Saddened to see tiny, Michelin-starred Avery move to Edinburgh, Scotland, recently, the restaurant went with chef Rodney Wages and his wife. Since the Fillmore Street gem opened in 2018 — in the same Michelin-rife couple of blocks as State Bird Provisions, The Progress, Anchovy Bar and Merchant Roots — it quietly bucked upscale trends with Wages irreverent, rock star attitude towards fine dining, complete with caviar bumps and his soon-famed liquid tortellini en brodo (in broth). Avery’s exquisite champagne and sake selections made it all the more special. I gave it a perfect five stars in my Time Out days, and will never forget the “feels like you’re in Tuscany” magic of their pop-up dinners in Napa during pandemic, complete with limo rides to and from SF. Read more →
Tag: Wine
YOUNTVILLE OVERNIGHT: Where to Eat, Stay & Drink in Napa Valley’s Most Foodie Town
Published March 8, 2024, in my Medium column: A day trip or overnight in stunning Napa Valley is joy, and a regular part of the lives of many San Franciscans. In this guide, I’ve squeezed in a “cheap eats” spot, a 40-year restaurant classic and a notable new cocktail bar in the nearby town of Napa, but stay centered in Yountville. As… Read more →
12 Standout Holiday Winter Wines to Suit Every Palate
From celebratory New Year’s bubbly to wintery whites and reds, here are 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions, alongside some of my recent holiday bottles and other wine recommends. Read more →
13 Harvest Time Wines to Suit Every Palate
From sparkling crushers to thoughtful natural wines, I’ve got 13 bottles to suit a wide range of palates, meals or occasions, including standout non-alcoholic wines, as we are in the thick of harvest season around the world. For more reviews, my summer and holiday wine recommendations. Read more →
12 Summer Sips: Wines to Suit Every Palate
From sparkling summer crushers to thoughtful natural wines, I’ve got 12 bottles to suit a wide range of palates, meals or occasions, including standout non-alcoholic wines. For more, my last wine recommendations and last summer’s 12. Read more →
East Meets West: Old World Wines Paired With Japanese Food at Two Michelin-Starred Restaurants
Published in the Spring 2023 print issue of Maze Row’s VOICES Magazine out of London, Vol. 3:
Including my interviews with the chefs and sommeliers of Los Angeles’ 2 Michelin-starred n/naka (Niki Nakayama) and San Francisco’s 1 Michelin-starred Nisei (David Yoshimura). Read more →
Lazy Bear’s Jacob Brown Finds Pairing Inspiration in California Produce & Vineyards
Published in the Winter 2022-2023 print issue of Maze Row’s VOICES Magazine out of London, Vol. 2:
My interview with Lazy Bear’s (San Francisco) beverage director Jacob Brown finds inspiration in the endless wealth of California produce & vineyards: Read more →
15 Wines to Celebrate the Holidays: Vino to Suit Every Palate
From sparkling celebratory wines and Champagnes to crisp wintery whites, bracing reds to non-alcoholic wines, I’ve got 15 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions as we dive into the holidays and usher in a new year. Read more →
12 Summer Wines & Somm-Curated Wine Clubs
From sparkling summer crushers (whether easy drinking refreshing or funky, interesting natural wines) to thoughtful, sommelier-curated wine clubs for the savvy wine drinker, I’ve got 12 bottles to suit a range of palates, meals or occasions, including standout non-alcoholic wines. Read more →
6 New Spots Worth Visiting: Cafe, Bar & Food Truck Edition
These six newer spots include two Brazilian go-tos, a winning bottle shop and arcade/game bar with food (as always, I’ve vetted, visited or ordered from every restaurant reviewed here):