DISTILLER Bottle Column: February 2022

by  on  in Imbiber

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 →

6 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month — February 2022

by  on  in Around the Bay, The Latest

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 →

Rejoice! Fort Point Valencia Has Reopened in the Mission District

by  on  in Top Tastes

Fort Point Valencia nuts & beers. (Photo: Courtesy of Virginia Miller) From the beginning of its launch amid the Presidio’s idyllic woods and Bay views, Fort Point Beer Company nailed crowd-pleasing beers. They focused on quality kolsch, IPAs, pilsner and the like, quickly becoming a beloved local beer. They moved on to broader popularity, now at the likes of Target and… Read more →

Support Our Beloved Wine Countries, Guerneville Edition

by  on  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:

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SF Chef’s New Sandwich Shop Is a Love Letter to Vietnam (Served Between Two Slices of Bread)

by  on  in The Latest

Charles Phan’s fresh sandwich shop, Chuck’s Takeaway, is a rare gastronomic treat in the city Chuck’s Takeaway egg salad sandwich. (Photo: Courtesy of Virginia Miller) Slanted Door was a cherished part of my initial years in San Francisco. I moved here in 2001 and Charles Phan’s modern Vietnamese restaurant opened 1995. Living near Precita Park on the southeast side of the… Read more →

February 15, 2022

by  on  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.

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Good Good Culture Club Is a Slice of Tropical Escapism Served Inside San Francisco

by  on  in Top Tastes

GGCC rooftop. (Photo: Courtesy of Virginia Miller) Visions of rooftop Hong Kong spots are sparked, marked by graffiti art, plants, and a nighttime glow. I also recall Bangkok bars, like the vibrant outdoor space and wall art of Tropic City, a rum/mezcal/pisco bar. But we’re not in Asia. We’re in San Francisco at Good Good Culture Club (GGCC)—which opened January 14,… Read more →

Newly Opened Automat in SF Combines Childhood Whimsy and Gourmet Goodness

by  on  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

by  on  in The Latest

5 New Restaurants Worth Visiting This Month Around the Bay Area Sushi Sato toro/fatty tuna tartare with Santa Barbara uni and caviar — Photo Credit: Virginia Miller 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 — Sorella, Osito, Atelier Crenn, Pabu — these new restaurants are worth dining at now (as always, I’ve… Read more →