“A country is only as good… only as strong as the people who make it up and the country turns into what the people want it to become… I don’t believe any longer that we can afford to say that it is entirely out of our hands. We made the world we’re living in and we have to make it over.” — James Baldwin, 1960
Teni East Kitchen’s (in Oakland) coconut shrimp curry
December arrived with shocking speed and with it, the end of another year. It’s a packed issue this month as I dig into NYC bars and restaurants, affordable new Bay Area food spots and top cocktails around the US.
As national editor at Table8, here are our latest articles on what is standing out in cities across the country, as well as all my T8 articles on Bay Area newcomers and bests. Then there are new features in my regular outlets: Liquor.com, Liquor.com Drinkwire articles on bars & drink around the world, Food Republic and Where Magazine.
This issue:
Protea’s ramen noodle stir fry in Napa
The Latest — 5 Affordable New Bay Area Neighborhood Restaurants: Whether refined Laotian cuisine or South American comfort in Napa, Thai in an Italian ‘hood or East Bay Asian with a heavy Burmese focus, here are five affordable neighborhood newcomers that stand out.
Imbiber — Top 11 Cocktails Around the Country Now: Links to my latest at Liquor.com on 11 notable cocktails around the US.
Wandering Traveler — Where to Eat in NYC: Top four newcomers this year, from a Scandinavian food hall to a ramen and cocktail haven in Harlem.
Wandering Traveler — 11 NYC Bars: Newcomers to under-the-radar gems — and then on to Brooklyn — here 11 NY bars worth visiting or returning to.
On the Town — Michael Mina’s Guest Chef Series at Levi Stadium Football Games: 49ers games are for food lovers — chatting with Mina about his impressive guest chef series.
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