rises over the Atlantic, it’s worth dragging yourself out of bed early (or staying up all night), but here in the mighty Pacific’s tempestuous embrace, it’s a ridiculous proposition. We want to gaze out at the endless horizon as the sun slips beneath the waves, and dream of faraway places. I find those afternoons on the beach, the sound of crashing waves filling my ears while the shadows lengthen, to be a profoundly humbling experience. It’s a reminder that the worries and aspirations I carry from one year into the next are vanishingly small in the grand scheme of things and shouldn’t be weighing me down. And it’s an opportunity to give thanks for my immense good fortune to be living in such a magnificent part of the world. Belmont’s Bruce Washburn clearly shares my love of splendid scenery found close to home. See how the Peninsula’s flora and fauna inspire his colorfully painted landscapes. (Page 73) After living in Tennessee for years, a Bay Area couple made a beeline for the Pacific coast and Over the years, I’ve celebrated New Year’s Eve all kinds of ways, from the childish thrill of staying up late for a sparkling cider toast with my brother and sister to salsa dancing the night away at rollicking house parties in Santa Cruz in my 20s. There’s not much to say about my teen years, which were mostly spent babysitting on the big night. After becoming parents, my husband and I hosted family-friendly potlucks with our neighbors, where our hyped-up kids would inevitably outlast the exhausted adults in the countdown to midnight. But my family does have one New Year’s tradition that hasn’t changed in decades: we head to the coast and watch the sun set over the water on the first day of
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20 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {sloane citron} No home run but a great swing that cleared the bases. The next inning, Teddy approached the plate with the goal of knocking it out of the park. Opposing coaches yelled, “Get back! Get back! He can hit it!” This alone filled me with pride. Teddy again punished the ball, but it landed at the bottom of the right field fence without going over. A minute later, the game was over. “What?” I said. “Only two innings?” Yes, that was it, two innings and done. Teddy looked a bit dejected, but he has a good attitude, and no one said a word except “Great game!” and “Great hitting!” Of course, we didn’t care if he hit a home run or not. But after everyone had left, Teddy’s dad asked his boy if he wanted to practice hitting some balls. So, Teddy got up and crushed a few balls, again with none going over the fence. Finally, on the last ball, Teddy smashed it high and far. All eyes were on that ball. It flew into the blue sky, and we were all urging it on. Would it make it? We held our breath, waiting. Finally, the ball started descending and landed about four feet short of the fence but then (!) bounced over. Technically, it was a ground rule double and it wasn’t even hit in an actual game. But it made no difference. “Home run! Home run!” Teddy screamed as he went around the bases. We cheered. “I hit it out for you, Saba!” he called to me. Hand in hand, we crowded back to the car, happy faces filled with pride, and headed straight to the local ice cream shop to celebrate. The Citron family group text was rife with stories of the T-Ball heroics of one of our youngest members, Theodore Solomon Leonard, or Teddy. Home runs of unimaginable distances, T-Ball coaches telling their players to “back up, back up” and parents beaming with pride. Since he lives a bit of distance from me, getting to one of his games was not as easy as with my other grandkids. It had to be planned. My daughter told me that Teddy’s last game was scheduled for a Sunday in mid-November, and I put it, underlined twice, into my appointment book. In the meantime, I was undergoing a procedure on my kidneys and was waiting patiently for the doctor to tell me when he was going to operate. Kidney stones run in our family, with one daughter and one son both needing surgery to deal with them. Over the past few years, I’ve noticed intermittent kidney pain, a slight dull ache in my lower sides and back. But I didn’t bother with it. At my physical this year, they found some “invisible” blood in my urine. After some other testing, a CAT scan showed two large stones, a 12-centimeter one in my left kidney and a 11-centimeter one in the right kidney. My doctor told me that if it were him, he would get them removed to avoid the problems of stones that size trying to leave my body. I went with that. After I awoke from my operation, my doctor told me that, unfortunately, my left ureter was twisted and that while they were able to successfully remove the other stone, they had to put in a stent to straighten the tube to allow the instruments to go up into my kidney. The next surgery would be several weeks out. Frankly, the horribleness of those weeks with two stents (one was in there for the other kidney, which normally would have come out after a few days) was something I would not opt to go through again. Finally, the clinic called and said my surgery date was on a Thursday, just two days before Teddy’s last game. I decided to just go with the flow, and I kept my airline reservation for Friday morning. I got up the next morning after the surgery and Ubered to the airport, determined to watch Teddy play ball. I made it just fine. Finally, it was time for the last game and Teddy was ready to swing. The location was magnificent, with permanent T-Ball and coach-pitch fields, and real fences in the outfield, not that temporary stuff. Teddy’s team took the field first and then batted in the bottom of the inning. Up seventh (everyone bats) Teddy geared up and smashed a line drive that settled at the bottom of the left field fence. teddy’s big hit
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The Harker School | San Jose, CA | K-12 College Prep | www.harker.org The arts are integral to a complete education at Harker, and we are honored to share these outstanding performers with the community. Plan to join us! Information & tickets: www.harker.org/concerts Fri., Feb. 28, 2025 | 7 p.m. Poulenc Trio with soprano Shawnette Sulker Poulenc Trio photo by Titilayo Ayangade SERIES CONCERT 2024-25
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 25 JANUARY + 31 DAYS + FRESH START + OUR 78TH ISSUE {quickpunch} Start Up + Don’t miss the NFL season’s finale: the 49ers play their last game on January 5. + Celebrate the King’s wish—Martin Luther King Jr., that is—on January 20. + Get ready for our new (and returning) president on Inauguration Day, January 20. + Make sure you return those unwanted gifts; many stores give you just 30 days. Venture Out + GET COZY at Après Village, a ski lodge-themed popup at the Four Seasons Silicon Valley. Rent private chalets stocked with fluffy blankets and fire tables while sampling an alpine menu with fondue and s’mores, nightly through January 7. + MAKE GOOD on your exercise resolutions by joining the Crystal Springs Trail Run in Woodside on January 12. The redwood-lined courses range from 8K up to 50K. + SET OFF on an adventure as Peninsula Symphony Orchestra performs film scores like Jaws, E.T. and Indiana Jones, January 18 and 19 at Campbell’s Heritage Theatre. In this rapid-fire world in which we live, time seems to accelerate, bringing elections and holidays and birthdays to us at blistering speed. It seems as though we are just settling into 2024 and, yikes, it’s over and done, and here we are trying to remember to sign our checks (Remember those?) with 2025 instead of 2024. After all the excitement of December, poor January seems lost and adrift, with nothing in its days to bring excitement or happiness. But perhaps we can find joy—if we want to call it that—in taking care of all the stuff that we ignored in those last months of 2024. And with that, we wish you a bright and cheerful 2025. “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” —Brad Paisley welcome back
26 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} Dash to Dine + GYU-KAKU JAPANESE BBQ—Enjoyable Japanese barbeque where you get to play chef—319 S. Ellsworth Avenue, San Mateo + CETRELLA—Evoking its Mediterranean heritage, the team creates dreamy seasonal concoctions—160 State Street, Los Altos + BRITISH BANKERS CLUB—Don’t miss this delightful, historical restaurant with an extensive Scotch selection—555 Santa Cruz, Menlo Park Carpe Diem + GAWK at big blubbery beasts on Año Nuevo Coast Natural Preserve’s guided elephant seal walks in Pescadero. Your naturalist docent will take you on a three-to-four-mile hike along the sand dunes and explain all about these 5,000-pound creatures with comically bulbous noses galumphing across the beach. Walks are offered daily, rain or shine, until March 31. Make tour reservations at 800-444-4445. + TUNE IN for Dueling Pianos at Faith & Spirits in San Carlos every Friday and Saturday from 9PM until midnight. The bar serves classy cocktails to complement the live entertainment, so order a highball or martini, find a seat on the button-tufted sofa or a velvety chair and enjoy the show. If you’d rather put on a show yourself, plan a return trip for karaoke on Wednesdays. At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson— The esteemed author reveals the fascinating history of the modern home. Eichler: Modernism Rebuilds the American Dream by Paul Adamson—Wonderfully captures the Eichler legacy and history with 250 photos. Architectural Digest (AD)—Still the standard for lovely interiors and stunning architectural masterpieces. architecturaldigest.com WHO KNEW? Bob Melvin, current coach of the SF Giants, was a true Peninsula superstar. At Menlo-Atherton High, he played basketball, golf and baseball—basketball being his favorite sport. The talented baseball player managed a .474 batting average in his junior year and an unbelievable .529 in his senior year. He was the second overall pick in the 1981 MLB draft and off he went to Florida, home of spring training for the Detroit Tigers. Well Read Unscramble LCDO ERUPRAETEMST Finally, some half-baked advice: Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES
28 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {quickpunch} What’s most rewarding about working in the design, build and home remodeling field? Seeing how the smallest tweaks and clever space planning can have the biggest impact on how one lives in a home. What are some highlights from your early career? My mom and I had a design studio together for 12 years prior to my move to California in 2000. We had the pleasure of working with Target Corporation, and worked with the “starchitect” Michael Graves on the restoration of the Washington Monument in D.C. Is there a movie you can watch over and over? The Way. Although the movie is about the Camino de Santiago, the movie partly inspired my goal to walk the entire Via Francigena in Italy. This is another pilgrimage walk from Canterbury to the Vatican. I’ve completed 60 miles of it, north of Rome. Do you have a personal motto? Produce or die! A friend’s father told her and her seven siblings this every morning. I find it hilarious, yet meaningful, but I have yet to say this out loud at work! What’s a unique feature you’ve added to a home? Adding a jetted laundry sink for gentle washing is great! What’s one thing you’ve brought back from a trip abroad? One? I love finding local art and bringing it home. Best souvenirs ever. THE Q & A LISA STEN Is there something people are surprised to learn about you? As a kid, I was in a Mr. Bubble commercial, and a commercial with John Denver. I also skied with Billy Kidd for a Hart Skis ad. Have you always been in this line of work? My first post-college “career” was in film production: I worked with the author/playwright David Mamet and William H. Macy as well as on a number of national commercials. How did you get into Chinese calligraphy? My daughter took Mandarin lessons for seven years, and the only adult class held at that same time was Chinese Calligraphy. I have always been fascinated with font design, and the characters are intriguing as a visual art form. It is meditative and calming—and learning the brush techniques and control takes years of practice. What’s your biggest home-related pet peeve? Poor consideration for sight lines. (Can we not see the toilet first thing, please?) And not treating the ceiling well. What’s the best part of your weekend routine? Not making plans! I hesitate to make weekend plans as my week is fairly structured. It’s my “unstructured play time.” What do you collect? Many things, but the oddest of them are probably my oil can collection from the London Eastern Railway and my plumb bob collection! The CEO of Mountain View’s Harrell Design + Build talks about her top travel treasures, the motto that keeps her motivated and the laundry room feature you didn’t know you needed.
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LANDSCAPE backyard bounty words by ANDREA GEMMET • photography by RACHEL WEILL PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 31 {punchline} PENINSULA CULTURE
32 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} After Denise Shackleton replaced the magnolia trees along her front fence with persimmons, she was surprised by how enthusiastic her neighbors and friends were about the transformed landscape. “When they ripen, I’m everybody’s best friend,” Denise laughs. By the time she reinvented her front yard as an edible garden, Denise had long dreamed of being able to grow her own produce. Now, it doesn’t faze her when people stop by to ask if ents’ farm in Northern California. Then, at a home and garden show in San Mateo, she discovered landscape designer Leslie Bennett, whose display artfully incorporated edible plants. Denise knew she’d found the perfect partner. Leslie is the visionary behind Pine House Edible Gardens, which not only specializes in creating gardens that are fruitful as well as beautiful, but also offers ongoing gardening and harvesting services to keep clients’ landscapes flourishing in every season. Denise brought in Leslie to reimagine first one corner of her yard, and then another, and still another. Off and on for over 10 years, the stately home’s grounds evolved into a series of garden vignettes that are as delicious as they are decorative. On a sunny day in October, when the cool breeze signals the shift from summer to fall, Denise’s inviting front yard is bursting with color and texture. It’s only when you look a little closer that the garden reveals its secrets. Tucked behind an heirloom wine press, a tempting array of vegetables beckABOVE (from left): Denise picks oxheart tomatoes with granddaughter Annaliese in her Atherton garden; Zucchini blossoms can be fried for a seasonal Italian delicacy. she needs help picking all those firm-fleshed Fuyu persimmons or wants someone to take them off her hands. Thanks to her garden’s designer and her own prowess in the kitchen, Denise is well-equipped to handle the harvest. She dries slices of the fruit to enjoy all year, makes a persimmon-habanero jam to spoon over cream cheese and she still has plenty of fruit to share. “I’m a big fan of Fuyus,” she admits. Denise and her husband Woody moved to Atherton in 2006 after raising their children in the Belmont hills, where her gardening aspirations never really came to fruition. “I thought you could grow anything in California, but that’s not the case,” she says of her old home. But just a little farther south down the Peninsula, it’s a different story. “We moved 10 miles and got a 15-degree difference in weather,” Denise says. In Atherton, it was possible to raise fruits and vegetables, just like she’d enjoyed on her grandparRACHEL WEILL PHOTOGRAPHY REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM GARDEN WONDERLAND BY LESLIE BENNETT & JULIE CHAI, COPYRIGHT © 2024
34 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} ABOVE: Figs, honey, grapes, dried persimmons and tomato jam, all from Denise’s garden; Pomegranate, cherry laurel and ‘Swane’s Golden’ cypress trees flank the swimming pool’s border. “I wanted to see Denise’s grandchildren frolicking through there, picking fresh figs—that was her dream—and I think it’s come to be a reality,” says Leslie. “She’s had a lot of pure enjoyment from the garden. Those grandkids know every fruit tree, when they’re ripe, their seasons, and they know where their food comes from. That’s so awesome.” Walk out the back door and you’ll see a gracious, spacious backyard, pleasing to the eye and perfect for family gatherings— including the wedding of Denise and Woody’s son in 2022. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find every corner is cleverly used to its best advantage: heat-loving tomato varieties line the fence along the tennis court, which absorbs sunshine and reflects warmth. A cutting garden of lanky flowers is half-hidden by glossy fig trees. A narrow gravel Graceful trees hide figs and bumpy green avocados among their leaves, while a stately row of pomegranate trees flanks the swimming pool. Chinotto sour orange blossoms perfume the air, and patches of herbs and lacy alyssum attract pollinators. Leslie describes her style as “plantheavy, layered and lush,” and delights in designing gardens that have a soft, romantic feel. “A big part of my work is growing food and flowers for harvest, creating beautiful spaces and creating gardens that are meaningful, that reflect your family story, your heritage and culture,” Leslie says. Denise wanted a tangible way to share the cultural traditions she’d learned from her Italian immigrant grandparents and pass them down to her grandkids. “That has been really inspiring as a design mission for the property,” Leslie shares. “I love the idea that gardens can be spaces where we can literally grow our family stories.” ons from raised planters: plump tomatoes, deep green padron peppers, floppy yellow zucchini blossoms, glossy eggplants. Denise steps past the tall serrated fronds of an artichoke and ruddy stalks of rhubarb, and skirts the two beehives, explaining that they’re still abuzz from the beekeeper’s visit the day before.
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36 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} TOP (left): Arched trellises will support cherry tomato plants as they grow; (right) Denise’s artwork adorns the labels of her preserves, made with her backyard harvest. path between two planting beds is lined with arching trellises that support cheerful cherry tomatoes in summer. Every fall, a crew from Pine House replaces the tomato, pepper, cucumber and basil plants with winter vegetables like beets, broccoli and Swiss chard. Every two years, Denise has Pine House do a “freshen up” to replace any plants that are past their prime. “They’re so on top of stuff, they know all the new plants and new styles,” she says admiringly. Every other week during peak season, the crew comes out to do a heavy harvest, which keeps the plants producing. Denise finds ways to use or preserve it all—she is the kind of person who cannot stand to see food go to waste. “I do a lot of canning and dehydrating,” she says, and her artwork decorates the labels of her canning jars. Leslie has been the recipient of everything from fried zucchini blossoms to Denise’s “excellent” jams. The Shackletons’ yard is featured in Garden Wonderland, Leslie Bennett (pictured above) and Julie Chai’s 2024 book, published by Ten Speed Press. pinehouseediblegardens.com EARLY STARTS Here are landscape designer Leslie Bennett’s top picks to plant in Peninsula gardens this winter: + STRIPED FIG: Also called a panache or tiger fig. “It’s a small, pretty garden tree, and the fruit is super delicious.” + MEYER LEMON: A hardworking evergreen that thrives in large pots as well as in the ground, and produces fruit yearround. “We’re in California, everyone should have one.” + ROSES: Instead of a formal rose garden, sprinkle them throughout your landscaping. “There aren’t many other flowers that have such a big bloom with such a long bloom season.” Leslie sources unusual varieties from Regan Nursery in Fremont. + AEONIUM CANARIENSE: A great border-edging plant, this evergreen and cold-hardy succulent thrives on the Peninsula. “It adds a young, cool, updated look to the garden.” + LEUCADENDRON ‘EBONY’: This hardy, winter-blooming plant has dark burgundy leaves that appear almost black. “It’s beautiful in all seasons, and it’s dark, so it makes a great contrast in the landscape.” While Woody wasn’t terribly interested in their home’s edible garden at first, his appreciation has blossomed. Denise recalls her husband being wowed by the intense flavor of the first tomato they harvested, so unlike anything from a grocery store. “He said, ‘Oh my God, that’s the best tomato I’ve ever tasted!’” she laughs. “I said, ‘It’s also the most expensive!’” GARDEN PATH PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: DAVID FENTON
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38 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} PERFECT SHOT sea and sky This mesmerizing moment was captured by photographer Tony Corso off Linda Mar Beach during the unprecedented number of humpback whale sightings around Pacifica from July through September. The surge, caused by largerthan-usual schools of anchovies, drew diving birds and lunging whales alike that feasted on the tiny silver fish. “On this particular morning, the fog was out in full force, creating a surreal backdrop,” Tony describes. “With the rising sun at my back breaking through the morning clouds, the final result was breathtaking.” @TonyCorsoImages / tonycorsoimages.com
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 39 Calling all shutterbugs: If you’ve captured a unique perspective of the Peninsula, we’d love to see your Perfect Shot. Email us at hello@punchmonthly.com to be considered for publication. calling all shutterbugs
40 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {punchline} calling all dogs If you’ve got quirky habits or a funny tale (or tail) to tell, email hello@punchmonthly.com for a chance to share a page from your Diary of a Dog in PUNCH. Aki DIARY OF A DOG photography by ROBB MOST I’m so pleased to meet you! I’m Aki, a friendly mutt sporting white freckled “socks” and a white-tipped tail. Let me tell you about my family. Mike and Mia’s three girls had been begging for a dog, so they decided to check out some local shelters. Their first stop was Pets In Need in Palo Alto. I was only five months old, but I knew right away that these were my people. After spending a little time together, I made my intentions clear by resting my head on each of their laps. They understood that I had chosen them, so they took me home to San Mateo. Mike and Mia quickly realized that I didn’t like my shelter name of Autumn. (Go ahead, try calling me Autumn. I’ll act like I don’t even hear you.) They renamed me Aki, which means autumn in Japanese, and now I happily come when they call. Another thing about me is that I look out for my friends. At the park, I protect my little buddy, a Jack Russell terrier, from any aggressive advances. I play hide and seek with the girls and cover them in affectionate, slobbery kisses. My family describes me as fiercely intelligent, playful and a tiny bit mischievous. They have to make sure I don’t see where they hide my treats, because I will remember that location forever and do my best to get at them when nobody’s looking.
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ANDRA NORRIS GALLERY Andra Norris created the eponymous art gallery at the heart of her community in downtown Burlingame to exhibit and sell unique, aesthetically strong and important works of art by international artists with Bay Area ties. The gallery is located on Burlingame Avenue in a well-lit, large-windowed space surrounded by restaurants and shopping, and it hosts eight diverse art exhibitions a year, along with educational artist talks and receptions. Andra Norris Gallery also offers complementary art consulting and personally tailored in-home art presentations. The gallery is free to visit and open to the public Tuesday–Sunday and by appointment Mondays. Plan your next visit soon. Andra Norris Gallery 1107 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame 650.235.9775 | info@andranorrisgallery.com andranorrisgallery.com CHRISTINA KENT Christina Kent is a figurative oil painter based in San Francisco. Her evocative Bay Area landscape paintings explore the subtle interplay of light and color in everyday scenes. Kent has exhibited at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and galleries throughout Northern California. She is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award from Pence Gallery in Davis and was selected for an international residency at Pouch Cove in Newfoundland, Canada. In 2024, she was a finalist for the San Francisco Open Studios Juror’s Choice Award. Her next solo exhibition will be at Studio Gallery in San Francisco in March of 2025. To inquire about commissions or schedule a visit to her San Francisco studio, email info@christinakentart.com. Christina Kent Studio 1661 Tennessee Street, San Francisco 832.381.6389 | info@christinakentart.com christinakentart.com THE FOSTER MUSEUM Truly an oasis in a hectic world, The Foster Museum is a rare find—a breathtaking space that is dedicated to exhibiting the unique watercolor wilderness Journeys of a single living artist, Tony Foster. Located off the beaten path in Palo Alto, this hidden gem is a special treat for first-time visitors as well as the many repeat guests. You’ll find three complete Journeys painted en plein air, interactive exhibitions with art tables and scavenger hunts. Special programming, private event reservations, school and group tours are all available. Connect with the art as well as the natural world it celebrates! Free admission, appointments recommended, walk-ins welcome: Tuesday-Friday, 10AM-4PM and Saturday-Sunday, Noon-4PM. The Foster Museum 940 Commercial Street, Palo Alto 605.209.7181 | info@thefoster.org thefoster.org HIS & HER ART GALLERY Located in beautiful downtown Los Altos, His & Her Art Gallery offers an exclusive collection of limited-edition bronze statues, exquisite, handcrafted Balinese wood sculptures and luxurious crystals perfect for enhancing any space. Each piece is carefully curated for its beauty and craftsmanship. Whether outfitting a corporate lobby, a luxury residence, hotel, casino, or a unique event space, our gallery provides art that transforms and inspires. Visit us today and bring timeless elegance to your projects. His & Her Art Gallery 216 Main Street, Los Altos 408.658.4647 | hisandherartgallery.com @hisandherartgallery JOHN SUTTI John Sutti is a visionary artist, transforming images into vibrant works of art through his geometric abstract paintings. Enlightened by mentors, he possesses the gifted ability to perceive the invisible with his mind’s eye. His current collection showcases multidimensional installations featuring galvanized metal and wood sculptures of extraordinary resilience that defy the whims of nature. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and fortified with weather-resistant materials, each piece stands as a testament to both beauty and durability. Integrated with living plants, carefully treated to withstand all elements for many years, his artwork is not only aesthetically pleasing but also contributes to our health and humanity enhancing our environment. His work can be viewed in his own outdoor gardens. Contact today to schedule a delightful garden visit. John Sutti 650.918.8858 jlawrence43@comcast.net ARTWORK BY AIRIELMULVANEYART.COM { A PUNCH PROMOTION } In this special issue of PUNCH, we’re happy to showcase a collection of outstanding artists and their work. We are constantly captivated by the many creative artists, galleries and museums on the Peninsula. Here are some that you will enjoy learning more about. & art artists
ANDRA NORRIS GALLERY 311 Lorton Ave (at Burlingame Ave) Burlingame, CA 94010 I tel: 650 235 9775 SECOND NATURE January 11 - February 7 PETER LOFTUS, American Realist ART EXHIBITIONS AND SALES OF INVESTMENT QUALITY CONTEMPORARY ART FROM INTERNATIONAL, ESTABLISHED ARTISTS WITH CALIFORNIA TIES Peter Loftus, ’Trail Above Silver Lake’, Oil on canvas, 52 x 80 inches, 2006, Andra Norris Gallery
KERWIN GALLERIES Kerwin Galleries has been providing high quality original art to Bay Area patrons for over 60 years. Established in 1961 by Richard and Mercedes Kerwin, it maintains an eclectic mix of vintage Californian, American and European paintings, works by select contemporary artists, original fine art prints, bronze sculpture and American Art reference books. Also offered are custom framing services. Through the years the gallery has garnered a reputation as a primary source of fine art to collectors, design professionals and individuals who wish to enhance the beauty of their homes and offices. Kerwin Galleries 1107 California Drive Burlingame 650.340.8400 kerwingalleries.com MICHELLE JUNG Atherton resident Michelle Jung is announcing her first major exhibition at London’s world-renowned Saatchi Gallery. The exhibition FLOWERS – FLORA IN CONTEMPORARY ART & CULTURE opens on 12 February through May 2025. Occupying two floors and over nine major gallery spaces, the exhibition will feature large-scale installations, original art, photography, fashion, archival objects and graphic design exploring the ongoing influence of flowers on creativity and human expression. For more information: https://www.saatchigallery.com/exhibition/flowers-florain-contemporary-art-amp-culture. Michelle Jung Studio 11245 Stardust Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 508.513.8686 michellejungstudio@gmail.com michellejungstudio.com { A PUNCH PROMOTION } & art artists Kerwin Galleries Established 1961 1107 California Dr. Burlingame, CA 94010 650 340-8400 Tues.-Sat. 10-5 Early Californian Contemporary Kasimir & Eidenberger Custom Framing Eduardo Tojetti (1851-1930) John A. Dominique (1893-1994) kerwingalleries.com William Hamilton
Christina Kent is a figurative oil painter based in San Francisco. Her evocative Bay Area landscape paintings explore the subtle interplay of light and color in everyday scenes. Kent has exhibited at the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and galleries throughout Northern California. She is a recipient of the Emerging Artist Award from Pence Gallery in Davis and was selected for an international residency at Pouch Cove in Newfoundland, Canada. In 2024, she was a finalist for the San Francisco Open Studios Juror’s Choice Award. Her next solo exhibition will be at Studio Gallery in San Francisco in March of 2025. To inquire about commissions or schedule a visit to her San Francisco studio, email info@christinakentart.com. CHRISTINA KENT Website: www.christinakentart.com Follow on instagram: @christinakentart
MICHELLE JUNG Flowers - Flora In Contemporary Art & Culture London, England February - May 2025
At The Studio Shop Gallery we are committed to enriching the greater San Francisco Bay Area with fine contemporary art and have been for 110 years. Discover a diverse array of subject matters and media, blending traditional and contemporary forms of art - a place where art transcends boundaries and inspires fresh perspectives.
MITCHELL JOHNSON Mitchell Johnson’s color and shape driven paintings exist at the intersection of color theory, art history, nostalgia and observed experience. His work is in the permanent collections of over 35 museums and he has been appeared on RAI 3 in Italy, BFM Nice in France and Monaco Info TV. The legendary art critic, Donald Kuspit, wrote about Johnson’s work in Whitehot Magazine: “Johnson is a master of abstraction, as his oddly constructivist paintings show, but of unconscious feeling, for his geometry serves to contain and with that control the strong feelings implicit in his strong colors. Apart from that, his paintings are art historically important, because they seamlessly fuse abstraction and realism, which Kandinsky tore apart to the detriment of both even as he recognized that they were implicitly inseparable, tied together in a Gordian knot, as they masterfully are in Johnson’s paintings.” Catalog by request: mitchell.catalog@gmail.com Follow on instagram: @mitchell_johnson_artist mitchelljohnson.com STUDIO SHOP GALLERY This year, Studio Shop Gallery proudly celebrates its 110-year anniversary—a testament to their deep roots in the Burlingame community and unwavering dedication to fine art and custom framing. As California’s oldest continuously operating gallery, Studio Shop Gallery built a legacy of connecting collectors with meaningful art. Located at 244 Primrose Road, the gallery features rotating exhibitions of exceptional paintings and sculpt-ures, creating opportunities to foster connections among collectors, artists and neighbors. Whether you visit us in person or take advantage of our personalized con-sultation services, we are honored to commemorate over a century of artistry and community engagement. Studio Shop Gallery 244 Primrose Road, Burlingame 650.344.1378 | info@thestudioshop.com studioshopgallery.com #studioshopgallery { A PUNCH PROMOTION } & art artists
Visit the San Mateo Studio & Gardens 650.918.8858 | jlawrence43@comcast.net
PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM 53 GETAWAY carmel explored {due west} words by SHARON MCDONNELL TRAVEL & WELLNESS
54 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: CARMELCALIFORNIA.COM House in 2022 for $40 million. Monaco billionaire Patrice Pastor spent the past decade buying $100 million of property in and near the town, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s only oceanfront home, the Clinton Walker House. Famed for its storybookstyle cottages, dozens of galleries and manicured beauty, the chic former bohemian art colony just experienced its biggest hotel renaissance in the past two years, with several new hotels and some major lodging facelifts, plus six new restaurants, including Michelinstarred Chez Noir. But well-known Carmel still has treasures yet to be discovered. “I’m courtyard-crazy,” says Gael Gallagher of Carmel Walks, who enjoys pointing out “beauty bursts” on our walking tour, from the town’s 41 charming courtyards and hidden passageways to Spanish-style tiles that lend pops of color and pattern. The oldest, Der Ling Lane, is a woodarched, cobblestoned and brickpaved alley and courtyard we entered from Ocean Avenue, the town’s main street that’s lined with galleries and shops. It’s home to the first of the town’s 18 wine-tasting rooms, Galante Vineyards. It’s also the only one whose owner’s great-grandfather, James Devendorf, co-founded Carmel-by-the-Sea. Jack Galante makes mostly Bordeaux-style red blends at his winery. The wine labels feature nuggets of cowboy philosophy, and the rug in its tiny tasting room depicts cowboys holding lassoes aloft, reflecting his childhood on a ranch in the Carmel Valley. Jack also leads wine trips around the world, from fishing trips to Alaska to jaunts to Sardinia and Corsica to adventure weekends in Montana. The lane is also home to Xocolatl Garden, a shop for single-origin chocolate bars from 66 countries, with daily tasting of four samples (perhaps a jerkCarmel-by-the-Sea has always been noticed. A century ago, it drew the attention of poets Robinson Jeffers and George Sterling (who dubbed San Francisco the “cool grey city of love”), authors Jack London and Sinclair Lewis, photographer Ansel Adams and an abundance of other artists. It caught the eye of Brad Pitt, who bought the castle-like Seaward {due west} ABOVE: Shops in Carmel have a fairytale flair to their architecture. TOP: The Clinton Walker House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, juts out over Carmel Beach.
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNIE BARNETT
56 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM {due west} PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF: CARMELCALIFORNIA.COM foot space. I was enchanted by its lamb chile relleno, a pepper filled with apples, pears, raisins and ground lamb, in a sauce composed of white chocolate, pomegranate arils, macadamia nuts and spices—apparently an inspired riff on my all-time favorite Mexican dish, chiles en nogada, a specialty of Puebla state. Another surprise: superb Korean food at Jeju Kitchen, which opened in 2024. My jajangmyeon, chewy buckwheat noodles with fermented black bean sauce, sliced zucchini, diced carrots and pork belly, were sheer delight. “Korean kids grew up with this the way American kids do with mac and cheese,” notes owner Ashley Wolff, who uses her Korean mother’s recipes. Her take on the beloved American comfort food adds kimchi and scallions. “The acidic taste cuts into the cheese and cream (and adds a satisfying crunch),” she adds. Both restaurants are in Carmel Plaza, a shopping center packed with eateries. Toro, opened in late 2020, offers top-quality sushi, including specialty rolls lightlyseared to meld the flavors and others topped by unagi (eel) sauce as well as sake cocktails, flights and a global wine list (thanks to its sommelier co-owner) that I didn’t expect. Called the town’s “grande dame,” La Playa Hotel, the 1905 mansion of chocolate heiress Angela Ghirardelli and her painter husband, emerged from a stylish seasoned 70% dark chocolate from Jamaica or the shop’s own Choquiero brand, spiced with chipotle, cayenne and coconut sugar), for just $5. In contrast, Dawn’s Dream Winery is known mostly for chardonnay and pinot noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands and for its philanthropy. “My dream was to tie this brand to nonprofits to keep women and children reaching for the stars,” says Dawn Galante, Jack’s wife, who partners with a local nonprofit each year, like a women’s shelter or Jacob’s Heart for children with cancer, and also donates money and wine to nonprofits. “I grew up with a single mother in Detroit who was always giving back.” Another winery, Caraccioli Cellars, has gold medals to show for its sparkling methode champenoise wines. Nicolas Cocina de Herencia, the grandest-looking new restaurant that opened in 2023, offers high-end Mexican food with creative twists amid a dozen chandeliers in a cavernous 5,000-square-
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