“There are two pillars of happiness. . . . One is love. The other is finding a way of coping with life that does not push love away.”
— Arthur C. Brooks, From Strength to Strength
Dear friends ~
I just survived the busiest month of a year when I’m already traveling half of each month as I did pre-pandemic. And a thrilling (though brutally hot!) July it was…
From the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in London — and all the events, dinners, parties and meetings around it — to dining and bar research in London, more will be rolling out on standouts from this visit in future articles.
Then on to my beloved New Orleans for days 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. Results are in for all awards (linked to under their name). It was another week of intensive restaurant and bar research — yes, articles forthcoming — in Nola around all the incessant festivities and reunions with global industry friends and colleagues.
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:
The Latest — July Eats Checklist: Six standout newcomers & new menus, from Ukrainian to Nigerian food, Detroit-style pizza to a fried chicken haven.
Top Tastes — An Ode to Japanese Wagyu… Sans the Steak: Gozu reviewed.
Top Tastes — Chinese Fine Dining Unlike Anywhere Else: Eight Tables at China Live reviewed.
Wandering Traveler — Hawai’i’s Big Island: My 2022 Eat, Drink & Stay Guide.
Around the Bay — Sonoma County Vegan from Three Michelin Team: Little Saint in Healdsburg reviewed.
Wandering Traveler — Rum Magazine: An rhum agricole renaissance in Hawaii at rum distilleries.
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