Features reporter
John Metcalfe
John Metcalfe is a Bay Area News Group features reporter for The Mercury News and East Bay Times, covering nature, food, the arts, and notable things to do in the Bay Area for the Eat Drink Play section. He lives in Oakland with no pets unless you count a thoroughly embedded family of backyard raccoons. Follow him on Twitter at or on .
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10 tree-house hotels in the U.S. for you to commune with nature in comfort
Raised in seclusion above the forest floor, these accommodations recall the simple joys of childhood.

Recipe: Smoked pork ribs with Memphis dry rub from âAC Barbequeâ
Good barbecue isnât always about sauces.

10 unique global hotels that are perfect for stargazing
People who want to get away from the city and experience the heavensâ natural splendor might consider one of these stargazing-friendly hotel.

Denver bar ranked among the 10 best in the U.S., according to Food & Wine
This month, Food & Wine released its annual Global Tastemakers Awards, naming a Denver bar to its list of the Top 10 in the U.S.

A taste of the outdoors: National Geographic cookbook features National Parks-inspired recipes
Recipes honor these protected lands, from the Grand Canyon to the Florida Keys.

Super Bowl LX guide: What to do within 10 miles of Leviâs Stadium
Silicon Valley computer history, heritage neighborhoods, museums, parks, restaurants -- and a mysterious 160-room mansion

The best food cities in America for 2025
San Francisco and New Orleans are among the winners of Conde Nast Traveler's Readersâ Choice Awards.

The worldâs top 10 food cities, including a Southern fave
Where to travel in 2025 if you want to eat well, according to the readers of Time Out

3 winter cocktail recipes
Drinks to make winter and New Year's Eve feel special.