“Explanation separates us from astonishment.” — Eugène Ionesco
Dear friends ~
Now comes the busiest month of an already full year where work travel has returned full steam to a pre-pandemic pace. I am just in London as you receive this, immersed not just in my usual article and judging research at many restaurants and bars, but here for the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards gala and all the exciting events, dinners, parties and meetings around it, as I am W50’s Academy Chairperson for W. North America.
Then it’s straight on to my beloved New Orleans one week later for a few days of judging in the New Orleans Spirits Competition, then the world’s biggest cocktail week, Tales of the Cocktail, where I am also a judge in Tales Spirited Awards.
While I pace my body for the onslaught of heat, feasting, research and incessant pace and schedule, I am especially grateful to be in two places I love and have been visiting regularly for 23 (London) and 15 years (Nola), and especially to be reconnected with dear friends and colleagues from around the globe who make my work so very rewarding.
In addition to my regular articles at The Bold Italic, my weekly dining column reviews one restaurant each week. I welcome those interested to follow me, or even sign up for a membership for my articles at Medium, which partially goes to support us as writers. Follow or support here. I thank you.
Per usual, I’m posting my daily research in dining and drink at @ThePerfectSpot on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
THIS ISSUE:
Top Tastes — Ernest: My Bold Italic #1 new restaurant of 2021, reviewed over one year in.
The Latest — Uccello Lounge Review: Live music from SF Conservatory students with food from chef legend Loretta Keller.
Wandering Traveler — My Gin Magazine Bar Guide: Ten of the best bars in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Wandering Traveler — Rum Magazine: 8 top U.S. rum bars (and they’re not just tiki bars, but have some of those, too).
Imbiber — Distiller Magazine Bottle Column, June 2022: I review aperitifs/aperitivo, Scotch whisky, rum gin, tequila, mezcal, Irish whiskey, RTDs (canned/bottled cocktails).
I am also available for consulting, moderating, leading classes and tastings and more (info at virginia-miller.com).
Cheers,
Virginia
ThePerfect Spot Founder
The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants’ Academy Chair
Table8 National Editor/VP — ZAGAT SF Editor — SF Bay Guardian Critic
**Judge or Lead Judge at ADI International Craft Spirits, SF World Spirits, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, IWSC Spirits, Whiskies of World, World Gin Awards, World Drinks Awards**
Regular Outlets:
Bobcut Dining Column — The Bold Italic — Liquor.com — Food Republic — WhereTraveler — Gin Magazine — Time Out Dining & Drink — Distiller Magazine — Haute Living — Google’s Touringbird — Oakland Magazine — Wine Access
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
Books: Pur in Spirit & Distilled Stories