Stookey’s Blue Room cocktail. Photo by Virginia Miller. Weaned on films of the 1930–1960s as a child, I was a martinis and jazz girl long before I could drink. I dreamed of the kind of 1930s bars and 1940s supperclubs I saw in those movies, teeming with icy martinis, jazz and a beautifully-dressed clientele. When Tim Stookey, his wife Leslie Cole… Read more →
The French Laundry. Photo by Virginia Miller. Hotel Villagio pool view from room deck. Photo by Virginia Miller. A day trip or overnight in stunning Napa Valley is joy, and a regular part of the lives of many San Franciscans. In this guide, I’ve squeezed in a “cheap eats” spot, a 40-year restaurant classic and a notable new cocktail bar in the… Read more →
Even better than Hawaii non-spam housemade “spam and rice” at Liholiho Yacht Club. Photo by Virginia Miller. Over 13,000 restaurants visited around the world and traveling half of every month for dining and drink research, I know the city that satiates my palate more than any other. Growing up in the suburbs of two of the greatest food cities — New York City… Read more →
Chotto Matte’s patio view. Photo by Virginia Miller. Two years in the making, one of San Francisco’s largest openings in years is 14,000 square foot Peruvian restaurant, Chotto Matte, debuting to much fanfare October 21, 2023. The rooftop restaurant with wraparound outdoor terrace and massive indoor space running from plant-lined bar and DJ lounge to massive dining room, could easily be… Read more →
Prik Hom’s miang grilled shrimp. Photo by Virginia Miller. These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from cocktail havens to SF’s first Georgian restaurant. Alongside October’s full restaurant reviews — SSAL (Michelin-starred Korean), Molti Amici in Healdsburg, modern Turkish Dalida in the Presidio, Absinthe turns 25, all-day Mexican breakfasts and homey meals at El Mil Amores — these five are also worth visiting, with… Read more →
Bar Sprezzatura’s heirloom tomato. Photo by Virginia Miller. These newcomers or new menus cover the gamut, from a new pie shop to a seductive Venetian Italian destination. Alongside my full restaurant reviews this month — Little Shucker, Matty’s Old Fashioned, where to eat with kids, El Mil Amores, Outside Lands top 7 tastes — these five spots are also worth visiting, with last month’s standouts… Read more →
Che Fico’s Ode to Judy Rodgers pizza. Photo Virginia Miller. Opening March 2018 and my #3 opening of the year in 2018, Che Fico has been a special pizza, pasta and house charcuterie haven in a city silly with the best in the nation in each of those categories. But despite our plethora of world-class pizza and pasta in San Francisco… Read more →
Chasing Sage‘s hummus olive oil tart. Photo by Virginia Miller. Charleston’s Colonial-era architecture with colorful Caribbean influence in soothing blues, pinks and yellows is one-of-a-kind. The small, walkable city has grown greatly in notable restaurants and bars the 16 years I’ve been visiting, far beyond its size in terms of the quality-to-size ratio. Its palmetto-lined streets are like stepping back in… Read more →
Gao Viet Kitchen’s bo tai chanh (beef carpaccio). Photo by Virginia Miller. Since 2018, Gao Viet Kitchen & Bar has been a San Mateo Vietnamese favorite with long waitlists, no reservations and a 90 minute table limit during peak times. It’s also home to arguably the most expensive bowl of pho: $100 Phozilla with the cheeky menu tagline of “Nobody should… Read more →
Popi’s Oysterette’s Fresno chile half crab. Photo by Virginia Miller. San Francisco’s history is interlaced deeply with seafood. Dungeness crab. Local halibut. Anchovies. Tomales Bay oysters. It’s in our blood and roots. SF’s style of seafood oyster bars are its own. Popi’s Oysterette, just opened in the Marina from chef/partner Melissa Perfit, a former “Top Chef” contestant who cooked at my… Read more →