Dreamy under the full moon dining at Marisella at Ritz-Carlton Santa Barbara. Growing up in Southern California, namely Los Angeles and Orange Counties — ages 6 to 14, and again 18 to 22 — the most idyllic coast for me was the cliffy beauty of Laguna Beach. Moving up to blissful NorCal at 23, that rugged Scotland-meets-Mediterranean I love most… Read more →
Reviewed in this article:
—Modern Indian Creativity from Veggies to Meat: Tiya
—At Five Years Ernest Remains One of SF’s Unsung Greats
—Two Michelin Magic: Saison
—Delicately Playful Dessert Tasting Menu: Nisei
—The U.S.’ Great Modern Guamanian Restaurant: Prubechu
—North African/Tunisian Treasure Turns 10: Barcha
—91-Year-Old Pizza & Pasta Legend: Tommaso’s
—Two Michelin Heights at 8-Year-Old Birdsong
—Asian Rooftop Delights: Good Good Culture Club
—Upscale Thai Offers a Steal of a Lunch: Hed11 Read more →
RT Bistro crab. Photo by Virginia Miller. Since Rich Table opened in 2012, I named it a top new restaurant and it has remained one of San Francisco — and the nation’s — best ever since. I was baffled as it ridiculously lost its multi-year Michelin star in 2021, though they’ve topped many “best” lists and been James Beard-nominated. At… Read more →
Lake Schliersee, Germany. Photo by Virginia Miller. The last time I visited Munch was backpacking around Europe as a girl in 1999. Whew! When currency was still Deutsche Marks and just before the new millennium. What a different visit this was a good 25 years later. I’ve been back to Germany a few times in between, namely to Berlin and… Read more →
Arquet lobster. Photo by Virginia Miller. Sorrel topped my new restaurants of 2018 and I’ve raved about it since, unsurprised when it garnered — and has maintained — a Michelin star. Chef Alex Hong has a visionary way with creative pastas and just about everything else, including Sorrel’s rightly famed duck. So delighted I was when Hong and team opened… Read more →
Jilli beef tartare. Photo by Virginia Miller. A Vietnamese classic reborn, hip Korean drinking den with food, modern British fare, Japan-worthy takeout-only sushi, healthy delivery and, yes, superb pizza… six standout new eateries plus four new takeout spots. As always, I’ve personally vetted and visited each: Vietnamese Classic Reborn: Crustacean, FiDiOpening in the Financial District in July 2025, Crustacean is… Read more →
Bruma’s Casa Ocho pool at sunset. Photo by Virginia Miller. Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico’s famed wine region, not far from California’s border and less than an hour drive up the mountain from the busy but chill beach town of Ensenada. In Baja California, Mexico’s northwesternmost state, it feels like SoCal’s older sibling, recalling California beach towns and wine… Read more →
Tasting House sungold tomato sorbet and cream. Photo by Virginia Miller. For 24 years, I’ve been exploring and writing about the Bay Area’s Peninsula — including but not minimized to the moniker Silicon Valley. San Mateo County can suffer from suburban malaise and mediocrity when it comes to restaurant standards, especially compared to the dense, world-class glories of nearby San… Read more →
Carmel coast. Photo by Virginia Miller. Despite its chichi, tony edge, the idyllic, walkable town of Carmel-By-The-Sea is a fairytale village set on the windswept sea. Stunning, moody California/Monterey cypress trees and vivid flowers line the rocky coast, while the Hobbit-meets-Alice-in-Wonderland architecture defines Carmel’s unique look. Like much of California, it’s gorgeous, but the coastline around Carmel is vastly enchanting,… Read more →
Wolfsbane snacks/amuse bouche. Photo by Virginia Miller. These two new tasting menu restaurants are already playing for keeps, the kind of places that would fit right in on 50 Best or Michelin lists. They also are my number one and number two new restaurants of 2025, respectively. My full top 12 restaurants and bars here. Wolfsbane Is Immediately Firing On… Read more →