“California has always been as much of a state of mind as a state of the Union… California promises something more: transformation. The state is the repository of America’s frontier spirit, the notion that a better life is possible for anyone who wants it regardless of the circumstances of her birth. You can leave your past at the border and… Read more →
UNION SQUARE: What to Eat Downtown
So you have to meet up downtown. Whether dining with a visiting friend or colleague or needing a meal pre or post downtown event, here are five newcomers and longtimers serving worthwhile dishes near meetup central, Union Square. THE CAVALIER, SoMa (360 Jessie Street between 5th & 4th, 415-321-6000) A fox hunting mural, riding artwork, red and black banquettes, taxidermied… Read more →
Génépi or Genepy: The Next Cult Liqueur?
Génépi (in Italian) or Genepy (in French)… have you met? This herbal liqueur is set to hit your favorite craft cocktail bar soon, if it hasn’t already. Besides the liqueur, the word also refers to alpine Artemisia plants (in the wormwood family), common to mountainous regions of France, Switzerland and Italy, rumored to have been used in fellow herbal liqueurs,… Read more →
Promise (and Chicken Feet Bao) on Nob Hill
PARALLEL 37, Nob Hill (600 Stockton St. between California & Pine, 415-773-6168) When Parallel 37 first opened at the end of 2011, it looked rather corporate for the Ritz-Carlton on Nob Hill, though touches of orange, comfy couches in the bar/lounge, and elegant black and white photography of trees on the back wall warmed up the space. Closing the celebrated… Read more →
Much More Than A Sandwich: Lunching Around SF
AMAWELE’S SOUTH AFRICAN KITCHEN, SoMa (Rincon Center, 101 Spear St. between Mission & Howard, 415-536-5900) There’s no “sit down” at Amawele’s South African Kitchen. In fact, it’s a counter in the Rincon Center open only during the week for lunch so unless your office is nearby, order a few items to go. Amawele is the Zulu word for “twins”, chosen… Read more →
10 Top Chicago Bars + Charles Joly & Paul Hletko Interviews
My first feature for Distiller Magazine was on Chicago with a multi-page print spread, my photos and three articles:
—My article on 10 of Chicago’s great bars as of July 2013 here
—An interview with Charles Joly, beverage director at The Aviary here
An interview with Few Spirits founder/distiller, Paul Hletko here
Best Drink Books of 2013
Here are some of the best or noteworthy drink books released this year so far, with one (Whiskey Women) out in October 2013. THE COCKTAIL LAB – Tony Conigliaro ($29.99) London’s experimental cocktail genius, Sicilian Tony Conigliaro, blessed drink aficionados with his book, Drinks, last year in the UK, just released this summer in the US under the name, The… Read more →
Interview with Karen Hoskin at Montanya Distillers
My interview with president and distiller of Montanya Distillers in Crested Butte, Colorado, in the Summer 2013 print issue of Distiller Magazine here. More of my Colorado food and drink recommends here. Read more →
August 15, 2013
“Right now, you are missing the vast majority of what is happening around you. You are missing the events unfolding in your body, in the distance, and right in front of you.” – Christoph Niemann, Abstract City “The art of seeing has to be learned…” – Marguerite Duras As I’m in Seattle for more food and drink research, I recount… Read more →
Highlights from SF CHEFS 2013
SF Chefs is one of my more anticipated food and drink events all year. Partly because it is now in its fifth year, it runs like a well-oiled ship, a buzzy flow of seminars, classes, luncheons, tasting events and parties, the four main Grand Tastings being held in an entirely tented Union Square, which always feels like a party in… Read more →