“Live
in thy fingertips and in thy
hair’s rising; hunger
be thine…
Breathe deep of
evening, be with the
rivers of tumult, sharpen
thy wits to know power and be humble.”
- Denise Levertov, Three Meditations (from Poems 1960-1967)

Grasshopper-topped egg at a new Mexican restaurant opening this summer (see “The Latest”)

Back from three months of amazing, exhausting, back-to-back press trips (Denver, Breckenridge, Peru, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Brussels, Amsterdam, New York), I’ve got a thousand stories, places and tastes to share with you, yet am slowly (but surely) beginning to catch up.

This issue:

The Latest – Summer’s Most Anticipated Openings: Two San Francisco Summer openings I’m most excited about, with unique food and drink menus.
The Latest – Baked… Good: Two of 2013′s best bakery openings to date.
Imbiber – New Spirits: A new Barbados rum and two NY vermouths.
Around the Bay – Roadhouse Perfection in West Marin: The best roadhouse stop for drinks and food in West Marin.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot
Liquor.com Contributor Page
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/theperfectspot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Not so long ago, it took much more to thrill me: the exhilaration of a new relationship, a promotion, one of those spa trips, a binge at Saks. Now it’s just the advance guard of tomorrow… and knowing that today was mine all mine.” – Margaret Roach, And I Shall Have Some Peace There

Cocktails at Campo Fina, Healdsburg (see “Around the Bay”)

Just off the wildest back-to-back press trip travel schedule yet (Denver, Breckenridge, Peru, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Belgium, Amsterdam), I am grateful for the endless adventures and incredible people of the past weeks… and just as grateful to be home.

In my action-packed week in Denver working ADI’s (American Distilling Institute) Spirits Conference, we announced the winners of artisanal craft spirits judging in gold, silver and bronze categories. Winners are listed here.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

This issue:

Japanese hot pot (see “The Latest”)

Imbiber – Phan’s New Orleans Duo: Chef powerhouse Charles Phan’s New Orleans-influenced Southern food and bourbon bar newcomer duo.

The Latest – Asian Newcomers: Six new Asian restaurants, pop-ups and a food truck with standout dishes.

Coconut shrimp po boys at Rick’s White Light Diner in Kentucky (see “Wandering Traveler”)

Around the Bay – Sonoma: Weekending in Healdsburg and Santa Rosa continues to yield edible joys, including a fantastic brunch with NYC connections, possibly the best po boys in the area, and the county’s best cocktails.

Wandering Traveler – Kentucky: This issue, I cover favorite breakfast and coffee spots in Louisville and a quirky diner in Frankfort while visiting Buffalo Trace Distillery.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot
Liquor.com Contributor Page
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/theperfectspot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Cultures with richer vocabularies are more fully human… individual men and women are more fully human when their memories are stocked with verses.” – Richard Rorty

Franks ‘N Dawgs in Chicago (see “Wandering Traveler”)

In the midst of the wildest back-to-back press trip schedule yet (Denver, Breckenridge, Peru, Oaxaca, Mexico City, Brussels, Amsterdam), I catch up on many recent food and drink highlights around SF, return to Chicago and savor the world’s most expensive rum.

Latest writing news: I am now a contributor at Liquor.com and would love to have you follow along and vote for my posts, for those of you interested in the drink side of things.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

This issue:

The best $6 burger in the Bay (see “Top Tastes”)

Top Tastes – Two of the Bay’s Best Burgers Under $10: What new locale boasts the best $6 burger (and fab tacos) in SF? And if you have not been, make a beeline to Alameda for one of the best burgers anywhere.

Imbiber – Eat/Drink: Four notable food and drink pairings… edible and quaffable dessert, fennel intensity, squid ink with spicy rum, grilled cheese and spiced cocktails.

Wandering Traveler – Chicago Cocktails and Wandering Traveler Chicago Dining: My fourth visit to the Windy City (and second in a year) means – no surprise – many more fine tastes in food and drink.

Cocktails & dining at Cotogna (see “Imbiber”)

Imbiber – The Most Expensive Thing I Ever Drank: It’s been whisky and Cognac in the past… now add the world’s most expensive rum to a list of fascinating tastes.

The Latest – Three for Spring: The best jambalaya in the West, and two seafood dishes for spring at two new Mission restaurants.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot
Liquor.com Contributor Page
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/theperfectspot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Joy’s trick is to supply
Dry lips with what can cool and slake,
Leaving them dumbstruck also with an ache
Nothing can satisfy.” – Richard Brook in the poem, Hamlen Brook

It’s a been a gorgeous SF winter… mild, balmy, refreshing. As I return from fantastic but freezing travels in Chicago and Louisville, I am relishing the entrance of Spring: rowboating on Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park, long walks, exploring another intense round of new restaurant openings around town.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

Top Tastes – Knish’in: The knish and Jewish and Eastern European baked goods are thankfully experiencing a renaissance around SF. 

Daily rainbows in West Maui (see "Wandering Traveler")

Wandering Traveler – West Maui: The best eats, from li hing mui ice to reuben lumpia, in my West Maui explorations.

Wandering Traveler, Part Two – Maui, Wailea & Upcountry: Hunting for the best food and drink along the elite Wailea coast and through refreshingly humble Kihei and the farmland of Upcountry.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place.” – Eckhart Tolle

Turkish flatbread at Troya on Fillmore (see "Top Tastes")

Returning from snowy Louisville, KY, I spent a packed eight days visiting with distillers and staff (like Harlen Wheatley at Buffalo Trace, Larry Kass at Heaven Hill, Drew Kulsveen at Willett, and a number of small, craft distillers) and exploring the latest in Louisville bars and restaurants (more to come on KY adventures).

Then I worked with ADI during their 7th annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits for grueling days of tasting but exciting craft spirits releases and a stellar line-up of judges, from Imbibe Magazine to London gin experts and French distillers! With more travel ahead, I am grateful to be home, catching up on the many exciting new restaurants and bars opening in SF at a dizzying pace.

Last week, my cover story for SF Guardian’s Top 50 Bars in San Francisco was in the print and online issue. Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page and Twitter feed for updates on restaurant openings, dish recommends, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

Dreamy blini & caviar at Lucy in Yountville (see "Around the Bay")

Top Tastes – Turkish on Fillmore: Troya, part deux, or the realized version of an upscale Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant.

Around the Bay – Napa in Three Meals: A day of breakfast, lunch and dinner at Napa restaurants less than a year old.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot

RECENT ENTRIES in my BAY GUARDIAN COLUMN:
San Francisco’s Top 50 Bars Cover Story
February Cocktails & Bites: Mezcal & Coffee, G&Ts & Crudo, Artful Salads & Cilantro Daiquiris

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Everything contains some silence… An hour of city holds maybe a minute of these remnants of a time when silence reigned, compact and dangerous as a shark. Sometimes a bit of a tail or fin can still be sensed in parks.” – “Sharks’ Teeth” poem by Kay Ryan

Chinese scene - Hakkasan SF (see "The Latest")

Bracing the cold of Chicago for memorable food, drink and times with family, I return home to churn out work and articles, including SF Guardian’s Top 50 Bars in San Francisco cover story (out 2/27). Turning right around, I am off to Louisville, KY, visiting distillers and working with ADI during their 7th annual Judging of Artisan American Spirits.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

Top Tastes – Regional Journeys in Spain & Italy: Focusing on varying regions of Spain with Gitane’s new menus, or Italy at Oakland dining legend, Oliveto.

Imbiber – February Cocktails & Bites: Mezcal & coffee with burrata & pickled cherries at Comstock , Gin & Tonics & with crudo at Mandarin Oriental’s Brasserie S&P, artful salads & Cilantro Daiquiris at Chambers… notable current menus for drinks and bites.

Chambers' record-lined dining room walls (see "Imbiber")

The Latest – Chinese Scene: Considering the highs (and lows) at SF’s hot, upscale Chinese openings: Martin Yan’s M.Y. China and Hakkasan.

Wandering Traveler – Oklahoma City Goes Hipster: The most productive eating of all my visits to my parents and relatives in Oklahoma finds OKC with a number of foodie “firsts”: first proper cocktail bar, third wave coffee outpost, grilled cheese hipster haven, farm-to-table restaurant, rock star burgers, New Orleans home cooking, and a few other notable finds.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

RECENT ENTRIES in my BAY GUARDIAN COLUMN:
Regional Dining Through Spain & Italy: Gitane and Oliveto’s changing regional focus
Can Yan Noodle?: Martin Yan’s M.Y. China and the upscale Hakkasan add to SF’s Chinese dining scene

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.” – Simon Weil

The charming village of Hōlualoa during the Kona Coffee Festival (see "Wandering Traveler")

A lovely January it’s been with balmy, warm days and dear friends and family visiting from near and far. I’m readying for the Chicago cold in a few days, though thrilled to return for more Chi-town treasures, the latest being from my Fall visit.

Check out my Perfect Spot Facebook page for updates on restaurant openings, drink industry news, Perfect Spot articles and more.

Top Tastes – Southpaw BBQ: Just over a year old and with a newer chef, Southpaw matures into a Southern food and local beer destination.

Smoked pulled goat & Southern fry bread at Southpaw (see "Top Tastes)

Imbiber – Cocktails & Bites for A January Night: Trying Rich Table’s entire cocktail menu from new Bar Manager Jason LoGrasso yields my latest obsession: a pastrami sandwiched-inspired, St. George Dry Rye Gin cocktail… plus Chef Rich’s brilliant porcini doughnuts dipped in raclette sauce. More of the latest food and drink at Rich Table, plus recent Carlo Splendorini cocktail beauties at Michael Mina, and joys from new Chef Robin Song and Bar Manager Michael Lazar at Hog & Rocks.

Take me back to the north shores of Hawai'i, the Big Island (see "Wandering Traveler")

Imbiber – 4 Spirits You Don’t Know… But Should: Four beautiful spirits, two from France – distilled spirits intermingling with fresh juices; two from California, a fino “sherry” and a smoky, caraway-laden gin.

Wandering Traveler – Hawai’i, The Big Island: Volcanoes. Black rock expanses. Coffee berries growing on mountain foothills. Some of the best stargazing in the world. Rolling, green farmland. Waterfalls. Sandy beaches. Peanut butter milk bread. Singing classic Hawaiian tunes to ukelele under the stars. Just a few of the joys of Hawai’i's biggest island.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

RECENT ENTRIES in my BAY GUARDIAN COLUMN:
Southpaw BBQ: Maturing to a Southern food and local beer destination
A Shot of Warmth: dreamy new dishes & cocktails at Rich Table, Michael Mina, Hog & Rocks
New Year sips: from Limoncello and bitters to Japanese whisky and sangria

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**

“Grace has a grand laughter in it.” ― Marilynne Robinson, Gilead

Saint Elmo's Fire & Pantone swatch menus at Trick Dog (see Imbiber)

I trust the new year has started off on a hopeful, promising note for each of you. I look forward to sharing more meals, tastes, drink and exploration with you this year. I’ve launched a Perfect Spot Facebook page – please “like”, if so inclined, and keep up with articles and reviews there. For those of you in San Francisco, I’ll be reading with a stellar line-up of writers on a thoughtful drink at Drink. Think on February 5th, the first SF date of a popular New York event.

This issue:

Muguboka's dolsot bibimbop (see Top Tastes)

Top Tastes – Of Banchan, Ramen and Squid Innards: Three notable Asian eateries – one undiscovered Korean eatery, one hardcore izakaya, and Oakland’s new ramen hotspot.

Imbiber – Trick Dog: The Bon Vivants’ long-awaited cocktail bar and restaurant opens with a bang.

Around the Bay – Island Breezes: I travel to Menlo Park and Oakland on the hunt for Caribbean food.

I’d love your feedback on any spots visited from my site. As your personal concierge who tells it to you like a good friend would, I also create personalized itineraries: trips, meals, explorations (under “Services“).

Let me guide you to the perfect spot,

Virginia

RECENT ENTRIES in my BAY GUARDIAN COLUMN:
Banchan, Ramen & Squid Innards: 3 unusual Asian eateries
Jumping at Trick Dog: The Bon Vivants’ hot new bar & restaurant
Island Breezy: Hunting for Caribbean food
12 reasons to love Grass Valley/Nevada City
Capo’s: Deep dish to surpass Chicago?

Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ThePerfectSpot
“Like” me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePerfectSpot

**Unless otherwise noted, all photos by Virginia Miller**