“… one genie-soul and only one ever proved too strong for me: San Francisco – up and down the hills I pursued him, missed him and was pursued, by a presence, a powdering of fall gold in the air, a trembling brightness that pierced to the heart, and the sadness of coming at last to the sea, the coming to the end of America. Nobody but a Southerner knows the wrenching rinsing sadness of the cities of the North.”
– Walker Percy, The Moviegoer
Oh, those bialys… at Alta (see “The Latest”)
The year has just begun and yet it’s already February. As I head up (again) to Seattle working with a spirits judging panel and exploring more Seattle haunts, I’ve been savoring packed weeks of family visits here at home, which always means a flurry of meals at old and new favorites I don’t always have time to return to (YES to Anchor Oyster Bar, Contigo, Tartine Bakery, Bar Tartine, House of Nanking, Capo’s, Lolinda, Thorough Bread & Pastry, etc.)
This issue:
Perfection: Chris McMillian’s Absinthe Suiessesse in New Orleans (see “Imbiber”)
The Latest – Alta – Ushering in the Mid-Market Revival: Exploring the cocktails and cuisine at Daniel Patterson Group’s newest.
Wandering Traveler – New Orleans Dining: Inventive newcomers mixed with recent greats and a legendary classic during my 2013 return to the Queen of the South, New Orleans.
Imbiber – Best Cocktails in New Orleans 2013: The year’s standouts at new and established Nola restaurants/bars.
Imbiber – Oakland’s New Spirits Shop Extraordinaire: A “hard hat” visit to the soon-to-open spirits shop on Grand Ave.
As your personal concierge who tells it like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).
Virginia
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**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**