The Perfect Spot

07/02/2026

May 2026 was second time since 2024 back to the great, reborn Emeril's under EJ Lagasse — and the only 2 Michelin restaurant in the U.S. South.

Their stellar team (true Southern hospitality), EJ's inspired menus, whimsical-elegant plateware, front seat kitchen view, superb cocktails, wine pairings and touches like legendary 1934 Hansen's Sno-Bliz (https://snobliz.square.site) as intermezzo palate cleanser make it oh-so New Orleans (thanks, Jason!) The new Emeril's tributes Cajun and Creole food in a way that has never been done before.

Stay tuned for my review and latest Nola guide:
https://virginiamiller.substack.com
https://theperfectspotsf.com/tag/new-orleans

https://youtu.be/L1QlTKz1VmA

May 2026 was second time since 2024 back to the great, reborn Emeri...

07/01/2026

The kind of friends you thank the Divine for... the kind that celebrate and savor life and "wins" with you, and more rare: who stand by you in the darkest of nights and loss.

A beautiful overnight with my dear Aurora at dreamy The Madrona in Healdsburg.

07/01/2026

My sign of a restaurant headed for greatness (best-of lists, awards) is when there are at least two mind-blowing dishes that could both be iconic in a city, especially as most are lucky to have one dish that memorable. The “wow” dishes I craved immediately at the new restaurant, Maria Isabel, from Dalida SF 's Mexican-Turkish chefs Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz:

—Tamalitos de maíz is a sigh-inducing sweet corn tamal with perfect masa, savory with Santa Barbara sea urchin and roasted poblano crema, Mexican vanilla oil and lacto-fermented habanero sauce.

—Duck carnitas enmoladas, the breakfast I had daily in Oaxaca. Chef Laura (thankfully) makes a range of delectable moles, among my favorite dishes of all time and most complex in the world. Over two visits, I tried a few moles, described in my review:

https://virginiamiller.substack.com/p/mole-and-maiz-a-new-modern-mexican

07/01/2026

Researching one quick night in Healdsburg at The Madrona for a winemaker dinner, I marveled at its hip, funky-yet-elegant Jay Jeffers' remodel/massive redesign, retaining it's 1800's Victorian-era house vibes and this spectacular garden of flowers and produce used in their restaurant (views from my room, too).

The entirity of Sonoma is one of my "happy places." I've written ma...

06/30/2026

Blessed to have visited Brazil in May 2026 bmerely weeks after two restaurants made history as the first to earn 3 Michelin stars in all of Latin America, both in São Paulo... which I'll write about in my upcoming Brazil guide: https://virginiamiller.substack.com.

Here, a peek at Tuju_sp from chef Ivan Ralston, #8 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants. From the pages of "Alice in Wonderland" artfully lining the entrance hallway, to the dramatic, three-story architecture, the rooftop library and dessert course floor... especially that produce line-up in the dining room! TUJU wows in its design and "moveable feast" flow from bar atrium to rooftop.

https://youtu.be/cgSgMC7YjJg

Blessed to have visited Brazil in May 2026 bmerely weeks after two ...

06/30/2026

The entirity of Sonoma is one of my "happy places." I've written many a guide to the massive County over these 20 years https://theperfectspotsf.com/tag/sonoma, with another coming soon.

Recently, researching in Healdsburg at The Madrona, I marveled at its hip, funky-yet-elegant remodel, retaining it's 1800's Victorian-era house vibes and this spectacular garden of flowers and produce used in their restaurant.

06/30/2026

Freshly garnering another Michelin star this week, I adore Caruso’s open-air restaurant that flows onto a deck one floor above the sand, gazing down at the waves gently rolling in below. It feels full SoCal with all the beachy vibes, but thankfully it’s a “no flip-flops and sportswear” kind of place that feels classy, elegant but not at all stuffy, in keeping with its ultra-relaxed setting.

But that isn’t why this blessed restaurant has a Michelin star (and a Michelin Green star), though the refined touches matter. Chef/partner Massimo Falsini and senior chef de cuisine Shibani Mone are working wonders in the kitchen that reflects the ridiculous bounty of the region. I remember (and wrote about) chef Falsini’s brilliant pastas and cooking when he was chef at Solage, Auberge Collection resort’s Solbar restaurant near me in Napa...

Here's what he's doing in the Santa Barbara area at the dreamy respite of Rosewood Miramar Beach:

https://virginiamiller.substack.com/p/santa-barbaras-gifts-to-the-world

06/29/2026

Blessed to have visited Brazil in May just weeks after two restaurants made history as the first to earn 3 Michelin stars in all of Latin America, both in São Paulo... all of which I'll write about in my upcoming Brazil guide: https://virginiamiller.substack.com.

Here, a peek at the unreal Evvai from chef Luiz Filipe Souza, also #20 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants.

With whimsical cartoon art telling the story and color of each course, the EVVAI experience was one of the most original and playfully delicious out of my usual few hundred a year.

Well deserved accolades!

https://youtu.be/X_CVmLZMOyE

Blessed to have visited Brazil in May just weeks after two restaura...

06/29/2026

After dinner at Carbone Riviera, the magical hour we got our own private boat ride on the Bellagio Las Vegas "lake", down to choosing our own dancing waters show songs... Gene Kelly "Singin' in the Rain," for me. I was very torn between Kelly and Sinatra.

My fellow Jersey Sicilian Sinatra and the Rat Pack is THE quintessential Vegas for me, but nothing quite fits the swaying waters as the lilting romance of Singin' in the Rain.

I felt like a girl again regularly at the Disneyland Hotel watching the Dancing Waters show with my family.

Ride along with me! www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIbEO9M9AwU

(Thank you, David Morris!)

Major Food Group

06/29/2026

Guide: My favorite coastline in the world... Mendocino Coast.

Here, a tucked away cove, a slip of a village (Elk) on remote coastline and a 2 Michelin restaurant, to boot.

Where to eat, stay & drink now in Mendocino: https://virginiamiller.substack.com/p/mendocinos-gifts-to-the-world

Visit Mendocino County Harbor House Inn