Reviewed in this guide:
—West LA’s Grand (But Hip) Dame: Melisse
—From 2 Michelin Spanish Chef, Somni is Reborn
—World’s 50 Best Modern Taiwanese Game-Changer: Kato
—Live-Fire Cooking Like No Other: Meteora
—Rare Modern Levantine food with Syrian-Italian Flair: Carmel
—Top Mexican Seafood Anywhere: Holbox…
and many more Read more →
My bottle review column (last month’s edition here) is about what is unique, standout, new and/or trending in spirits with my review ratings on a 1-5 rating scale. My 8 bottle reviews of the month: ARTICLE: https://distilling.com/distillermagazine/new-release-roundup-march-2025/ Reviewed this issue:— atōst California Spritz (Ventura, CA)— Santa Teresa 1796 Triple Aged Solera Rum (Venezuela)— KLEOS Mastiha Spirit (Chios, Greece)— Hendrick’s Oasium Gin… Read more →
Reviewed in this article:
—Modern Afghani Gamechanger: Jaji, Oakland
—Next-Level Sports Bar (and I’m Not into sports): Splash
—Ferry Building’s Latest Delights: Lunette, El Porteno, Ocean Malasadas
—Honduran-Yucatecan Heartwarmer: Catrachita Yucateca
—Glitzy Korean Steakhouse: AB Steak
—New Vegetarian Dishes Delight: Tiya
—14 & (Still) Fabulous: State Bird Provisions
—Tiny Cajun & Creole Go-to on The Hill: Po’Boy’s Kitchen Read more →
Why Mexico’s UNESCO World Heritage city won me over despite my doubts: Read more →
Published March 5, 2025, in my Medium column: The village of Mendocino is an enchanted, National Register of Historic Places Victorian village jutting out into the sea. About a 30 minute drive South of the town of Mendo is a sleep slip of a stretch called Elk. Not so much a town, although it was a major logging community in the 1800s,… Read more →
My bottle review column (last month’s edition here) is about what is unique, standout, new and/or trending in spirits with my review ratings on a 1-5 rating scale. My 8 bottle reviews of the month: ARTICLE: https://distilling.com/distillermagazine/new-release-roundup-february-2025/ Reviewed this issue:— Ten to One Rum (Caribbean)— Luxardo Del Santo Herbal Liqueur (Italy)— Dappled Tonic (Portland, OR)— NOOH by La Coste NA Wines (France)— Common Ground Gin (Berkeley,… Read more →
Reviewed in this article:
—Intimate Michelin Star Spot Turns Two Years Old: Anomaly
—Better Than Ever Austrian Treasure: Leopold’s
—Peruvian Brunchin’ with Live Music: Altamirano
—Donuts, Donuts, Donuts: George’s Donuts & Merriment,
—A New Creperie: Bistro La Chaumière
—Ping Pong & Games with Solid Food: SPIN San Francisco Read more →
I relish an overnight in my City, never tiring of seeing it from different angles in all its endless beauty and complexity. I’m also glad when my media visits lead me to a place I’d recommend to visitors — and speaks a bit to my retro soul. Opened in November 2023, The Jay hotel exudes 1970s chic with a lean, clean Danish design aesthetic: Read more →
Portlandia references may be old news, but I can’t help but hear the show’s Dream of the 90’s song in my head when I return to these two great restaurants — Gary Danko and Boulevard — that have been showing San Francisco how it’s done since the 1990s. Here’s multiple reasons why they’re still relevant. Read more →
Healdsburg has long been the favored Sonoma town square, packed with charm, shops and great food. Over the 24 years I’ve been visiting, it has grown into a destination for world travelers and foodies since SingleThread opened in 2016. Earning one, then two, and eventually three Michelin stars, Healdsburg has attracted upscale resorts, hotel remodels, pricey condos and a chic reputation.
Alternately, Sonoma’s larger town square has remained steady, even old-school, the past 24 years I’ve visited. With Enclos opening December 5, 2024, in a cozy Victorian cottage a half block off the square, the town is set to change: Read more →