Food Secrets of Interior Designer Grant K. Gibson

Grant K. Gibson, at the home of a San Francisco design client. Photo by Jen Siska

For the past eight years, interior designer Grant K. Gibson has called San Francisco home. Both Domino and Elle Decor magazines have recently named him on their lists as a “Designer to Watch.” His design firm has projects here, and in Palm Beach, Los Angeles and New York. He was selected to launch a room for Elle Decor for its design showcase in November. His firm's work has been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, 7x7, San Francisco Magazine, The New York Times, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, and on HGTV. The thirty-one year old hails from Los Angeles, and lives in Presidio Heights. He said, “I think that we are SO lucky in SF to have some of the best food and chefs in the world. Love it!” Gibson cooks often, and chronicles his adventures in design, food and travel on his blog. Gibson’s email comments on his favorite places have been edited for length and grammar.

LOCAL FAVORITE FOOD SPOTS
SPQR on Fillmore. Love the fresh made pastas. Great flavors and wines. I actually really love the black accents in the interiors. Eating there tonight. Great neighborhood place.

B*Star on Clement St. Love the tuna tacos. Also the pork belly tacos. Tea leaf salad, salmon/rice salad, (too). And for brunch on weekends, the hash. It's the sister restaurant to Burma Superstar. The waitstaff and owners couldn't be any nicer.

Poesia in the Castro. A totally little gem on the upper floor of a building. You wouldn't even know it was there. Francesco the owner is from Calabria and brings back spices and herbs and gets the recipes from his sister and mother. Gnocchi with a tomato and orange sauce is amazing. Love the lemon roasted chicken. Pasta with pork. They have this one after dinner treat. Like a chocolate mouse with sea salt-olive oil and chili powder. Out of this world.

I love the Ferry Building-- but I also love finding smaller farmers markets. I think that the market at Civic Center is amazing. Sunday mornings. It can be a zoo and filled with some odd ball people-- but totally worth it. I am big fan of the Farmers’ Market in Noe Valley on Saturdays too. Such a great family place.

Love the bar at the Big Four -- perfect place for a cocktail and a burger. One of my favorite burgers in town.

Love the outside garden at Arlequin in Hayes Valley. Great tofu sandwich.

If I am downtown-- one of my new favorite places is Spice Kit. Great Vietnamese sandwiches and pork buns.

Love Nopa on Divis. My friend Amy is the pastry chef-- so I always love seeing what creations she has made.

Blue Barn on Chestnut has great salads to go. Great place for a quick lunch.

Angelina's way out on California at 22nd Avenue. Great sandwiches, cookies, salads to go. They have a whole case of take-out food. Great to sit outside and have a breakfast or lunch date.

FOOD SHOPPING
I love to cook and cook all of the time. Travel all over the city to go to stores- love Drewes Brothers meats in Noe Valley as well as the cheese shop on 24th. I make everything from homemade pizzas to roasting chicken. I entertain at least once a week. Love having friends over.

Berkeley Bowl and Monterey Market in Berkeley might be my favorite places for produce. If I lived in Berkeley-- I would in big trouble.

I live in Presidio Heights, so I tend to do a lot of grocery shopping on Clement Street. For fancier things-- I love Bryan's in Laurel Village. Spruce is just a few doors down from my place. Great for a cocktail after work and again a burger. They have this caper mayo that I love!

Picnix is also very close to me. They have a sandwich that is called the Grace Kelly-- chicken, avocado and bacon with watercress. Once you have one, you will crave them.

GUILTY PLEASURES

I am in love with Cheese. I would eat it all day if I could. Love wine too (favorite place for wine is K&L). Also fruit candy like Starburst and I really love ice cream (favorite flavor is Salted Caramel from Bi-Rite Creamery).