From sparkling summer crushers (whether easy drinking refreshing or funky, interesting natural wines) to thoughtful, sommelier-curated wine clubs for the savvy wine drinker, I’ve got 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions, including standout non-alcoholic wines. Read more →
When Michelin-starred State Bird Provisions opened in December 2012, I reviewed it at the SF Bay Guardian, saying, “Jazz is the soundtrack of the streets of Lower Fillmore. From its storied days as the ‘Harlem of the West,’ to the current seat of… blues/jazz venues, the subtly gritty streets echo with its soulful past. I would venture to say Fillmore newcomer State Bird Provisions is an ideal jazz companion. There’s no musical connection. But the spirit of jazz is present in their playful, dim sum-style presentation… and in the way… Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, evolve the menu almost daily… Plates flow out on carts or trays like an experimental jazz riff, but never feel rootless.”
10 years (and a few months) later, jazz fanatic that I am, still feeling those improvisational chops, even as the team has evolved. Review here: Read more →
From modern Hawaiian to traditional Japanese, here are 10 of Honolulu’s best restaurants now: Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— One of the Best Restaurants to Come Out of 2020: A pandemic gem from Michelin and James Beard-level chef and pastry masters.
— From Michelin-Starred Ju-Ni Sushi: Their new Handroll Project is raising the handroll sushi game.
— Honolulu Guide 2022, Part 1: Standout coffee, bites, bakeries and bars with good food in Hawaii’s biggest city.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column, May 2022: I review rum, sotol, sloe gin, aperitifs/aperitivo, gin, vodka, American single malt whiskey, RTDs (canned/bottled cocktails).
On the food front, Hawaii is about Hawaiian food, a unique mashup of cultures — namely Japanese, Chinese, Korean,Filipino, Puerto Rican and Portuguese. Like Cajun or Creole cuisines in New Orleans, Hawaiian food is one of the U.S.’ greatest culinary gifts: a truly unique cuisine that exceeds the sum of its parts in its own, laid back, “aloha spirit” way.
Here in part one, I share some of Honolulu’s best coffee, bites, bakeries and bars that also serve great food: Read more →
What happens when one of the nation’s greatest pastry chefs opens a restaurant with a chef from a two Michelin restaurant at the height of pandemic in 2020? Apparently, magic. Lots and lots of heartache on their part, but for us, sheer magic. Read more →
Handroll Project opened May 18, 2022, in a lofty, minimalist space with murals from local artist The Apexer. A handroll restaurant was actually Lee and Truong’s original plan even before Ju-Ni, with their vision of a casual, “quick bite” kind of spot… Read more →
Reviewed this issue:
— Fords Sloe Gin (London)
— Quechol Sotol (Durango, Mexico)
— Mackinac Island Rum (Mackinac Island, MI)
— Le Moné Aperitifs (New York)
— Song Cai Vietnam Floral and Dry Gins (Vietnam)
and more… Read more →
THIS ISSUE:
— May Eats Checklist: Korean BBQ to Mexican Brunch.
— Refreshingly Audacious, Bold Newcomer: Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine, one funky-fun newcomer.
— Distiller Magazine Bottle Column, April 2022: I review Calvados, vermut/vermouth, fernet/amaro, rum, gin, vodka, Irish whiskey, soju, wheat whiskey, bourbon, RTDs (canned/bottled cocktails, syrups).
— New Modern Korean Bansang Needs Honing But Shows Promise Where It Matters: On the Plate.
These six newcomers (or new menus) cover the gamut, from the ultimate Korean barbecue to Mexican brunch in your PJs, if you wish. Alongside this month’s full restaurant reviews — Shuggie’s Trash Pie + Natural Wine, Bansang, Cole Valley Tavern, The Madrigal — these six are worth visiting (as always, I’ve vetted, visited and ordered from each place reviewed): Read more →