From my weekly Time Out column, published September 5, 2017: I share four low proof bar greats around the Bay Area — Oakland to SF — that are not so much about cocktails. These four are standout bars pouring the likes of unusual, natural wines, sherry, vermouth, fortified wines, Champagne and sparkling wine. —Horsies Saloon at Royal Cuckoo Market, Mission… Read more →
It is Rum month at Liquor.com and here are 11 of my rum cocktails around the US now (click on each for the featured cocktail and bar/restaurant): Read more →
This Issue:
— Top Openings of July: These two standouts go from hip omakase to “real deal” Spanish Catalan cuisine.
— Top National Cocktails of the Month: From SF to Louisville, Oregon to Oklahoma, North Carolina to Chicago, here are 11 standout drinks/bars now.
— D.C.’s Top 10 Bars: Where to drink in D.C. + my interviews with Don Ciccio & Figli amaro distillery founder, Francesco Amodeo, and Jack Rose Rose Dining Saloon owner, Bill Thomas.
The first of my weekly Time Out column digs into four top Bay Area Spanish restaurants, from a vibrant newcomer (Barcino), to two longtime greats (Contigo, Canela), to one downtown Napa treasure (La Taberna)… Read more →
Covering the 11 hottest cocktails of the month around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my bar and drink recommends this month at these bars/restaurants (click on each for the featured cocktail): Mourad, San Francisco The Joy Luck, Louisville Kachka, Portland, OR Quiote, Chicago The Matrix, San Francisco Ruddick/Wood, Newberg, OR Goro Ramen, Oklahoma City Salt & Char, Saratoga… Read more →
In the Summer 2017 issue of Distiller Magazine on Washington D.C., here are links to my three articles & photos, a 14-page print spread: More of my D.C. food and drink recommends here.______________________________________ Past issues (top 10 bars, local distiller and bar manager interviews in each city): Read more →
The notable restaurant openings of July were Shinmai, Mac’D, Robin, Barcino, Namu Stonepot and Ippudo in Berkeley. I am about to visit Shinmai but among the rest, here are my top two newcomers of the month… and why they stand out. Nigiri Cool — Robin, Hayes Valley I’ve written a lot on the hardcore wave of proper Edomae/Tokyo-style sushi restaurants… Read more →
This Issue:
— Top 7 Dishes of the Month: Whether Albuquerque or SF, tikka masala mac n’cheese or proper BBQ ribs, here are the dishes that wowed most in July.
— Culinary Chicago: My first Alaska Airlines’ article is on the great city of Chicago, its current standouts in food, hotels and the arts (theater to music).
— Time Out Magazine: The the first SF print issue of Time Out Magazine — and yours truly is writing the food & drink sections. Check out 6 articles, including features on high-end soft serve at SF restaurants, an urban wine crawl in Oakland’s Jack London Square, interviews with chef Preeti Mistry and the owners of sour beer haven the Rare Barrel — plus my TO reviews on the new restaurant and bar openings worth visiting.
— Where to Eat & Drink in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico: Top 12 bites, restaurants, stands and drinks.
— A Unique Resort Experience in Mexico: In Puerto Vallarta, a major resort innovates with a house tequila program.
Trying well over 100 dishes in July alone — from San Francisco to Albuquerque, New Mexico — here are my 7 standout dishes of the month. 1. Duna’s Farmer’s Cheese Spatzle Here’s my review and details on brand new Duna from the ever-talented Bar Tartine chef duo of Nick Balla and Cortney Burns. Their near perfect spatzle doused in fresh… Read more →
I recently return to Mexico, visiting the city of Puerto Vallarta (PV) for the first time (historically, I’ve visited about an hour north of the city on the coast). I wrote about a unique Marriott resort (about 20 minutes drive from Old Town PV in Nuevo Vallarta where most of resorts are grouped) that has their own house tequila program… Read more →