@virginiamiller.bsky.social
A short stroll from Copenhagen’s famed Nyhavn, hip @25hourshotels.bsky.social Paper Island has tiny rooms but is cozy & colorful. Best elements are sweetheart staff+one of the city’s best bars, Victory Bar, on the top floor with canal views.
My CPH guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
My CPH guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
November 17, 2025 at 2:22 AM
A short stroll from Copenhagen’s famed Nyhavn, hip @25hourshotels.bsky.social Paper Island has tiny rooms but is cozy & colorful. Best elements are sweetheart staff+one of the city’s best bars, Victory Bar, on the top floor with canal views.
My CPH guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
My CPH guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
1) As San Jose’s dramatic 2-story, tree-filled Eos & Nyx turns 1 year old 11/20, I recall this summer’s visit to the latest from MO Hospitality Group, which rules in SJ, (Paper Plane, MINIBOSS, Alter Ego Cocktail Club, Still O.G.) There's an open air bar upstairs & rotating conveyor belt back bars.
November 17, 2025 at 1:32 AM
1) As San Jose’s dramatic 2-story, tree-filled Eos & Nyx turns 1 year old 11/20, I recall this summer’s visit to the latest from MO Hospitality Group, which rules in SJ, (Paper Plane, MINIBOSS, Alter Ego Cocktail Club, Still O.G.) There's an open air bar upstairs & rotating conveyor belt back bars.
As I drive into my Haight-Ashbury 'hood, I thrill to the St. Ignatius & Marin Headlands view. Where am I? Spain? Italy? No: their Mediterranean climate & soil kin, NorCal.
I never tire of SF's beauty & the rich life I'm blessed to live here 24yrs. More than ever, I don't take it for granted.
I never tire of SF's beauty & the rich life I'm blessed to live here 24yrs. More than ever, I don't take it for granted.
November 16, 2025 at 1:26 AM
As I drive into my Haight-Ashbury 'hood, I thrill to the St. Ignatius & Marin Headlands view. Where am I? Spain? Italy? No: their Mediterranean climate & soil kin, NorCal.
I never tire of SF's beauty & the rich life I'm blessed to live here 24yrs. More than ever, I don't take it for granted.
I never tire of SF's beauty & the rich life I'm blessed to live here 24yrs. More than ever, I don't take it for granted.
1) Danny Elfman's music from the films of Tim Burton at
San Francisco Symphony last night: youtu.be/ATysWEdGQSs.
I was a Burton/Elfman fan my whole youth, thrilled by the choir's added layers, an unexpected "wow" moment being "Sleepy Hollow" & stunning vocals by a boy with a pristine voice.
San Francisco Symphony last night: youtu.be/ATysWEdGQSs.
I was a Burton/Elfman fan my whole youth, thrilled by the choir's added layers, an unexpected "wow" moment being "Sleepy Hollow" & stunning vocals by a boy with a pristine voice.
November 15, 2025 at 6:01 PM
1) Danny Elfman's music from the films of Tim Burton at
San Francisco Symphony last night: youtu.be/ATysWEdGQSs.
I was a Burton/Elfman fan my whole youth, thrilled by the choir's added layers, an unexpected "wow" moment being "Sleepy Hollow" & stunning vocals by a boy with a pristine voice.
San Francisco Symphony last night: youtu.be/ATysWEdGQSs.
I was a Burton/Elfman fan my whole youth, thrilled by the choir's added layers, an unexpected "wow" moment being "Sleepy Hollow" & stunning vocals by a boy with a pristine voice.
Congruent with Westland Whiskey’s 10th Garryana American Single Malt launch came news that rocked the whiskey world: theft of $1 million worth of the 10 year whiskey. An unprecedented liquor heist, yes, but how about that whiskey?
My Distiller Mag review:
distilling.com/distillermag...
My Distiller Mag review:
distilling.com/distillermag...
November 14, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Congruent with Westland Whiskey’s 10th Garryana American Single Malt launch came news that rocked the whiskey world: theft of $1 million worth of the 10 year whiskey. An unprecedented liquor heist, yes, but how about that whiskey?
My Distiller Mag review:
distilling.com/distillermag...
My Distiller Mag review:
distilling.com/distillermag...
1) It was one of those epic SF nights... warm, shimmering, North Beach perfection. Post-SF World Spirits awards downtown, industry colleagues I love (many I've called "friend" for nearly 20 years) headed to legendary 1968 dive bar Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe.
#ILeftMyHeartinSanFrancisco
#ILeftMyHeartinSanFrancisco
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
1) It was one of those epic SF nights... warm, shimmering, North Beach perfection. Post-SF World Spirits awards downtown, industry colleagues I love (many I've called "friend" for nearly 20 years) headed to legendary 1968 dive bar Specs' Twelve Adler Museum Cafe.
#ILeftMyHeartinSanFrancisco
#ILeftMyHeartinSanFrancisco
I've eaten many bugs. Fascinated w/ Rasmus Munk's Alchemist lab, where I tasted fried bumble bees in chile mayo, ant cocktails, silkworm cocoon meringue + rooster testicles in chicken broth & black currant oil.
There's nothing like Copenhagen's Alchemist: virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
There's nothing like Copenhagen's Alchemist: virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
November 13, 2025 at 5:59 PM
I've eaten many bugs. Fascinated w/ Rasmus Munk's Alchemist lab, where I tasted fried bumble bees in chile mayo, ant cocktails, silkworm cocoon meringue + rooster testicles in chicken broth & black currant oil.
There's nothing like Copenhagen's Alchemist: virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
There's nothing like Copenhagen's Alchemist: virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
My pal & fellow Jersey-ite: Andrew Freeman is a legend in the restaurant industry & a dear human being. Loved celebrating 20 years of @afandco business with his incredible team & hospitality industry friends I hadn’t seen in years … plus late night cabaret & sips at Martuni’s.
November 13, 2025 at 6:21 AM
My pal & fellow Jersey-ite: Andrew Freeman is a legend in the restaurant industry & a dear human being. Loved celebrating 20 years of @afandco business with his incredible team & hospitality industry friends I hadn’t seen in years … plus late night cabaret & sips at Martuni’s.
1) Three of my greatest loves (music, food, drink) collide with my core —community— around a new quarterly dinner party I'm hosting & curating with the magical new ama by Brad Kilgore in their hidden, intimate, 70s-chic, vinyl-lined lounge.
November 12, 2025 at 8:21 PM
1) Three of my greatest loves (music, food, drink) collide with my core —community— around a new quarterly dinner party I'm hosting & curating with the magical new ama by Brad Kilgore in their hidden, intimate, 70s-chic, vinyl-lined lounge.
And... my industry girls. The Fur Squad, Martin Cate called us. 😍 We didn't plan that at all.
Just showed up at SF World Spirits Competition Top Shelf awards, vintage & faux furs in hand, despite the days and nights too warm this week for it.
Just showed up at SF World Spirits Competition Top Shelf awards, vintage & faux furs in hand, despite the days and nights too warm this week for it.
November 11, 2025 at 10:36 PM
And... my industry girls. The Fur Squad, Martin Cate called us. 😍 We didn't plan that at all.
Just showed up at SF World Spirits Competition Top Shelf awards, vintage & faux furs in hand, despite the days and nights too warm this week for it.
Just showed up at SF World Spirits Competition Top Shelf awards, vintage & faux furs in hand, despite the days and nights too warm this week for it.
My fellow San Francisco Wworld Spirits Competition judges on stage at Sunday night's awards gala... and beloved colleagues from around the world. Congrats to all winners and noms!
thetastingalliance.com/events/judge...
thetastingalliance.com/events/judge...
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 PM
My fellow San Francisco Wworld Spirits Competition judges on stage at Sunday night's awards gala... and beloved colleagues from around the world. Congrats to all winners and noms!
thetastingalliance.com/events/judge...
thetastingalliance.com/events/judge...
Smørrebrød & aquavit, the ultimate Danish duo. Palægade does it right: creative & traditional open-faced sandwiches to house aquavits. My fave smørrebrød? Smoked Danish eel on toasted rye w/ potato rösti, ramson & browned butter sauce.
My Copenhagen guide
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
My Copenhagen guide
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Smørrebrød & aquavit, the ultimate Danish duo. Palægade does it right: creative & traditional open-faced sandwiches to house aquavits. My fave smørrebrød? Smoked Danish eel on toasted rye w/ potato rösti, ramson & browned butter sauce.
My Copenhagen guide
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
My Copenhagen guide
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
An honor to present awards to double gold & "best in class" colleagues in the spirits industry last night at SF World Spirits Competition, the biggest global spirits awards.
As a lead judge, it's always a joy+surprise for us to see what wins from blind judging.
thetastingalliance.com/contributors
As a lead judge, it's always a joy+surprise for us to see what wins from blind judging.
thetastingalliance.com/contributors
November 10, 2025 at 6:20 PM
An honor to present awards to double gold & "best in class" colleagues in the spirits industry last night at SF World Spirits Competition, the biggest global spirits awards.
As a lead judge, it's always a joy+surprise for us to see what wins from blind judging.
thetastingalliance.com/contributors
As a lead judge, it's always a joy+surprise for us to see what wins from blind judging.
thetastingalliance.com/contributors
I hadn't dined at Donato Enoteca in Redwood City since it opened in 2009. Charming chef-owner Donato Scotti recently gave the place a makeover, a new Venice-style happy hour (aperitivo/cicchetti) + new chef Marco Bertoldo...
in my Peninsula guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
in my Peninsula guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
November 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I hadn't dined at Donato Enoteca in Redwood City since it opened in 2009. Charming chef-owner Donato Scotti recently gave the place a makeover, a new Venice-style happy hour (aperitivo/cicchetti) + new chef Marco Bertoldo...
in my Peninsula guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
in my Peninsula guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
#EvenBetterWith: Delarosa Marina's longtime house Midnight in Oaxaca cocktail (mezcal, Meletti amaro, cacao, orange bitters) made with Tempus Fugit Spirits' Creme de Cacao + classic 20th Century cocktail (one of my faves! lemon & chocolate!) with TS Cacao & Kina.
theperfectspotsf.com/2015/12/01/t...
theperfectspotsf.com/2015/12/01/t...
November 8, 2025 at 12:34 AM
#EvenBetterWith: Delarosa Marina's longtime house Midnight in Oaxaca cocktail (mezcal, Meletti amaro, cacao, orange bitters) made with Tempus Fugit Spirits' Creme de Cacao + classic 20th Century cocktail (one of my faves! lemon & chocolate!) with TS Cacao & Kina.
theperfectspotsf.com/2015/12/01/t...
theperfectspotsf.com/2015/12/01/t...
I've seen/tasted it all, 15k+ restaurants later. But nothing like the lab at Alchemist in Copenhagen.
Rabbit ear salad to chicken beaks—even cow udder tartare of cheese, aged+shaved in Cesar salad twist! You haven't experienced anything like it either:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
Rabbit ear salad to chicken beaks—even cow udder tartare of cheese, aged+shaved in Cesar salad twist! You haven't experienced anything like it either:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
November 7, 2025 at 8:12 PM
I've seen/tasted it all, 15k+ restaurants later. But nothing like the lab at Alchemist in Copenhagen.
Rabbit ear salad to chicken beaks—even cow udder tartare of cheese, aged+shaved in Cesar salad twist! You haven't experienced anything like it either:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
Rabbit ear salad to chicken beaks—even cow udder tartare of cheese, aged+shaved in Cesar salad twist! You haven't experienced anything like it either:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
1) I've judged spirits with him & written about his bars since opening, but bar/drink pioneer Thad Vogler (of James Beard-winning Bar Agricole) just launched his line of single-origin, single-barrel spirits, sourced directly from small producers:
sfstandard.com/2025/05/15/t...
sfstandard.com/2025/05/15/t...
November 7, 2025 at 6:14 PM
1) I've judged spirits with him & written about his bars since opening, but bar/drink pioneer Thad Vogler (of James Beard-winning Bar Agricole) just launched his line of single-origin, single-barrel spirits, sourced directly from small producers:
sfstandard.com/2025/05/15/t...
sfstandard.com/2025/05/15/t...
I miss Udine, an enchanting, small Northern Italian city in Friuli, as I fondly recall Oct.’s unreal Ein Prosit culinary festival.
In Piazza Giacomo Matteotti with artwork of international chefs who cooked together at multiple intimate dinners nightly.
**video memories: youtu.be/D-KGMRxNnXY
In Piazza Giacomo Matteotti with artwork of international chefs who cooked together at multiple intimate dinners nightly.
**video memories: youtu.be/D-KGMRxNnXY
November 6, 2025 at 10:58 PM
I miss Udine, an enchanting, small Northern Italian city in Friuli, as I fondly recall Oct.’s unreal Ein Prosit culinary festival.
In Piazza Giacomo Matteotti with artwork of international chefs who cooked together at multiple intimate dinners nightly.
**video memories: youtu.be/D-KGMRxNnXY
In Piazza Giacomo Matteotti with artwork of international chefs who cooked together at multiple intimate dinners nightly.
**video memories: youtu.be/D-KGMRxNnXY
1) Two of our local bests — Ernest & The Morris participated in JFOODO's Sake Harmony Weeks in SF, LA & NYC.
As sake fanatic a good 25 yrs, I'm always about sake pairings with every food. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of this in SF but I'd love to see Sake Harmony annually & in more cities.
As sake fanatic a good 25 yrs, I'm always about sake pairings with every food. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of this in SF but I'd love to see Sake Harmony annually & in more cities.
November 6, 2025 at 6:03 PM
1) Two of our local bests — Ernest & The Morris participated in JFOODO's Sake Harmony Weeks in SF, LA & NYC.
As sake fanatic a good 25 yrs, I'm always about sake pairings with every food. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of this in SF but I'd love to see Sake Harmony annually & in more cities.
As sake fanatic a good 25 yrs, I'm always about sake pairings with every food. Thankfully, you'll find plenty of this in SF but I'd love to see Sake Harmony annually & in more cities.
Newer Carlotta's in Hotel Julian wins with Hitchcock theme (Vertigo was filmed here!), sweet staff, soothing lobby lounge, old movies & courtyard. Cocktails are generally straightforward. Made You Look was the best of my visit... in my latest dining guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
November 5, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Newer Carlotta's in Hotel Julian wins with Hitchcock theme (Vertigo was filmed here!), sweet staff, soothing lobby lounge, old movies & courtyard. Cocktails are generally straightforward. Made You Look was the best of my visit... in my latest dining guide:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
On the enchanting, humble island of Burano in the Venetian Lagoon... just down the way yet worlds away from Venice, Burano's quiet, fishing village with simple wood bridges along its canals & brightly colored houses lit up my rainy October stay.
Couldn't resist a collage with the houses.
Couldn't resist a collage with the houses.
November 5, 2025 at 6:21 PM
On the enchanting, humble island of Burano in the Venetian Lagoon... just down the way yet worlds away from Venice, Burano's quiet, fishing village with simple wood bridges along its canals & brightly colored houses lit up my rainy October stay.
Couldn't resist a collage with the houses.
Couldn't resist a collage with the houses.
Dungeness crab-shaoxing wine crab butter take on cheung fun, bao buns in rosé wine chicken liver mousse & coppa... England-born, Hong Kong-raised chef James Yeun Leong Parry brings 2+3 Michelin star experience to new modern Chinese SF standout, Happy Crane virginiamiller.substack.com/p/sf-is-domi...
November 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Dungeness crab-shaoxing wine crab butter take on cheung fun, bao buns in rosé wine chicken liver mousse & coppa... England-born, Hong Kong-raised chef James Yeun Leong Parry brings 2+3 Michelin star experience to new modern Chinese SF standout, Happy Crane virginiamiller.substack.com/p/sf-is-domi...
1) Like Christmas bar pop-ups, before 10/31, I checked out national Halloween Black Lagoon from industry vets Erin Hayes & Kelsey Ramage, in its 5th year. In 38 cities, locally was at Alicia Walton's special Dogpatch neighborhood bar, The Sea Star #SF, decked out for Halloween:
blacklagoonpopup.com
blacklagoonpopup.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:42 PM
1) Like Christmas bar pop-ups, before 10/31, I checked out national Halloween Black Lagoon from industry vets Erin Hayes & Kelsey Ramage, in its 5th year. In 38 cities, locally was at Alicia Walton's special Dogpatch neighborhood bar, The Sea Star #SF, decked out for Halloween:
blacklagoonpopup.com
blacklagoonpopup.com
Chicken heads to daisy sphere cocktails... the unparalleled, 6-hour experience of Alchemist in Copenhagen goes well beyond restaurant. Here, with innovative chef Rasmus Munk:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
The World's 50 Best Restaurants
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
The World's 50 Best Restaurants
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Chicken heads to daisy sphere cocktails... the unparalleled, 6-hour experience of Alchemist in Copenhagen goes well beyond restaurant. Here, with innovative chef Rasmus Munk:
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
The World's 50 Best Restaurants
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/copenhagen...
The World's 50 Best Restaurants
From creative salads to crudo, the menu reads somewhat straightforward at Sekoya, but chef Jason Johnson is quietly doing some of the more consistent food in Palo Alto at this elevated comfort food & cocktail lounge.
4 places to eat in SF Peninsula Rising
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
4 places to eat in SF Peninsula Rising
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
November 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
From creative salads to crudo, the menu reads somewhat straightforward at Sekoya, but chef Jason Johnson is quietly doing some of the more consistent food in Palo Alto at this elevated comfort food & cocktail lounge.
4 places to eat in SF Peninsula Rising
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...
4 places to eat in SF Peninsula Rising
virginiamiller.substack.com/p/where-to-e...