Clooney in Paradise
I thought I was going to see George Clooney win an Oscar. I didn't. He won't. But The Descendants stayed with me and continued to spin out and unfurl deep-tissue feelings and puzzles and bits of beauty long after I left The Nick last weekend and headed out into the...
The Grenache that stole Christmas
From Birichino comes this wide open bouquet of spices, pepper and black cherries, Grenache Vielles Vignes 2010, Central Coast. At 13.5% alc. it moves all those bright fruit flavors deep into the center of your palate. The brilliant cherry red wine spreads out...
Avanti Advances
Avanti owner Paul Geise admits that long-time customers are getting restless about making sure they dine at the familiar landmark Ristorante Avanti at least once more before it closes. "But that won't happen until next year," the owner admitted. "There's just so much...
as the fruitcake ages…
This was how the Magdalene must have felt, anointing the body with precious spices and elixirs, carefully wrapping it in clean linens before placing it in the cool dark place where it would wait—preserved and guarded—until its ultimate appointment with destiny. As...
GQ’s Chef of the Year is……
David Kinch - guru-in-charge of Manresa. Read the GQ piece here. Kudos David!
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.