3 Notable New Piscos

One of my most unforgettable international distilling adventures was exploring — and even being part of — pisco production and blending in Peru with Encanto Pisco. I had already loved the spirit for years but fell even more in love after those travels. There are not a slew of pisco releases/imports in a year as there may be with other… Read more →

September 1, 2014

“If your project has real substance, ultimately the money will follow you… There is a German proverb: ‘Der Teufel scheisst immer auf den grössten Haufen’ [‘The Devil always sh–s on the biggest heap’]. So start heaping and have faith. Every time you make a film you should be prepared to descend into Hell and wrestle it from the claws of… Read more →

Top Tastes: Where to Eat Near BART Stations, Best Burgers, Los Gatos Eats, 4 New Bay Area Openings & More

From my many articles a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to just some coverage highlights here – you can follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily, or on my own @ThePerfectSpot via Twitter or Facebook. Essay/Opinion Piece Changing Tastes: You Can Learn to Eat (Even Like) Everything with Commentary from Harold McGee New Bay Area… Read more →

Top 5 Beer Cocktails Now, Cocktails at Oakland’s Ramen Shop & SF’s The Commissary, Sonoma Cider

From my numerous articles a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to just some of this coverage here – you can follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily, or on my own @ThePerfectSpot via Twitter or Facebook. Cocktails/Spirits The TOP 5 BEER COCKTAILS to Drink Now, from SF to Oakland and Napa The NEW COCKTAIL MENU… Read more →

10 Top New Orleans Bars + Interviews with Bartender Chris Hannah + Jedd Haas of Atelier Vie + Darek Bell of Corsair Distillery

My Summer 2014 feature for Distiller Magazine on New Orleans, with an 11-page print spread, my photos and four articles: My article on 10 of Nola’s great bars here & here My interview with Chris Hannah at Arnaud’s French 75 Bar My interview with Atelier Vie‘s founder/distiller, Jedd Haas, here My interview with Darek Bell of Corsair Distillery in Nashville… Read more →

August 15, 2014

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.” – Louisa May Alcott Another full round of recommends from the continual stream of new openings (I hit them all), forgotten (or never discovered) classics and… Read more →

3 Killer Wines on Menus Now, Barrel Head Brewhouse, French Spirits Bar Programs, Urchin Bistrot & Best Drinks of Eat Drink SF

From my 15 articles/posts a week as Zagat Editor, I summarize and link to just some of this coverage here – you can sign up for Zagat’s weekly newsletter for the Bay Area here and follow along on Twitter @ZagatSF, where I post daily. Cocktails/Spirits – First Look: What to Drink at the new URCHIN BISTROT in the Mission –… Read more →