Robbie Wilson

Silicon Valley - Cultural Minister/Chef/Owner of Bird Dog Restaurant and Lé Fantastique

Most wouldn’t expect a world-class chef and owner of a world-class restaurant to be skateboarding vertical ramps or clashing heads in rugby in their free time, yet if there is one person who strays away from norms, it is Robbie Wilson. Wilson is the owner and a chef at Bird Dog restaurant in Silicon Valley, though he says his best dish is found on the dance floor, “I have candy in my heels,” jokes Wilson. A lover of sports, champagne, and a clean car, Wilson can be found at his restaurant in Palo Alto, though if he isn't there he is likely on a regularly scheduled trip or tearing up a dance floor.

Q&A:

Hometown?

Abilene, Texas.

Place you call home now (neighborhood etc)?

Downtown Palo Alto.

Any notes on your education?

Public schools all the way through. BFA political science.

Favorite sport to watch?

Tie: Playoff hockey and EPL.

Favorite sport to play?

Rugby, skateboarding vert.

Best vacation ever?

No such thing. I’m undeniably fortunate, I travel regularly.

Dream trip destination?

Yakushima Island (Japan).

Favorite dinner?

One that is cooked with soul and purpose.

Favorite dessert?

Lavinia’s Coconut Cake.

Underrated food?

Taiwanese.

Dish you’re best at cooking?

I’m best at cooking on the dance floor. I have candy in my heels.

Best meal you've had at a restaurant?

Sushi Saito (Tokyo).

Road trip -- three in the car with you. Living or dead. Who are they? Why?

Hitler, Trump, and Pol Pot. I would drive us off a cliff. Do humanity a solid. Please tell my wife and son that I love them very much.

Favorite TV show as a kid?

Monday Night Football.

Favorite movies?

Godfather II, Dr. Strangelove, Star Wars, Pulp Fiction.

Favorite actress and or actor?

Tie: Hulk Hogan and Sean Connery.

Favorite bands?

The National, Husker Du, Nas.

Most impressive live performance you ever saw?

Hamilton (original cast).

Car you drive now?

Maserati Levante.

Car you’d like to drive?

1964 Shelby Cobra Roadster “Dragonsnake".

Best car you've owned?

1988 Toyota Landcrusier.

Motorcycle?

Negative. I have trust issues.

Wear a watch?

Every day. Panerai Luminor 8-days.

Got a dream watch?

1968 Rolex Paul Newman Daytona.

Summer drink of choice?

Champagne.

Winter drink of choice?

Mezcal and Champagne (independently of one another).

Bourbon or scotch?

Champagne.

Vodka or gin?

Vodka is the polyester of alcoholic beverages. Gin is the cashmere. Gin.

Cologne?

When/if needed. Frédéric Malle "Vetiver".

Go-to red on a wine list?

Summer Beaujolais fall/Winter Hermitage.

Go-to white?

Just one? Too difficult: Chablis or Reisling.

Favorite beach?

Montara Beach.

On a Saturday, your favorite errand to run is?

Car wash. I’m type-A. My car is black. This is essential for a clear mind.

Otherwise, you’ll be busy doing what?

Hanging with the little man, Colt (my son).

Best work advice you ever got?

If something gets in your way…back up a little, build more speed, and go right through it.

Best thing about your career?

That it is, in fact, a "lifestyle” more than a career.

What do you do now for work? Tell us something about your work and career path.

Cultural minister/Chef/Owner of Bird Dog Restaurant and Lé Fantastique.

Do you have any philanthropic interests/endeavors?

To phase out all "best of” lists and labels.

Add anything else about yourself here that you would like the world to know about you.

I do not have tattoos. I do my best to stay fit and healthy. I default all available time to my family. In the Chef community, I guess this makes me a non-conformist of sorts.