Warm weather calls for cool drinks
“The snozzberries taste like snozzberries,” said Willy Wonka about his flavored wallpaper in both the 1964 children’s book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl…
Going the extra mile
“What’s the difference between the regular potato salad and the deviled potato salad?” I asked the clerk behind the deli counter. It was a simple question…
Drinking Buddies
There was an awkward “bro” hug, and then mutual backslaps. Guys’ nights out always seem to start this way. The other universal greeting, the handshake, is…
The three horsemen: cocktails inspired by the triple crown
It’s horse racing season! And we are in the final leg of the horse racing cycle known as the Triple Crown: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes…
Off to the races
There was no fanfare when the four of them arrived. Which felt strange because two of them were wearing crowns. Literally. Well, actually figuratively, because literally…
Some misconceptions about celebrity chef owned restaurants
“See you tomorrow,” said the celebrity chef who I worked for. At that point he had four restaurants, one cookbook and so many television appearances that…
Retired Marin surgeon wins prestigious homebrewing award
Ed DeMayo, a retired orthopedic surgeon in San Rafael, pulled in the top honor at this year’s World Cup of Beer, a home brewers competition put…
Happy Birthday Barfly! Celebrating 20 years of writing this column
“Hey, Charlie,” I said. “Hey, Jeff,” answered Charlie. It’s what started many of our nights together. Charlie was a regular. And he was more regular than…
Some people thrive on chaos
It had been a hectic day, running from one errand to the next. The last thing I needed was the stress of making myself some lunch.…
Hot drinks for Spring? Yes please!
“April is the cruelest month,” once wrote T.S. Eliot. “Breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.”…