As storms brew around us, dusk in Tequila, Mexico, over dinner amid agave fields at the magical Tequila Fortaleza distillery with Guillermo Sauza, Billy Erickson & team. One of my favorite summer memories. My Distiller Mag review coming soon of their 2024 Winter Blend Reposado.

Sustainable canned wine company, Djuce, launched in Sweden in 2022, but came to the states May 2024. Despite the rather silly name, Djuce’s vibrant, artful cans stand out, showcasing global artists+really good wines. In my Distiller Mag bottle column: distilling.com/distillermagaz…

There is nowhere quite like Michelin-starred Osito #SF. Feasting w/ spirits pioneer Thad Vogler & his new @BarAgricole import: rare, 100% Folle Blanche 2000 Dudognon Cognac. Here, apricot chile raw spot prawns+pink moon oysters in beet kraut & crab oil. thebolditalic.com/live-fire-cook…

From Memphis, @BlueNoteBourbon Honey Rye Cask, at a bracing 58.5% ABV, is surely hot, but it also showcases rye’s beautiful spice with bold finesse. My Distiller Magazine bottle column review: distilling.com/.../new-releas… (photo courtesy of bluenotebourbon.com)

The new (and 4th) Fiorella in Noe Valley has a six-seat pizza bar gazing over pizza-making from a custom Italian pizza oven, a convenient takeout window and a 12 spritz cocktail menu. 6 SF Restaurants Standouts of the Month at Medium: medium.com/@virginiamille…

I can’t think of a justification for $98 for “ultra-premium luxury vodka,” but for vodka lovers, the new Osmia from female-founded Queen Bee Distilling achieves those clean notes many vodka drinkers are looking for… My Distiller Mag bottle column review: distilling.com/distillermagaz…

At new, mobbed Little Original Joe's: cacio e macha, Roma-meets-Mexico play on cacio e pepe w/ salsa macha over mafaldine pasta. It wows. Unexpectedly, so does California Dreamin’ pizza, making me rethink all BBQ pizza. Why in my @TheBoldItalic review: thebolditalic.com/little-origina…

Found Oyster is a seafood counter I’ve written about before, one of few LA restaurants I repeat. It cannot equal SF legends like Swan Oyster or Anchor Oyster Bar, but it’s my top LA seafood spot & one of the best U.S. oyster bars. In my Medium LA guide: medium.com/@virginiamille…

One of the sexiest bars I've been to out of 15k+: Lane Harlan & Matthew Pierce's (of W.C. Harlan, Clavel) The Coral Wig. Sip a Manila Daiquiri inspired, like the bar, by 1980s Manila clubs, near where Harlan was born. 10 Baltimore bars in Distiller Mag: theperfectspotsf.com/2024/08/27/10-…

n/soto's (sister to LA's great, 2 Michelin n/naka) popular miso-baked bone marrow is a standout under brûléed crust w/ umeboshi onigiri. From chefs/partners, Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama, representing the best of LA. My LA food guide: medium.com/@virginiamille…

Open in Taj Campton Place, Bombay Brasserie is a complete revamp with chef Thomas George who recently moved to the States from Kerala in South India. His curries comfort, like mussels in a soft vadouvan coconut curry… in my 7 restaurants of the month: medium.com/@virginiamille…

Announced last night in London... @theworlds50best 50 Best Hotels 2024: theworlds50best.com/hotels/list/1-… theworlds50best.com/stories/News/t…