“Poets are innocents, they belong to the ether and the earth. They don’t… as ‘writers’ do, [prove] in their mean-spirited way that the earthlings are filled with greed and envy, that the world is a spiral of small-minded gestures. Poets… celebrate beauty. They make much of little. Flowers, birds, the names of things are important to them.” – The Florist’s… Read more →
Top Tastes: the house, Nickie’s, Gitane, Swell, Farallon, Piqueo’s
Top Tastes is my usual run-down of tastes over the past two weeks, (scarily) revealing just how much I eat. 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, either a revisit or simply just not as stand-out as the dishes mentioned. I’m… Read more →
Cocktails at Rickhouse, Clock Bar & Penelope; Champagne & Arabic Coffee
COCKTAILS • Rickhouse had my number from the get-go. How could it not? From owners of my regular stop over the years, Bourbon & Branch (sans password and reservation) and nearby Cask, this FiDi beauty debuted on July 1st to a packed house, with atmospheric, Old World space (ceilings and railings made from old Bourbon barrels, naturally), and gracious staff… Read more →
New Orleans’ Uptown & Garden Districts + Carrollton Neighborhood
“As soon as I arrive to how it all fits together, I have to fathom out the ‘system’ of the city, have to walk, sniff, observe, sit in the buses and trams, make the city my own.” – Cees Noteboom, “Nomad’s Hotel” Back for yet another installment on the one and only New Orleans (last article was on French Quarter… Read more →
July 1, 2009
“It takes a long time to grow young.” – Pablo Picasso A beautifully full Summer already, I am worn out, albiet with good things, continuing to find Top Tastes, best new places, dishes, drinks and bites from my culinary explorations. I’ve had the privilege of hitting RN74 a few times now for The Latest. Have five food/drink/travel-loving friends sign up… Read more →
Of Cocktails & Wine, Dessert & Cheese, Pupusas & Smoked Sturgeon
Even when times are tight, we’ve got to eat. There have been a slew of revisits, cheap eats and comfort food keeping me going lately, like Town Hall’s new BBQ-out-back lunch (ribs, sausages, po boys), ever lovable Phat Philly cheesesteaks, maki at Sushi Zen, Belgian waffles at Civic Center Farmer’s Market, always heroic sandwiches at Morty’s (jury duty had to… Read more →
Wine Destination Restaurant: RN74 Opens April 2009
301 Mission Street (at Beale)San Francisco, CA 94199415-543-7474www.michaelmina.net/rn74 RN74… Michael Mina’s latest project, named after a highway running through Burgundy. Much has been said since its April 24 opening, most of it raving about the unparalleled 3000+ wine selection, heavy on the French, with treasures at every turn (and every price range). Responses to the food have been more mixed,… Read more →
June 15, 2009
“Do you have a body? Don’t sit on the porch! Go out and walk in the rain! If you are in love, then why are you asleep? Wake up, wake up! You have slept millions and millions of years. Why not wake up this morning?” – the poet Kabir There are just always too many Top Tastes, best new places,… Read more →
Of Espresso, Vino, Seafood, Burmese, Italian, Korean Tacos, Grits & More
SAVORY – VEGETARIAN • There are a number of Burmese gems in SF (see last month’s Top Tastes), but I’ve been getting my lunch lately at a little alley Burmese restaurant that’s quite tasty: Yellow Pa Taut. Traditional Tea Leaf or Ginger Salad ($9.95 each) are treated well here (ask for the Ginger Salad without dried shrimps if you’re a… Read more →
Weekending in Monterey, Pacific Grove & Carmel
A recent weekend trip to the Monterey/Pacific Grove/Carmel area was ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for my deadline/detail-overloaded mind lately. The Renaissance Man and I took to the rocks along the sea like kids, climbing as far out as we could get, oohing and aahing at big waves and shimmering blue. California is one gorgeous place and there’s a reason… Read more →