The Perfect Spot – Page 53 – a writer's passionate quest for the best food & drink around the world

March 1, 2020

by Virginia Miller on March 1, 2020 in Intro Letter

— Best New Bay Area Restaurants & Old-School Greats of the Month: My Bob Cut column explores cuisine rarities from Guam, Eastern Europe, other standout newcomers and classic “best kept secrets.”
— 12 of the World’s Most Inspiring Bars: My latest print feature at the UK’s Cocktail Lovers magazine.
— 1760 Reborn: Changing themed tasting menus traverse the world on Polk Street (currently Tuscan; next up, Filipino).
— Jeremy Allen of MiniBar: Why this unassuming Hollywood bar (hidden inside a Best Western!) draws in music industry with its retro-yet-modern vibe and beautifully-crafted cocktails.

10 Notable SF Openings of the Month & 4 OG Greats: February 2020

by Virginia Miller on March 1, 2020 in The Latest, Top Tastes

My top four new restaurants of the month with longtimers of the same style or cuisine, then move on to six “honorable” mention new openings of the month:

— Dear Inga (OG: Mama Papa Lithuania in Alameda)
— Prubechu (OG: Yami Grill, Mountain View, & Elite Bakery, Union City)
— Bread N’ Chu (OG: Cafe Okawari)
— Yasmin (OG: Truly Mediterranean) Read more →

12 of the World’s Most Inspiring Bars

by Virginia Miller on March 1, 2020 in Wandering Traveler

My latest article for London/the UK’s lovely The Cocktail Lovers print magazine in Winter 2019-2020, Issue 34 (my article on pages 66-69). Having visited over 20,00 bars around the globe, choosing merely 12 of the greats is just a scratch on the surface. But for The Cocktail Lovers’ Inspire issue, I choose these 12, which are among the world’s most… Read more →

Bar Spotlight on Jeremy Allen of MiniBar, Hollywood

by Virginia Miller on March 1, 2020 in Wandering Traveler

The latest in my NEFT Vodka column, which spotlights California’s best bartenders and bars — including a special cocktail recipe from each bartender featuring this Austrian alpine-distilled vodka. Why Jeremy Allen’s welcoming crew at the unassuming MiniBar (hidden in a Hollywood Best Western, no less!) draws in musicians and music industry with its retro-yet-modern vibe and beautifully-crafted cocktails here. Other NEFT Spotlights:… Read more →

1760 Reborn: Changing Themed Tasting Menus Traverse the World

by Virginia Miller on February 25, 2020 in Top Tastes

1760 amuse bouche When you come from San Francisco restaurant royalty, opening your own restaurant seems inevitable. When your father is Giancarlo Paterlini, wine mastery is your birthright. Enter 1760, from his son Gianpaolo. Giancarlo opened Acquerello in 1989 with badass chef, Suzette Gresham, a fine dining experience that feels like a quick trip to Italy. As a Bologna… Read more →

February 15, 2020

by Virginia Miller on February 14, 2020 in Imbiber

— Distiller New Release Roundup: My new bottle column.
— The Magical Italian Alps: Edible adventures in Italy’s stunning Dolomites and Alto Adige region.
— Top 10 New Orleans Bars: Plus interviews with Roulaison Distiller and Nola bar legend Chris McMillian.
— The State of Gin Cocktails in the States: My Gin Magazine UK update on what is happening in US bars and cocktails across the country.

Distiller Magazine: Top 10 New Orleans Bars + Interviews with Roulaison Distiller & Barman Chris McMillian

by Virginia Miller on February 14, 2020 in Wandering Traveler

Cane & Table In the Spring 2020 print issue of Distiller Magazine: A decade plus of my New Orleans dining & drink recommends/articles here. ______________________________________ My other Distiller Magazine features (top 10 bars, local distiller and bar manager interviews in each city): Read more →

The State of Gin Cocktails in the States

by Virginia Miller on February 13, 2020 in Imbiber

Talking the state of gin cocktails and bars in the States for the UK and Europe in my guest column in Gin Magazine , issue 9/Nov-Dec 2019. Here I talk gin cocktail trends nationally, with mentions of PCH (Pacific Cocktail Haven), Gibson, True Laurel, Whitechapel, Bellota and Barcino in SF; The Gin Room in St. Louis; Musso & Frank and… Read more →

The Magical Italian Alps: Edible Adventures in Italy’s Dolomites & Alto Adige

by Virginia Miller on February 7, 2020 in Wandering Traveler

For lovers of Italy’s food and wine and Switzerland and Austria’s Alps, Italy’s South Tyrol/Alto Adige region is your place. Set against the striking Dolomites mountains, South Tyrol’s Italian-Germanic culture makes the happiest of combinations. Here, wineries marry the best of Italy and Austria/Germany wine styles, alongside luxury alpine lodges, an annual ethical chefs event bringing together the region’s (and… Read more →

DISTILLER Magazine: My New Bottle Column

by Virginia Miller on February 3, 2020 in Imbiber

Published February 3, 2020, at Distiller Magazine, my new bottle column covers trends and reviews international spirits. This first column calls out 2019 releases and trends in rum, clairin, gin, vermouth, whiskey, coffee liqueur, absinthe, coffee amaro, bourbon and Japanese whisky here.