The latest in my NEFT Vodka column, which spotlights California’s best bartenders and bars — including a special cocktail recipe from each bartender featuring this Austrian alpine-distilled vodka. Why Karri Kiyuna and the team she leads at Wildhawk in San Francisco set an example in team spirit, service and exceptional cocktails here. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Nicolas (Nic) Torres of True Laurel, San… Read more →
As with the past decade plus, here are my top 14 new Bay Area restaurant openings of 2019: Read more →
This Issue:
— The 12 Top New Bay Area Restaurants of 2019
— Charmed by Santa Maria Valley: Talking the original 1800s barbecue style of the west: Santa Maria barbecue, as well as wineries, bars, coffee, bakeries, cider producers and restaurants/food around California’s Santa Maria Valley.
— The Rise of Vermouth: The ongoing rise of vermouth/vermut, from its Italian, Spanish, French roots to its US producers and pioneers.
As with the past decade plus, here are my top 5 new Bay Area bar openings of 2019. My top 12 restaurant openings are here.
My October 2019 print article in Oakland Magazine and Alameda Magazines, covering the original 1800s barbecue style of the west: Santa Maria barbecue, as well as wineries, bars, coffee, bakeries, cider producers and restaurants/food around California’s Santa Maria Valley from Orcutt to Los Alamos. Article here. My other Oakland and Alameda Magazine articles include romantic getaways in Beverly Hills and Santa… Read more →
Lustau Rose Vermut (Photo courtesy of Lustau www.lustau.es) Published at NYC’s new Barcademy, my feature on the ongoing rise of vermouth (vermut in Spain) internationally, from its Italian, Spanish, French roots to its US producers and pioneers (starting with California’s Quady Winery in the 1990s). I also hear from Spain’s Lustau Master Blender and Quality Director, Fernando Pérez, on vermouth/vermut… Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— Toronto & Beyond: Why the region surrounding Canada’s biggest city is a culinary destination… exploring restaurants, farms, wineries, cideries and bars around Ontario.
— My Top 10 Nashville Bars: + Interviews with Nashville’s Nelson’s Green Brier distillers and Pinewood Social’s bar manager Matt Tocco.
— 11 Holiday Cocktails on National Menus Now: Unique holiday sippers on menus in SF, Denver, Nashville, DC, NJ, Columbus, Sedona, Aspen, Seattle, Louisville.
Researching during a trip I took late summer with Ontario Culinary tourism and The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ 50 Best Explores Ontario, I loved filming around Toronto/Ontario with chef Junghyun (JP) Park of NYC’s 2 Michelin Atomix and Atoboy and chefs Ignacio Mattos & Sam Lawrence of NYC’s Michelin-starred Estela. Here I am with JP tasting the best around Ontario… Read more →
Covering 11 standout national holiday cocktails around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks on menus at these bars/restaurants:
The Fox Bar, Nashville In the Fall 2019 print issue of Distiller Magazine: My article on 10 of Nashville’s best bars (Bastion, The Patterson House, Pinewood Social, The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, Henrietta Red, Woolworth on 5th, No. 308, Gertie’s Bar at The 404 Kitchen, Urban Cowboy Public House, Black Rabbit) here My interview with Nelson’s Green Briar Distillery… Read more →