Chic New Italian Cocktail & Food Haven Hidden in the FiDi: Bar Sprezzatura

by  on  in The Latest

The new Bar Sprezzatura — opening November 2022 — is in an easy parking post-6pm area, quiet at night. In fact, the restaurant is only open lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, so it’s ideal for workday meetings, European-esque long lunches and evening gatherings, from bites and drinks to a full meal. Visiting twice now, once for lunch, once for dinner, I had to name it one of the top 14 new restaurant openings of 2022. Read more →

January 15, 2023

by  on  in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— Top 14 New Restaurants & 10 New Bars of 2022.
— 7 Top London Restaurants Now.
— Akikos: A world-class new era for a reborn, decades-old SF sushi favorite.
— Cavallo Point: A stone’s throw (yet world’s away) from SF retreat with two new restaurants.
— DISTILLER Bottle Column: I review Calvados, French aperitif, shochu, mezcal, tequila, gin, Japanese whiskys, non-alcoholic wines, bourbon and rye whiskies. Read more →

A Stone’s Throw (Yet World’s Away) from SF Retreat with Two New Restaurants: Cavallo Point

by  on  in Around the Bay

One of the most enchanting lodging options literally a stone’s throw from San Francisco is Cavallo Point, tucked into Fort Baker cove at the base of the hills right off Golden Gate Bridge in Sausalito, gazing out at SF, the Bay and the Bridge. Besides its breathtaking views, it could almost be a part of the city, it’s so close. Yet it’s worlds away. Read more →

7 Top London Restaurants Now

by  on  in Wandering Traveler

As I am the W50 Academy Chairperson for W. North America, I was back in London July 2022 for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, hosted by the one and only Stanley Tucci. In addition to all the special events and meals surrounding W50B awards, I did the usual: packed in a number of restaurants and bars for research. I’ll outline top bars in another publication this year, but here, the 7 restaurant standouts this return to London. Read more →

DISTILLER Bottle Column: December 2022

by  on  in Imbiber

My December bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs. This month includes:
— Boulard Grand Solage V.S.O.P. Pays d’Auge Calvados
— Carta de Amor Mezcal (Oaxaca, Mexico)
— Honkaku Spirits’ Shochu (Japan)
— Nikka Yoichi & Miyagikyo Aromatic Yeast 2022 Discovery Series Whiskies (Japan)
— ARC Archipelago Botanical Gin & Barrel Reserve Gin (Phillippines)
— Lili Non-Alcoholic Sparklers (Portola Valley, California)
… and more Read more →

January 1, 2023

by  on  in Intro Letter

THIS ISSUE:
— December Eats Checklist: 7 standout restaurants & newcomers of the month.
— New Orleans Guide: 18 places to dine now.
— San Francisco’s Delfina: Reborn & as it was meant to be.
— 10-Year-Old Capo’s Makes Deep Dish To Top Chicago’s Best: And kills It with Detroit-style pizza, too.
— Lyon & Swan: New live entertainment supper club with quality food & drink.
— 15 Wines to Celebrate the Holidays: Vino to suit every palate. Read more →

10-Year-Old Capo’s Makes Deep Dish To Top Chicago’s Best (& Kills It With Detroit-Style Pizza, Too)

by  on  in Top Tastes

I’ve called Tony Gemignani’s pizzas best anywhere since Tony’s Pizza Napoletana debuted in 2009, alongside Capo’s, which he opened November 2012, just now passing it’s 10th anniversary. Both are in North Beach a few blocks from each other, with Capo’s the Chicago pizza-focused joint, adding on Detroit-style pizzas when they reopened Summer 2020 after a pandemic shut down. Why Capo’s is still the best in Chicago and Detroit-style pizza… Read more →