TRICK DOG, 3010 20th Street at Florida, 415-471-2999 The Bon Vivants’ (Josh Harris, Scott Baird, Jason Henton) Trick Dog has been the hottest bar opening in San Francisco of 2013, and one of the big openings of the year anywhere in the cocktail world. Though it certainly made my “best of” list of 2013, the constant stream of crowds make it… Read more →
FOREIGN CINEMA, Mission (2534 Mission St. between 21st & 22nd Streets, 415-648-7600) Foreign Cinema will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only was it one of the hottest restaurants in town back in 2001 when I moved to San Francisco (as a lifelong film buff, I also love the theme and movies playing on the wall), but… Read more →
Back in my beloved New York, home of my teenage years. Until just a few years ago, it was the place I’d come home to for the holidays when my parents still lived in New Jersey. Despite only a couple lovely days out of a ten-day visit in late May through early June (the rest were either pouring rain or… Read more →
Another year, another few hundred bar menus tasted and perused around the globe. This year was the most full yet: I visited over 25 cities in 10 different countries. Which means weeding through best tastes is even more complicated. Given the vast range, I have three 2013 lists (more for best in food/dining here): 12 Best New Bars in San… Read more →
NOVELA, SoMa (662 Mission St. between New Montgomery and Annie Streets, 415-896-6500) Watch out: Lead Bartenders Christina Cabrera and Suzanne Miller’s new menu for 2013’s literary drinking lounge newcomer, Novela, signifies a cocktail duo to watch. While Alex Smith continues on as General Manager and talented Dillon Lockwood (formerly of Ice Cream Bar) oversees the unique punch on draft menu… Read more →
THIRD RAIL, Dogpatch (628 20th Street at Third Street) The desolate streets of Dogpatch have continued to come alive with food and drink destinations over recent years. Not long after Dogpatch Saloon re-opened as ideal neighborhood bar with quality cocktails, Third Rail, long in the works from Range owner/chef Phil West and bar manager Jeff Lyon, just opened December 12th. The… Read more →
In the Netherlands with BOLS GENEVER Photos & Article by Virginia Miller Getting lost amid the canals and museums of Amsterdam is mesmerizing. This May, I took a memorable journey to the Netherlands with legendary Bols Genever, genever (pronounced “jeh-NAY-ver”) being the precursor to gin (read my Amsterdam food/dining recommends and best cocktail havens and dive bars here). Confusion still… Read more →
From a beer-laced float, to a South Asian punch, here are four of San Francisco’s best cocktails now: TOSCA’s “HOUSE CAPPUCCINO” I was afraid. Very afraid. Though iconic Tosca Cafe was my beloved haven for San Francisco history and Italian singers on the jukebox, its takeover from NY crew and Chef April Bloomfield had me more than a little concerned… Read more →
No doubt about it: gin has had a year. Small batch producers are sprouting up in greater numbers than ever – in the US but also the UK. Though Bay Area local, Old World Spirits, made waves with their barrel aged gin, Rusty Blade, years ago, the aged gin trend has taken off, with even legendary Beefeater (who I had… Read more →
It gets easier and easier to find an elevated cocktail in Wine Country, besides the superb cocktails at Healdsburg’s Spoonbar and Campo Fina or gratifying refreshers at The Thomas (Fagiani’s) in downtown Napa. Here are a few recent cocktail highlights and one top-notch bitters shop: Bitters Heaven NAPA VALLEY DISTILLERY’s Bitters Shop, Napa Tiny Napa Valley Distillery (the first licensed… Read more →