One of our favorite neighborhood cocktail spots when we lived in River North, Chicago, was Sable Kitchen & Bar. We love their Spanish-style gin & tonic menu. All of the gin and tonics are served in large-bowl stemmed wine glasses. It became one of our favorite ways to serve gin and tonics at home.
This year, Clayton wanted to spend his birthday in Napa, so we took the day off and headed up to wine country and spent the day at a few places we hadn’t visited in quite a while. We started at Round Pond’s olive mill, where we arrived just in time to watch fresh olives being
After a week long conference in Palos Verdes, we couldn’t wait to get started exploring the LA we came for. Even after three years of living in San Francisco, we hadn’t had a reason to get down to LA until our Alaska Airlines travel series coincided with a business meeting. Our friend Sean (who
The Morris just opened up not far from our house, so we headed over a few weeks ago for a last minute weeknight reservation. This small neighborhood spot has a great wine list, fantastic cocktails, and a serves a small delicious menu featuring housemade charcuterie. Everything we tried was fantastic, but probably our favorite thing
Our most memorable meal in Naples was without this meal. We took a taxi up to the Sanità District. It’s utterly charming -- filled with markets and fruit stands along the streets. The restaurant gets very busy at night, so we went early for dinner by Italian standards and were seated right away. As
We were recently invited to a vintage dinner hosted by Tablehopper. It was an invitation we couldn't refuse. For a long time now, Clayton has had a fascination with vintage recipes. Hearing it was a vintage dinner, we were there! The event was held at one of the most old-school San Francisco spots, The Blue Fox (now Alfred's). A former
Crans Montana is located in the Valais, one of the top wine producing regions of Switzerland, but it was a quiet winter wonderland when we arrived in February. As we drove up the mountain, it reminded us of driving on the roads of snowy Tahoe in California. Big pines and lots of snow packed
Insider tips and local recommendations for the best New Orleans restaurants, things to do, and hotels curated by the travel experts at The Taste Edit.
The Morris just opened up not far from our house, so we headed over a few weeks ago for a last minute weeknight reservation. This small neighborhood spot has a great wine list, fantastic cocktails, and a serves a small delicious menu featuring housemade charcuterie. Everything we tried was fantastic, but probably our favorite thing
We have always wanted to explore northwestern Italy, so on our most recent trip, we were especially interested in discovering the amazing wineries in Piedmont and its neighboring regions. Our friend Ceri Smith, who owns Biondivino, was the perfect person to show us around. She and Alfio picked us
Our visit to Elio Sandri was of the most special visits on our most recent trip to Piedmont. This very small producer is a winemaker to watch. Elio's family has been producing Barolo since his father purchased the estate, but only recently have the wines started to attract critical attention. Located just on the
We’ve always wanted to dine at Osteria Francescana in Modena, which for several years has been rated the number one restaurant in the world. You may have seen it on Chef’s Table or Master of None, and we still haven’t succeeded in coordinating a trip with a reservation. Now you don’t have to go
Vietti is a name that you may recognize from Italian wine lists at upscale restaurants around the world. This winery is located under the city of Castiglione Falletto in Piemonte, and crafts single-vineyard wines from all over Piemonte. As you drive through the windy roads of the town of Castiglion Falletto, you'll find a large gate.
We had not tasted grappa that we liked before, but our visit to Romano Levi changed our opinion of this spirit entirely. You may not have had good grappa before, but this artisanal distillery crafts some of the most exquisite grappa in the world. Grappa is made from distilling the pomace (skins,
With its historic cellars located on a river in the tiny town of Monchiero, the legendary house of Guiseppe Mascarello consistently produces some of the top wines in Italy. The crown jewel of Giuseppe Mascarello is the Barolo Monprivato, which is produced from one of the most renowned vineyards in all of Barolo. The
Piedmont is a food and wine lover’s paradise and one of our favorite regions of Italy. While not as accessible as California wine country, it’s much more rewarding. The hills of the Langhe are dotted with medieval towns and lined with a patchwork of vineyards. On a clear day, you can see the snow-capped
Camparino in Galleria is the original Campari Bar in Milan, and a true Milan institution. In 1867, Gaspare Campari opened a wine shop in the newly-constructed Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, which became the Camparino in 1915 and continues to bear the Campari name to this day. Located immediately across from the Piazza Duomo, you
Camparino in Galleria is the original Campari Bar in Milan, and a true Milan institution. In 1867, Gaspare Campari opened a wine shop in the newly-constructed Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, which became the Camparino in 1915 and continues to bear the Campari name to this day. Located immediately across from the Piazza Duomo, you
Bartolo Mascarello is arguably the most important Barolo house in Piedmont. Bartolo joined his family's Cantina in 1945, and the house continues to make Barolo wine in the traditional style to this day. While his daughter, Maria Teresa, has made subtle refinements, she still adheres to the traditional winemaking principles she learned from her
After our tasting of Alice Prosecco, Cinzia handed us off to her husband, Umberto Cosmo, co-owner of Bellenda, who walked us through an educational tasting covering the history and various styles of Prosecco. Umberto's family has focused on farming for generations (eggs and cheese), and he went to veterinary school. However, he and his brother decided they
We had not tasted grappa that we liked before, but our visit to Romano Levi changed our opinion of this spirit entirely. You may not have had good grappa before, but this artisanal distillery crafts some of the most exquisite grappa in the world. Grappa is made from distilling the pomace (skins,
When in Piedmont, you’ll want to experience as many traditional Barolo and Barbaresco wineries as possible. Cascina Fontana is a classic Barolo house you won’t want to miss. On our last visit, winemaker Mario Fontana guided us through an extensive tasting of his exquisite wines in his family’s cantina. Mario handed us each a
Zuni Cafe is a San Francisco classic. Opened in 1979, it’s still as popular as ever today. This gem is like an island oasis on the sketchy border of Mid-Market and Civic Center, and is always busy with tourists and locals alike. Come to Zuni for the oysters and stay for the chicken. We
Burgundy is a place where you go to eat and drink your way through the region. We met another American working in the wine industry this summer. Since you didn’t hear many American accents at the time, we struck up a conversation. We all agreed - that’s what you do when you come here.
We had not tasted grappa that we liked before, but our visit to Romano Levi changed our opinion of this spirit entirely. You may not have had good grappa before, but this artisanal distillery crafts some of the most exquisite grappa in the world. Grappa is made from distilling the pomace (skins,
Vietti is a name that you may recognize from Italian wine lists at upscale restaurants around the world. This winery is located under the city of Castiglione Falletto in Piemonte, and crafts single-vineyard wines from all over Piemonte. As you drive through the windy roads of the town of Castiglion Falletto, you'll find a large gate.
We first discovered parmesan custards in Florence, at one of the more memorable dinners we had on our first trip to Italy as a couple. They were served as part of a multi-course dinner at Cibrèo ristorante. If you are having a dinner party and want to impress your guests, these are an easy way to
Are you a Negroni lover? The best Negronis we’ve ever had are made at home and at the best bars in the world. Here are a few you won't want to miss.
