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 →
Reviewed this month in my Distiller Magazine, my bottle column: absinthe, vermouth, Read more →
I’d eat wherever San Francisco chef Chris Cosentino is cooking. I’m still missing his ahead-of-its-time Incanto (2002–2014), and his bold Cockscomb (2014–2020). He’s known for his TV runs, from The Next Iron Chef, to winning season four of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, and he spent recent years in Napa running Acacia House. But he’s long lived in SF and I await the day he’ll open a new restaurant in the City. Unexpectedly, since this fall, he’s commuting north to bucolic Tomales Bay in Marin County to run the kitchen at 1931 institution, Nick’s Cove. Read more →
From celebratory New Year’s bubbly to wintery whites and reds, here are 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions, alongside some of my recent holiday bottles and other wine recommends. Read more →
Chef Mat Schuster opened Canela Bistro & Wine Bar in 2011 on ever-bustling Market Street in the heart of the Castro. I remember those early days when Canela was immediately a cozy, inviting neighborhood Spanish restaurant. This was before still-excellent Spanish spots like Bellota opened in 2016. And since, we’ve lost some of our best Spanish go-tos like Contigo and Barcino. Read more →
eviewed this issue:
— Lost Spirits Japonisme Rum
— Vermina Vermouth Blanco
— Mahua Spirit
— Octomore 14.1, 14.2 and 14.3 Single Malt Scotch Whisky
— Three Spirit Non-Alcoholic Read more →
This Issue:
— Where to Eat & Drink Now: Five newcomers or reborn spots for food and cocktails.
— Chefs & Restaurants Transforming Fine Dining Across the U.S. Now: My interview with Junghyun and Ellia Park of Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of Aphotic in San Francisco… and other national restaurants talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now.
— Palm Springs Bar Guide: My Whisky Magazine guide to 10 of Palm Springs’ best.
— SF’s Korean Wave Continues as Michelin-starred SSAL Matures.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column: This month I review forest liqueur, shochu, orange liqueur, gin, agave spirits, non-alcoholic RTD/bottled cocktails, tequila, Scotch, etc. 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 →
Published September 2023 at Whisky Magazine, exploring 10 of the best spots for cocktails in Palm Springs, California.
Bars reviewed: Seymour’s at Mr. Lyons, Bootlegger Tiki, Bar Cecil, Truss & Twine, Tailor Shop, Pink Cabana, Little Bar, The Reef, 4 Saints atop the Rowan Kimpton Hotel, Billy Reed’s Read more →
My VOICES Magazine interview (London publication) with Junghyun and Ellia Park of 2 Michelin-starred, #8 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Atomix in NYC and with chef Peter Hemsley of 1 Michelin starred and Green Michelin-starred Aphotic in San Francisco… talking about the state of fine dining in the U.S. now, where it’s going and how they’re visioning it differently.
In addition, talking examples across the U.S. in San Francisco (Merchant Roots, Osito, Noodle in a Haystack), Chicago (El Ideas, Parachute), New Orleans’ (Mosquito Supper Club, Lengua Madre) and my birthplace of Oklahoma City (Nonesuch, Grey Sweater). Read more →