“I am a staunch defender of moderation in all things. But I fully intend to continue to eat. And drink. And be as blissfully merry as my old bones will allow. I count eating and drinking among the chief pleasures of life and without pleasure who wants to live to 102.” – Craig Claiborne
Middle Eastern dessert at new FiDi Turkish gem (see "The Latest")
It’s my favorite season… the time of year that brings numerous excursions to Wine Country as vineyard leaves are ablaze in reds, oranges and yellows, we go apple picking in Sebastopol, Blue Angels fly over the city for Fleet Week, and incredible musicians fill Golden Gate Park for Hardly Strictly Bluegrass.
It’s also time for WhiskyFest this Friday (details in Imbiber), one of the nation’s biggest whisky tasting events, plus a new, first-of-its-kind Spirits Carnival in Fort Mason. I am giving away two VIP weekend passes to the latter, drawing a winner from those who find five friends who wish to sign up for The Perfect Spot newsletter. Please submit all five names/emails to me (see “contact” tab) by October 11th.
Gumbo and jazz: brunch at brand new Redemption in a restored New Orleans church ( see "Wandering Traveler")
The Latest – Turkish Delights: Exploring Machka, a new, upscale Turkish gem in FiDi.
Imbiber – Whisk(e)y Fall: Standout new Scotch and American whiskey releases this fall and what’s new at WhiskyFest this year.
Top Tastes – Four Destination Bites: Worth going out of your way for are these dishes, from lasagnas and explosion burgers, to melted burrata spaghettini and Millionaire’s bacon.
Wandering Traveler – New Orleans Restaurants: Nine places reviewed in my latest Crescent City explorations, from classic po boys and ice cream, to a number of brand new restaurant openings.
I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).
Let me guide you to the perfect spot,
Virginia
Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
Recent entries in my Bay Guardian column:
New Fall Whisk(e) Releases & What’s New at WhiskyFest 2012
Turkish Delights: Upscale Turkish Dining in FiDi
Cocktail Harvest: Two Cocktail & Dining Havens in Napa
**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**