“… in a time lacking in truth and certainty and filled with anguish and despair, no woman [or man] should be shame-faced in attempting to give back to the world, through her work, a portion of its lost heart.” – Louise Bogan As you receive this, I’m returning from the snowy regions of Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada, exploring icewine during… Read more →
Author: Virginia Miller
3 First-Rate Cheap Eats Spots
Our city is loaded with amazing cheap eats. Here’s three new places worth adding to your go-to list. CHUBBY NOODLE, North Beach (570 Green Street between Columbus & Jasper Place, 415-361-8850) Chubby Noodle easily counts as a best cheap eats opening of 2011. In the back of comfortably retro Amante bar, order at a kitchen window (illuminated in neon by… Read more →
Drinking Destination: EAST BAY
It’s true: the East Bay cocktail scene is growing by leaps and bounds lately, with a slew of new bars (many opened by San Francisco bar stars) popping up from Albany to Alameda. Two comfortable, new hang-outs just debuted January 3rd serving cocktails for the geek and casual imbiber alike. Both claim noteworthy bartenders covering various shifts. I spent an… Read more →
Winter Weekend Escape from Sonoma to Healdsburg
Sonoma’s meandering, laid back roads soothe me. One of my top weekend escapes, I’m hard pressed to choose a favorite region of the massive county. Downtown Sonoma, however, is my favorite town in the county and staying near its leafy, green square surrounded by historic architecture, from Spanish mission to Old West storefronts, is a welcome combination of small town… Read more →
Fifth Floor Cocktail Delights
Food and wine are the draw at Fifth Floor (read here and here), but bartender Brian Means (formerly of Zero Zero) has created cocktails worth a stop all by themselves in the mellow lounge. The unassuming Mr. Means creates some of the more promising recipes I’ve tasted from an up-and-coming bartender. As I judge multiple cocktail contests, his entries consistently… Read more →
January 1, 2012
“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” – Zora Neale Hurston Happy new year! I trust your holidays were sweet, restorative, and full of good food and memories with those you love. Mine were so, spent in Southern and Central California, now back home and ready for a new year. Top Tastes meditates on comforting winter dishes… Read more →
Dishes for a Winter’s Night: Egg Noodles, Egg Yolk Ravioli, Chestnut Soup & “Unfried” Chicken
As we arrive at the end of 2011, here are a few dishes of soothing comfort for a winter’s night from four under-the-radar places: two new, two established. Egg noodles in a Japantown culinary respiteBUSHI-TEI, 1638 Post Street, 415-440-4959 Bushi-Tei has long been one of my underrated restaurant picks. I’ve said as much (e.g. May 2011 article in 944 magazine),… Read more →
Weekend Escape to NICK’S COVE in Tomales Bay
Once off the 101, it’s a winding trek via country lanes to Tomales Bay. On the shores of the Bay with its outlet to the Pacific Ocean visible in the distance, sits Nick’s Cove. Nick’s is a settlement built in the 1930’s with cottages and a restaurant on pilings over the Bay. There’s little else nearby; even cabins across the… Read more →
Barrel Aged Beauties: Rye, Genever & Poitin
Here are two new barrel aged beauties worth seeking out, plus more to look forward to in 2012. 1512 SPIRITS BARREL AGED 100% RYE & Poitín We’ve talked small production 1512 Spirits rye before, made by Salvatore (Sal) Cimino in a small, custom still up in Santa Rosa. During the day you’ll find him giving shaves and cutting hair in… Read more →
KITCHIT House Dinner with Chef Christopher Kostow of The Restaurant at Meadowood
Kitchit, “home of bespoke dining”, is not another pop-up dinner. In fact, the company, founded by Brendan Marshall, a Stanford grad who was just named one of Forbes “30 Under 30” in the Food & Wine category, is more like a private dinner party with a world class chef. In my case, it was a dinner in a private SoMa… Read more →