Published in American Whiskey Magazine Spring 2024 in the print issue, a glimpse of the article: Read more →
Indonesian, Fried Chicken, Plant-Based Filipino, Pizza & More: 7 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month
Reviewed in this article:
—Familial Fried Chicken Haven: Minnie Bell’s Soul Movement
—Pizza from Dough Masters: Tartine Manufactory
—Creative Shared Plates & Natural Wines: Bar Jabroni
—Plant-Forward Filipino for Takeout or Patio Times: Mestiza
—Indonesian Rarities: Rasa Rasa Kitchen
—Japanese Bento Takeout & Matcha Stop: Komeya No Bento
—Quirky Bagels at a New Outer Sunset Bakery: Batches Bakehouse Read more →
Fine Dining in SF: 5 Places to Celebrate Now
Reviewed in this article:
—So Brilliant, This 2 Michelin Should Be 3: Lazy Bear
—Still Shining in Its New Era: Saison
—Back to its Original Format but Refreshed: Lord Stanley 2.0
—Seafood & Drink Glories Like No Other: Aphotic
—Asian Art Museum-Inspired: Gilda’s Salon Dinners at the Proper Hotel Read more →
Where to brunch on Mother’s Day in San Francisco
San Francisco’s limitless brunch options can reach religious fervor here with long waits for no-reservation spots. Here are 10 restaurants that (mostly) take reservations, across a range of cuisines and price levels. All offer something to please mom, from colorful cocktails to heartwarming dishes (and they’re great brunch options any time of the year!) Read more →
DISTILLER Bottle Column: April 2024
Reviewed this issue:
— Amante 1530 aperitif
— Tenango Rum
— Juliette Peach Liqueur
— Grown Folks seltzer
— Meikle Tòir whisky
and more… Read more →
Stookey’s New Blue Room: A live music retro bar duo that ties together SF’s past and present
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 →
Winter Into Spring: 8 Restaurant Standouts of the Month
Reviewed in this article:
—Best Kept Secret & Daily Changing Menus: Camino Alto
—Taiwanese Bites & Asian-Influenced Cocktails: The Rabbit Hole
—Wine Bar & Bites Happiness: Cultivar
—Focaccia Pizza With a View: Il Parco
—Top-Notch Palestinian Falafel: Habibi Falafel
—Creative but “Real Deal” Hot Dogs: Hayz Dog
—A Unique, Arty Pop-Up: Sister, Mother, Crone
—Tunisian Hideaway: Gola Read more →
Michelin-starred restaurant rebirthed as a casual-chic RTB Wine Bar
Saddened to see tiny, Michelin-starred Avery move to Edinburgh, Scotland, recently, the restaurant went with chef Rodney Wages and his wife. Since the Fillmore Street gem opened in 2018 — in the same Michelin-rife couple of blocks as State Bird Provisions, The Progress, Anchovy Bar and Merchant Roots — it quietly bucked upscale trends with Wages irreverent, rock star attitude towards fine dining, complete with caviar bumps and his soon-famed liquid tortellini en brodo (in broth). Avery’s exquisite champagne and sake selections made it all the more special. I gave it a perfect five stars in my Time Out days, and will never forget the “feels like you’re in Tuscany” magic of their pop-up dinners in Napa during pandemic, complete with limo rides to and from SF. Read more →
Bay Area Overnight: SAN JOSE
Reviewed in this article:
—Signia by Hilton San Jose
—Rooftop Italian Goodness: Terra at Eataly
—Sleek, Fun Italian: Rollati
—Portuguese Authenticity: Petiscos
—Asian Art Museum-Inspired: Gilda’s Salon Dinners at the Proper Hotel Read more →
10 Top Oklahoma City Bars
In the Spring 2024 print issue of Distiller Magazine, my article on 10 of Oklahoma City’s best bars Read more →