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Ichifuji – San Diego, CA
Even fine dining in San Diego feels like you just kicked off your sandals after a day at the beach. There’s an ineffable approachability, ease, and joy that pervades the atmosphere at Ichifuji.

the_maestro
Oct 246 min read
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Owamni by the Sioux Chef – Minneapolis, MN
Owamni demonstrates the glory of the foodways of indigenous Americans, and point the way toward a gentler, slower system of food rooted in concepts held dear by the indigenous peoples of the Americas for generations––respect for the land, sustainability, and nourishment.

the_maestro
Oct 205 min read
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César – New York, NY
Chef RamÃrez and team are clearly on a mission to reclaim the third star he held at Chef's Table. Some of the smaller dishes belong firmly in the three-star column. The mains, meanwhile, while not boundary-pushing and generally classic in composition, make a strong case for a third star in the future.

the_maestro
Oct 187 min read
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Smyth – Chicago, IL
I can't think of a reason Smyth isn't deserving of their third Michelin star. Indeed, many dishes were some of the most successful in recent memory. There is some exceptional work that was truly singular, an ode to American bounty.

the_maestro
Jul 2612 min read
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Chez Noir (and Sommelier Life) – Carmel, CA
One of these days I'll stop apologizing to both of my loyal readers for completely ignoring them for months on end. Life is wild, and...

the_maestro
May 317 min read
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Becoming a Certified Sommelier
"What all did this involve?" is a question many curious family members, friends, and fellow wine professionals ask about certification.

the_maestro
Dec 21, 202418 min read
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Sommelier Studies: Nebbiolo, a Hometown Hero
Here's the next update of my Sommelier Studies series, focusing on one of my absolute favorite grape varietals.

the_maestro
Oct 14, 202410 min read
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Auro – Calistoga, CA
While still in the shadow of the legacy of the French Laundry, the food at Auro displays creativity, generosity, and heart.

the_maestro
Aug 28, 20248 min read
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Sommelier Studies: Toscana
The Maestro has decided he can't quit his love of learning, and I'm going "back to school," as it were––toward the end of this year, I'll...

the_maestro
Aug 24, 20248 min read
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The Best Bites at the Iowa State Fair
The standard fair fare of corn dogs and funnel cakes can be found at countless stands, but certain pioneering purveyors push the envelope!

the_maestro
Aug 18, 20244 min read
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Double Chicken Please – New York, NY
My sister and I, ever pursuers of excellent mixology, are shameless followers of the "Top 50" list of the "best" bars in the world. Of...

the_maestro
Jul 21, 20245 min read
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Clues for the Clueless: Wine FAQs, Part 1
For the next few installments of the Maestro's "Clues for the Clueless," allow me to answer some of your most pressing wine questions.

the_maestro
Apr 27, 20249 min read
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Sonoma Restaurant Week: The Best Dining and Deals
When it comes to food, the residents of Northern California are spoiled. Some of the greatest produce you can find is grown on area farms...

the_maestro
Mar 22, 20248 min read
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Three Wineries in La Rioja
Until this spring, I’d never done a wine tasting visit to Europe. In fact, until January, I’d never formally gone wine tasting outside of...

the_maestro
Mar 13, 202423 min read
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Ahi – Auckland, New Zealand
I spent two weeks wandering around New Zealand finding myself gobsmacked not just by the natural beauty, but also the quality of the...

the_maestro
Mar 2, 20247 min read
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New Zealand's Central Otago Wine Region
When you visit a locale that happens to make excellent wine, make sure you leave room in your suitcase. When I booked my January trip to...

the_maestro
Jan 30, 20248 min read
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Eat Like the Maestro at Miami Art Week
A few years back, the art world was shaken to its core when Italian absurdist artist Maurizio Cattelan duct taped a ripe banana to a wall...

the_maestro
Dec 11, 20235 min read
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Born and Bred – Seoul, South Korea
We've all heard of wagyu beef, Japan's absurdly marbled steaks that, according to urban legend, come from cows treated like kings––given...

the_maestro
Nov 17, 20236 min read
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Clues for the Clueless – Sushi in Japan
I like to think I am knowledgable about food and beverages. But sometimes one has an experience that reminds you just how little you...

the_maestro
Nov 10, 202310 min read
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Maz – Tokyo, Japan
Virgilio MartÃnez was just 31 when he took his Cordon Bleu training and line cooking experience back to his native Peru with a goal of...

the_maestro
Nov 3, 202313 min read
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