Category: Intro Letter

December 15, 2016

This issue:

— Top 4 Bay Area Openings of the Month: The Japan-Bay Area love affair continues and there is a fab new modern Indian newcomer, too.
— 6 NYC Restaurants Worth Visiting Now: From playful Thai to modern Korean, Latin bites to modern Mediterranean small plates…
— 10 Taiwanese Dishes And Drinks You Need To Know: My Food Republic primer on key dishes (three cup chicken, stir-fry, pineapple cake, etc.) and drinks (Taiwanese whisky, oolong tea, bubble tea, etc.) hailing from Taiwan.
— Journeying Through Portugal’s Douro Region: Talking wine greats in Portugal’s greatest wine region, an eco-friendly wine resort and Lisbon treasures at Food Republic.

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December 1, 2016

This issue:

— 5 Affordable New Bay Area Neighborhood Restaurants: Whether refined Laotian cuisine or South American comfort in Napa, Thai in an Italian ‘hood or East Bay Asian with a heavy Burmese focus, here are five affordable neighborhood newcomers that stand out.
— Top 11 Cocktails Around the Country Now: My latest at Liquor.com on 11 notable cocktails around the US.
— Where to Eat in NYC: Top four newcomers this year, from a Scandinavian food hall to a ramen and cocktail haven in Harlem.
— 11 NYC Bars: Newcomers to under-the-radar gems — and then on to Brooklyn — here 11 NY bars worth visiting or returning to.
— Michael Mina’s Guest Chef Series at Levi Stadium Football Games: 49ers games are for food lovers — chatting with Mina about his impressive guest chef series.

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November 15, 2016

This issue:

— Top 3 SF October Openings: Whether crab porridge with Chartreuse slushies or frozen Irish coffees in a “go cup” with crawfish etouffeé in uni butter, these three newcomers show the most promise.
— Where to Eat & Drink Now in Taiwan: Covering the major cities of Taipei and Taichung, here are the fine dining restaurants, night markets, forward-thinking malls, cocktail bars and more that wowed in my latest Food Republic feature.

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November 1, 2016

This issue:

— The Underrated Glories of Lisbon & Porto: My top 10 food and drink spots in Portugal’s romantic city of Lisbon — plus my favorite spot in the city of Porto.
— Top 11 National November Cocktails: From Livermore, CA, to Houston, my top 11 cocktails of the month, around the US.

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October 15, 2016

This issue:

— September’s Top 3 Openings: In SF, the three standout newcomers of the month, from an inventive, modern Japanese restaurant that could be one of the best openings of the year to a po boy neighborhood hangout with mint juleps on draft.
— New Orleans: My latest top 8 spots for dining and drink (plus a great food hall, dessert cafe and jazz brunch spot) in my beloved Nola.
— 10 Top Boston Bars: Plus my Boston area interviews with Bob Ryan of Ryan & Wood Distilleries & Yvonne’s bar manager, Nicole Lebedevitch.

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October 1, 2016

This issue:

— 4 “Best Kept Secret” SF Restaurants: Innovative, 2 Michelin-starred Cal-Indian cuisine that recalls London? Scandinavian crayfish glories in a cozy, revamped space? Here are four standout San Francisco restaurants that somehow stay blessedly under-the-radar.
— Top 11 National October Cocktails & 7 Notable New Bars
— Top 5 Whiskies at Whiskyfest 2016: My five top picks for new whisk(e)y releases — from Scotland to India, Washington to Kentucky — tasted at this year’s Whiskyfest.

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September 15, 2016

This issue:

— The Top New SF Opening of August: Japanese curry shortrib shepherd’s pie? 30 rotating, often rare, draft beers? You’ll want to check out this Russian Hill newcomer.
— Two Japanese Neighborhood Gems That Transport to Japan: These two SF restaurants are out of the way, intimate Japanese restaurants all about “real deal” Japanese food (and, no, they aren’t sushi spots).
— Top 10 Dallas Bars: My latest feature in print at Distiller Magazine, including an interview with Michael Martensen of Dallas’ Proof + Pantry and Madrina.

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September 1, 2016

This Issue:
— SF: 3 Under-the-Radar Neighborhood Gems: From two cafes that turn into restaurants at night, to a fantastic Italian and pizza haven out towards the ocean, these are three neighborhood gems.
— 21 Cocktails To Drink Around the US Now: Links to my September Liquor.com features on 21 excellent cocktails around the country now.
— Where to Eat Now, Denver Edition: 5 of Denver’s best newer places to eat, covering modern Chinese food to vegetarian goodness.
— Where to Drink Now, Denver Edition: 5 of Denver’s best new watering holes.

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August 15, 2016

This issue:

— July’s Top 3 New SF Openings: There’s a live jazz supper club, an inspired order-at-the-counter but high quality, mid-range food concept and some pretty excellent neighborhood South Indian food.
— 6 Hardcore Sushi Experiences in SF: Six places that feel like you’ve escaped to Tokyo.
— The New Wine Bar… With Food: Four (mostly new) wine bars and wine shops that pour a good glass with a good bite.

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August 1, 2016

This Issue:

— Top 12 Bay Area Cocktails Now: What’s exciting and delicious on menus now from SF to Oakland.
— 9 Restaurants Worth Visiting in Chicago Now: From Indian-British pub fare (with excellent beer) to a Macanese bakery.
— Where to Drink Now in Chicago: 10 top bars, new and established, for great cocktails.
— Highlights of Tales of the Cocktail 2016: Top moments from another unforgettable (exhausting) Tales in New Orleans.

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