February 1, 2023

Dear Friends ~

Bar Sprezzatura’s mortadella pizza

I am here in Portugal: in Lisbon and south of Lisbon on lake Alqueva in the Alentejo region. Back for the first time since 2016 and delighting in the growth of the dining and cocktail bar scenes since I was last here… but especially the country’s amazing, warm people and my new friends (per usual, future articles to come in the coming months).

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. I thank you.

Per usual, I’m posting my daily research in dining and drink at @ThePerfectSpot on TwitterFacebook (and why I’m boycotting Instagram here).

Laowei in Vancouver

THIS ISSUE:
The Latest — Chic New Italian Cocktail & Food Haven Hidden in the FiDi: Bar Sprezzatura.
Top Tastes — January Eats Checklist: Four Standouts of the Month, from a nature-rich tribute to California’s majestic trees in edible form, to healthy, chic, nuanced at-home delivery food.
The Latest — A Former Laundromat Turned Idyllic Neighborhood Hang: for Detroit pizza, sips & bagels.
Wandering TravelerTop 10 Bars Vancouver, B.C.: My Distiller Magazine guide.
Imbiber — Vancouver Interviews: I interview Satoshi Yonemori of Grapes & Soda and  Alayne & Jason MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery.

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 SpiritsTales of the Cocktail Spirited AwardsIWSC Spirits, Whiskies of World, New Orleans Spirits CompetitionWorld Gin AwardsWorld Drinks Awards**

Regular Outlets:
— 
The Bold Italic — Liquor.com — Food Republic — WhereTraveler — Gin Magazine — Time Out Dining & Drink — Distiller Magazine — Bobcut Dining Column — Haute Living — Google’s Touringbird — Oakland Magazine — Wine Access

Freelance:
Alaska Airlines Magazine,Whisky Magazine UKThrillistThe Times LondonLiquor.com DrinkwirePaste Magazine TravelEaterTasting Panel, PureWow, Drink Me MagazineSpoonwizCitysearch, NBC’s The Feast, Blackboard Eats, Tasting Table, Grubstreet

Books: Pur in Spirit & Distilled Stories

https://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
https://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot/
https://www.instagram.com/theperfectspot