November 15, 2023

by  on  in Intro Letter

This Issue:
— Where to Eat & Drink Now: Five newcomers or reborn spots for food and cocktails.
— Chefs & Restaurants Transforming Fine Dining Across the U.S. Now: My interview with Junghyun and Ellia Park of Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of Aphotic in San Francisco… and other national restaurants talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now.
— Palm Springs Bar Guide: My Whisky Magazine guide to 10 of Palm Springs’ best.
— SF’s Korean Wave Continues as Michelin-starred SSAL Matures.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column: This month I review forest liqueur, shochu, orange liqueur, gin, agave spirits, non-alcoholic RTD/bottled cocktails, tequila, Scotch, etc. Read more →

Where to Eat & Drink Now: 5 Newcomers or Reborn Spots for Food & Cocktails

by  on  in The Latest, Top Tastes

Restaurants/bars reviewed:
— Cozy Italian Comfort: Che Fico Alimentari
— Georgian Food Rarity: Georgian Cheese Boat, North Beach
— Fillmore Seafood House Gets a Remodel: Woodhouse Fish Co., Pacific Heights
— Tiny Thai Hit: Prik Hom, Laurel Heights
— SJ Cocktail Pioneer: Paper Plane, San Jose
Food Recommends:
— Jack and Remi Chef-Crafted Ice Cream
— Van Van Vietnamese Ingredients Read more →

Chefs & Restaurants Transforming Fine Dining Across the U.S. Now

by  on  in Wandering Traveler

My VOICES Magazine interview (London publication) with Junghyun and Ellia Park of 2 Michelin-starred, #8 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of 1 Michelin starred and Green Michelin-starred Aphotic in San Francisco… talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now, where it’s going and how they’re visioning it differently.

In addition, talking examples across the U.S. in San Francisco (Merchant Roots, Osito, Noodle in a Haystack), Chicago (El Ideas, Parachute), New Orleans’ (Mosquito Supper Club, Lengua Madre) and my birthplace of Oklahoma City (Nonesuch, Grey Sweater). Read more →

SF’s Korean Wave Continues as Michelin-starred SSAL Matures

by  on  in Top Tastes

Their swoon-worthy fried chicken and uni boxes were a lifeline in pandemic, and their pivot since reopening to modern Korean tasting menu format has swiftly earned them a Michelin star in December 2022. But what is the reinvented SSAL like in its remodeled, more refined, soothing space? First off, it’s more fine dining, though still relaxed and intimate, a restaurant that would easily fit in with the Michelin-starred restaurants I dined at recently in Seoul, S. Korea. Read more →

November 1, 2023

by  on  in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— Yokai: Japanese food and vinyl records come to life in SoMa with superb skewers and plates, rare Japanese whiskies and elegant cocktails in one of my fave new SF hangouts.
— Aromas of Turkey and SF’s Presidio Park: Eastern Mediterranean magic at the new Dalida.
— Top 10 Charleston Bars Now: My latest at Distiller Magazine.
— Las Vegas Dining Guide: 15 places to eat in Vegas now, from upscale to casual + where to stay.
— 13 Harvest Time Wines to Suit Every Palate: From rosé and sparkling to natural wines and complex reds, 13 bottle recommends now.
— New Healdsburg dining and drink destination that defines Sonoma Wine Country now
— My Tenderloin Eats Guide
… and more articles Read more →

Molti Amici: A new Healdsburg pizza-pasta-crudo destination that defines Sonoma Wine Country now

by  on  in Around the Bay

Healdsburg is already known as a foodie haven, despite being small town Sonoma. Yes, it’s home to global restaurant destination, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ SingleThread, but also casual cocktail-food greats like Lo & Behold. I’d posit newcomer Molti Amici, debuting June 30 2023, from owner Jonny Barr, is already one of Healdsburg’s very best. Epitomizing Sonoma Wine Country now, it’s a wood-fired pizza, housemade pasta, seafood crudo and cocktail hang with bocce hidden in an inviting back patio. Read more →

Yokai: Japanese food and vinyl records come to life in SoMa

by  on  in The Latest

Yokai is an ode to jazz with quality 1970s JBL Pro Series studio speakers and sound-proofing, making music the soul of the lofty space that was home to Salt House for years. The steel, brick and wood-lined bar and restaurant on Mission Street opened just last month, adding a feather in the caps of Marc Zimmerman, Ben Jorgensen and team behind Gozu, one of the great modern Japanese restaurants in the nation since 2019: Read more →