“I have learned to speak of these things, which once I brooded on in silence, these wishes to live and to die in gratefulness, if in no other virtue.” – Galway Kinnell, “These Are Things I Tell No One” As I reflect on this incredible, full year, I anticipate a fresh one with untold experiences awaiting. Here’s my first… Read more →
Top Tastes
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. MID-RANGE RESTAURANTS BEAST & the HARE, Mission – At 22nd and Guerrero, a corner I’ve always… Read more →
Making Coffee Liqueur at St. George Spirits; 3 Hot Cocktails Now
On the cocktail tip, here are a few recent stand-outs: The Alembic, Upper Haight – Leave it to Louie (Danny, that is) for another beauty: Vasco da Gama is one of his creations last year. A smoky-spiced concoction, it’s lush with Buffalo Trace bourbon, smoky with Caol Ila 12yr scotch (they were out last week so he used Bowmore 15yr… Read more →
On the Town
NY’s BROMBER BROTHERS deliver their comforting welcome at the Stanford Court Renaissance Two of the nicest chefs you’ll ever meet, Bruce and Eric Bromberg (brothers), spread the warmth of their NY Blue Ribbon Restaurants globally. I have happy memories of late nights at the original Blue Ribbon Sushi on Sullivan Street long before Blue Ribbon grew to multiple restaurants around… Read more →
December 1, 2010
“I’ll admit that I’d rather say country ham than almost anything if the person I was saying it to happened to be a waitress.” – Calvin Trillin Winter and the holidays are fast upon us. As I reflect on this incredible, full year, I anticipate a fresh one with new experiences awaiting. I have begun writing “best of” lists for… Read more →
Top Tastes: Grub, Cotogna & Hong Kong Lounge
Top Tastes, rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), are among the best eats since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit previously written about or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. MID-RANGE RESTAURANTS GRUB, Mission – The new Grub surprised me. I expected a hip Mission eatery… Read more →
Ma’velous: My Favorite New Coffee Haven
Cheesy puns aside, Ma’velous is truly that. Kudos to Phillip Ma and his new coffee/wine bar which I’d be ecstatic to have in my own neighborhood. This coffee haven on Market Street (near Civic Center) is worth heading out of your way for. No, there is nothing else like it, even in a city of fabulous coffee. The space is… Read more →
Indy Spirit Expo Highlights & Single Malt Extravaganza
Indy Spirits Expo This year’s Indy Spirits Expo on November 17th was much improved since last year’s inaugural year, though crammed into the cool, brick-walled nightclub space of The Mighty. This event offers one of the better opportunities I’ve seen to sample everything from cachaca and pisco, to absinthe and eaux de vie, all in one room, among the best… Read more →
5 Books for Holiday Gift-Giving
For the foodie and drink hounds among you, here are a few recent book releases to delight and enlighten. FOR THE WINO Secrets of the Sommeliers by Rajat Parr and Jordan Mackay – Secrets of the Sommeliers, a new book from local SF treasures (sommelier extraordinaire Rajat Parr and drink writer Jordan Mackay) is the best wine book to come… Read more →
Branches Opens in Ukiah
On a beautifully moody, rainy weekend this November, I trekked up to brand new Branches in the gorgeous farmland and vineyards of Ukiah that were aflame with red, orange and yellow leaves this time of year. Branches is a chophouse/restaurant, bustling fireside pub, bakery and butcher all rolled into one large space. Unusual for these parts, it was already mobbed… Read more →