The Bay area is home to many an amazing magazine. ReadyMade, Sunset, Bitch, XLR8R, and The Believer come to mind quickly, and represent only a few of the greats. Into this stew of amazing periodicals meet the area's newest entrant: CHOW. Seeing a need for a food magazine that was more entertaining and realistic (umm, we love Gourmet, but alas, our stuff never looks quite right), the crew at CHOW has launched what they hope will be something of a demi-gourmet revolution.
Meredith Arthur is in charge of stra-T-gery at CHOW. Besides having her job cut out for her (you have to be a wee bit jealous of any one who works a foodie job), Meredith has gained a rapid knowledge of the Bay area in the relatively short time since she landed here. She's already had a trapped-between-cable-cars moment, and seems to have gained an insider's knowledge of taquerias and shopping in the mission.
Name
Meredith Lynne Arthur
Introduce yourself in one sentence
My name is Meredith, but you can call me Mudaba.
Age and Occupation
29, Director of Strategic Development at Chow Magazine.
Home Town
Born in Defiance (Ohio), but grew up in Toledo (Ohio).
How long have you lived in the Bay Area and Where
I had a four month layover in Berkeley, then landed in Noe Valley a year and a half ago. I Goldilocks'ed my way here, moving from New York (too hard) to Seattle (too soft), and finally landing JUST RIGHT.
Favorite Web site
The website I'm the most thankful for is Google. I spent a lot of time on Netflix, though.
Favorite local business
Lots. I love my yoga studio, Open Door, on Castro Street, and I love my favorite flower shop, The French Tulip on 24th. I always get little presents for friends at Otsu, the vegan store on 18th.
What I'm currently Reading
Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt. A new book about Shakespeare's life and work. I can never get enough of that Bard.
Favorite mode of transportation
I really like the trains here--I just wish there were more of them. My favorite mode, though, is riding on the back of my friend Carlton's motorcycle.
Best Band or Musician to come out of the Bay Area
Janis Joplin.
Favorite local hangout
Rite Spot on Folsom at 17th.
SF has the BEST
Sexual politics.
Favorite Bay area politician of past or present
Willie Brown. Mostly for his fashion sense.
You can tell someone is a local here IF
They never use their car horn.
SF would be soooo much better if
Only there were a better subway system. Or more parking.
Best Burrito
Veggie at Tacqueria Cancun (the one on Mission in the 20s)
Best Restaurant
Burma Super Star.
Best movie scene filmed in or about SF
So I Married An Axe Murderer. Dancing like Russian gymnasts in the Palace of Fine Arts.
Favorite artist to come out of the bay area
Francis Ford Coppola.
Favorite author to come out of the bay area
Dashiell Hammet and Vikrem Seth both wrote about SF, but I'm not sure if they're from here. Michael Chabon is awfully good. He lives here.
Place you always tell visitors to check out
The Marin Headlands, after crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Favorite View
Looking out from Bernal Heights.
Best Walk or Hike
Fort Funston.
Favorite Bridge in the area
Bay Bridge.
You have two hours and $15 bucks to kill in SF, what are you going to do?
Croissant at Tartine followed by a cappuccino at Dolores Park Café. Rent a dog in Mission Park Dolores. And then I'd give the last $5 to someone who would smile if I did.
I have found/sold/bought the following on craigslist
The fourth job applicant I ever interviewed, did not hire, and later became my svengali.
Tell us a San Francisco Story
My friend and I were driving in Russian Hill. We were late to meet others and looking for parking. We turned and climbed a hill. Ahead of us in the road was a broken-down cable car. I threw it into reverse, but was too late. Behind me climbed another cable car. We were trapped. Everyone knows that a cable car is incapable of backing up. My friend and I opened the sunroof, turned on some tunes, and leaned back our seats. One hour later, the cable cars moved. Stuck between two cable cars, what could be more San Francisco than that?
Question you'd ask if you were doing this interview
What's your most irrational San Francisco fear?
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This is the most annoying interview I've ever read. Who is this person and how are they a foodie if they hang out at Otsu? Chow Magazine is pretentious. I thought Sfist would/could see through that!!?
No Shriva, you've got it all wrong. This lady is definitely a foodie. Well, maybe not a foodie, but she's got class. I recall an evening, while visiting your fine city, when I had consumed enough long neck Budweisers to choke a horse and had the opportunity to dine with Meredith. It had been a long day and I removed my shoes at the table. Meredith kicked me out of the joint for this indiscretion, ate her food, and then drove around until she found me wandering aimlessly through the neighborhood. Now that's class. Get yours T-Mad.