Author: Virginia Miller

December 1, 2021

by Virginia Miller on November 30, 2021 in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— 5 New Bay Area Restaurants Worth Visiting, November 2021 Edition: From kosher Israeli takeout to a new Korean grocer, sunny Oaxacan neighborhood spot to cozy new restaurant inside a beer store + a new Calistoga (Napa Valley) destination. These five new restaurants are worth dining at now.
— “California Washoku” Modern-Japanese Menus on at Nisei and Japan-style cocktails next door at Bar Iris.
— The Castro’s New Copas: Imparts a festive, collaborative vibe the space hasn’t exuded in a decade.
— San Francisco Top 10 Bars 2021: My Distiller Magazine print feature on 10 of SF’s best bars now, and a history on the city’s pioneering bar scene, both in the 1800s and the past 20-30 years.

5 New Bay Area Restaurants Worth Visiting: November 2021

by Virginia Miller on November 30, 2021 in The Latest

From kosher Israeli takeout to a new Korean grocer, these five new restaurants are worth dining at now”

The Castro’s New Copas Imparts a Festive, Collaborative Vibe The Space Hasn’t Exuded in a Decade

by Virginia Miller on November 26, 2021 in The Latest

Published November 26, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column, my review of the new Copas at 2223 Market Street in the Castro, bringing back festive vibes and exuding a communal spirit I haven’t seen/felt in the space in over a decade.

‘California Washoku’: On Full Display at Nisei + Next Door at Bar Iris

by Virginia Miller on November 19, 2021 in The Latest

Published November 19, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews, my review of Nisei and its new next door bar, Bar Iris, a modern Japanese-American fine dining play in California Washoku cuisine.

November 15, 2021

by Virginia Miller on November 15, 2021 in Intro Letter

This Issue:

— Flour+Water’s New Italian Destination: My full review of the Mission District’s new Penny Roma.
— Top 5 Hit List of the Month: Three notable newcomers, one tried-and-true great and one newer restaurant coming into its original vision, including a modern steakhouse, halal birria, affordable Middle Eastern wraps, SF’s top steal of a prix fixe dinner, and a pasta and crudo stop.
— Support Our Beloved Wine Countries, Sonoma Edition: My latest five places to eat now, both classic and new restaurants (plus one bonus bakery) in the town of Sonoma.
— DISTILLER Bottle Column: My drink reviews of the month cover maraschino liqueur, Scotch, mezcal, tequila, gin, Japanese whisky, vodka, RTDs (canned cocktails) and cider.
— 7 Foods From Outside Lands 2021 That We’re Still Craving: And which you can still get around the Bay Area, including Russian/Ukranian, Indian, Cuban, Middle Eastern and Filipino foods, alongside Basque cheesecakes and smashburgers.

Breakfast for Dinner? Hilda and Jesse Has You Covered

by Virginia Miller on November 12, 2021 in The Latest

My review of brand new Hilda & Jesse (from the pop-up of the same name), an upscale yet whimsical breakfast for dinner North Beach restaurant from two female chefs with extensive fine dining, Michelin-starred experience.

Flour+Water’s New Italian Destination: Penny Roma

by Virginia Miller on November 6, 2021 in The Latest

Published November 5, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews, my review of Flour+Water’s brand new Italian dining destination featuring regional influences from around Italy, Penny Roma:

Top 5 Hit List of the Month: Newcomers + Neighborhood Favorites

by Virginia Miller on November 4, 2021 in The Latest, Top Tastes

Reviewed in this article… Notable Newcomers
— Modern Steakhouse Done Right: The Vault Steakhouse
— Halal Birria: La Vaca Birria
— Affordable Wraps: Mediterranean Aroma

Neighborhood Favorites:
— Steal of a Prix Fixe: Trestle
— Pasta & Crudo: Itria Read more →

Harvest Season Staycations: Support Our Beloved Wine Countries, Sonoma Edition

by Virginia Miller on November 3, 2021 in Around the Bay

Sonoma has long been, for me, the most beautiful town square of all Sonoma County. Visiting Dominique Crenn’s idyllic Bleu Belle Farm in Sonoma (which grows the produce for her restaurants and to feed the hungry), I also visited the town’s latest restaurants — mostly pandemic openings — plus a classic or two. My top nearby hotel recommend would be The Gaige House, but I’ll get into that in my future Glen Ellen edition. Here are five standouts for food and drink in the town of Sonoma proper:

7 Foods From Outside Lands 2021 That We’re Still Craving

by Virginia Miller on November 1, 2021 in On the Town

Published November 1, 2021 at The Bold Italic, seven foods from Outside Lands 2021 that we’re still craving (and thankfully, you can still eat around the Bay Area):