December 15, 2017

“Literature not only illuminated another’s experience, it provided, I believed, the richest material for moral reflection. My brief forays into the formal ethics of analytic philosophy felt dry as a bone, missing the messiness and weight of real human life.” — When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Celebrating Hanukkah with a special dinner at The Alembic in my neighborhood & guest chef Michael Solomonov of Philly’s great Zahav and Federal Donuts

I wish beautiful and peaceful holidays to each of you!

After nonstop travel, it’s been sweet to stick close to home with the last two research weekends in Los Altos and Sebastopol in Sonoma County (stay tuned for an article in January) as we ready for family to come to town and Christmas amid the mountains and pristine blue (lake) of Tahoe.

Soaking up the season at home, we celebrated Hanukkah with new friends at neighborhood great, The Alembic, at a special dinner with one of Philadelphia — and the country’s — greatest chefs, Michael Solomonov of Zahav.

Snow globe peppermint cocktails at Deck the Halls pop-up in North Beach until the New Year: www.dthbar.com

In my weekly Time Out column, I write about the top 5 dishes of the month and where to eat & drink in Los Altos. At Liquor.com, I cover my national top 11 cocktails/bars of the month.

This issue:
Top TastesThe Top 5 Dishes of the Month: From a caviar beef fat waffle to smoked brisket tator tots, five top Bay Area dishes to go out and try now.
Around the BayEating & Drinking in Los Altos: Weekending in the Peninsula at a French-style boutique hotel. 
Imbiber
11 Top Cocktails Around the US: What’s standing out now from Portland to NYC, SF to Houston.

As your personal concierge who tells it like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Virginia

LINKS to Social Media & Articles:

Time Out Food & Drink
Liquor.com
Table8, National Editor
(2015-2017)
Food Republic
Zagat SF Editor
(2014-2016)

The magical, whimsical Deck the Halls pop-up in North Beach until the New Year: www.dthbar.com