“Brilliant careers can turn into golden handcuffs. Used up as they may be, they’re still hard to leave behind… The tortured clinging to an earlier expression of The Gift very often precedes the emergence of some new version.” — The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope
Dear friends ~
Just returned from my dear Mexico again for a few days with my long beloved Fortaleza Tequila, the hosts of my first trip to Tequila, Mexico, back in 2010 over Dia De Los Muertos. Amazing to be back full circle with Guillermo and Billy Sauza and the team this many years later.
A local press trip weekend at pampering new TETRA Hotel Sunnyvale for Japas brewery dinner and beer fest (more on that soon), and straight on to deal with some health scares, I am ever grateful for skilled doctors and good health, one of life’s greatest gifts… and for home sweet home.
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/Top Tastes — August Eats Checklist: 6 standout newcomers or new menus, from Peruvian vegetarian to a unique juice shop.
The Latest — New, Blissful Temple to Seafood in the Mission: Ancora reviewed.
Top Tastes — Upscale Chinese with a View in SF Chinatown: Empress by Boon reviewed, one year in.
Wandering Traveler — Top 10 St. Louis Bars Now: My Distiller Magazine Summer feature.
Wandering Traveler — My Belgium Checklist: Where to dine, drink & stay in Brussels & Antwerp.
On the Town — Melissa M. Martin’s Lauded Mosquito Supper Club New Orleans in SF: From Louisiana to Jordan, Turntable at Lord Stanley showcases global chefs in SF.
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