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.
Category: Imbiber
The Rise of Vermouth
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 →
11 National Bars Serving Standout Holiday Cocktails
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 Mexican Spirits Tradition You Don’t Know About: Flavored Bacanora
In Distiller Magazine, my feature on the Mexican agave spirit tradition you didn’t know about: flavored bacanora.
Bar Spotlight on Nic Torres of True Laurel
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 True Laurel and Nicolas (Nic) Torres craft not only some of San Francisco’s best cocktails, but some of the most humbly innovative drinks in the world: www.neftvodkaus.com/spotlight/true-laurel-sf-nicolas-torres. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Karri Kiyuna of… Read more →
A Visionary Bar Manager Combines Spirits & Wine… In the Same Glass
Published at Haute Living Magazine, the November-December 2019 issue includes my feature on Gibson in San Francisco’s Adam Chapman and his one-of-a-kind, pioneering drinks that combine wine and spirits in one glass, employ freezer-distilled juice or roof-dry herbs before steeping them in spirits. Online here. MY HAUTE LIVING ARTICLES— Wine Country Inns with Exceptional Dining (& Growing Their Own Produce)… Read more →
10 Bars Serving Standout Scotch Cocktails Across N. America
Covering 10 standout Scotch cocktails around N. America at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks on menus at these bars/restaurants:
—Backbar, Somerville, MA (Boston area)
— B&GC, Denver
— Mourad, San Francisco
— Julep, Houston
— Adrift Tiki Bar, Denver
— Living Room at the Dewberry, Charleston
… and more
9 Bars Serving Standout American Whiskey Cocktails Across the US
Covering 9 standout American whiskey (bourbon, rye, etc.) cocktails around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks on menus at these bars/restaurants: — Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Chicago— Existing Conditions, New York City— CDP Bar (at Commis), Oakland, CA— Julep, Houston— The Bindery, Denver— Proof on Main (at 21C), Louisville— Bar Beau, Brooklyn (NYC)— Bird & the Bottle, Santa… Read more →
Will Shōchū Be the Bay’s Next It Spirit? Move over, sake, there’s a new Japanese spirit in town.
My first article for the The Bold Italic, published October 8, 2019: Umami Mart’s sake and shochu bar The next “it” spirit, Japanese shochu — ARTICLE HERE: https://thebolditalic.com/will-sh%C5%8Dch%C5%AB-be-the-bays-next-it-spirit-8fa4fbe72f4 Umami Mart shochu tasting Read more →
A Shortcut to the Best of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail
I wrote Liquor.com’s guide to the Best of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail this September with my tips for the best of the Bourbon Trail: www.liquor.com/series/kentucky-bourbon-trail Maker’s Mark Chihuly exhibit in Loretto, June 2017 (Photo Credit: Virginia Miller) Rabbit Hole Distillery, Louisville (Photo Credit: Virginia Miller) Maker’s Mark permanent “Spirit of the Maker” Chihuly barrel exhibit in Loretto, KY (Photo Credit:… Read more →