Author greenfairie Posted June 5, 2014 Author Share Posted June 5, 2014 If anyone else knows some cool spots to go to, I'd love more input from different people I was thinking about checking out some bars as well. Barhopping maybe does anyone have suggestions for that? Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 If anyone else knows some cool spots to go to, I'd love more input from different people I was thinking about checking out some bars as well. Barhopping maybe does anyone have suggestions for that? I know you are tired of hearing from me, but good friends of mine are starting the first licensed distillery in San Francisco and I am a professional food-and-wine writer, so I have some inside knowledge on eating and drinking... Here are the hot bars: Bourbon & Branch - You need reservations (yep, you read that right!). They give you a password to be able to get in and they offer a menu with their daily offerings. Beyond cool as it is housed in an historical speakeasy. Smuggler's Cove - Recently named one of the country's best bars by Esquire magazine. They specialize in rum drinks. Amazing rum drinks. Three different types of grog. My husband's favorite is the Three Dots And A Dash. Victory Hall - Lemongrass syrup, oatmeal stout reduction, smoked cherry bitters, and ginger nectar are just some of the interesting flavors their mixologists use. LoLo - Also a restaurant, but their agave bar is worth a visit! Rickhouse - I haven't been, but my friends love it. Wilson & Wilson - Like Bourbon & Branch, reservations only in this Noir-themed, historic-like speakeasy. Bar Agricole - One of my favorites, but I tend to go late in the afternoon (for an early dinner and cocktail), but the crowds start. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author greenfairie Posted June 8, 2014 Author Share Posted June 8, 2014 No way. I thought you'd be tired of me as a noob to San Francisco to ask! So really, thank you. Professional food-and-wine writer? Oooh! I'm intrigued to read your work. Blog or magazines or ? Just curious! I know you are tired of hearing from me, but good friends of mine are starting the first licensed distillery in San Francisco and I am a professional food-and-wine writer, so I have some inside knowledge on eating and drinking... Here are the hot bars: Bourbon & Branch - You need reservations (yep, you read that right!). They give you a password to be able to get in and they offer a menu with their daily offerings. Beyond cool as it is housed in an historical speakeasy. Smuggler's Cove - Recently named one of the country's best bars by Esquire magazine. They specialize in rum drinks. Amazing rum drinks. Three different types of grog. My husband's favorite is the Three Dots And A Dash. Victory Hall - Lemongrass syrup, oatmeal stout reduction, smoked cherry bitters, and ginger nectar are just some of the interesting flavors their mixologists use. LoLo - Also a restaurant, but their agave bar is worth a visit! Rickhouse - I haven't been, but my friends love it. Wilson & Wilson - Like Bourbon & Branch, reservations only in this Noir-themed, historic-like speakeasy. Bar Agricole - One of my favorites, but I tend to go late in the afternoon (for an early dinner and cocktail), but the crowds start. Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 No way. I thought you'd be tired of me as a noob to San Francisco to ask! So really, thank you. Professional food-and-wine writer? Oooh! I'm intrigued to read your work. Blog or magazines or ? Just curious! I've had upwards of six blogs, a ton of magazines, and am currently working on a book about oysters. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
CarrieT Posted June 8, 2014 Share Posted June 8, 2014 I went on a cocktail trawl with a girlfriend on Friday night. Here is a report I wrote up for a foodie chat site: We started the evening and Trou Normand as it was a few blocks from The Palace, where I was staying. Not having reservations, we stood at the bar for 15 or 20 minutes before seats opened up. Ironically, when we did sit down, it was right next to Chris Cosentino who was there, eating through the charcuterie menu! For cocktails, we shared an Algonquin (bourbon, lime, pineapple gum, vermouth) and a Demspey (gin, calvados, grenadine, absinthe). My friend -- who is opening a distillery -- was impressed at the alcohol-forward cocktails, mixologists, and giant, crystal-clear ice cubes. When we finally got seated, we had a small charcuterie plate (pork rillette, rabbit pâté, lonza, and coppa). We were impressed with the house-made butter but a little disappointed that the charcuterie plate did not come with any vinegar component (olive or cornichon). When we asked about it, they told us of the house-made pickles which we ordered. Nice and light, in a Japanese-sort-of-aesthetic. My friend had a second cocktail which I don't recall and - for my birthday - we were comped with a nice taster of Reserve Calvados by Lemorton. I think we would have stayed longer but for the acoustics; those high, concrete ceilings would benefit from some massive textile art to buffer the sound. Our next stop was The Cavalier. I adored the interior and we were easily able to sit at the bar upon entrance. Being a gin girl, I started with a White Lady (gin, creole shrub, egg white, lemon) and my friend had a Barrister (bourbon, vermouth, nardini amaro, yellow chartreuse). These were more interesting and complex cocktails for my palate. Small bites included the vadouvan-roasted Brussels sprouts, marrow-roasted oysters, and quail egg with crispy shallots. My friend had a second cocktail of Whiz Bang (scotch, cherry herring, vermouth, absinthe) while I had a complimentary Champagne (working the birthday!). I could have easily ordered a lot more from this menu, but we wanted to save room for our last stop... Next we hit TBD. Sadly, upon entering at 10:45, we were advised the kitchen was closing but we could still order dessert. I could have used a little more savory in my stomach, but this would suffice. Not having a full liquor license, we perused their "loophole" menu of cocktails. I ordered Jerez My Mind (vermouth, oloroso sherry and orange bitters) while our very nice bartender directed my friend towards some more interesting beers. She had one from The Bruery, "Sucre" Solera-aged old ale which I adored. For dessert, we shared the S'mores which was an interesting deconstruction of a chocolate and chicory pudding and torched, house-made marshmallow puffs. We were poured another, darker beer called Gigantic "Too Much Coffee Man" a dark saison from Portland. It was a really great evening with new tastes and as my husband is still working at The Palace today, my first thought was to bring him to Bix to taste their tartare and Sidecar. While out last night, I had was able to make reservations to take him back to Trou Normand this evening. Shelving both those ideas, I am going to cancel TN in preference to return to The Cavalier for a bigger meal for the next evening. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
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