“If you want to go fast. Go alone. If you want to far. Go together.” — African proverb
Rainbows on my first day at Sheraton Maui
Aloha from Maui, where rainbows and fiery sunsets are fueling my work as I attend the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival.
From being on the judges committee for the first ever GGRA Saucy Awards (our 2016 restaurant and drink industry nominees just announced here with awards held at Herbst Theater in November), to blind judging spirits for the Good Food Awards (results and awards ceremony in January), it’s been another sweet, full month.
As national editor at Table8, here is our latest dining around the country, as well as all my latest on Bay Area newcomers and bests. At one of my regular outlets, Liquor.com, I cover the top 11 national cocktails now for October — in addition, my Liquor.com Drinkwire articles on bars & drink around the world.
This issue:
The Latest — September’s Top 3 Openings: In SF, the three standout newcomers of the month, from an inventive, modern Japanese restaurant that could be one of the best openings of the year to a po boy neighborhood hangout with mint juleps on draft.
Wandering Traveler — New Orleans: My latest top 8 spots for dining and drink (plus a great food hall, dessert cafe and jazz brunch spot) in my beloved Nola.
Imbiber — 10 Top Boston Bars: Plus my Boston area interviews with Bob Ryan of Ryan & Wood Distilleries & Yvonne’s bar manager, Nicole Lebedevitch.
As your personal concierge who tells it like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).
Virginia
LINKS to Social Media & Articles:
Table8, National Editor
Food Republic
Liquor.com
Zagat SF Editor (2014-2016)
Editor, Distiller Magazine
Liquor.com Drinkwire
SF Bay Guardian Critic (Weekly Column: 2009-2013)
Where Magazine
Freelance: Whisky Magazine UK, The Times London, Eater, Tasting Panel Magazine, The Whiskey Wash, PureWow, Spoonwiz, Drink Me Magazine, Citysearch, NBC’s The Feast, Blackboard Eats, Tasting Table, Grubstreet