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. CHEAP EATS **2013 Update: I strongly recommend against Red Door. The longtime host/owner insults locals and… Read more →
Talking Champagnes, Cocktails at Heaven’s Dog & Austria Uncorked
CHAMPAGNE I hadn’t been to Bubble Lounge in awhile, recalling former pleasant weeknights sipping bubbly while live jazz played, but not as into sceney crowds there for DJ sets on weekends. I returned to meet with Wine Director, Sabawun Kakar, who’s passion for bubbly shows in his thoughtful selections and sabrage skills. Food is surprisingly tasty, and welcome to settle… Read more →
Pernod Absinthe Crawl, San Francisco
So this one of those special media events it could get annoying to hear about if you couldn’t attend yourself, except that it was at three places I highly recommend in a rare Absinthe-themed crawl on May 4, 2010. Pernod Absinthe, the original absinthe since 1805, hosted an intimate group of writers for an Absinthe Crawl at three worthy locations:… Read more →
Social Kitchen & Brewery, Inner Sunset
Social Kitchen & Brewery – This brand new brewery opened at the beginning of May in the Inner Sunset, adding a welcome member to the small but mighty collection of local brewers. The beers were created by Rich Higgins, President of the SF Brewers Guild and a certified cicerone. Watch out: opening week alone brought out what felt like the… Read more →
Around the Bay: Classic Italian at San Mateo’s Acqua Pazza
Despite the suburban setting, the spirit of servers and food is authentically Italian at San Mateo’s Acqua Pazza. Owned by three Rosano brothers (out of nine children!) from Naples, they brought their Mama’s own recipes from Italia, as well as technique learned at Naples’ Scuola Albergheria and Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Vong in London. Amalfi Coast photography lines the hallway and the dining… Read more →
May 1, 2010
“Adventure is not outside man; it is within.” – George Eliot This April, the Bay Guardian came out with their special food & drink FEAST magazine, and I wrote an article on herbs and produce in cocktails for the issue… plus my usual twice-weekly Guardian column (see articles below). But for the Perfect Spot, there’s plenty more. Top Tastes include… 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. CHEAP EATS Parada 22 – Finally, there’s a new place around the corner from me (granted,… Read more →
Neyah White’s Cocktails at Nopa; Toast of the Town & Wines of Chile
COCKTAILS • Neyah does it again: when I asked for a cachaca drink at Nopa, he served Sagatiba Cachaca and Dimmi, with their own house Birch Beer Bitters. Birch beer and Dimmi’s herbal/floral/grappa notes melded into a beautifully unique coctail. While you’re there, try White Whiskey as it should be imbibed in a White Manhattan or Buck with your choice… Read more →
Chicago’s Northwest, Lincoln Square, Andersonville & Bucktown Neighborhoods
Back to Chicago… neighborhood by neighborhood, in a multi-part series, I’ve been covering some haunts during my last visit. Here’s my three previous columns on Chi-town. NORTHWEST SIDE Hot Doug’s – So much has already been said about this fairly recent addition to the Chicago dog landscape. I thankfully got to try about 8 dogs here and they were all… Read more →
Vegetarian in Oakland & Mediterranean in Half Moon Bay
OAKLAND Encuentro – One of three owners behind this new-ish Oakland vegetarian is Millennium exec chef, Eric Tucker, long a standard-maker in vegetarian cuisine. The food here is inventive, even if portions are tiny. Just a few blocks off Jack London Square, the high-ceilinged space is modern and airy, though a little stiff (as is service, in some ways), but… Read more →