Cavana’s rooftop bar facing north east (Photo Credit: Virginia Miller) COME SEE OUR NEW HOME — The Bold Italic has a new home online, and this story has moved! Read it here: https://www.thebolditalic.com/latin-vibes-tunes-cocktails-food-with-stunning-sf-views-at-new-rooftop-bar-cavaña Rooftop bars are proliferating in San Francisco these days, whether the 2017 opening of Charmaine’s at the San Francisco Proper, or 2022’s Rise Over Run at the Line… Read more →
This past year I was back twice: in September 2022 and again over Christmas 2022. Over recent visits, I explore the ins-and-outs of 12 places to eat in and around Oklahoma City. Read more →
This week, I share experiences at two newcomers playing with the boundaries of Asian cuisine. One is a pop-up turned hip, new Mission district restaurant hidden behind a graffitied wall, Bruce Lee films on two TVs above the bar, striking paintings of birds. The other is a fluorescent-lit, Tenderloin spot, half underground, roomy but utilitarian in design. The former just opened early January 2023, the other two days before Christmas 2022. They are dissimilar in most ways but for their surprising interplay of Asian cuisines. Read more →
You may think you know Korean barbecue. Unless you’re Korean, live in the U.S.’ heaviest Korean communities, namely across California, Honolulu and New York, or have dug into Korean BBQ in Seoul, you likely have just scratched the surface of the category’s range. Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— Anchovy Bar Reviewed: Tiny fish heaven… With vermouth, wine and sherry.
— Drink Pairing Inspiration from California’s Endless Produce & Grape-Growing AVAs: My interview with Lazy Bear beverage director Jacob Brown.
— Original Joe’s Westlake: Red sauce Italian legend south of SF in Daly City.
— January Eats Checklist: Four Standouts of the Month, from a nature-rich tribute to California’s majestic trees in edible form, to healthy, chic, nuanced at-home delivery food.
— DISTILLER Bottle Column: This month I review amaro, vermouth, tequila, gin, bourbon, non-alcoholic spirits, RTDs (ready-to-drink/canned) and cocktail mixers. Read more →
I’ve been dining at Joe’s sister, Original Joe’s Westlake, under prior owners for the last two decades. Bruno Scatena opened Joe’s of Westlake in 1956, which was eventually run by his daughter, Melinda Scatena, who worked there since she was 14 years old, selling it as she ran into health problems. My husband, Dan “The Renaissance Man,” and I adored it in those years and it was perpetually packed as if it were the hottest new restaurant. Read more →
These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from a nature-rich tribute to California’s majestic trees in edible form, to healthy, chic, nuanced at-home delivery food. Read more →
Anchovy Bar anchovy platter from an early visit (Photo Credit: Virginia Miller) 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… 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 →