“Those two short months in another country and another language had recalibrated my inner compass in ways that lingered with me… I was aware, above all, and at long last, that the world was a broad and grand place and that I was equal to and worthy of my surroundings wherever I went. I was also aware that no one, white or black, could take that from me.” – Thomas Chatterton Williams, “Losing My Cool: Love, Literature, and a Black Man’s Escape from the Crowd”
Recently returned from my adventures through England and Ireland, I am over jetlag and delighted to be home to that only-in-SF, radiant glow on pristine, blue sky days. I packed in some unbelievable memories across the pond, which I’ll share with you in coming weeks.
Winning juleps at London's Hawksmoor chophouse
s Top Tastes covers two promising new SF spots, one serving authentic New Orleans cuisine (you know how happy that makes me), the other a 1970’s-meets-modern lounge with surprisingly good food. I also revisit a beach-side setting where the food keeps getting better.
Prepare for a lengthy run-down on London’s cocktail scene in Wandering Traveler. I visited 25 bars ranging from new to classic, highbrow to low – a number of themes emerged in part one of my upcoming series on London and Ireland.
Vegetables shine at Outerlands
In Imbiber, I dine with two European winemakers: one from Austria, one from Bordeaux. It’s time for tea in The Latest as I explore two new tea concepts, from a pop-up high tea to a casual cafe.
I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).
Let me guide you to the perfect spot,
Virginia
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Follow my “best of” lists on NBC’s The Feast
Recent entries in my Bay Guardian column:
Splendorini’s Cocktail Creations at Michael Mina
Talking Sustainable Seafood with Gaston Acurio
Dining with 2 European Winemakers
Bar Crawler: Rediscovering North Beach
Tour de Tasting Room – Napa & Sonoma Winemakers
Time for Tea
**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**