BRITISH-Influenced PHAN Photos and article by Virginia Miller THE COACHMAN, SoMa (1148 Mission St. between 7th & 8th, 415-831-1701) British-influenced food from Chef-de-Cuisine Ross Wunderlich (formerly at Bar Tartine, SPQR, A16)? Cocktails from one of the country’s great bar directors, Erik Adkins, and Bar Manager John Codd? Cocktail destination Heaven’s Dog closed and converted into a new restaurant and bar… Read more →
DIRTY HABIT, Union Square (12 Fourth St. between Market and Mission in Hotel Palomar, 415-348-1555) Though I will miss the upscale inventiveness of the menu at Fifth Floor, thankfully, the same team is in effect at its new, more casual incarnation, Dirty Habit, opening Thursday, 5/1. Chef David Bazirgan, Pastry Chef Francis Ang, Master Sommelier Emily Wines and Lead Bartender Brian… Read more →
KIN KHAO, Union Square (55 Cyril Magnin St. at the corner of Ellis and Mason in Parc 55 Hotel, 415-362-7456) Back in 1998-1999 I spent two months in Thailand – and another in Vietnam – working in orphanages and traveling around both countries. Needless to say, it was a life-altering three months, particularly during a far less touristy time in… Read more →
Article & photos by Virginia Miller Here’s my April 10th photo slideshow and article on 10 best spring cocktails in San Francisco for Zagat: www.zagat.com/b/san-francisco/10-best-spring-cocktails-in-san-francisco#1. Read more →
LOLO, Mission (974 Valencia Street, between 20th & 21st, 415-643-5656) Loló, with its whimsical, colorful decor and unusual interpretations of Mexican food, has been one of my underrated dining favorites since it opened six years ago. In all honesty, I miss the two-roomed intimacy of its original 22nd Street location. But since they moved just a couple blocks to their… Read more →
ALTA, Civic Center/Mid-Market (1420 Market St. between 10th St. & Fell St., 415-590-2585) Alta, the latest from Daniel Patterson Group (including two Michelin-starred Coi, Patterson’s flagship and best restaurant, and the more casual Plum, Plum Bar, Haven), just opened at the beginning of December. After multiple visits from opening day until now, there have been a number of high points, amid… Read more →
My Fall-Winter 2013 feature for Distiller Magazine on Seattle, with a 9-page print spread, my photos and three articles: More of my Seattle food and drink recommends here. ______________________________________Past issues (top 10 bars, local distiller and bar manager interviews in each city): Save Save Save Read more →
TRICK DOG, 3010 20th Street at Florida, 415-471-2999 The Bon Vivants’ (Josh Harris, Scott Baird, Jason Henton) Trick Dog has been the hottest bar opening in San Francisco of 2013, and one of the big openings of the year anywhere in the cocktail world. Though it certainly made my “best of” list of 2013, the constant stream of crowds make it… Read more →
FOREIGN CINEMA, Mission (2534 Mission St. between 21st & 22nd Streets, 415-648-7600) Foreign Cinema will always hold a special place in my heart. Not only was it one of the hottest restaurants in town back in 2001 when I moved to San Francisco (as a lifelong film buff, I also love the theme and movies playing on the wall), but… Read more →
Another year, another few hundred bar menus tasted and perused around the globe. This year was the most full yet: I visited over 25 cities in 10 different countries. Which means weeding through best tastes is even more complicated. Given the vast range, I have three 2013 lists (more for best in food/dining here): 12 Best New Bars in San… Read more →