In visits past, I’ve had a full week to dig into over 50 restaurants, food spots and bars around Portland. But this Spring it was a visit to the Willamette Valley with the wonderful SakeOne that brought me up north. I only had one night in Portland, though, in typical fashion, I packed in 3 restaurants, a coffee shop and… Read more →
SANTE ADAIRIUS’ SAISON BERNICE, Capitola Sante Adairius is Santa Cruz’ beloved beer haven since it opened in May 2012. Run by gracious Sante Adairius co-owners Tim Clifford and Adair Paterno, they not only make some the best beers in the area, but among the more exciting to come along in the massive beer world of California in the last couple… Read more →
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done!” ― Vincent van Gogh, My Life & Love Are One You may have heard: I took on the job as Zagat Editor for San Francisco/Bay Area (sign up… Read more →
My Food & Drink Recommends, New Opening Early Tastes, and More: May 1-15 Photos and article by Virginia Miller As I write a few articles a day in my new role as Zagat Editor, I will summarize and link to just some of this extensive coverage for easy access (you can sign up for Zagat’s weekly newsletter for the Bay… Read more →
THE SQUARE, North Beach (1707 Powell St., 415-525-3579) [Note: Unfortunately, not too long after this review, Claire Sprouse was no longer at The Square and the menu format changed, too, so I can no longer vouch for its quality.] The Square surprised me. As the second incarnation in a historic North Beach space since the legendary Washbag (Washington Square Bar… Read more →
My beloved Roma, my favorite city in the world. The most romantic. Ancient. Chic. Otherworldly. I cherished being back for the third time to Rome (fourth time to Italy) in October for my 10th anniversary. The Renaissance Man and I wandered Roma’s ancient, cobblestone streets from our apartment near the Spanish Steps, near where we stayed on our honeymoon for… Read more →
Every year I look forward to Whiskies of the World (WoW) on the San Francisco Belle docked in the Bay, held this year on March 29. Although it is one of the big whisk(e)y events in the country (also in San Jose, Atlanta and Austin), it remains more intimate than others; packed, yes, but more like a big party than… Read more →
“We do not expect people to be deeply moved by what is not unusual.” ― George Eliot, Middlemarch Fresh on my wonderful trip to New York with Tastemade, I’ve jumped right into the throes of writing and editing, writing a guide to food, drink and Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans for 7×7 Magazine, writing for and editing the… Read more →
BRITISH-Influenced PHAN Photos and article by Virginia Miller THE COACHMAN, SoMa (1148 Mission St. between 7th & 8th, 415-831-1701) British-influenced food from Chef-de-Cuisine Ross Wunderlich (formerly at Bar Tartine, SPQR, A16)? Cocktails from one of the country’s great bar directors, Erik Adkins, and Bar Manager John Codd? Cocktail destination Heaven’s Dog closed and converted into a new restaurant and bar… Read more →
Here’s my May 1st photo slideshow and article on a few of the great dishes from Quince, a 2 Michelin-starred, Italian-influenced fine dining great in San Francisco, for Zagat: www.zagat.com/b/san-francisco/quinces-spring-menu-our-12-favorite-dishes-tastes. Read more →