Delicious Small Hand Foods syrups have been hard to get in most parts of the country/world, but as of now it will be a little bit easier as the new web store has launched. Small Hand Foods is the brand by Jennifer Colliau, a Bay Area bartender who began making... Read more →
In the December issue of Oakland Magazine, I have a short piece about Japanese drinking culture in Oakland. The story is centered on UmamiMart, the online and brick-and-mortar shop selling Japanese bar (and kitchen) tools. I also mention big ice (of course) at places like Prizefighter, and Japanese whisky like... Read more →
Japanese mixing glasses are beautiful but they don't travel so well. Brand ambassadors and other traveling bartenders have come up with various creative solutions to this problem, but finally a commercial version goes on sale this week. Phillip Mauro, Vince Toscano, and Jon Gasparini, who work at Rye in San... Read more →
The people at Cask, who are the people at Bourbon & Branch, have made their inventory available online. So now you can get all your hard-to-find booze (Octomore, anyone?), your $47 Alessi bottle opener, and your vintage copy of the Gentleman's Companion all in one spot. Hot. Check it. Read more →
It is frustrating when I find a product I want to write about only to learn it is only available in New York or one other metro area. I feel guilty writing about it because it's not practical for most consumers to try the product. On the other hand, when... Read more →