Category: Intro Letter

This Issue:
— April’s Top 10 Bay Area Restaurants: 10 Bay Area newcomers and longtimers, from SF, Oakland & Napa (Yountville), including standouts in Spanish, New American, Japanese, Chinese bakery, Korean, South Indian and sandwiches.
— The Mother of Invention: Six bartenders/bar managers taking on COVID in creative ways in Guadalajara (Mexico), San Francisco, Bogota (Colombia), Seattle, Vancouver, Singapore.
— Distiller Bottle Column: In my latest column, I review vermouth, rum, gin, non-alcoholic spirits, tequila, bitters, Scotch, RTDs (canned cocktails) and rye whiskey.
— Sichuan on the Table: Sichuan delights and communities in SF.

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— March’s Top 10 Bay Area Restaurants: 10 Bay Area newcomers and longtimers, from SF, Oakland & Napa (St. Helena), including standouts in Chinese American, Afro-Caribbean, cocktail bars, seafood, grilled cheese, taquerias and French bistro fare.
— 10 of the World’s Best Bars on Pandemic Survival: Seeing what favorite bars are doing in San Rafael, Copenhagen, Sicily, Los Angeles, Singapore, Bangkok, Denver, Amsterdam, Toronto and Vancouver.
— Distiller Bottle Column: In my latest column, I review aquavit, mirto vermouth, pechuga mezcal, extra anejo tequila, blanco tequila, gin, rum, Texas whiskey, vodka and non-alcoholic spirits.
— Los Angeles Bars, Food & Distilleries: My American Whiskey Magazine LA Guide.

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This Issue:

— February’s Top 10 Bay Area Restaurants: 10 Bay Area newcomers and longtimers, from SF, Oakland, Sonoma and the Peninsula, including standouts in modern Indian, Peruvian, sushi, pizza, sandwiches, Caribbean/Trinidadian, New American, Japanese, Argentinian and butchery.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Review Column: This month I review amaro, vermouth, cachaca, RTDs (canned cocktails), gin, rakija/fruit brandy, rum, Irish whiskey, non-alcoholic spirits, saké.
— 5 Magical Dining Options to Celebrate a Pandemic Valentine’s: Top celebratory meals anytime, whether escapes to Italy or Japan, or whimsical themed dinners.
— My Michigan interviews with Long Road Distillers in Grand Rapids & bar manager of Kiesling in Detroit.
— The Ever-Shifting Future and Flavor of Chinatown

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THIS ISSUE:

—January’s Top 10 SF Restaurants For Takeout-And Maybe Dine At: As it should be (should never have left), outdoor dining is back but my 10 restaurant recommends of the month also are all available via takeout and delivery, including standouts in American Italian, modern Vietnamese, new American, sushi, seafood, Chinese and Modern Hawaiian cuisines, as well as coffee and chocolate.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column: This month I review mezcal, barrel aged gins, tequila, fruit cordials, American whiskey, gin, Irish whiskey, bourbon.
— Fruit & Fire, My Distiller Mag Interview: Two women, a Napa winemaker & Kentucky distiller, pioneer with smoke-tainted grapes, turning tragedy into a potentially new spirits category: smoked brandies.

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THIS ISSUE:
— December’s 10 SF Bay Area Restaurants for Takeout or Delivery: Notable new restaurants for “real deal” BBQ, Uzbek, Cuban, Colombian, Middle Eastern, Burmese and Vegan Italian food, plus notable greats in Spanish, Japanese, Gastropub and New American (with cocktails) fare. In addition: local gems for spices, sauces and beer delivery.
— Distiller Magazine Top 10 Wine Country (Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino) Bars
— Distiller Magazine Interviews with Charbay’s Marko Karakasevic & Duke’s Spirited Cocktails Bar Managers/Owners in NorCal Wine Country
— Gin (Me) Talking Gin & RTDs at ADI’s 17th Annual Craft Spirits Conference

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Dear friends ~

Hard to believe this insane year is nearing an end… Trusting more miracles and hope lie just around the bend. We have endured much this brutal year and season and I see how brave and tenacious all of you in our industry have been — and how tough it is to hang on without aid. I am thankful for rich, meaningful relationships far and wide, for health, my home, my city, and a long list of things. Sending love to you, your families and friends/communities for a renewing and hope-filled 2021.

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This Issue:
— November’s 10 SF Bay Area Restaurants for Outdoor Dining, Takeout or Delivery: Notable new restaurants for New American food, cocktails, seafood, barbecue, modern Indian, Yucatecan Mexican and Jewish deli fare, plus notable greats in sushi, Italian and New American cuisine and local gems for gelato and Middle Eastern groceries.
— Gin Magazine’s Pandemic Pivots Around the Globe: I talk with 10 notable bars around the globe on how they are surviving pandemic in Paris, San Francisco, Copenhagen, New Orleans, Los Angeles, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Bangkok, Amsterdam.
— Distiller Bottle Column: This month I review the likes of rum, mezcal, American single malt, applejack, gin, Scotch, organic vodka, and more.

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This Issue:
— Magical Outdoor Dining: In my Bold Italic article, five top restaurants killing it in outdoor dining.
— Distiller Bottle Column: This month I review the likes of elote/corn liqueur, mezcal, dill aquavit, four grain whiskey, peated Irish whiskey, dry Italian vermouth, and more.
— Travel Memories/Honoring Cultures: Favorite places, food, drink, memories and music of Peru.
— Now that Indoor Dining is Back, Here’s How To Break Bread Inside… Safely: My Bob Cut checklist and call out of city laws/restrictions.

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THIS ISSUE:
— September’s 10 SF Bay Area Restaurants for Outdoor Dining, Takeout or Delivery: From sushi to German food, modern Indian to new American cuisine, creative sandwiches to Cajun/Creole and soul food.
— Travel Memories & Honoring Cultures, Paris: My memories, favorite moments, musicians, films, restaurants and bars in the City of Lights.

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— How 9 Bars Around the Globe Are Coping & Changing in Pandemic: Written for a UK magazine I talk with award-winning, world-class bars in Paris, Singapore, Madrid, Shanghai, Mexico City, SF, NYC, Toronto and London on how they are surviving these brutal times, creative pivots and how/if they are getting aid.
— Distiller Bottle Column: A rare Armagnac blend series blending over 150 years of brandy. English whisky. Canned cocktails from NY bar legend. Balanced mezcal. Single estate tequila. Coffee vermouth from Italy. And more.

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