Staying in Sunnyvale in the heart of Silicon Valley surrounded Google offices may not sound like the ideal weekend “getaway.” But when you tell me there is a Bay Area hotel with a Japanese-American chef cooking inspired Japanese-influenced food, a Suntory Toki highball machine in-house and Japanese whiskey focus, I’m intrigued. Read more →
On August 11, 2022, the former Stacks space in Hayes Valley came to life again as Hazie’s from Hat Trick Hospitality team (The Brixton, Rambler). The name is rough, even a bit cheesy, but the space is dramatically reborn via ROY Hospitality Design: uncovered windows and open space make it look far bigger than before. A curved, sweeping bar, colorful artwork in nooks and plenty of spots for couples and groups, make it feel like the large neighborhood hangout Hayes Valley was missing. Gazing over Patricia’s Green, it takes in the bustle outside, feeling like a party inside at peak hours. Read more →
San Francisco’s Tenderloin has long been a key neighborhood for Vietnamese food, its western blocks dubbed Little Saigon. Head out to the entire half of the city that includes the Richmond, Sunset and Parkside districts and you have an array of Vietnamese restaurants, banh mi shops, pho houses and the like. But there’s nothing quite like new Bodega, from its sleek, modern diner decor to cocktails with Vietnamese food… Read more →
I’ve spent many years visiting Portland (PDX), OR, covering its restaurants, bars, distilleries, coffee shops and beyond. This August was my first return since pandemic, with plenty to catch up on, especially over only two short days. Don’t worry: per usual, I packed it in at over 12 spots plus a farmers market.
Here are 10 places to eat and drink in PDX now… what stood out, what to avoid (if anything) and overall highlights: Read more →
Reviewed this issue:
— Aimsir Distilling Co. Vættir Aquavit
— Dos Hombres Mezcal
— Bok Gin
— Holmes Cay Trinidad 2012 10-year Rum
— For Bitter For Worse Canned Cocktails Read more →
— August Eats Checklist: 6 standout newcomers or new menus, from Peruvian vegetarian to a unique juice shop.
— New, Blissful Temple to Seafood in the Mission: Ancora reviewed.
— Upscale Chinese with a View in SF Chinatown: Empress by Boon reviewed, one year in.
— Top 10 St. Louis Bars Now: My Distiller Magazine Summer feature.
— My Belgium Checklist: Where to dine, drink & stay in Brussels & Antwerp.
— Melissa M. Martin’s Lauded Mosquito Supper Club New Orleans in SF: From Louisiana to Jordan, Turntable at Lord Stanley showcases global chefs in SF.
From Peruvian Vegetarian to a Unique Juice Shop…
These six newcomers (or new menus) cover the gamut, from a 43 year vegetarian legend to a unique new juice shop. Alongside this month’s full restaurant reviews, here’s what’s worth ordering at each. Read more →
My Distiller Magazine article on 10 of St. Louis’ best bars… Read more →
San Francisco’s Chinatown is the oldest in North America, a dense, rich Chinese community since the 1850s. In these charming, narrow streets, legendary Empress of China began restoration in 2019 and after a long wait and pandemic delays, opened June 2021 as Empress by Boon, a gorgeous Atelier LLYS-designed, 7,500-square-foot space with killer views over Chinatown, North Beach, Coit Tower on Telegraph Hill and the Bay… Read more →
At the prime, heavily foot-trafficked location of Valencia between 16th and 17th Streets, Ancora (“anchor” in Latin) opened July 2, 2022, in the former Locanda space. It was opened by Andi and Joe Conte of Water2Table, the venerable sustainable seafood company that many Bay Area restaurants — and more recently, consumers, too — source from since 2011. Read more →