RICH TABLE, Hayes Valley (199 Gough St. at Oak, 415-355-9085) Not since State Bird Provisions and AQ opened towards the end of 2011 have I been as excited about a new opening. Evan and Sarah Rich’s new Rich Table presents itself as the whole package, kinks and all, even in the first month. With efficient, informed service, reasonably priced wine… Read more →
SODA FOUNTAIN REVIVAL Photos & article by Virginia Miller A wave of old fashioned soda fountains serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic fountain treats alongside quality food is hitting various parts of the country with two notables in San Francisco, including the one-of-a-kind Ice Cream Bar and all-around delights of the new Corner Store. THE CORNER STORE, Western Addition (5 Masonic Avenue… Read more →
Article and photos (unless otherwise noted) by Virginia Miller Anchor Distilling is a local treasure. Fritz Maytag pioneered craft beer and craft spirits in America long before most were even thinking about it. Tracing back Fritz’ brewing days to the 1960’s puts San Francisco squarely on the map as a leader and trendsetter in beer, while in spirits Fritz alongside… Read more →
Exploring New Orleans restaurants extensively in recent years, as far as I’m concerned, the city offers some of the best cuisine in the world. When it comes to cocktails, as with food, Nola is blessedly averse to trends and unusually respectful of history, so even through dark ages of cocktails (1960’s-90’s), New Orleans’ cocktail classics like the Sazerac, Ramos gin… Read more →
NAVY STRENGTH GIN REACHES US SHORES Unforgettable: my journey to the south of England in the town of Plymouth and its legendary distillery with Master Distiller Sean Harrison. Possibly the most beautiful distillery I’ve yet visited, I relished drinking Plymouth Navy Strength ($34.99) while in the UK, a bracing version of their classic gin at 57% ABV/114 proof, the preferred… Read more →
A special year for SF Cocktail Week… a couple new, notable events like Jupiter Olympus‘ imaginative (Altered) State Fair (watch for their Cocktails from the Crypt event on 10/28) and the Spirited Food Trucks mixing food trucks and cocktails. Here are highlights in photos… Read more →
“I am a staunch defender of moderation in all things. But I fully intend to continue to eat. And drink. And be as blissfully merry as my old bones will allow. I count eating and drinking among the chief pleasures of life and without pleasure who wants to live to 102.” – Craig Claiborne It’s my favorite season… the time… Read more →
TURKISH GEM in the FiDi Photos and article by Virginia Miller With the Guardian’s recent move to the Financial District, I’ve frequented downtown haunts, returning to old favorites, discovering new gems. Humble, tiny spaces like La Fusion, delight with Peruvian-influenced Nuevo Latino dishes, including rotisserie chicken and warm bread salad, vivid ceviches, cinnamon-clove inflected sangria, and fried empanadas dipped in… Read more →
I’ll take whisk(e)y year round… but as summer evolves to fall, it seems all the more appropriate enjoyed on crisp nights, preferably fireside. Thankfully, WhiskyFest approaches this Friday, October 5, in the usual massive, underground Marriott ballrooms. Recapping past years, VIP early pours of rare whiskies and seminars tend to be highlights. There’s another seminar this week with the legendary,… Read more →
There are restaurants weaving together the whole package, a melange of atmosphere, service and most importantly, memorable food. Sometimes there’s the overarching solidity of a menu… other times, one walks away dreaming about that one specific item. Here are four such dishes from four locations, worth going out of your way for. MARCELLA’S, Dogpatch (1099 Tennessee St. between 20th &… Read more →