September 15, 2020

“We have not even to risk the adventure alone, for the heroes of all time have gone before us. The labyrinth is thoroughly known. We have only to follow the thread of the hero path, and where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god. And where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves. Where we had thought to travel outward, we will come to the center of our own existence. And where we had thought to be alone, we will be with all the world.” Joseph Campbell, The Hero with a Thousand Faces

Sending blessings of protection and hope in brutal times, dear friends ~

The fight for restaurants/our industry and the nation’s largest job provider outside the government is becoming more desperately urgent as Congress still has yet to pass the Restaurant Stabilization Act BUT did just get 12 more senators to cosponsor or sign on, now totaling over 40 senators in bipartisan support (contact your local reps to ask them to sign on here), a last hope for millions of our jobs, restaurants and bars to survive.

I continue leading/moderating or being interviewed on virtual industry panels, webinars and tastings — plus daily outdoor dining, takeout or delivery, all of which I am posting about @ThePerfectSpot on TwitterFacebook and Instagram — including Golden Gate Restaurant Association (GGRA) “Restaurants Rising” series. September 17th’s episode is pictured right (register here), while past episodes (beginning May 2020) are all viewable here, featuring local and national chefs (fast casual to Michelin-starred), sommeliers, bartenders, media, food/drink industry on navigating our pandemic challenges, strategies and creative collaborations.

THIS ISSUE:

At Benjamin Cooper, Lonesome Crowded West is a balanced, creamy flip with mezcal, strawberry brandy, genepy, dry vermouth, chocolate, cardamom & whole egg

Wandering TravelerHow 9 Bars Around the Globe Are Coping & Changing in Pandemic: Written for a UK magazine I talk with award-winning, world-class bars in Paris, Singapore, Madrid, Shanghai, Mexico City, SF, NYC, Toronto and London on how they are surviving these brutal times, creative pivots and how/if they are getting aid.
ImbiberDistiller Bottle Column: A rare Armagnac blend series blending over 150 years of brandy. English whisky. Canned cocktails from NY bar legend. Balanced mezcal. Single estate tequila. Coffee vermouth from Italy. And more.

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 at virginia-miller.com).

Virginia