Bourbon whiskey, vermouth, bitters. $8
Mission Bowling Club, San Francisco CA
I think Manhattans go with any food! Maybe that’s the alcoholic in me postulating that, hehe.
Benjamin Franklin statue, Washington Square Park.
Bellini: sparkling wine and peach. $8.50
Kir royal: sparkling wine and creme de cassis. $8.50
L’appart Resto, San Anselmo CA
Mmm, champagne brunch cocktails are delicious and I love mixing it up! L’appart Resto had nice alternatives to the usual mimosa, score!
Bread. Complimentary
This bread was really tasty especially with the real butter slathered on top, noms!
Clematis ‘Multi Blue’ (Ranunculaceae), Kentfield.
“In New Orleans, they like to do things their own way. Judging by this famous variation on the old-fashioned, that way may be the right way. Rittenhouse 100 rye whiskey, the Crescent City’s own Peychaud’s bitters, a bit of sugar – and a glass rinsed with a green bitter liquid that shall remain nameless.” $11
The Alembic, San Francisco CA
Mmm, I’ve grown to appreciate a well-made sazerac. The Alembic knows how to make proper cocktails so I’m a happy man!
Banana people street art, The Mission.
Caiprinha: top shelp cachaca and fresh lime. $10
Manhattan: bourbon, vermouth, bitters. $9
Bossa Nova, San Francisco CA
I love caipirinhas because they’re so light and refreshing (just like Brazilians I guess)! Bossa Nova makes some pretty good caipirinhas but I’m always a little surprised how much they cost here. I’m not sure I’m convinced that they deserve this price point.
Purple cherry blossom mural, Potrero Hill.
Cypress: California sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. $8
Mimosa: California sparkling wine and fresh-squeezed orange juice. $8
Liberty Cafe, San Francisco CA
I was appalled by the horrible customer service at Liberty Cafe. They super slow and snarky, as if the patrons were doing them a favor by eating at their establishment. Please! I will definitely not be returning to this lame restaurant!
Classic cocktail with Bulleit rye, sweet vermouth, absinthe, bitters. $10
Mission Bowling Club, San Francisco CA
Hmm, I love Manhattans but the addition of absinthe is hit or miss for me. This drink was too absinthe-y for my taste so I thought the cocktail was just ok.
Colorful prism/ocean mural, The Mission.
Tito’s tequila, lemon, elderflower, champagne. $10
Hi Tops, San Francisco CA
Meh, I’m kinda tired of the specialty cocktails at Hi Tops. The ingredients usually sound great, but somehow the actual cocktails are usually a letdown. This cocktail was too tart and had no body, ugh!
Bike rack sidewalk stencil, The Mission.
“The oldest cocktail, and still one of the best. Nothing more than a slug of good whiskey on the rocks, with a couple of dashes of bitters, a little sugar, and a twist of lemon peel to take the edge off. Sometimes the simplest things work best. We make ours without the “garbage” – the fruit salad with wich the noble old warhorse is so often weighed down.” $11
The Alembic, San Francisco CA
The cocktails here are really good. Standard, simple, and delicious! I really liked the atmosphere as well. There’s a small bar area in front and a few tables in back for diners. The service was nice and laid-back but still attentive.
7×7 Magazine’s The Big Eat San Francisco: 100 Things to Eat + Drink Before You Die – 2010
Seasoned popcorn. Complimentary
Pink flowers of Ochagavia litoralis (Bromeliaceae), West Field Road
100% Agave Dos Manos, triple sec, fresh citrus juices. Pitcher $27
Velvet Cantina, San Francisco CA
I’ve been to Velvet Cantina several times now and I haven’t been all that impressed with their margaritas. They’re decent, but nothing special. They’re not cheap so I would expect more “wow”!
Chips and salsa. Complimentary
I do love their chips and salsa though. The chips are extra salty and their salsa is a bit different from most restaurants.
Agave “Blue Glow” plant (Asparagaceae), West Field Road.
What’s Spanish tapas without some sangria?! The sangria at Canela is slightly on the sweeter side, but still very drinkable. 1/2 bottle $16
Canela, San Francisco CA
Marinated olives. Complimentary
Happy Birthday Stache! Random sidewalk message, Castro.
Maker’s Mark bourbon, sweet vermouth, bitters. $7.50
Trax, San Francisco CA
I’ve often heard my New York friends refer to San Francisco as a drinking town, and I think they’re probably right. Our bars are generally more crowded at any time of day than anywhere else I’ve visited. And people are actually drinking and not just hanging out. Don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing, but I’d rather walk into a occupied bar than an empty one.
Speckled pink konjac petioles (Amorphophallus konjac, Araceae), Castro.
House made tomato mix with all the fixings and jalapeno vodka. $11
The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant, San Francisco CA
These drinks were really cute! A bit cheesy, but cute. I don’t think I’ve ever had my bloody mary garnishes made into a face before, hehe. The drink itself was pretty tasty, but for some reason neither of us could finish it. It wasn’t very spicy (we can handle spicy!), but it seemed very filling for some reason.
Sutro Baths site, Point Lobos Avenue.
Vittle Monster 