COCKTAILS • At 7×7’s Mixology Madness final competition for Best Neighborhood Bartender on 9/8 at RN74, Scott Baird of 15 Romolo, created the drink of the night, Gulf Stream Express… and rightly won. Though required to use sponsor, Skyy Vodka (their Infusions Pineapple, in this case), Scott wisely added Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon and a splash of Racer 5 IPA,… Read more →
In Conversation with Chef Melissa Axelrod Melissa Axelrod, of Melissa Claire’s Kitchen, a chef with a background at none other than Delfina and Fringale, now works with other chefs and beer and wine experts to create a series of meals rich in range and taste. I took in a night in Melissa Claire’s Kitchen at cozy Velo Rouge Cafe on… Read more →
I lustily ate my way through Chicago half of the last two weeks yet still have a slew of new Bay Area openings and dishes I must share with you. Chicago adventures are forthcoming – only a series will contain it all. Top Tastes reflects the best new places, dishes, drinks and bites from my culinary explorations since the last… Read more →
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks. Rather than a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), it’s highlights since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit written about before or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. SAVORY – MEAT • Berkeley’s Brazil Cafe feels… Read more →
“When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” – Henny Youngman COCKTAILS • Leave it to Duggan McDonnell and the Cantina crew to ensure happy satiation for the masses at SF Street Food Festival on 8/22. Serving three of Duggan’s creations (all $8; the La Paloma being one you can order at Cantina), I give kudos… Read more →
EAT REAL FESTIVAL – August 28-30 Street food in the Bay Area is exploding this past year and we’ve had a few recent events to commemorate, none bigger than Oakland’s Eat Real Fest. Much has been written about the event this week, but I’ll just share a few highlights via photo. It was a dance of taste from one vendor… Read more →
“If I read a book, and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” – Emily Dickinson Wow, has it been another overly full couple weeks… I am in Chicago as… Read more →
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks. Rather than being a list of all-time favorites (another thing altogether), it’s highlights since my last newsletter, often from new openings. Many don’t make the cut, being a revisit I’ve written about before or simply not as stand-out as dishes mentioned. SAVORY – MEAT • There’s a… Read more →
SF Chefs.Food.Wine was nothing short of blissful weekend of eating, drinking and connecting with passionate foodies, industry folk, chefs, bartenders and vineyards… all from the Bay Area. The first urban food & wine “classic”, as it were, happened right under tents in Union Square, with classes, tastings and sessions at nearby restaurants, and a three night roster of gala dinners,… Read more →
“If I read a book, and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry.” – Emily Dickinson As I am still in Oklahoma visiting family (where beef is the one culinary… Read more →