March marks Women’s History Month, and we're taking the opportunity to highlight some of the best restaurants you can find on the Peninsula! These women each in their own way represent what makes the Peninsula, and the greater Bay Area, such an exciting community to be a part of.  Read on to learn more about the women behind these well-established, local favorites!
 

IZZY'S ON THE PENINSULA, SAN CARLOS | SAMANTHA DUVALL BECHTEL

In celebration of Women’s History Month and in honor of the Bay Area’s inspiring female leaders, I’m pleased to introduce Samantha DuVall Bechtel – an esteemed restaurateur with nearly two decades of experience and deep roots in San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. As Managing Partner of the multi-generational DuVall Family Hospitality Group, Samantha alongside her team of seasoned hospitality professionals, oversees the operation of beloved Bay Area Izzy’s Steakhouse institutions, including the newly reopened Izzy’s on the Peninsula, and the iconic Izzy’s Steaks and Chops in the Marina District, set to reopen later this year.

Samantha DuVall Bechtel

Samantha DuVall Bechtel
 

Samantha’s journey in the industry is rooted in her family’s legacy, originating with her late father, Sam DuVall, a famed restauranteur and the visionary behind the original Izzy’s in San Francisco which opened in 1987. Following her father’s passing, Samantha proudly assumed the role of Managing Partner, where she seeks to passionately uphold Izzy’s core values, while infusing fresh perspectives to ensure the success of both locations as cherished, community-driven establishments. Growing up as a hostess at Izzy’s from the young age of 13, Samantha has a profound understanding of the industry coupled with an unwavering love for San Francisco and the Bay Area, driving her commitment to carrying on her father’s legacy while fostering innovation and growth.

Izzy's on the Peninsula Steak

Credit: Cole Keister
 

Part of that innovation includes the thoughtful renovations of both Izzy’s locations, beginning with the recent transformation of Izzy’s on the Peninsula. Following a seven-month renovation, Izzy’s on the Peninsula welcomed patrons back on January 9, 2024 with a refreshed menu and elevated interiors designed by GACHOT, alongside the addition of a sprawling alfresco garden patio. Each corner of the restaurant is adorned with meaningful anecdotes that pay homage to Izzy’s history and heartfelt nods to dedicated regulars and team members who have contributed to Izzy’s enduring legacy. Samantha and the DuVall Family Hospitality Group remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the Bay Area community with the same level of unparalleled hospitality that Izzy’s has always demonstrated, honoring her father while inspiring female restauranteurs across the Bay Area and beyond.

Izzy's on the Peninsula Dining Room

Credit: Cole Keister
 
7 MILE HOUSE, BRISBANE | VANESSA GARCIA


Vanessa Garcia didn’t have restaurant experience when she first decided to purchase 7 Mile House, the award-winning sports bar in Brisbane. She was in tech, and before that, she was a musician in the Philippines. “But I’m the type of person who jumps in if the opportunity looks good,” she acknowledged.

Mile houses, established during the Gold Rush era, served as rest stops for wagon travelers and their horses. 7 Mile House is the only mile house in the San Francisco Bay Area standing in its original location. “I really embraced the history that no one knew about. But at the same time, I wanted to figure out what would attract customers,” Garcia said. Working alongside her mother and ex-husband, they started off with Italian-American food and incorporated their native Filipino food into the menu. “At that time, Filipino food was not as popular. My mom and I tried to cook food every day to attract people who hadn’t had Filipino food before. We didn’t start making money until eight years after,” she recalled.

Vanessa Garcia owner of 7 mile house in brisbane California
Vanessa Garcia, owner of 7 Mile House

Fast forward to today, 7 Mile House has become a local favorite. Prior to the pandemic, there was loud music playing every day and Niners fans cheering at the TVs. “Our goal during 2020 was simply survival. I realized that through all of the years of hard work, I’ve created something bigger than a restaurant or a bar. It is a community and gathering space.” Garcia went on to say, “I’ve never had a problem with staffing because no one wanted to leave. I don’t pay as much as other restaurants, but I can provide a happy and comfortable place to work. A lot of my employees came from bosses or owners that didn’t appreciate or protect them. Treating people well goes a long way.”

Adobo with Rice at 7 Mile House in Brisbane California
Adobo with Rice at 7 Mile House 

Looking on to the future, the focus at 7 Mile House is to keep cooking great food and giving great service. They are embracing their title of “Best Dog-friendly Restaurant” for five years in a row by SF Weekly's Reader's Choice Awards. “We want to go further and do doggy parties. It’s been a big hit!” Garcia exclaims.

Her advice: “If it’s a dream of yours and you want it, go get it and do whatever it takes to succeed. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You can’t survive if you’re timid and don’t grab the opportunities.”
 

GIGI’S CAFE, BURLINGAME | TERESA GEE


Located in the heart of Burlingame’s Hotel Row, Gigi’s Cafe is a full deli and espresso bar, with favorites like their famous “Thanksgiving Dinner” sandwich. Teresa Gee, owner and chef, was 24 years old when she first purchased the cafe. “I went to culinary school at 17,” Gee explains. “It was very intimidating. But now when I look back on it, I’m so proud of myself.”

Teresa Gee owner of Gigis Cafe in Burlingame California
Teresa Gee, owner of Gigi's Cafe

Gee started off at other restaurants as a sous chef, then quickly worked her way to head chef. “I got to the point where I had so many great ideas and someone else would take the credit,” she said. The desire for creative freedom led her to purchase her own restaurant, but that didn’t eliminate other challenges. “My biggest struggle of being woman-owned and young is being taken seriously,” she said. “It’s been hard not only being a female business owner but a young one. People can walk all over you.”

We initially asked Teresa for a profile of her business in 2022. In the two years since, she says she has grown in many ways, and her attitude towards adversity is no exception. "I spoke about how difficult it is to be taken seriously as a young female business owner. Although there are still times I can struggle with this, I feel like it has gotten easier through out the last few years. The reasoning why I think it has gotten easier is the self respect for myself has grown so much throughout the years. I have worked and fought tremendously hard not only for my business but for myself to make this brand and image while remaining as humble & kind as possible." 

Teresa Gee, Gigi's

Also in the last two years, the community has had a resoundingly positive response to the hard work, high-quality ingredients, and exceptional service the restaurant prides itself on. Word continues to spread, and accolades continue to accrue. In fact, Yelp rated Gigi's Cafe #14 in the Top 100 places to eat in the United States!

"Since ranking  #14 on Yelps Top 100 best places to eat in the United States last year, my business has really changed. Everyone was dying to get their hands on a beautifully crafted, fully loaded Gigi’s sandwich. Since we were only open Monday-Friday, I quickly had to change that to fill the demand. We are now open on Saturdays from 10:30am-3pm. We still have our normal weekday business hours M-F, 8:30 - 3:00 PM."

When Gee isn’t at the Cafe, you can also find her in the community at the Sunday Burlingame Fresh Market every other week. Since Gee graduated with a baking and pastry degree, she’s usually serving up sweet treats like red velvet chocolate chip swirl cookies & S’mores bar. We're certainly lucky to have her here on the Peninsula!

Her advice: “A word of advice to future and even current woman business owners is do not be afraid to fail. You’re going to have miserable days. Fall and pick yourself up as many times as you need until you get to where you want to be. It’s you against yourself."

ANGELICA’S, REDWOOD CITY  | ANGELICA SOLORZANO-CUSCHIERI


Angelica’s is a popular restaurant in Redwood City known for its brunch, dinner, and outdoor gardens. Before owning the restaurant, Angelica Solorzano-Cuschieri and her husband first owned a consignment shop. A few years later, they opened a bistro cafe before opening Angelica’s in 2013. This is where Solorzano-Cuschieri learned she loves cooking. “I learned so many different recipes,” she expressed. “I’m from Mexico, and we are a very large family of ten. My mother used to cook all the time, and our favorite thing was eating and enjoying our food. I was always inspired by her cooking.”

Owners at Angelicas
Angelica Solorzano-Cuschieri, owner of Angelica's

Solorzano-Cuschieri’s menu is Latin-flair, influenced by many international cuisines. “I like to have a twist to all my meals,” she said. “When you add Latin flavor to American food, it just adds more wonderful flavors that you can combine!” Solorzano-Cuschieri shared her sentiments about being a woman-owned business. “It’s been very tough,” she expressed. “People don’t see you the same. They think my husband is the owner and I am the cook. I feel that as a woman you have to work harder in order to get the same respect.”

She aims to source local ingredients as much as possible, even having an herb garden in the back of the restaurant. “Eventually, I would like to promote all my own fresh herbs like basil and thyme,” she explains.

Her advice: “If you really want to pursue this industry, it’s not easy. But if you pursue your passions anything can be accomplished. You just have to follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone stop you.”

 



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