I concur with the Chronicle’s choice of 2011 Bar Stars, calling out the maturity in the craft of these five. You’ve heard me talk about drinks from all five bartenders (like Kevin Diedrich and Alex Smith). This issue, I want to focus on Carlo Splendorini. MICHAEL MINA, 252 California Street between Battery & Front, 415-397-9222 Carlo made beautiful drinks at… Read more →
After countless weekends in Napa over the years (and at least five excursions lately), I could easily recommend worthy restaurants and hotels. Napa isn’t always the most affordable town, but recent visits north have revealed a number of delightfully reasonable options within the bounds of Napa and Yountville, both new and established. They’ve also uncovered a few unexpected dishes… or… Read more →
It’s been a rich few weeks of winemaker dinners and luncheons. Intimate and focused, there’s nothing like hearing from and tasting with a winemaker directly. This month, we focus on three local winemakers in Napa and Sonoma, who impressed with impeccable wines or gracious (often hilarious) personalities. KAPCSANDY WINES, Yountville – Kapcsandy may not be the easiest name to remember,… Read more →
Article and photos by Virginia Miller Kauai… dreamy island respite, painfully beautiful, truly relaxing (other than East side traffic!) Last issue, I covered restaurants and cheap eats on the island. This time it’s best places to stay and drink (read the 5/15 issue for best cocktails on Kauai). HOTELS GRAND HYATT KAUAI, Poipu Beach – Do yourself a favor and… Read more →
GILT TASTE LAUNCH, San Francisco Gilt Taste is a special kind of gourmet food site. It’s hand-selected gourmet items one can have delivered to their own home – that we have seen before. But besides the exceptional quality of products, it’s rich with editorial from some of the nation’s finest writers, including Francis Lam on food or Dave Wondrich on… Read more →
“Light the first light of evening, as in a room/ In which we rest and, for small reason, think/ The world imagined is the ultimate good.” – Wallace Stevens, “Final Soliloquy of the Interior Paramour” Spring rushes on with numerous Napa and Sonoma weekends, family visits, the occasional quick rainshower, and the smell of blossoms in the air. Top Tastes… Read more →
Top Tastes is not a list of all-time favorites, rather it’s about the best tastes of the last two weeks (since my last newsletter), often from new openings. This issue, I return to three places I continue to find worth a visit… MID-RANGE LOLO, Mission (3230 22nd Street between Mission & Bartlett, 415-643-5656 Lolo remains a favorite since the early… Read more →
After brilliant days exploring Honolulu and Oahu, I knew it was going to get better with Kauai, based on what everyone who had ever been told me. As a non-athletic type, I wasn’t going to Kauai for aggressive hikes and surfing. I prefer soaking in nature, reading poetry and taking walks on beaches, and, of course, searching for great local… Read more →
I sample dozens of spirits, wines, beers and beyond in any given month. If there are tasting events (and there are), then multiply that a few times. Here are the ones that rose above, recommends for everyday sipping (and beyond): COCKTAILS LOCANDA, 557 Valencia Street between 16th & 17th, 415-863-6800 I am sad not to see the talented Brian MacGregor… Read more →
SHIMO, 241 Healdsburg Avenue at Matheson, 707.433.6000, dinner only Not even weeks after I dined there, Shimo changed from its high-priced steakhouse menu to a noodle house. For the sake of (recent) history, here’s my recap and photos of my steak experience. Though I think the casual space is better suited to a noodle house, there are dishes I’d love… Read more →