Opened by Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski of Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions and The Progress in October 2020 on Lower Fillmore Street, The Anchovy Bar was a brave entrant in a brutal year. It was easily among my top few new restaurants of that year — and my top two next to Belinda Leong, Michel Suas and John Paul Carmona’s Routier… Having dined since Anchovy Bar opened, both my late 2022 and my January 2023 visit have been the best yet. Read more →
My bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings. Reviewed this issue:
— Sennza Finne Amaro (Seattle, WA)
— Boissiere Sweet Vermouth (Turin, Italy)
— Volans Tequila (Jalisco, Mexico)
— Sheringham Distillery Seaside and Kazuki Gins (Vancouver Island, B.C.)
… and more
Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— Chic New Italian Cocktail & Food Haven Hidden in the FiDi: Bar Sprezzatura.
— January Eats Checklist: 5 Standouts of the Month, from a nature-rich tribute to California’s majestic trees in edible form, to old school American-Italian red sauce comfort, to healthy, chic, nuanced at-home delivery food.
— A Former Laundromat Turned Idyllic Neighborhood Hang: for Detroit pizza, sips & bagels.
— Top 10 Bars Vancouver, B.C.: My Distiller Magazine guide.
— Vancouver Interviews: I interview Satoshi Yonemori of Grapes & Soda and Alayne & Jason MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery. Read more →
Opened November 2022 in San Francisco’s Outer Richmond neighborhood, The Laundromat SF is, yes, housed in a former Laundromat. It’s also a block away from one of our historic theater gems worth supporting year-round: Balboa Theater. In fact, owners Jaimi Holker and Adam Bergeron are behind CinemaSF and run the Balboa Theater, so the connection holds synergy. The Laundromat makes an ideal pre- or post-film spot for a bite and drinks… Read more →
In the Winter 2022-2023 print issue of Distiller Magazine:
—My article on 10 of Vancouver’s best bars
—My interviews with bar manager Satoshi Yonemori of Grapes & Soda here; Alayne & Jason MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery
— Bars reviewed: Bar Susu, Grapes & Soda, Bar Chickadee, Published on Main, Laowai, Botanist at Fairmont Pacific Rim, L’Abattoir, Como Taperia, Lobby Lounge at Fairmont Pacific Rim, Acquafarina Read more →
My Distiller Magazine interviews with bar manager Satoshi Yonemori of Grapes & Soda here; Alayne & Jason MacIsaac of Sheringham Distillery: Read more →
The new Bar Sprezzatura — opening November 2022 — is in an easy parking post-6pm area, quiet at night. In fact, the restaurant is only open lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, so it’s ideal for workday meetings, European-esque long lunches and evening gatherings, from bites and drinks to a full meal. Visiting twice now, once for lunch, once for dinner, I had to name it one of the top 14 new restaurant openings of 2022. Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— Top 14 New Restaurants & 10 New Bars of 2022.
— 7 Top London Restaurants Now.
— Akikos: A world-class new era for a reborn, decades-old SF sushi favorite.
— Cavallo Point: A stone’s throw (yet world’s away) from SF retreat with two new restaurants.
— DISTILLER Bottle Column: I review Calvados, French aperitif, shochu, mezcal, tequila, gin, Japanese whiskys, non-alcoholic wines, bourbon and rye whiskies. Read more →
From The Shota to Omakase, San Francisco already has a wealth of Michelin-starred sushi bars, and many besides of that ilk (Oma SF Station, Ken, Sasa, Kusakabe, An Japanese, or hip counterparts like Robin and Chisai Sushi Club, to name just a few). Now we have another. But it’s a familiar name to San Franciscans: Akiko’s. Read more →
One of the most enchanting lodging options literally a stone’s throw from San Francisco is Cavallo Point, tucked into Fort Baker cove at the base of the hills right off Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, gazing out at SF, the Bay and the Bridge. Besides its breathtaking views, it could almost be a part of the city, it’s so close. Yet it’s worlds away. Read more →