Im my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews, a new Hayes Valley restaurant, Le Fantastique, that marries McIntosh amps, vinyl and a tight, smart team with superb raw, cured and aged fish, small plates, white Burgundy and Champagne.
12 Standout Wines (To Suit All Palates) for the Holidays
Wine for the holidays: needless to say, it’s a must. The question is what? Here, 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals and occasions from low-key, cozy meal to celebratory splurge, champagne to red wines, natural to elegant. I’ve noted some local restaurants pouring select wines if you want to taste first.
TBI’s Top 12 New Restaurants of 2021
The Bold Italic’s top 12 new restaurant openings of the year + top new bars, best of 2020 (the “lost” year) and honorable mention new openings. Read more →
December 15, 2021
THIS ISSUE:
— La Bande: Mid-Market’s New Tapas Slice of Spain With Art Deco Vibes
— 5 San Francisco Bars to Visit Now: Three new bars, one classic with a view, one intimate, reopened bar
— Besharam: Female Indian chef goes vegetarian, my full review of the evolving Dogpatch restaurant
— Weekend-ing: Affordable, Hidden Gems in Nevada’s Capitol, Carson City
— Distiller Bottle Column
Weekend-ing: Affordable, Hidden Gems in Nevada’s Capital, Carson City
Published in my The Bold Italic (TBI) column, I cover the under-the-radar capitol city of Nevada, its low-key gems, affordability and friendly locals — where to stay, eat, drink, hang and get a feel for the heart of the place.
La Bande: Mid-Market’s New Tapas Slice of Spain With Art Deco Vibes
My review of La Bande at the SF Proper Hotel from chef Jason Fox and team — think “real deal” Spanish tapas, pinxtos and more but with sleek Art Deco vibes.
Friday Five: 5 SF Bars to Visit Now
Each of these five bars are ideal for a holiday sip as they are for imbibing year round (and most serve quality eats, too). Per usual: I’ve vetted, visited, or ordered from each of these spots reviewed: Read more →
Female Indian Chef Goes Vegetarian at Besharam
Published December 3, 2021, in my The Bold Italic weekly restaurant reviews, my review of Besharam, from one of our great Indian chefs who has boldly moved to full vegetarian mode in her Dogpatch restaurant (spoiler: you won’t miss the meat).
DISTILLER Bottle Column: November 2021
My bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings:
December 1, 2021
THIS ISSUE:
— 5 New Bay Area Restaurants Worth Visiting, November 2021 Edition: From kosher Israeli takeout to a new Korean grocer, sunny Oaxacan neighborhood spot to cozy new restaurant inside a beer store + a new Calistoga (Napa Valley) destination. These five new restaurants are worth dining at now.
— “California Washoku” Modern-Japanese Menus on at Nisei and Japan-style cocktails next door at Bar Iris.
— The Castro’s New Copas: Imparts a festive, collaborative vibe the space hasn’t exuded in a decade.
— San Francisco Top 10 Bars 2021: My Distiller Magazine print feature on 10 of SF’s best bars now, and a history on the city’s pioneering bar scene, both in the 1800s and the past 20-30 years.