I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Mine’s about to get better–visiting family for a day in Los Angeles and then spending three full days with my hubby in Las Vegas! We are greatly in need of a vacation; turns out that driving across the country with three cats doesn’t actually count as
Read more

Imagine my shock when I realized I never posted here on this article I wrote for WRAL’s Out and About back in May! I do try to make sure you all know when I have new writing out for your perusing eyes, but this one slipped through my fingers. It’s surprising because it’s actually one
Read more

Kuleto’s bills itself as “authentic San Francisco,” featuring Northern Italian cooking with an American twist. Being new to the Bay, I can’t speak to its authenticity, and I personally hate the idea of calling anything authentic (happy to have that discussion anytime!). Regardless, I was pleased with all aspects of our dinner. The only confusing
Read more

Last July, I spent the weekend in the Outer Banks for only the second time in the eight years I lived in North Carolina. My first trip was camping on Ocracoke, the most remote of the islands, so I had never done the typical tourist activities in the more accessible areas, and I wanted to
Read more

I came across the Barrel Room on a night out with an old high school friend, which pretty much describes every night out I’ve had since moving to the Bay Area—I have a lot of old friends to rediscover in this neck of the woods. We wanted somewhere to extend the evening but still hear
Read more

I have found it at last, a coffee shop with a relaxed vibe, good drinks, and hours past sundown a walkable distance from my apartment! If Café 4 were a mile closer, it’d win for local coffee shop options, but Café Rumi is a very acceptable runner-up, plus it stays open an hour later. Super
Read more

Edna Valley Vineyard 2011 Merlot Central Coast, CA This merlot’s nose has plastic overtones, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying its raspberry and pepper notes. It’s thin to medium bodied and meatier than expected on drinking. Think nicely seasoned duck with a spicy raspberry and stewed tomato sauce. That pepper will tickle your nose!
Read more

For eight years, I lived in Durham, NC, and for eight years, I told myself “Someday!” when I drove past the abandoned Durham Funwerks amusement park on Garrett Road, right before the 15-501 intersection. Someday, I would explore the mysterious giant castle. Someday, I would hike my way through the overgrown mini-golf course to the
Read more

I have a pair of cocktails to share with you today. Each features the trio of pisco, orange, and a Royal Rose simple syrup. As you may recall, Royal Rose sent me a sampler of their organic, small-batch syrups a while back (meaning it was free!). I’ve been slowly sharing new cocktail recipes that feature
Read more

2010 Fetzer Crimson Winemaker’s Favorite Red Wine Blend Mendocino County, CA I admit to reticence when trying this wine, not knowing if a big label’s wine was up to snuff at under $10. Plus, there were a lot of words on that label, which frankly can be off-putting for those not that skilled in wine-label
Read more