Its takes only a slight dip in temperature for me to start craving a big bowl of something warm. On any given day, that comfort could come in the form of Snooze‘s oatmeal brûlée, Fuel Cafe‘s rustic white-bean soup, or even Chipotle‘s hearty chicken posole.

But when this latest cold snap arrived, I immediately had a hankering for the braised oxtail and Asiago grits at Shazz Cafe and Bar in Berkeley. Chef-owner Benny Kaplan’s homey combination of cheesy-rich grits mixed with sage and slow-cooked beef is the definition of cozy. The pretty presentation—and the addition of a glass of red wine—renders this a decidedly upscale dish.

4262 Lowell Blvd., 303-477-1407

Amanda M. Faison
Amanda M. Faison
Freelance writer Amanda M. Faison spent 20 years at 5280 Magazine, 12 of those as Food Editor.