“Many a man is building for himself in imagination a bungalow when he should be building a palace… Very few people bring to life what is rightfully theirs. They live on the outskirts of their heart’s desire. It always seems too good to be true. To the person spiritually awake nothing is too good to be true.” – Florence Scovel… Read more →
The New AQ Shines
AQ, 1085 Mission Street (between 6th & 7th), 415-341-9000 In its initial opening weeks, AQ reminds me of Commonwealth and Sons and Daughters. At all three restaurants, precision marries inventiveness… at a reasonable cost. AQ’s starters are $9 or $13, while entrees are $24 (prices lower at lunch). Dining in cities the world and country over, I can vouch that… Read more →
4 Scotch Selections for Winter
“Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough.” – Mark Twain Last issue I shared a few dynamic new spirits releases across categories, from creme de menthe to Scottish gin. This round, it’s Scotch sips for a winter’s night. While I continue to sip Mortlach 16 and one-of-a-kind bottles from the Scotch Malt… Read more →
On the Town: At the Farm with Straus Family Creamery & Cowgirl Creamery
On a recent misty morning in Point Reyes, then inland for a Petaluma afternoon, I visited two of our most beloved creameries. The damp earth of a dairy farm in dark, early hours is oddly intoxicating, while sampling fresh cheese in various stages of ripening is sheer pleasure. These dairies make me proud of the familial, forward-thinking, humane food practices… Read more →
Bubbly, Cider & Value Wines
We seek wine recommends the year ’round, but at no time more so than the holidays. Here’s some sipping assistance for ringing in the new year (note: key shops like K&L Wine Merchants, Jug Shop, Arlequin, Bi-Rite, or SF Wine Trading Co., may stock these bottles or can likely order them for you). Going Bubbly Nothing says New Year’s Eve… Read more →
Holiday Feast at Fifth Floor with Bar Agricole Guest Chef Brandon Jew
Upscale dining destination Fifth Floor hosted a series of guest chefs last week for the holidays, each one cooking meals inspired by their heritage and culture. A brilliant idea with chefs as notable as Dominique Crenn of Atelier Crenn and Hoss Zare of Zare at Fly Trap. A portion of each of the $95 dinners went to the guest chef’s… Read more →
December 1, 2011
“An inordinate passion for pleasure is the secret of remaining young.” – Oscar Wilde Here’s hoping you had a lovely Thanksgiving, as we rush swiftly on into December. I recently wrote about my philosophy behind my SF Guardian column, now also in print weekly. It’s good being back from my travels for a while to settle into this and savor… Read more →
Hayes Valley Rising
Hayes Valley has gone through multiple rebirths, from its pre-’89 quake days under the shadow of freeway ramps, to its age as shoe and boutique shopping destination. The addition of Patricia’s Green in recent years brought a communal gathering place to the neighborhood, tying together north and south of Hayes Street in a cohesive strip of green. For years, Hayes… Read more →
4 Noteworthy New Cocktail Menus: Aziza, Burritt Room, Jasper’s & Harry Denton’s Starlight Room
BURRITT ROOM, Downtown/Union Square417 Stockton Street (near Sutter), 415-400-0500 I’ve covered many a Burritt Room cocktail creation since it opened with Kevin Diedrich at the helm (now bar manager at Jasper’s Corner Tap). Under new Burritt bar manager Joel Baker, I likewise expected approachable elegance, which Baker exhibited in his recipes since early days at Bourbon and Branch. It’s no… Read more →
A Spirited Winter: Bottles for Gift-Giving
Whether hunting for the latest and unusual spirits as a gift or pour during holiday festivities, these brand new products, a number of them local, are standouts in my incessant sampling. TEMPUS FUGIT CREME de MENTHE & CREME de CACAO Praise be for the arrival (finally) of these game-changing liqueurs! I had the privilege of tasting early prototypes of local… Read more →