Another year, another WhiskyFest. I've been attending a number of years now, ever relishing an opportunity to try unexplored whiskies, refresh my taste memory on others, and connect with whisk(e)y industry folk and distillers here from Kentucky to Scotland.

A number of options listed as VIP tastes (more than ever this year) were not, in fact, available at all. Some purveyors said these bottles -- like Isle of Jura's Shackleton or Pierre Ferrand Ancestrale Cognac -- hadn't reached the States yet. I find this a problem, particularly for those paying more to hit VIP hour for these rare tastes ($135 regular tickets; $185 for VIP hour).

One that WAS there however, was the soft, layered, fruity yet slightly oaky, Tamdhu 30 year from Gordon and MacPhail.

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Two excellent yearly reasons to wet your whistle are coming to town this week. Whiskey and wine, anyone?

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Having come of age in Portland at a time that coincided with the rise of Voodoo Doughnut, the novelty doughnut trend has had ample time to lose its luster for me. It is easy to be jaded when you grew up with 2 a.m. Nyquil-glazed treats. But today I had a rhubarb doughnut from Dynamo and my essential understanding of the fancy doughnut meme has shifted forever. Read more »

After the demise of the Underground Market, a bit of a streetside, downlow foodie vacuum has developed in SF. Sure, we've still got Off the Grid, Mission Community Market, and for the moment at least, the Free Farm Stand -- but it's not enough food-themed events for a town that rejoices in innovation and knowing what to eat before one's coworker does. Hot! New! More! Luckily this Sunday there's ample opportunity to get your locally-sourced snack on, in style. Read more »

On the purposefully unmarked road heading into Bolinas, there is a very wonderful spot you don't want to miss. The Gospel Flat Farm is a family-run organic edible haven, with an honor-based farm stand that is open 24 hours a day.

Sam Love and I were introduced to the farm when we met a couple of wonderful free spirits, Kalie and Scott, while hiking in Samuel P. Taylor Park a few weeks back. Scott is the resident bread baker at the farm's wood powered oven, and he and Kalie invited us to a photography show and autumnal equinox gathering down at the farm. So last Friday, after a sun-soaked hike on Mt. Tam, we wended our way down the hill to Bolinas to explore the farm.

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Every Sunday at the Parque Niños Unidos in the Mission, an eager group of people gather to receive free, organic food from the Free Farm Stand. The incredible project has been going on since since 2008 and has to date given out almost 17,000 pounds of fresh produce.

This is the brainchild of Tree Rub, a volunteer who started the project “to create a network of neighbors and local farmers who grow fruit, vegetables, and flowers and share their surplus with the community and especially with those in need.” But last Sunday Tree announced that the SF Recreation and Parks Department had received two complaints that the Free Farm Stand is “having a negative impact on the park.” Read more »

For those of you who attended last year’s San Francisco Cocktail Week, you know it was jam-packed with some downright magical events, celebrating our city’s rich cocktail heritage, bar talent and innovation. Monday begins the fifth annual Cocktail Week, bigger than ever, with numerous national and local brands represented, an extensive schedule of seminars, parties, events, and the first ever Legends Awards honoring key contributors in the field.

I’d recommend Cocktail Week certainly for aficionados (cocktail/spirits geeks), but equally for the curious or those who just plain love classy, transporting events.

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