There is no better metaphor for Italian cocktails, than the fate of the Negroni origin bar
Right before I left for Italy, a reader sent me a note: “Please teach them how to make a Negroni.” I thought it was a joke,…
The Spritz isn’t new, but it’s a phenomenon
If you make it to Italy this year, be sure to take a look around for the Aperol Spritz. It will certainly be easy to find.…
When in Italy, do as the Italians do
“We miss the Americans” said the middle-aged Italian shop keeper in Portofino, shaking her head disapprovingly. It took me a minute to understand that she had…
Tending bar is more than making drinks
The business class lounge at SFO wasn’t exactly buzzing with activity. But having flown budget airlines, red eyes and commuter flights my whole life, this was…
How Backstage Wines, founded by a Marin native, came to be
Angelo Pera graduated from business school in 1993. His family went out to dinner in San Francisco to celebrate. As a special memento of that evening,…
Margaritaville might not have happened without Mill Valley
I heard the news going into work on Labor Day weekend — Jimmy Buffett had died. I’ve never purchased any of his work, yet despite that,…
If everyone else is problematic, perhaps they are not the problem
It was 7 p.m. on a Friday. The regular crowd had already arrived. Restaurants are the bell curve personified, from nothing to everything and then back,…
Bender’s whiskey marks a decade in good spirits
When Christopher Cohen was working on his first batch of Bender’s whiskey more than 10 years ago, he could be frequently seen in bars around southern…
All that’s missing, are employees
“If you happen to know any servers or bartenders, we’re hiring,” said the man I didn’t know. Which wouldn’t have been so strange, except that he…
Barfly Podcast Season Five Ep. 07
guest: Dan Jewett of Marin Living Magazine listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/169913/13709289