My article on 10 of Baltimore’s best bars… Read more →
Author: Virginia Miller
Baltimore Interviews: Brendan Dorr of Dutch Courage + Eli Breitburg-Smith of Baltimore Spirits Company
My Baltimore interviews with Brendan Dorr of Dutch Courage bar and distiller Eli Breitburg-Smith of Baltimore Spirits Company Read more →
SF Brunching: 3 Breakfast Standouts from Donuts to Rooftop Brunch
Published August 19, 2024, in my Medium column: There are few things more comforting than brunch, feasting with friends and cocktails, or bringing home donuts and coffee to devour in bed. Here are three top-notch spots for breakfast. One is an uncommon donut shop, two are beautiful brunch spots with a view or high design. As always, I’ve personally vetted and visited… Read more →
Neighborhood Gems & Newcomers: 6 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month
Published August 17, 2024, in my Medium column: These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from classic French to a neighborhood comfort food and cocktail classic that just turned ten. Alongside my full restaurant reviews, these six are also worth visiting, with last month’s standouts here. As always, I’ve personally vetted and visited each: ARTICLE: https://medium.com/@virginiamiller_29308/neighborhood-gems-to-classic-french-6-sf-restaurants-standouts-of-the-month-5f4c4b18bbe6 IN THIS ARTICLE:—At 10 Years, Better-Than-Ever… Read more →
New Indian gem TIYA opens in SF’s Marina District
Published August 16, 2024, in my Medium column: We’ve lost some of our best modern Indian restaurants in recent years in San Francisco, like August 1 Five and Taj Campton Place. Thankfully, we just gained the brilliant new TIYA in San Francisco’s Marina District from chefs and brothers Sujan and Pujan Sarkar. ARTICLE: https://thebolditalic.com/new-indian-gem-tiya-opens-in-sfs-marina-district-a167258d0af1 Read more →
Hed 11 in SF’s Japantown: New, Creative Thai Tasting Menu from Bangkok Chef
Opening May 3, 2024, in San Francisco’s Japantown, Hed 11 is a unique entré in a city rich with incredible tasting menus and a neighborhood rightly dominated by Japanese food. The exception a couple blocks away is Michelin-starred Nari, one of the nation’s great upscale Thai restaurants. Hed 11 is the refined sister to Hed Very Thai in the FiDi (Financial District), which I reviewed after Bangkok native and owner Naruephon “Billie” Wannajaro opened it in 2023. Read more →
Summer Sips: 6 Standout Bars Now
Summer is at its apex in August with a wealth of notable new and longtime bars around San Francisco. Here are six under-the-radar bars to visit now, ranging from a reborn dive bar to craft Peruvian cocktails. Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: July 2023
Published July 1, 2024, at Distiller Magazine, my bottle review column (last month’s edition here) is about what is unique, standout, new and/or trending in spirits with my review ratings on a 1-5 rating scale. ARTICLE HERE: Reviewed this issue:— Nomadica Rosé Yuzu Spritz (Los Angeles, CA)— Crystal Head Vodka Cosmopolitan and Espresso Martini RTDs (Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada) — Mommenpop Vermouths (Napa, CA)— Lighthouse Gin (New… Read more →
Surprise Inner Sunset Newcomer for Inspired Modern Asian Food: KoThai Republic
To meet Sung Park of Kothai is to meet a true restaurateur. This humble but light-filled restaurant in the Inner Sunset belies the creativity on a menu where Korea-meets-Thailand in San Francisco skin. Park is not just a first-generation SF native, but has lived in the Sunset district his entire life, and in the Inner Sunset roughly 36 years. Read more →
Alora: New waterfront dining on the Embarcadero
A six-day-a-week modern Mediterranean waterfront restaurant that serves quality food, cocktails, wine and is open for lunch and dinner on the Embarcadero? Open at the tail end of January 2024, Alora fits that bill… and fits it with surprising affordability compared to the average downtown newcomer. Amid a number of mezze (shared small plates), only a duck liver mousse exceeds $20, while larger plates hover $25 to $39 and only two beef dishes above that. Read more →