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 Karri Kiyuna and the team she leads at Wildhawk in San Francisco set an example in team spirit, service and exceptional cocktails here. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Nicolas (Nic) Torres of True Laurel, San… Read more →
Lustau Rose Vermut (Photo courtesy of Lustau www.lustau.es) Published at NYC’s new Barcademy, my feature on the ongoing rise of vermouth (vermut in Spain) internationally, from its Italian, Spanish, French roots to its US producers and pioneers (starting with California’s Quady Winery in the 1990s). I also hear from Spain’s Lustau Master Blender and Quality Director, Fernando Pérez, on vermouth/vermut… Read more →
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 True Laurel and Nicolas (Nic) Torres craft not only some of San Francisco’s best cocktails, but some of the most humbly innovative drinks in the world: www.neftvodkaus.com/spotlight/true-laurel-sf-nicolas-torres. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Karri Kiyuna of… Read more →
Covering 9 standout American whiskey (bourbon, rye, etc.) cocktails around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks on menus at these bars/restaurants: — Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Chicago— Existing Conditions, New York City— CDP Bar (at Commis), Oakland, CA— Julep, Houston— The Bindery, Denver— Proof on Main (at 21C), Louisville— Bar Beau, Brooklyn (NYC)— Bird & the Bottle, Santa… Read more →
My first print feature for Europe’s new Travelux magazine on luxury wine, spirits and travel (from Paragraph, the publishers of Whisky Magazine and Gin Magazine, which I write for every issue). This feature, it’s my guide in where to eat, drink and buy spirits in London’s Heathrow airport: http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pnum=62&edid=a5630aa3-9483-4033-acb4-c066436c8e44&isshared=true – Read more →
My first article for the The Bold Italic, published October 8, 2019: Umami Mart’s sake and shochu bar The next “it” spirit, Japanese shochu — ARTICLE HERE: https://thebolditalic.com/will-sh%C5%8Dch%C5%AB-be-the-bays-next-it-spirit-8fa4fbe72f4 Umami Mart shochu tasting Read more →
My latest at Time Out on 10 top “speakeasy” or rather, hidden, bars. Article here. _____________________________________________________________________ ”Speakeasy” is a tired bar term for San Franciscans. Following NYC players like Angel’s Share and Milk & Honey, SF was the earliest in the country to jumpstart the speakeasy trend when Bourbon and Branch opened in 2006. Though the overplayed trend has taken… Read more →
Covering the 11 hottest cocktails of the month around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks now at these bars/restaurants: While fall is around the corner, many of us are still experiencing hot summer days in needs of refreshing drinks, like a Smash that brings on the tomatillo and green pepper. Others are drinking savory, umami-rich cocktails… Read more →
Covering the 10 hottest cocktails of the month around the US at Liquor.com, you’ll find my top national drinks now at these bars/restaurants: La Mar Cebicheria, San Francisco Mr. Lee’s, Louisville, KY Connie & Ted’s, Los Angeles Golden Teardrops, Chicago Sylvain, New Orleans Blue Duck Tavern, Washington D.C. Nico, San Francisco Lola, Louisville, KY The 404 Kitchen/Gertie’s, Nashville Bible Club,… Read more →
Published at Liquor.com this Spring 2018, my regular update on 23 of San Francisco/the Bay Area’s essential, iconic bars: https://www.liquor.com/series/essential-san-francisco-bars ABV, Mission District Aub Zam Zam (aka Zam Zam), Haight-Ashbury Bellota, SoMa Benjamin Cooper, Union Square/Downtown Bourbon & Branch, Union Square/Downtown Club Deluxe, Haight-Ashbury Comstock Saloon, North Beach Elixir, Mission District Fat Angel, Lower Fillmore 15 Romolo, North Beach Hard Water, Embarcadero Hideout at… Read more →