Legendary Kezar Bar & Restaurant has been a Cole Valley staple since 1989, but even after revamps, couldn’t quite hang on. The good news is it’s staying neighborhood-owned with local Jim Angelus of nearby Bacon Bacon reopening it as Cole Valley Tavern (he became a partner in Kezar back in 2018). It’s packed every night since opening late April 2022, carrying on the tradition but with an upgrade: convivial, welcoming yet with heightened comfort food and cocktails. Read more →
You’d be tempted to call The Madrigal an upscale cocktail lounge with elevated bar food, ideal for pre-and post-show imbibing near the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, Ballet, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and SF Jazz. And it is. But it’s much more. Debuting on Van Ness Avenue in December 2021 from Hi Neighbor Hospitality (Trestle, The Vault Steakhouse, The Vault Garden), The Madrigal feels like what the space should have always been. Read more →
Whether a gorgeous new bar with heartwarming food, new —and older— bars launching new menus, or one of The World’s 50 Best Discovery Bars reborn after a devastating fire, these five are worth drinking (and eating) at now. Read more →
This issue I cover three bartenders and global bars, featuring their cocktail recipes inspired by more unsung classic gin cocktails…
+ My opinion column on the state of gin and cocktail bars in the U.S. now: How Will We Drink in 2022?
Published December 31, 2021, in my The Bold Italic column and weekly restaurant reviews: These five notable newcomers cover the gamut, from fine dining pop-ups to Peninsula food halls housing Michelin-starred chefs:
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 →
My new weekly restaurant reviews for The Bold Italic.
Published September 10, 2021 (my regular Bold Italic articles here), this review features longtimer 25 Lusk and its inspired new drink-centric Traveler menus from chef Matthew Dolan and bartender Elmer Mejicanos.
My latest print feature in Gin Magazine, issue 14/June-August 2021. This issue I cover three bartenders and global bars, featuring their cocktail recipes that creatively use Asian ingredients:
My dining column in print and online magazine, Bob Cut (column details and my philosophy here; last month’s column here) covers standout (delicious) newcomers and longtimers worth supporting. I’m covering outdoor and indoor dining, takeout and delivery restaurants, all of which I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from, choosing the standouts:
My latest print feature in Gin Magazine, issue 13/March-May 2021 (from the publishers of Whisky Magazine, which I’ve written for here). This issue I cover 6 bartenders/bar managers and global bars who continue to reinvent themselves and bring life to their communities in pandemic & beyond: Read more →