It’s the third birthday for Charles Chocolates, my favorite artisan chocolatier — because their store is only a 30-minute drive from my house in the San Francisco Bay Area, because “Chuck” is a terrific guy, and because they let you sample all the most delicious products you want while you’re browsing through their tantalizing array…
The newest Ritz-Carlton, Moscow lies at the edge of the famed Red Square — site of countless coronations, conflicts and celebration — is now ready to show off its $350 million face-lift. Granted the rooms look gorgeous… and well they should since prices start at $1,000 per night. But the real reason I want to…
There are dozens of city dining guides for restaurants. The best-known is Zagat’s for major cities. Now, Hungry? is publishing city guides for Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, and now, San Francisco. I’m proud to be a contributor to the latter for a number of restaurants in Marin County, north of the Golden Gate…
We were in Newport Beach about two months ago to take a tour of “The Breakers,” The Vanderbilt Mansion, one of the most exquisite examples of turn of the 20th century architecture from the Gilded Age. It was so spectacular, it made you shake your head from side to side to marvel how these folks…
BOLD wines, BIG flavors, and an extremely talented new chef, whose skills and enthusiasm are BOUNDLESS! As a culinary tourism writer, I am often on the road scouting out new restaurants, chefs, wineries, markets — you name it. Which means that sometimes I miss out on the latest food happenings right here in San Francisco….
I’ve had the luxury of viewing Québec’s spectacular fall foliage in three different regions: Charlevoix, the Eastern Townships and most recently in the Outaouais. What, you’ve never heard of Outaouais? Pronounced ooo-tah-way, it’s located at the southwestern tip of Québec along the Ottawa River. I started my journey in Montreal, taking a two-hour train ride…
Several years ago I made my first visit to Sonoma County Wine Country. It was autumn, and it was beautiful. The crowds were gone, the leaves were turning and the temperatures were just right. This year, Wine Country Inns of Sonoma County have put together Experience the Harvest Adventures including fall menus, special winery tours,…
THE SET-UP: It’s hard to imagine a world before refrigerators or a time when explorers traveled with bone china in order to prepare four-course meals in remote destinations. In celebration of these expeditions, Redwood Creek Wines and The Explorers Club is launching The Culinary Revivals Tour, a national series of adventurous food and wine events…
Or as we like to say in San Francisco… Once Again, A Woman’s Place Is in the Kitchen… But This Time They’re Running The Show!!” In honor of the James Beard Foundation’s 20th anniversary, 20 cites around the country will join in the Foundation’s first national Taste America food festival, celebrating the diversity of American…
My son was recently visiting from New York City and we were looking for a nice little restaurant after watching the Seattle Mariners play the Los Angeles Angels at Safeco Field one sunny afternoon. One of Seattle’s finest concierges, James Mulvaney of the Washington Athletic Club (named Seattle Hotel Concierge of the Year), recommended the…
Yesterday, my daughter Sara and I indulged in a few hours of chocolate tasting for a great cause. Project Open Hand received all proceeds as thousands of people descended on a closed-off Beach Street between Larkin and Polk to sample the gigormous array of chocolate tastings at the 12th Annual Ghirardelli Square Chocolate Festivall presented…
I just returned from Orange County’s glitz, glamour and sizzling hot weather. I might go south next weekend for the 19th Annual Taste of Newport at Newport Center Drive on Fashion Island in Newport Beach, September 14th through the 16th. It features over fine foods from over 30 restaurants, 20 wineries, plus flavorful cocktails, rich…