Author Archives: Chuck Gregory

New Michelin Guide for San Francisco Is Out

Michelin announced its selection for the third edition of the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country. The MICHELIN guide contains more than 55 new establishments, and features 448 establishments in all — a number that includes 383 restaurants representing 35 types of cuisine, and 65 area hotels.

Among the Michelin stars awarded this year:
— The French Laundry remains the sole Michelin three-star selection
— Coi joins the ranks of Michelin two-star restaurants
— Murray Circle, Plumed Horse, Trevese and The Village Pub join the
Michelin one-star selections

 

The Michelin Guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 features the Bib Gourmand category, which indicates Michelin inspectors' favorites for good value. This year's Bib Gourmands include 55 restaurants that serve a menu with two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert for $40 or less. The restaurants awarded this distinction can be identified by a red pictogram depicting the head of Bibendum(R), the Michelin Man.

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 also includes 56 restaurants serving a meal (two dishes and a glass of wine or dessert) for $25 or less. In the selection, these establishments are indicated by the coins pictogram.

As a result, almost a third of the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 selection comprises highly affordable restaurants. While the MICHELIN guide is known around the world for its famous stars, these restaurants account for just ten percent of the selection. With more than 1.2 million copies sold in approximately 100 countries, the MICHELIN guide has always built its success on the diversity of its selection and especially on small establishments offering a high-quality dining experience at an affordable price, of which the best are included in the "Our inspectors' favorites for good value" category. Moreover, inclusion in the MICHELIN guide is, in itself, synonymous with quality, since only the best establishments in each comfort and price category are selected.

Also new for 2009, consumers will have the option to access the North American MICHELIN guide selections on their mobile phones through a licensing agreement with mobile content provider UBI UBI. The content for all four U.S. MICHELIN guides, which include New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, will be available by subscription beginning in October 2008. For more information, please visit www.ubiubi.mobi .

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 includes a total of 32 "starred" restaurants, of which one — The French Laundry — has received three stars, six two stars and 25 one star. To ensure a consistent selection, the same five criteria are used for awarding stars in all countries: product quality, preparation and flavors, the cuisine's personality, value for money and consistency.

One star * means a very good restaurant in its category.
Two stars ** mean excellent cooking, worth a detour.
Three stars *** mean exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey.

 

The presentation of each hotel and restaurant in the MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2009 includes a description of the atmosphere, interior decoration, chef's background, etc. These descriptions are intended solely to provide readers with additional information about the establishment.

Present in North America since late 2005, the MICHELIN guide has four city editions: The MICHELIN guide New York City, now in its fourth edition, the third edition MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area & the Wine Country, and the second editions of the MICHELIN guide Los Angeles 2009 and the MICHELIN guide Las Vegas 2009, which will be announced on Oct. 20.

In Europe, the collection currently comprises 21 MICHELIN guides, including English-language versions of the Michelin Guide France and the MICHELIN guide Paris. The MICHELIN guide's Asian editions include the MICHELIN guide Tokyo, and the MICHELIN guide Hong Kong & Macao debuting in December 2008.

Thanks to a rigorous selection process that is applied independently and consistently around the world, the MICHELIN guide has become an international benchmark in gourmet dining. The selection is made by anonymous, professional inspectors who are Michelin employees and is based on the same working methods in all countries.

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area and Wine Country 2008 goes on sale Tues., Oct. 14 for $16.95. Langenscheidt Publishing Group, premier publisher of map, travel, and language brands, is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Michelin Maps and Guides. For more information, please visit www.langenscheidt.com/michelin .

For more than a century, MICHELIN guides have helped travelers enjoy better mobility by offering qualified restaurant and hotel recommendations throughout Europe. Now representing 22 countries and three continents, the collection of 26 MICHELIN guides includes more than 45,000 addresses. Its team of highly trained inspectors visits establishments anonymously, applying Michelin's international standards for quality across many categories. In North America, the company has introduced MICHELIN guides for New York City and San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country, Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Michelin has also announced that it will introduce the MICHELIN guide to Hong Kong and Macao in December. For more information, visit www.michelinguide.com .

The MICHELIN guide San Francisco, Bay Area & Wine Country 2009

MICHELIN STARS

Total number One star (*) Two stars Three stars
of (**) (***)
restaurants
383 25 6 1

DINING: 383 Restaurants
56 Establishments offering a simple menu
at less than $25

55 Our inspectors' favorites," establishments offering a
menu with two dishes and a glass of wine or a dessert at
less than $40

Cuisines included in Guide: 35
American Chinese Japanese Seafood
Asian Contemporary Latin American Southwestern
Australian French Mediterranean Spanish
Barbeque Fusion Mexican Steakhouse
Basque Gastropub Moroccan Thai
Brazilian Greek Persian Vegan
Burmese Indian Peruvian Vegetarian
Californian International Pizza Vietnamese
Caribbean Italian Portuguese

MICHELIN RESTAURANT RATINGS

ONE STAR (*) (by neighborhood)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Acquerello San Francisco Nob Hill
Ame San Francisco SoMa
Auberge du Soleil Rutherford Napa Valley
Bistro Jeanty Yountville Napa Valley
Bouchon Yountville Napa Valley
Boulevard San Francisco SoMa
Chez Panisse Berkeley East of San Francisco
Chez TJ Mountain View South of San Francisco
Dining Room at the San Francisco Nob Hill
Ritz-Carlton (The)
Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant Forestville Sonoma County
Fifth Floor San Francisco SoMa
Fleur de Lys San Francisco Financial District
Gary Danko San Francisco North Beach
La Folie San Francisco Nob Hill
Madrona Manor Healdsburg Sonoma County
Martini House St. Helena Napa Valley
Masa's San Francisco Nob Hill
Murray Circle (new) Sausalito North of San Francisco
One Market San Francisco SoMa
Plumed Horse (new) Saratoga South of San Francisco
Range San Francisco Mission District
Redd Yountville Napa Valley
Terra St. Helena Napa Valley
Trevese (new) Los Gatos South of San Francisco
Village Pub (The) (new) Woodside South of San Francisco

TWO STARS (**) (by neighborhood)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Aqua San Francisco Financial District
Coi San Francisco North Beach Area
Cyrus Healdsburg Sonoma County
Manresa Los Gatos South of San Francisco
Meadowood, The Restaurant St. Helena Napa Valley
Michael Mina San Francisco Financial District

THREE STARS (***)
ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
The French Laundry Yountville Napa Valley
BIB GOURMAND (Under $40)

ESTABLISHMENT CITY NEIGHBORHOOD
Aperto San Francisco Mission District
A 16 San Francisco Marina District
BarBersQ Napa Napa Valley
Bar Tartine San Francisco Mission District
Bay Wolf Oakland East of San Francisco
Bellanico Oakland East of San Francisco
Betelnut Pejiu Wu San Francisco Marina District
Burma Superstar San Francisco Richmond & Sunset
Cafe Gibraltar El Granada South of San Francisco
Cena Luna Healdsburg Sonoma County
Colibri San Francisco Financial District
Cook St. Helena St. Helena Napa Valley
Cucina Paradiso Petaluma Sonoma County
Delfina San Francisco Mission District
Espetus Churrascaria San Francisco Civic Center
Farina San Francisco Mission District
Fork San Anselmo North of San Francisco
Hong Kong Flower Lounge Millbrae South of San Francisco
Incanto San Francisco Castro District
Insalata's San Anselmo North of San Francisco
Jojo Oakland East of San Francisco
Junnoon Palo Alto South of San Francisco
K&L Bistro Sebastopol Sonoma County
Kokkari Estiatorio San Francisco North Beach Area
Le Charm San Francisco SoMa
Mamacita San Francisco Marina District
Market St. Helena Napa Valley
Maykadeh San Francisco North Beach Area
Mirepoix Windsor Sonoma County
Namu San Francisco Richmond and Sunset
Nopa San Francisco Civic Center
Oliveto Oakland East of San Francisco
Osake Santa Rosa Sonoma County
Perbacco San Francisco Financial District
Poleng San Francisco Civic Center
Risibisi Petaluma Sonoma County
rnm San Francisco Civic Center
Sakae Burlingame South of San Francisco
Sauce San Francisco Civic Center
Slanted Door (The) San Francisco Financial District
Slow Club San Francisco Mission District
Sociale San Francisco Marina District
South Park Cafe San Francisco SoMa
Tamarindo Oakland East of San Francisco
Tokyo Go Go San Francisco Mission District
Tommaso's San Francisco North Beach Area
TWO San Francisco SoMa
Universal Cafe San Francisco Mission District
Vanessa's Bistro Berkeley East of San Francisco
Venticello San Francisco Nob Hill
Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar Healdsburg Sonoma County
Willi's Wine Bar Santa Rosa Sonoma County
Xanh Mountain View South of San Francisco
Yank Sing San Francisco SoMa
zazu Santa Rosa Sonoma County

 

March of Dimes Chicago Signature Chefs Auction on Nov. 10

Several of Chicago's premier chefs will feature their signature dishes in an evening of sampling and tasting on Monday, November 10 at the March of Dimes Chicago Signature Chefs Auction. Celebrity Chef and March of Dimes spokesperson, Rahman "Chef Rock" Harper, winner of Hell's Kitchen (season 3) will also be in attendance to share his story and his newly created folate-rich recipe for women considering becoming pregnant. More than 600 guests will have the opportunity to sample the unique dishes of over 25 chefs representing some of the city's most notable restaurants. The event takes place from 5-9 p.m. at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers located at 301 East North Water Street in Chicago. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on a variety of unique travel, dining and entertainment packages in the live and silent auctions.
 

Honorary Chefs of the event are: Executive Chef Hans Aeschbacher from Smith & Wollensky, and Executive Chef Gabriel Viti from Gabriel's Restaurant and Miramar Bistro. Event Co-Chairs of the event are Elizabeth K. Christie and William N. Howard. Tickets are $200 each. Major sponsors of the evening include American Airlines, Bill Barry, Cigna Health Care of Illinois, The Elizabeth K. Christie Charitable Foundation, Freeborn & Peters, LLP, Harris Bank, The Private Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Salon Buzz, TCF Bank, and WDRV-FM (The Drive) — the official radio media sponsor and Chicago Social — the official magazine sponsor. For more information including a complete list of participating restaurants, or to purchase tickets, call Amy Snyder at 312-596-4726 or visit www.tinytastings.com.
 

Nation's Largest Beer Festival on Tap in Denver

Held in the Colorado Convention Center, the festival covers nine acres with 400 different craft breweries exhibiting their wares, all competing for coveted medals. Some 46,000 beer-lovers are expected to attend, each receiving a special glass that entitles them to a one ounce sample of any of the 1,900 pale ales, stouts, porters and lagers available. The breweries are arranged by geographic location, so it's possible to “drink your way across America.” But sampling the beers requires some discretion and choice. A one ounce sample of every beer available would require drinking the equivalent of 26 six-packs.

Denver and the GABF are a perfect match. Colorado brews more beer than any other state and the Mile High City is home to the world's largest single brewery, Coors Brewery, and the nation's largest brewpub, the Wynkoop Brewing Company, founded by the city's mayor, John Hickenlooper.

Throughout Colorado, there are more than 80 brewpubs, 18 microbreweries, and two major breweries, burnishing the state's reputation as the “Napa Valley” of beer.

More Info on the GABF at www.GreatAmericanBeerFestival.com

Cindy Crawford Launches Mag. in Chicago

Supermodel and Chicago native Cindy Crawford will join Niche Media CEO Jason Binn, Midwest President and Publisher Dan Uslan and Editor-in-Chief Susanna Homan, to host the launch party for Michigan Avenue magazine on Sept. 20, 2008.

The red carpet extravaganza at The James Chicago will bring together tastemakers from the Windy City and around the country including “Top Chef Chicago” winner Stephanie Izard, Pro Golfer Luke Donald, and more. Guests will be treated to live performances from Terrence Howard and Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams while sipping on Don Julio Ultra Premium tequila, Ciroc cocktails, Sapporo beer, and enjoying food from the renowned David Burke's Primehouse.

About Michigan Avenue magazine: Michigan Avenue is synonymous with Chicago–and Michigan Avenue magazine, which debuted on September 15, 2008, is the talk of the town, celebrating the lifestyles and passions of the city's most affluent and sophisticated readers. High-impact covers and witty, intelligent editorial content make Michigan Avenue magazine a must-read. Every issue features interviews, fashion stories, an inside look at the lives of celebrity contributors, product and accessories trends, the best in home design, art, restaurants, theatre, entertainment, and amazing photos of the people and places that make Chicago so special.

More than 30 bold-faced names with Chicago ties have contributed to the first issue, including Oprah Winfrey, Mayor Richard M. Daley, Michelle Obama, Reverend Al Sharpton, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, political comedian Bill Maher, Chicago rocker Pete Wentz, famed photographer Victor Skrebneski, singer Michelle Williams of Destiny's Child fame, journalist Bill Kurtis, Tim Zagat, Mariel Hemingway, writer and host James Lipton and news anchor Robin Meade, to name a few on the acclaimed list.

About Niche Media Holdings: Niche Media, a subsidiary of Greenspun Media Group, was founded in 1992 and is the country's preeminent regional magazine company with the largest network of city-specific luxury publications in the United States. Niche Media consistently delivers the finest editorial content and advertising to a controlled group of influencers with the highest disposable incomes in each city. Niche Media reaches readers who maintain annual household incomes of at least $200,000 and have liquid assets in excess of $1 million, making the pages of these glossies some of the most valuable real estate in publishing. Additionally, the company brings its publications' pages to life with more than 500 dynamic A-list events across the country each year. With more than 300 full-time employees, Niche Media exceeds 30,000 pages annually, and its titles have a combined annual distribution of more than 8 million copies. Niche Media's titles provide advertisers and marketers with a direct connection to the most desirable markets across the country.

Patron Tea and Reception

Carmen Dell’Orefice and Stanley Paul

Chicago orchestra leader Stanley Paul hosted a Patron’s Tea and Reception on the terrace of his penthouse apartment in honor of Carmen Dell’Orefice, who was the guest speaker the following day at the 7th annual Handbags and Halos luncheon benefiting the Howard Brown Health Center. Assembled guests included HBHC President Michael Cook, Hazel Barr, Barbara Kipper, Zaerada Gowenlock, Lynn McMahan, Candace Jordan, Helen Mclchior, Sherren Leigh, Peter Martino, Jenny Mack and Paul Fairchild of HBHC.

Bunky Cushing and Mamie Walton

Shauna Montgomery and Lynn McMahan

John Ansehl and Gerri Shute

Laura Barnett, Hazel Barr, Maria Pappas, and Sherren Leigh

Carmen Dell’Orefice and Bunky Cushing

Michelle Parrillo, Gia McDermott, Rebecca Besser, and Robin Berger

HBHC President Michael Cook and Shelley Farley

Linda Heister and Heather Wright

 

 

Ghetto Film School Party

The Ghetto Film School (GFS) held its first fundraiser in Los Angeles at the home of Ellen Goldsmith-Vein. Hosted by filmmakers David O.Russell and Spike Jonze, the star-studded evening helped to raise funds and awareness for New York’s only free non-profit film school among the Los Angeles Film Community. The benefit brought out some of Hollywood’s top directors, producers, and actors who showed their support for this dynamic non-profit organization that is training our country’s future filmmakers. Guests included: Orlando Bloom, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Johnny Knoxville, Topher Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ghetto Film School Founder and President Joe Hall, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Kristin Hahn, Rachael Horovitz, Evan Shapiro, Sandra Granzow, and filmmakers Spike Jonze, David O. Russell, Catherine Hardwicke, and Kim Peirce. Based in the South Bronx, the Ghetto Film School is an award winning, youth media, non-profit organization that aims to connect talented young people to artistic career opportunities in the world of film and video. Since 2000, GFS has provided over 600 students with classic film school education at no cost.

Orlando Bloom

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Katherine Narducci with Ghetto Film School Students

Spike Jonze and David O.Russell with Ghetto Film School students

Evan Shapiro, Rachael Horovitz, and Joe Hall

Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Joe Hall

Topher Grace and Sarah Michelle Gellar with Ghetto Film School Students

Orlando Bloom and Ghetto Film School Students

Bryce Dallas Howard and Kristin Hahn with a friend

Lucy Fisher and Doug Wick

Spike Jonze

Mark Levin and Jennifer Flackett

Elizabeth Stanley and Joe Dante

Johnny Knoxville with Ghetto Film School Students

David O.Russell, Kim Peirce, and Charles Roven

Maurice Marable, Evan Shapiro, and Greg D’Alba

 

 

Legends of The Fall

At the Park Avenue apartment of Michele and Larry Herbert to kick off the NYU Tisch School of Arts Fall Gala.

Michele and Larry Herbert held a kick off party at their Park Avenue apartment for the NYU Tisch School of Arts Fall Gala honoring Iris Cantor, Alec Baldwin, and Maurice Kanbar.

Alec Baldwin, Iris Cantor, and John Desiderio

Joseph DiLorenzo, Rosemarie DiLorenzo, Sharon Peterson, and Randy Glatt

Larry Herbert, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Michele Herbert, and Loren Herbert

Alec Baldwin, Marissa Bregman, Marty Bregman, and Cornelia Sharpe Bregman

Michele Herbert, Doug Wheeler, and Carla Wheeler

Andrew Uriarte, Cynthia Weiler, and Blake Moore

Peggy and Henry Schleiff

Jill and Jerry Hultin

Cornelia Sharpe Bregman and Amanda Haynes-Dale

Jeanette Loeb, Maurice Kanbar, Mary Schmidt Campbell, and Marta Leon

Margie Beck and Maurice Kanbar

Larry Herbert and Barbara de Portago

Ariana DiLorenzo, Loren Herbert, Georgia Curatola, and Dr. Gerry Curatola

Deb Lapidus, Marta Leon, Jeremy Katz, and Amirah Vann

Amirah Vann

Anne Palermo, Julian Glatt, and Randy Glatt

Lisa Linden and Sharon Peterson

More party pictures from Quest magazine’s cocktail celebration of this year’s Quest 400 List at the newly re-decorated Doubles in the Sherry Netherland.

Barclay Butera and Christine Phillips

Lisa Crosby, Chuck Pfeiffer, and Priscilla Ulmann

Bill Diggins and June Haynes

Cena Jackson, Sarah Basile, and Jamie Korey

Daniel Benedict, Sessa von Richthofen, and Andrew Saffir

Kimberly DuRoss

Tom Sellin and Ilka Rocchi

Nikki Haskell and Patty Raynes

Laura and John McCloy

Virginie Troussard, Cricket Burns, Edward Barsamian, and Judy Price

Richard Johnson and Sessa von Richthofen

Michael Steinberg and Elizabeth Robertson

Sabrina Kleier, Michelle Kleier, Ian Kleier, and Samantha Kleier

Audrey Gruss and Katherine Bryan

 

Andrea Masano and Jere Patterson

Annabel Vartanian

Judy Robinson and Doug Robinson

Somers Farkas, Mildred Brinn, and Jamee Gregory

Grace Meigher and Jamie Figg

Hannah Pakula and Tony Hoyt

Jake Bryan and Taki Theodoracopulos

Jim Brodsky

Alice Mason and Kirk Henckels

Charles and Gail Atkins

Mario Buatta, Susan Burke, and Tom Schaeffer

Ann Nitze and Howard Clark

Roger Webster and Ed Ulmann

Kathy Sloane

Lorna Graev, Mark Gilbertson, Katherine Bryan, and friend

Barbara de Portago and Brucie Boalt

Joe and Hilary Califano

Leonard Lopate

Susan Fales-Hill, Diahann Carroll, and Lynn Whitfield

Gayle King and Diahann Carroll

Joel Gray and Larry Grossman

Patrick Cole, Camille Cosby, and Carmen Delavallade

Somers Farkas and Parker Ladd

Michael Conroy, Katherine Beitner, and Jamie Brickhouse

Susan Fales-Hill, Ashley McDermott, and Sandy Golinkin

Sherry Bronfman and friend

Don Davis, Michael Morrison, Diahann Carroll, and Barbara Walters

Brian Panella, Katherine Beitner, and Brian Christian

Diahann Carroll and Arnold Scaasi

Kathy Schneider and Katherine Beitner

Adriana Trigiani, Stuart Ross, and Judy Wicker

Paul Adamo, Diahann Carroll, and Louis Adamo

Charlotte Hosts Oktoberfest!

Crowd gets a taste of German celebration as Charlotte hosts the 8th annual Oktoberfest near uptown. Close to 80 breweries were in attendance; from national breweries like Anheuser-Busch, all the way to certified home brewmasters. Oktoberfest 2008 was sold out as the crowd steadily swayed from tent to tent receiving 5oz samples from the participating breweries. The Charlotte audience did not only enjoy the beer; bands played through out the day while others took time to play foosball and other games scattered around the stadium by Central Piedmont Community College.
This event and the World Beer Festival that was held in Raleigh, NC marked the beginning of North Carolina’s celebration of Germany’s Oktoberfest.
“I’ve never been to Germany to experience Oktoberfest, says Lisa, a recent graduate, “but the Charlotte Oktoberfest was amazing. I can’t wait until next year’s!”

Charlotte Style Magazine Launched

Charlotte embraces its STYLish Citizens: the Charlotte STYLE Magazine Cover and Launch Party

As you approached the red carpet toward the elevator of Loft 1523, an upscale martini bar off 4th street, you would have known that you were going to be in for a treat. Charlotte STYLE launched its first print form of its magazine early October, and invited all its patrons, friends and beautiful people it knew to join together and celebrate.

What a treat. From models, to NBA athletes, architects and custom tailors, one was rubbing elbows with the movers and shakers of our beloved Queen City. A wonderful networking opportunity, and a fashion show to boot, the 25 Most Stylish and the launch/cover party did not disappoint.

If you have an event you'd like covered, please e-mail Charlotte@PartyDigest.com.

Ruckus in the Cage Comes to Charlotte

UFC and mixed martial arts has been the buzz in the sports industry and entertainment of late.Just recently, numbers came out that a UFC title bout received more money than a Las Vegas Boxing Title match- now that’s some cash. Charlotte gets a taste of it when Ruckus in the Cage comes to the Metrolina Expo on November 14; and Charlotte even has a great representation of hometown fighters in it, so that’ll be exciting to see.There are still tickets available, and those that remain will be sold at the gate. Check the site for more information. Go here

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