From celebratory New Year’s bubbly to wintery whites and reds, here are 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions, alongside some of my recent holiday bottles and other wine recommends. Read more →
Author: Virginia Miller
Why this tapas restaurant has become a Castro institution
Chef Mat Schuster opened Canela Bistro & Wine Bar in 2011 on ever-bustling Market Street in the heart of the Castro. I remember those early days when Canela was immediately a cozy, inviting neighborhood Spanish restaurant. This was before still-excellent Spanish spots like Bellota opened in 2016. And since, we’ve lost some of our best Spanish go-tos like Contigo and Barcino. Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: November 2023
eviewed this issue:
— Lost Spirits Japonisme Rum
— Vermina Vermouth Blanco
— Mahua Spirit
— Octomore 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
— Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Read more →
November 15, 2023
This Issue:
— Where to Eat & Drink Now: Five newcomers or reborn spots for food and cocktails.
— Chefs & Restaurants Transforming Fine Dining Across the U.S. Now: My interview with Junghyun and Ellia Park of Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of Aphotic in San Francisco… and other national restaurants talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now.
— Palm Springs Bar Guide: My Whisky Magazine guide to 10 of Palm Springs’ best.
— SF’s Korean Wave Continues as Michelin-starred SSAL Matures.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column: This month I review forest liqueur, shochu, orange liqueur, gin, agave spirits, non-alcoholic RTD/bottled cocktails, tequila, Scotch, etc. Read more →
Where to Eat & Drink Now: 5 Newcomers or Reborn Spots for Food & Cocktails
Restaurants/bars reviewed:
— Cozy Italian Comfort: Che Fico Alimentari
— Georgian Food Rarity: Georgian Cheese Boat, North Beach
— Fillmore Seafood House Gets a Remodel: Woodhouse Fish Co., Pacific Heights
— Tiny Thai Hit: Prik Hom, Laurel Heights
— SJ Cocktail Pioneer: Paper Plane, San Jose
Food Recommends:
— Jack and Remi Chef-Crafted Ice Cream
— Van Van Vietnamese Ingredients Read more →
Whisky Magazine Bar Guide: Palm Springs
Published September 2023 at Whisky Magazine, exploring 10 of the best spots for cocktails in Palm Springs, California.
Bars reviewed: Seymour’s at Mr. Lyons, Bootlegger Tiki, Bar Cecil, Truss & Twine, Tailor Shop, Pink Cabana, Little Bar, The Reef, 4 Saints atop the Rowan Kimpton Hotel, Billy Reed’s Read more →
Chefs & Restaurants Transforming Fine Dining Across the U.S. Now
My VOICES Magazine interview (London publication) with Junghyun and Ellia Park of 2 Michelin-starred, #8 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of 1 Michelin starred and Green Michelin-starred Aphotic in San Francisco… talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now, where it’s going and how they’re visioning it differently.
In addition, talking examples across the U.S. in San Francisco (Merchant Roots, Osito, Noodle in a Haystack), Chicago (El Ideas, Parachute), New Orleans’ (Mosquito Supper Club, Lengua Madre) and my birthplace of Oklahoma City (Nonesuch, Grey Sweater). Read more →
SF’s Korean Wave Continues as Michelin-starred SSAL Matures
Their swoon-worthy fried chicken and uni boxes were a lifeline in pandemic, and their pivot since reopening to modern Korean tasting menu format has swiftly earned them a Michelin star in December 2022. But what is the reinvented SSAL like in its remodeled, more refined, soothing space? First off, it’s more fine dining, though still relaxed and intimate, a restaurant that would easily fit in with the Michelin-starred restaurants I dined at recently in Seoul, S. Korea. Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: October 2023
My monthly Distiller Magazine column — reviewed this issue:
— BroVo Uncharted Raphsody American Forest Liqueur
— Alma Finca Orange Liqueur
— Towari Honkaku Shochu
— Curious Elixirs canned and bottled NA (non-alcholic) cocktails
— La Pulga Tequila Anjeo
— Liquid Alchemist syrups
… and more Read more →
November 1, 2023
THIS ISSUE:
— Yokai: Japanese food and vinyl records come to life in SoMa with superb skewers and plates, rare Japanese whiskies and elegant cocktails in one of my fave new SF hangouts.
— Aromas of Turkey and SF’s Presidio Park: Eastern Mediterranean magic at the new Dalida.
— Top 10 Charleston Bars Now: My latest at Distiller Magazine.
— Las Vegas Dining Guide: 15 places to eat in Vegas now, from upscale to casual + where to stay.
— 13 Harvest Time Wines to Suit Every Palate: From rosé and sparkling to natural wines and complex reds, 13 bottle recommends now.
— New Healdsburg dining and drink destination that defines Sonoma Wine Country now
— My Tenderloin Eats Guide
… and more articles Read more →