October 1, 2022

“You are only one of a great chorus, all masquerading, all shouting, ‘Me, Me—look at ME!’ Once you specialize, once you become an actor with a part in life, then you need all the other actors; the play cannot go on without them. Even your part in it depends on them. The me becomes us.” — Jane Ellen Harrison (1850–1928)

Dear friends ~

Annyeonghaseyo from S. Korea! I’m having a brilliant time in the great city of Seoul for The Taste of Soul awards, awarding a top 100 in Seoul’s dining and bar world. In addition the awards on September 30, I’m digging deep into Korea food and drink culture, temple food, Asia’s 50 Best & Michelin restaurants, neighborhood eateries, markets and top cocktail and spirits bars. Most of all, I’m making new friends and industry connections, loving the conversations and people of this capitol of Korea. More to come in future articles.

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 — Purity On the Plate & In the Glass: The new Bar Agricole. Around the Bay — Food with a View: New life at Navio in The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay. Top Tastes — Fort Point Valencia’s New Chef: Playful take on SF-style seafood & historic dishes. Around the Bay — A Night in San Jose: 5 standouts in food & cocktails. Imbiber — Distiller Magazine St. Louis: Interviews with The Gin Room’s Natasha Bahrami & StilL 630 Distillery’s David Weglarz.

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 The Bold Italic Weekly Restaurant Reviews & Travel Column

**Judge or Lead Judge at ADI International Craft Spirits, SF World Spirits, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, IWSC Spirits, Whiskies of World, New Orleans Spirits Competition, 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