Hilda and Jesse Pancakes without Boundaries — Photo Credit: Virginia Miller Breakfast for dinner is not only a great idea, it’s even better when it’s gourmet, re-imagined breakfasts from two up-and-coming chefs, chef Kristina Liedags Compton and director of ops Rachel Sillcocks. These women built their résumés at best-of-the-best, Michelin-starred restaurants like Atelier Crenn, Avery, Mosu, Nopa, Charleston’s iconic FIG, and former greats… Read more →
Photo: Courtesy of Instagram via @krescentcarasso Flour+Water debuted in 2009 in the Mission and I remember the difficulty getting reservations and the ever-packed houses from the beginning. While many of my friends raved about chef Thomas McNaughton’s pizza, it was his pasta that won me over. His Bologna pasta training showing—alongside his past at pasta meccas like Quince—is pitch-perfect pasta… Read more →
What to Eat: 5 Neighborhood Newcomers and Beloved Favorites to Checkout in November Flambée yourself anew Baked Alaska flambéed tableside at The Vault Steakhouse. (Photo: Courtesy of Virginia Miller) San Francisco has no shortage of eateries and bars to choose from — especially now that more are opening up as the city recovers from the pandemic. For November, there are at least three notable newcomers,… Read more →
Sonoma has long been, for me, the most beautiful town square of all Sonoma County. Visiting Dominique Crenn’s idyllic Bleu Belle Farm in Sonoma (which grows the produce for her restaurants and to feed the hungry), I also visited the town’s latest restaurants — mostly pandemic openings — plus a classic or two. My top nearby hotel recommend would be The Gaige House, but I’ll get into that in my future Glen Ellen edition. Here are five standouts for food and drink in the town of Sonoma proper:
Published November 1, 2021 at The Bold Italic, seven foods from Outside Lands 2021 that we’re still craving (and thankfully, you can still eat around the Bay Area):
Published October 31, 2021 at Distiller Magazine, my bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits and RTDs, with taste ratings
In the Fall 2021 print issue (Issue 18) of Distiller Magazine, My article on 10 of San Francisco’s best bars:
This Issue:
— Brand New Chisai Sushi Club: For nigiri sushi fanatics and novices alike.
— SF’s Aziza: Some of the best Moroccan food in the country (and world), a pioneer since 2001 from chef Mourad Lahlou of Michelin-starred Mourad.
— Distiller Magazine: San Francisco interviews with Wildhawk’s Christian “Suzu” Suzuki and Marguerite Regan and Seven Stills distiller Tim Obert.
— Uma Casa: SF’s only and most authentic Portuguese restaurant.
My review of chef Mourad Lahlou’s Aziza, the restaurant that took Moroccan food in the U.S. to new heights since 2001.
Chisai Sushi Club BLAT and Seafood Tower temaki. (Photo: Courtesy of Virginia Miller) We miss Ichi Sushi and husband-wife owners Tim and Erin Archuleta, who ran the cozy Outer Mission/Bernal Heights restaurant from 2006 until its pandemic-forced closure in 2020. But some spaces — blessedly — get into the right hands. Palo Alto born-and-raised chef Erik Aplin and team opened Chīsai Sushi Club on September… Read more →