PUBLISHER’S LETTER

THANKS FOR READING OUR HOLIDAY ISSUE. 2022 IS TURNING OUT TO BE A challenging year. Although we have finally gotten over the COVID-19 pandemic, sharp hikes in interest rates designed to curb rising inflation sent stock and real estate markets into a sudden decline. As co-owner of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty with over $13.2 billion in sales in 2020-2021, I experienced firsthand the sharp market downturn of the luxury home market. It was like someone turned the switch off. Nobody showed up to see and buy high-end homes anymore. Only six months ago, some of these same buyers were outbidding each other, purchasing homes for more than the asking prices!

Nothing much we do can control the world economy that impacts our lives. What we can do is come up with plans to renew and recharge and enjoy life as much as possible. Speaking of renewing, we profiled San Francisco’s leading plastic surgeon, Dr. Karen Horton, who treats congenital birth defects, injuries resulting from trauma, cancer defects, or desires for body modification. Her service could be a holiday gift of beauty if you wish to look 15 years younger!

In this issue, we feature joyful, uplifting events and positive, inspiring stories to entertain you. We report the opening nights of the San Francisco Opera and Symphony as well as the Fall Show of art, design, and antiques. Our back cover promotes the San Francisco Opera Guild’s An Evening on the Stage. We are proud to be the 2022 media sponsor of all these philanthropic events providing arts and music to our community and schools. For luxury car, yacht, and jet enthusiasts, this issue covers the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, the Monterey Car Week at Pebble Beach, and a story on Aero. This semiprivate jet airline provides white glove service at a reasonable fare.

To help you celebrate the holidays with family and friends, we feature an extra serving of food and wine articles. Before you gather at the holiday dinner table, read these articles if you wish to celebrate by dining out. Michael Mina’s vibrant, fine cuisine at his new Greek restaurant, Estiatorio Ornos, at 252 California Street is where his legacy started. For more Mediterranean flavor, read the story on BROMA, a new Spanish-Portuguese restaurant in Mountain View by Michelin-starred chef Jarad Gallagher. Check out the latest restaurant, AFICI, by chef Eric Upper who began his culinary journey in 2006 at Lorenza di Medici cooking school in Tuscany, where I studied in 1995. Savor the season at Lucia, the restaurant at Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley. You certainly don’t want to miss our article on the dining secrets shared by leading San Francisco hotels’ culinary concierges.

While you plan your holiday wine trips, please read the article on the Swiss wine region—Lausanne and the Lavaux—and the report about two wine hotels in Italy and France. We also feature spas, beauty, and gift guides for your holiday celebrations and wellness ideas to stay healthy.

We wish you a joyful and healthy holiday season and New Year!

OLIVIA HSU DECKER OWNER-PUBLISHER HAUTE LIVING SAN FRANCISCO AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DIRECT 415.435.1600 CELL 415.720.5915 O.DECKER@GGSIR.COM WWW.ISSUU.COM/HAUTELIVINGSANFRANCISCO

PUBLISHER

Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com PUBLISHER Olivia Hsu Decker EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com Teresa Rodriguez Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Teresa Rodriguez CREATIVE DIRECTOR Teresa@HauteLivingSF.com Michelle Restante Michelle@HauteLivingSF.com ART DIRECTOR Krisha Chhaganlal Krisha@HauteLivingSF.com

DIGITAL EDITOR

Laurie Jo Miller Farr DIGITAL EDITOR Laurie@HauteLivingSF.com Laurie Jo Miller Farr Laurie@HauteLivingSF.com

COPY EDITOR

Karen M. Smith COPY EDITOR henhousepublishing@gmail.com Karen M. Smith henhousepublishing@gmail.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jennifer Boden, Noël Burgess, CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Becca Hensley, Jennifer Boden, Noël Burgess, Steph Keay, Fran Endicott Miller, Laurie Jo Miller Farr, Becca Hensley, Robert B. Richards, and Sharon Seto. Steph Keay, Fran Endicott Miller, Robert B. Richards, and Sharon Seto.

ABOUT TOWN AMBASSADOR

Aubrey Brewster ABOUT TOWN AMBASSADOR Aubrey Brewster

HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMBASSADOR

Lydia Graham HEALTH AND WELLNESS AMBASSADOR Lydia Graham

LUXURY AUTO AMBASSADOR

Tim LappenLUXURY AUTO AMBASSADOR TL@JMBM.com Tim Lappen TL@JMBM.com

SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES

Olivia Hsu Decker SUBSCRIPTION AND DISTRIBUTION INQUIRIES Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com Olivia Hsu Decker Olivia@HauteLivingSF.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Cindy Pelland Cindy@HauteLivingSF.com AD SALES REPRESENTATIVE Cindy Pelland Cindy@HauteLivingSF.com

Haute Living San Francisco Haute Living San Francisco Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com Visit us at www.HauteLivingSF.com

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ON THE COVER: DR. KAREN HORTON

PHOTO: Vincent gotti SHOT ON LOCATION: The Rotunda in Neiman Marcus STYLING: Neiman Marcus

6 PUBLISHER’S LETTER

10 EDITOR’S LETTER

11 CONTRIBUTORS

12 HAUTE CALENDAR

16 HAUTE KITCHEN

Chef Eric Upper of Alexander’s Steakhouse shares treasured family recipes to add to your holiday feast.

22 HAUTE SHOPPING

If you’re wondering what to give your loved ones for the holiday season, here’s a little help finding the perfect gift for each person on your holiday gift list.

24 HAUTE WINE

Local wineries share their favorite holiday food and wine pairings.

HAUTE CUISINE

28 Chef Jarad Gallagher shares the bold, sophisticated flavors of Spain and Portugal at BROMA.

32 Chef Michael Mina’s restaurant Estiatorio Ornos serves innovative Greek cuisine sunny side up.

36 Chef Christian Ojeda takes the culinary helm at Bernardus Lodge & Spa’s destination restaurant and bar, Lucia.

38 COVER STORY 44 HAUTE CONCIERGE

Five of San Francisco’s most accomplished concierges share their favorite places to dine.

48 IN MEMORIAL

Haute Living, San Francisco joins the world in remembering Queen Elizabeth II, known for “her curious and smiling eyes.”

50 TRAVEL

Becca Hensley divulges the secret wine of Lausanne, a vintage so wonderful the locals reserve for themselves.

HAUTE HOTEL

54 Visit a tropical destination of pampered luxury and guest-centered care that you’ll never want to leave: El Mangroove.

58 Try the less-traveled path for these two bespoke wine experiences in France and Italy.

HAUTE SCENE

62 Haute Living, San Francisco celebrated its Arts & Entertainment issue at the elegant St. Regis Bar.

64 Consummate party host Aubrey Brewster and his husband, Dr. Edward Winger, co-hosted a festive birthday party for San Francisco Mayor London Breed.

65 Showcasing Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Spring 2023 collection, Saks Fith Avenue and the League to Save Lake Tahoe raise $1.3 million. COVER STORY

HAUTE HOTEL HAUTE BEAUTY PAGE 96

58

HAUTE EVENT

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HAUTE CUISINE PAGE 28 HAUTE SHOPPING PAGE 22

66 The SF Fall Show celebrates its 40th anniversary with a stunning showcase of priceless artwork, antiques, and design.

67 The Mill Valley Film Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary with a starstudded lineup.

68 Neiman Marcus SF hosts an exclusive dinner for fashion designer Naeem Khan, showcasing his Spring 2023 collection.

69 Oliver Stone showcases blockbuster potential again with his new movie, Nuclear: Time to Look Again.

HAUTE EVENT

70 The San Francisco Opera opens its 100th season with a benefit gala and a who’s who of San Francisco’s elite.

72 Olivia Hsu Decker recounts her immersion in luxury within the car and out, courtey of Bentley and its new Bentayga EWB.

74 The San Francisco Symphony launches its 111th season and Esa-Pekka Salonen’s third year as music director with its celebratory Opening Night Gala.

76 The 2022 Monaco Yacht Show impresses the world with the Ahpo, the biggest and newest masterpiece by Lürssen.

82 The most impressive vehicles past and present make an appearance here at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

88 An elite gathering of poets, biographers, scientists, and authors immerse themselves in literature and discussion at the Sonoma Valley Authors Festival.

HAUTE MOVES

90 Speed, luxury, and refinement combine with the Maserati Ghibli Trofeo and the Lexus LC 500 Coupe.

94 Enjoy the luxury of private air travel at commercial airline prices with Aero, a “semi-private” service offering first class service.

96 HAUTE BEAUTY

Geneo™ facials give your skin a party—ready perfection that lasts for days.

HAUTE WELLNESS

98 Discover the true meaning of contentment at Costa Rica’s Punta Islita and it’s Blue Zone culture.

102 Wine’s not just for drinking. Used in vinotherapy, it also makes your skin glow.

104 HAUTE RESIDENCE

Contemporary design. Check. Room for family and entertaining. Check. Ocean views. Check. What’s not to like?

108 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Sharon Seto goes behind the scenes to speak with Conor Ryan, the lead male actor in Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

HAUTE AMBASSADOR

112 Breathing affects every aspect of our lives. Let’s focus on doing it well.