Here is my Food Republic on Portugal’s dreamy Duoro wine region, published on December 2, 2016. I explore the region from the fantastic home base of the one-of-a-kind, eco-friendly Monverde Wine Experience Hotel set in the middle of Vinho Verde vineyards. Then I talk about a few key and diverse wineries of the region (well beyond alvarinho!), the fine dining… Read more →
This issue:
— 5 Affordable New Bay Area Neighborhood Restaurants: Whether refined Laotian cuisine or South American comfort in Napa, Thai in an Italian ‘hood or East Bay Asian with a heavy Burmese focus, here are five affordable neighborhood newcomers that stand out.
— Top 11 Cocktails Around the Country Now: My latest at Liquor.com on 11 notable cocktails around the US.
— Where to Eat in NYC: Top four newcomers this year, from a Scandinavian food hall to a ramen and cocktail haven in Harlem.
— 11 NYC Bars: Newcomers to under-the-radar gems — and then on to Brooklyn — here 11 NY bars worth visiting or returning to.
— Michael Mina’s Guest Chef Series at Levi Stadium Football Games: 49ers games are for food lovers — chatting with Mina about his impressive guest chef series.
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. As I cover the standout new openings every month, there are a number of new restaurants that are welcome neighborhood go-tos serving food needed in that ‘hood, often at reasonable prices. In Napa, Oakland and San Francisco, here are five such new restaurants worth visiting. A Sleek… Read more →
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. This year’s return to my youthful stomping grounds was one of my most “successful” trips to NYC in years on the food side. There is ever the over-hyped in the NY dining scene and always a couple “misses” each visit, despite my aggressive research and vetting of… Read more →
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. Another visit to my youthful stomping grounds of New York (partly growing up in Jersey suburbs) and another round of good to great bars, new and old (past NYC bar recommends and dining reviews here). While there were disappointments (like Garfunkel’s intimate, upstairs setting but mediocre, pricey… Read more →
Covering the 11 hottest cocktails of the month around the US each month at Liquor.com, you’ll find my bar and drink recommends this month at these bars: The Elite Café, San Francisco Agern, NYC Japengo, Laihana, Maui Elixir, San Francisco Oiji, NYC The Morris, San Francisco The Townsend, Austin Minero, Charleston Red Rabbit, Sacramento Leyenda, Brooklyn Sparrow, Chicago For that… Read more →
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. The third season of Michael Mina’s Tailgate parties — a food lover’s feasting extravaganza for season ticket holders (annual membership is $3500, including all pre-season and regular season home games) at Levi’s® Stadium Bourbon Steak and Bourbon Pub — is the best season yet. A world class… Read more →
This issue:
— Top 3 SF October Openings: Whether crab porridge with Chartreuse slushies or frozen Irish coffees in a “go cup” with crawfish etouffeé in uni butter, these three newcomers show the most promise.
— Where to Eat & Drink Now in Taiwan: Covering the major cities of Taipei and Taichung, here are the fine dining restaurants, night markets, forward-thinking malls, cocktail bars and more that wowed in my latest Food Republic feature.
This article was first published here at Table8 where I am national editor. The key restaurant and bar openings of October are The Morris, Rambler, Elite Cafe, Lao Table, fast-casual The Bird, Motze and Protrea in Yountville (Napa County) — more on a couple of these restaurants next issue. Here are my top three newcomers… and why they stand out.… Read more →
Here is my first feature on Taiwan (yes, there is another one coming) at Food Republic, published on November 15, 2016. I dig into Taiwan’s diverse food and dining offerings, Taipei’s on-the-rise cocktail scene, forward-thinking malls, night markets and Taiwan’s island culture (a fusing of cultures, creating its own unique expression) represented in both the massive city of Taipei and… Read more →