(From my print article in the Spring SCENE issue of the SF Bay Guardian): These two new bars debuted at the end of May, quietly ushering in what I hope might be a new “trend”: mellow, sophisticated bars creating expertly-crafted cocktails, both classic and contemporary… without attitude, exclusivity, and, dare I say it (?), mobs of douchey crowds turning an… Read more →
My May New York adventures brought me to some of the city’s newer treasures I’ve been desiring to partake in… a couple of them literally just opened weeks before, others open about a year. Brand New CIENFUEGOS (upstairs through Carteles sandwich shop), East Village – Open barely a month when I visited, this intriguing new rum bar is through a… Read more →
It is a joy when our city’s food/drink greats team up to form something unique. Such was Zare at Fly Trap’s three nights of Persian Pub Grub, running June 3-5, as envisioned by Zare’s chef/owner, Hoss Zare, and Monk’s Kettle’s Sayre Piotrkowski and Ryan Corbett. The exuberant, hospitable Hoss created a menu lovingly melding traditional elements of his home country… Read more →
“Love, with very young people, is a heartless business. We drink at that age from thirst, or to get drunk; it is only later in life that we occupy ourselves with the individuality of our wine.” – Isak Dinesen Is it really Summer? Just returned from a bustling trip to New York, this issue is NY-centric with Manhattan Cocktail Classic… Read more →
1152 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 Tue-Sun, 3pm-2am (wine happy hours: 3-6pm; 10pm-12am) I had the privilege weeks back of a sneak preview test dinner with friends at B3, a new project set to soft launch June 15 in the former Senses space on Valencia, which they are currently repainting and decorating in warm, neutral tones [as of early… Read more →
My beloved New York. The city that awakened me, at the sensitive age of 14, to cities… and the world. I put my hand over my heart upon first glimpse of the radiance of Manhattan at night from Jersey’s banks, where I lived during high school (and my family lived for years beyond). When I travel to NY, there’s always… Read more →
I was one of the lucky ones, spending eight days in NY, my old stomping grounds, for the first annual Manhattan Cocktail Classic, May 14-18, highlighting and celebrating the art of the cocktail and its greatest talents. Or so I thought… I won’t gripe too much, though I will say that despite the stunning transformation of the already gorgeous New… Read more →
In a world-class city like New York, I’ve long been shocked that a proper coffee, whether it be straight-up cup (I refuse to say “cuppa”), a cappuccino or espresso, is in such short order, especially given NY’s Italian influence. From that Italian perspective, coffee is as crucial to daily life as wine. One would not dream of serving Folgers or… Read more →
“One by one the nights between our separated cities are joined to the night that unites us.” – Pablo Neruda As this hits your inbox, I’ve just arrived in New York for the Manhattan Cocktail Classic and eight days of food, drink and dear friends. Back in my beloved Big Apple, the city that first awakened me to the world… Read more →
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. CHEAP EATS **2013 Update: I strongly recommend against Red Door. The longtime host/owner insults locals and… Read more →