WHISKIES of the WORLD Tastes A better than ever year aboard the SF Belle at Whiskies of the World means some fine, global pours of whisk(e)y from Scotland to Australia. On the fun and interesting tip, Lark Distillery distills single malt whisky in Tasmania, an Australian island – and it’s surprisingly solid. Distilled in copper pot stills, it’s smooth with a… Read more →
Oxtail three ways, a hammy biscuit, gourmet meatloaf… comfort comes in each of these forms at new spots (or in the case of Presidio Social Club, with a new chef) in meat dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. BREAKFAST: HAM HEAVEN AMERICAN EATERY, Embarcadero (1 Ferry Building at Market St., 415-391-0420) Prather Ranch is to be commended for raising sustainable,… Read more →
Since my last visit to Denver in the Fall, I’ve had another visit with brother, sister-in-law, and dear friends this winter, finding even more reasons why Denver’s dining and cocktail scenes are small but vibrant, growing by leaps and bounds… more interesting a scene than some cities that get more press. Cocktail Haven WILLIAMS & GRAHAM, Highlands (3160 Tejon St.,… Read more →
One does not turn down an invite to an intimate dinner in the Fairmont San Francisco’s legendary Penthouse. Particularly a dinner cooked and served by the chef, sommelier and kitchen staff of Santé, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Sonoma. For those who don’t know, the Fairmont’s Penthouse is famous for the historical figures, from movie stars to presidents, who have stayed… Read more →
“One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began though the voices around kept shouting their bad advice.” – Mary Oliver, “The Journey” Welcome May’s warm days and invigorating breezes. I’m appreciating favorites, like rhubarb and kumquats, starting to show up at farmers markets and on menus, and also chatting with neighbors on the front stoop while sipping… Read more →
Incredible burgers in a bowling alley, SF’s deaf community gathering over Neopolitan pizzas, brothers serving food from their hometown of Nice in a tiny restaurant, dining around a U-shaped counter off a FiDi alley… each of these restaurants opened within the last 6 months providing a unique communal experience (and most importantly, fine food to go with) that makes one… Read more →
Spring imparts new life and lush green after Winter rains. It also ushers in a glut of Spring cocktail menus emphasizing the best produce of the season and new trends. Bottled Cocktail Line-up Bottled cocktails are sprouting up everywhere, including just-opened (on April 12), 1950’s era speakeasy, Local Edition, from the Bourbon & Branch crew. There is no carbonation here,… Read more →
Edinburgh is a haunted, romantic city of greys and browns, greens and the blue of the sea. I had not been back to Edinburgh and Glasgow in a decade so my trip this past fall was welcome on the heels of a visit to the breathtaking Scottish Highlands and Speyside. Returning to Edinburgh, it was obvious dining and cocktail scenes… Read more →
In the spirit of my new SF cheap eats article last issue (and recent Guardian column), here are two noteworthy new cheap eats joints East and South: Berkeley and Palo Alto. ASIAN BOX, Palo Alto (855 El Camino Real, 650-391-9305) Asian Box is a newer take-out shop (with one narrow communal table inside and a couple tables outside) in a… Read more →
My first Pebble Beach Food & Wine this April 12-15, 2012. Despite chilly breezes post-rainfall and those outrageously high ticket prices ($500 is a cheap dinner ticket), it was a bustling, fun-filled weekend of food and far more wine, much of it high quality, celebrity chefs, after (and after-after) parties, copious amounts of caviar, champagne and white Burgundy sipped overlooking… Read more →