On a crisp, clear, wind-less February night, we bypassed the line to get in with a reservation at brand-new KAIYŌ Rooftop atop the Hyatt Place Hotel. It was clear immediately from the line down the sidewalk to the bustling, Latin music-tinged party on the rooftop that this is already one of the hottest newcomers in town. Read more →
—My article on 10 of LA’s best bars below (online here)
—My interview with Redwood bar manager Tobin Shea here
—My interview with The Spirit Guild owner/distiller Miller Duvall here
BARS FEATURED:
— Redbird, Bar Calo, Bar Jackalope, Neat, The Musso & Frank Grill, Genever, Thunderbolt, Bar Flores, Agnes, Tiki-Ti Read more →
— 6 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month: These six newcomers cover the gamut, from Mexican pizza and Jewish deli pop-ups, to a food hall nailing cuisine from Africa to the Middle East.
— Vietnamese Chef Legend Charles Phan’s New SF Sandwich Shop: Chuck’s Takeaway.
— Support Our Beloved Wine Countries: Guerneville Edition.
— 6 New Spots Worth Visiting, Cafe, Bar & Food Truck Edition: These six newer spots include two Brazilian go-tos, a winning bottle shop and arcade/game bar with food.
— Distiller Bottle Column: I review aquavit, Japanese whisky, Cognac, tequila, non-alcoholic aperitif, aperitivo, gin, Irish and American whiskies, RTDs (canned/bottled cocktails, hard kombucha, non-alcoholic beer).
Published March 1, 2022 at Distiller Magazine, my bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings (last month’s column here): — New Alchemy Distilling Fylleangst Aquavit (El Dorado Hills, CA) — Sazerac de Forge & Fils “Finest Original” Cognac (Cognac, France)— El Pintor Blanco (Tequila, Mexico)— Ortolan Rosolio (Berkeley, CA)— Mulholland Spirit of Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA)— Philadelphia Distilling’s Bluecoat Gin for Seltzer (Philadelphia, PA)— Martini & Rossi Non-Alcoholic… Read more →
These six notable newcomers cover the gamut, from Mexican pizza and Jewish deli pop-ups inside established restaurants, to a food hall nailing cuisine from Africa to the Middle East. Alongside this month’s full restaurant reviews — Good Good Culture Club from Liholiho Yacht Club, Automat from Lazy Bear, Chuck’s Takeaway from Charles Phan, Fort Point Valencia and 6 newcomers cafe & food truck edition — these new restaurants are worth eating at now: Read more →
After shuttering amid the peak of the pandemic, Fort Point Valencia opened its doors again in February, with renewed vision as a unique, modern kind of brewpub or beer-centric restaurant. Review here:
The old Russian River logging outpost of Guerneville has long been a redwoods escape, tucked away in West Sonoma County towards the ocean. It also has been a LGBTQ+ haven (and weekending or second home for San Franciscans) since the 1970s. It’s the kind of small town where over the years (a couple of my past articles here and here) I’ve stumbled upon Pride parades and fire station BBQs, American flags alongside rainbow flags, and where I restore with sacred walks in one of my favorite redwoods forests, Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, which reopened late fall 2021 — majestic and nurturing as ever — despite the charred scars it wears from the Walbridge fire.
Here’s your latest Guerneville checklist:
The chef legend who broadened the nation’s (and world’s) understanding and love of Vietnamese food has opened a casual (not necessarily Vietnamese) sandwich shop. My full review of brand new Chuck’s Takeaway:
These six newer spots include two Brazilian go-tos, a winning bottle shop and arcade/game bar with food (as always, I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from every restaurant reviewed here):
THIS ISSUE:
— Tropical Rooftop Vibes & A Team Centered Around Core Values: Good Good Culture Club from Liholiho team.
— Newly-opened Automat combines childhood whimsy and gourmet goodness from 2 Michelin-starred Lazy Bear team.
— 5 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month Around the Bay Area: These five notable, mid-range newcomers cover the gamut, from sushi whiskey lounge to a Salvadoran family spot, from SF to Petaluma.
— Distiller Bottle Column Reviews: This month I review pommeau, amaro, non-alcoholic aperitifs, gin, bitters, tequila, vodka, Irish and American whiskies.