“The gate of heaven is everywhere…” — Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander
Hello, friends —
The glorious, sunny days of spring are here and I’m basking in them, as I ready for family in town for Easter and travels around California next week for more work research.
Virginia’s Top Picks of the Month (notable upcoming food events):
— April 26-28: I’m looking forward to checking out the 2019 Lexus Culinary Classic at gorgeous Cavallo Point Lodge And Spa with national guest chefs, winemakers, cycling and racecar figures, wine blending and a private dinner at Skywalker Ranch. Individual event or full weekend tickets here.
— May 10-12: I am eager to return to the breathtaking, restorative Mendocino Coast & Little River Inn (past Mendo love/articles here) amid ocean cliffs & redwood forests for the Forage & Ferment Experience. More than 3,000 kinds of mushrooms thrive here, like rare, sweet candy cap mushrooms. Would love to see you there for a weekend of cooking demos, foraging, picnic lunches and eating Mendo’s spectacular seaweed, urchin, scallops, rockfish, etc. plucked straight from the ocean. Book here.
This issue:
The Latest — Your SF Dining Checklist: Six new restaurants worth visiting now from a modern Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spot with high tech ordering system to a (FUN) temple to A5 wagyu beef.
Imbiber — 11 Gin Cocktails on National Menus Now: Standout drinks and menus at these bars/restaurants from Nashville to Huntington Beach, New Orleans to Louisville, San Francisco to NYC.
As your personal concierge who tells it like a good friend would, I create personalized itineraries; provide food and drink consulting for restaurants and bars; and classes at companies for the layperson wanting to dig deeper in food and drink (more info here).
Virginia
ThePerfect Spot, Founder — The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chair
Table8 National Editor/VP — ZAGAT SF Editor — SF Bay Guardian Critic — IWSC Spirits Judge
Regular Outlets/Columns:
Liquor.com — Time Out Dining & Drink — Distiller Magazine — Food Republic — Where Magazine — Gin Magazine — Wine Access — Books Pur in Spirit & Distilled Stories
Freelance:
Alaska Airlines Magazine,Whisky Magazine UK, Thrillist, The Times London, Liquor.com Drinkwire, Paste Magazine Travel, Eater, Tasting Panel, PureWow, Drink Me Magazine, Spoonwiz, Citysearch, NBC’s The Feast, Blackboard Eats, Tasting Table, Grubstreet