Summer is at its apex in August with a wealth of notable new and longtime bars around San Francisco. Here are six under-the-radar bars to visit now, ranging from a reborn dive bar to craft Peruvian cocktails. Read more →
Author: Virginia Miller
DISTILLER Bottle Column: July 2024
Published July 1, 2024, at Distiller Magazine, my bottle review column (last month’s edition here) is about what is unique, standout, new and/or trending in spirits with my review ratings on a 1-5 rating scale. ARTICLE HERE: https://distilling.com/distillermagazine/new-release-roundup-july-2024 Reviewed this issue:— Nomadica Rosé Yuzu Spritz (Los Angeles, CA)— Crystal Head Vodka Cosmopolitan and Espresso Martini RTDs— Mommenpop Vermouths (Napa, CA)— Lighthouse Gin (New Zealand)— Junipero Rosemary Gin (San Francisco,… Read more →
Surprise Inner Sunset Newcomer for Inspired Modern Asian Food: KoThai Republic
To meet Sung Park of Kothai is to meet a true restaurateur. This humble but light-filled restaurant in the Inner Sunset belies the creativity on a menu where Korea-meets-Thailand in San Francisco skin. Park is not just a first-generation SF native, but has lived in the Sunset district his entire life, and in the Inner Sunset roughly 36 years. Read more →
Colombian, Italian, Xian Chinese, Nikkei Peruvian & More: 10 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month
These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from classic French to a neighborhood comfort food and cocktail classic that just turned ten. Alongside my full restaurant reviews, these five are also worth visiting: Read more →
Alora: New waterfront dining on the Embarcadero
A six-day-a-week modern Mediterranean waterfront restaurant that serves quality food, cocktails, wine and is open for lunch and dinner on the Embarcadero? Open at the tail end of January 2024, Alora fits that bill… and fits it with surprising affordability compared to the average downtown newcomer. Amid a number of mezze (shared small plates), only a duck liver mousse exceeds $20, while larger plates hover $25 to $39 and only two beef dishes above that. Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: June 2024
Reviewed this issue:
— Silvio Carta vermouths
— St. George Spirits Valley Gin
— Kapriol Gin Artigianiale Italiano
— Alma del Jaguar Tequila
— Traverse City Whiskey Co. Old Fashioned & Cherry Old Fashioned
— High Wire Distilling Company Whiskies … and more Read more →
Bay Area Overnights: Magical Places to Eat & Stay in Sonoma County Now
Published June 25, 2024, in my Medium column: This month, I review five notable restaurants and three luxurious-yet-relaxed resorts across Sonoma County, all resorts with remodels and two of them with notable restaurants. The restaurants range from high to low, sushi omakase tasting menu to order-at-the-counter Lebanese food. Here, eight places worth visiting now for a day trip or overnights in ever-magical… Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: May 2024
Reviewed this issue:
— Tso’Ok Rum
— Sausalito Liquor Co. Marin Coastal Gin
— Balcones Mirador Eclipse American Single Malt
— Gracias a Dios Tobala and Tepextate Mezcal
— Casalú Rum Seltzers
— Waterford Whisky Peated Cuvée “Fumo”
and more… Read more →
American Whiskey Magazine 20 City Guide: Restaurants, Bars, Hotels & Distilleries
Published in American Whiskey Magazine Spring 2024 in the print issue, a glimpse of the article: Read more →
Indonesian, Fried Chicken, Plant-Based Filipino, Pizza & More: 7 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month
Reviewed in this article:
—Familial Fried Chicken Haven: Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement
—Pizza from Dough Masters: Tartine Manufactory
—Creative Shared Plates & Natural Wines: Bar Jabroni
—Plant-Forward Filipino for Takeout or Patio Times: Mestiza
—Indonesian Rarities: Rasa Rasa Kitchen
—Japanese Bento Takeout & Matcha Stop: Komeya No Bento
—Quirky Bagels at a New Outer Sunset Bakery: Batches Bakehouse Read more →