The Perfect Spot – Page 37 – a writer's passionate quest for the best food & drink around the world

Support Our Beloved Wine Countries, Guerneville Edition

by Virginia Miller on February 19, 2022 in Around the Bay

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:

Vietnamese Chef Legend Charles Phan’s New SF Sandwich Shop: Chuck’s Takeaway

by Virginia Miller on February 18, 2022 in The Latest

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:

6 New Spots Worth Visiting: Cafe, Bar & Food Truck Edition

by Virginia Miller on February 16, 2022 in The Latest

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):

February 15, 2022

by Virginia Miller on February 15, 2022 in Intro Letter

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.

Tropical Rooftop Vibes & A Team Centered Around Core Values: Good Good Culture Club from Liholiho

by Virginia Miller on February 11, 2022 in Top Tastes

From the crew behind beloved Liholiho Yacht Club comes another original, one-of-a-kind restaurant centered around tropical rooftop escape vibes and core values that drive all they do.

Newly Opened Automat in SF Combines Childhood Whimsy and Gourmet Goodness

by Virginia Miller on February 4, 2022 in Uncategorized

We already know what happens when chef David Barzelay and the team of two Michelin-starred Lazy Bear open a more casual spot. Bar-centric with stellar bar food True Laurel is one of the best bars in the nation, thanks to the inspired, one-of-a-kind cocktails of owner Nicolas (Nic) Torres (also behind the new Buddy bar). As of December 8, 2021, Barzelay and partner Matthew Kirk (former sous chef of Lazy Bear) opened Automat, just north of the Panhandle in the former Green Chile Kitchen space. Read more →

5 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month Around the Bay Area

by Virginia Miller on February 3, 2022 in The Latest

These five notable, mid-range newcomers cover the gamut, from sushi whiskey lounge to a Salvadoran family spot. Alongside this month’s full restaurant reviews, these new restaurants are worth dining at now (as always, I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from every restaurant reviewed here): Read more →

DISTILLER Bottle Column: January 2022

by Virginia Miller on February 1, 2022 in Imbiber

Published February 1, 2022 at Distiller Magazine, my bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings (last month’s column here):

February 1, 2022

by Virginia Miller on February 1, 2022 in Intro Letter

— This Japanese Restaurant Casually Schools Patrons on Sake & Sushi: Pabu.
— Staycations, Santa Cruz Edition: Where to Eat, Stay & Drink Now.
— Forget Dry January: 7 Standout Non-Alcoholic Cocktails & Wines Worth Drinking All Year.
— When Two Michelin Italian Masters Open A Casual Italian Spot: My Sorella review from Acquerello owners.
— Support Our Beloved Wine Countries, Healdsburg Edition: The latest to eat, drink and stay in Sonoma County’s most chic town.

Forget Dry January: 7 Standout Non-Alcoholic Cocktails & Wines Worth Drinking All Year

by Virginia Miller on January 31, 2022 in Imbiber

I was never into the Dry January concept — or “feast or famine,” all-or-nothing habits in general…

As I see mental health experts… recommend “mindful drinking” all year round instead of Dry January for longterm health and balance, I feel confirmed.

… In the last two years, there has been a massive jump forward in non-alcoholic wines, spirits and cocktails. Here are 7 of the very best out of many dozens tasted this past year.