CHRISTIAN DROUIN Pommeau de Normandie If you love spirits and apples, then Calvados is your is your ideal imbibement. The elegant French version of apple brandy grown in the Calvados region of France, the apple brandy is often rounded out by pears, and in the case of Calvados Christian Drouin, one of the world’s best-selling small Calvados producers (around 150,000… Read more →
Volcanoes. Black rock expanses. Coffee berries growing on mountain foothills. Some of the best stargazing in the world. Rolling, green farmland. Waterfalls. Sandy beaches. Singing classic Hawaiian tunes to ukelele under the stars. These are but a few things I beheld and experienced on Hawaii, the Big Island. Flying around the entire island via helicopter (I’d recommend Paradise Helicopters’ circle… Read more →
“Grace has a grand laughter in it.” ? Marilynne Robinson, Gilead I trust the new year has started off on a hopeful, promising note for each of you. I look forward to sharing more meals, tastes, drink and exploration with you this year. I’ve launched a Perfect Spot Facebook page – please “like”, if so inclined, and keep up with… Read more →
Authentic Asian cuisine of every category is one of California and the Bay Area’s strengths, with constant new openings from hole-in-the-walls to hipster hotspots. Busy dining at a slew of Asian newcomers, like the Richmond’s mellow Daigo Sushi, or Szechuan outpost Chili House, these three restaurants stand out for one (or a few) reasons. MUGUBOKA, Inner Richmond (401 Balboa St. at… Read more →
TRICK DOG, 3010 20th Street at Florida, 415-471-2999, open 3pm-2am daily (brunch coming soon) The Bon Vivants (Josh Harris, Scott Baird, Jason Henton) need little introduction in the drink world, from humanitarian work with their Pig & Punch events (they’re featured in the Jan./Feb. 2013 issue of Imbibe magazine) to their unforgettable Bon Vivants’ parties. Last Sunday, I walked through… Read more →
ISLAND BREEZES: Searching for Caribbean Photos and article by Virginia Miller Though not an island girl, I crave sorrel, that cinnamon-spiced, rosy-purple juice made from the petals of a sorrel plant, or multi-colored Scotch bonnet peppers, both common in the Caribbean and ideal together, sorrel cooling off the pepper’s scorching heat. One of my closest friends is Jamaican and we’ve… Read more →
“I have noticed that people I’ve met who love reading tend to be engaged and more creative.” – Dolly Parton, Dream More Happy New Year! I trust the sweet, sometimes difficult year that was 2012 will give way to the promising days of 2013. I certainly am expectant for new projects and horizons. I will begin working part time with… Read more →
Capo’s, 641 Vallejo Street, 415.986.8998, cash only Tony’s Pizza Napoletana reigns for my best all-around pizza experience because of its range of impeccable pies, from New York to Neapolitan. I’m no stranger to these categories, consuming countless pizzas in my many travels in Italy and years living in a New Jersey suburb of NYC – not to mention living in… Read more →
A celebratory or comforting drink is just what we crave at this time of year. With an excellent bite? Even better. Here’s a few of the most noteworthy drinks, winter cocktail menus and dishes in SF as 2012 passes into 2013. AME, SoMa (689 Mission St. at 3rd St. in the St. Regis Hotel, 415-284-4040) It’s not a cocktail, and… Read more →
Earthy, savory desserts call out to me. Despite diminishing tolerance for excessive sugar, ice cream/gelato remains my biggest weakness, and I’m as appreciative of baked goods and balanced, unique desserts as I ever was. There are a slew of new and noteworthy Bay Area sweets noteworthy sweets – and a couple older spots worth revisiting. MISO SESAME RICE CRISPIES and… Read more →