Coffee Cocktails, Tasting Rooms, and the Case for Dining In
Eating out isn't what it used to be, so I'm doing a little less of it.
Last year when I got laid off, I kept living a very normal life for like the following six months until I ran out of money. I traveled, I wrote, I applied to jobs, I pitched stories, I did some freelance work, and yes, I went to restaurants. Every week. But over the past year or so, I’ve noticed something, and I’m not the only one. Dining out these days is less impressive, more expensive, and it seems that the quality of the food just isn’t what it used to be. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not going to stop doing it, but I am trying to be a little more selective about where I spend my money.
In contrast, eating at a friend’s place, whether an intimate dinner party or something even smaller, has felt extra special lately and I just want to do more of it. Imagine showing up in sweats with wine and sweets and being greeted at the door with a cute little martini. Like I said, more of that.
This week I’m in LA so I’ll report back on things I did and loved. Spent a quick 24 hours in Pismo Beach (just a few hours north of Malibu) and a few standouts were The Spoon Trade (sit at the bar, order the sourdough, and try all the wine on tap + the locally-made vermouths), Sans Liege (a tasting room along the San Luis Obispo Coastal Wine Trail where you can try five wines for $25), and the sunny back patio at the Timbre Winery Tasting Room in Arroyo Grande (where all the wines have musical names like “Opening Act” and “Lead Vocals”). What I love about wine tasting and these tasting rooms and restaurants in particular is how friendly and knowledgeable the staff are and how they’ll always pour you a little extra taste of something you liked and want to revisit.
Other than that, I know I owe you guys guides to Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin as well as Cary and Raleigh, North Carolina (plus some Italy stuff still). They’re all in the drafts, I promise.
I’ve been keeping pretty busy with my day job, where I’m writing 5,000+ words a week on destinations, hotels, and restaurants. I also recently researched and wrote this fun piece on where to find the best coffee cocktails in Atlanta for Eater (my first for the publication) and am working on another Eater story I’m really excited about for next month. If you happen to be dining out in Atlanta, Gigi’s has been my neighborhood favorite for a while. It’s not super pricey, the menu is small (you can literally order one of each) and the cocktails are fresh/creative/fun.
Until the next letter, which could be in your inbox in one week or three. :)
Loved your IG stories on Pismo Beach today!