May 15, 2018

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” — Roosevelt’s Writings by Teddy Roosevelt

Che Fico fermented pineapple chili pizza

I ended April in Louisville for Derby Week races at Churchill Downs, the opening of Rabbit Hole distillery, parties and previews at Willett and Old Forester distilleries, plus restaurant and bar research…

Then I flew straight on to Chicago for the James Beard Awards again (with awards presented by the likes of Zooey Deschanel and Andrew Zimmern), plus my annual Chicago catch-up.

May has been intensely wonderful … and I am also thrilled to be home.
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Check out the latest in my weekly Time Out, Liquor.com and WineAccess columns.

This issue:
The Latest — Top Restaurant Openings of the Month: Whether fermented pineapple chili pizza, excellent cannoli, 70s fondue or caviar “bumps,” it call be found at these exciting restaurant newcomers.
Imbiber — 11 Top Cocktails Around the Country: LA to Santa Barbara, Nashville to New Orleans, SF to Berkeley, who is making innovative and delicious drinks now.
Wandering Traveler — The New New Orleans: My first article for Montecristo Magazine on some of the most notable restaurants in New Orleans in recent years.
Imbiber — Gin Bars in SF: My first article for Gin Magazine (from Whisky Magazine) on bars doing right by gin in San Francisco.

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Pagan Idol Don’s House at Sunset

Come join me in Peru! The deadline is mid-March to sign up for a culinary adventure in the Andes mountains’ town of Cusco (gateway to Machu Picchu), savoring the unique Asia-meets-South-America cuisine that is Peruvian food. I will be the host of a “dig deep” food tour this May, open to anyone, so please join us for what will be an unforgettable week. Details here at Adios Adventure Travel (more on my past food and pisco-making adventures in Peru here).