Pina Colada, The Bowery Diner

The Bowery Diner is located in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. After dinner at Saxone + Parole, we were walking down Bowery to our next drinking destination and happened upon the Bowery Diner. Since our NY contributor had done a wonderful piece on the Jenni Lee cocktail, I have been wanting to try one of their bamboozled (alcoholic) shakes. Luckily my research companion ordered a shake which left me to get my favorite tropical drink, a Pina Colada. I loved the Bowery Diner's twist on the pina colada with the addition of cardomom and jalapeno. Now, where is the ocean when I need one!

The Drink - Pina Colada, $11
Cruzan Coconut Rum, coconut milk, pineapple, cardomom, touch of jalapeno

The Place - The Bowery Diner
New York City, Bowery
Diner
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week, happy hour
http://www.bowerydiner.com/

Other Bowery Diner Drinks
Jenni Lee
Chocolate Cake Shake

Other pictures from the visit

 The sign

 The Bar

 

Onion Rings (superb)

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Chocolate Cake Shake, The Bowery Diner

The Bowery Diner is located in the Bowery neighborhood of New York City. We had dinner at Saxone + Parole on my 3 day visit to New York this summer. When I saw that Bowery Diner, previously written about by our NY correspondent, was in the neighborhood, I knew where we would be headed for dessert. When Elaine first wrote about the Bowery Diner, I had to check out their menu. Since then, I have been wanting one of their Boozy Feel Good Shakes. My research companion beat me to the punch and ordered the adult version of the Chocolate Cake Shake with Chartreuse. This shake was off the charts. I just love when you can have dessert in a glass.

The Bowery Diner was recently named by CNN as one of America's coolest new diners. Congrats!

The Drink - Chocolate Cake Shake, $10
Chocolate cake, chocolate sauce, and chartreuse

The Place
New York City, The Bowery
Open 24 hours, happy hour 5-7 50% off cocktails and oysters
http://www.bowerydiner.com/index.php

Other Bowery Diner Drinks
Jenni Lee

Other pictures from this visit

 Sign

 Bar

Onion Rings, I couldn't resist

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Last Caress, Alembic

Alembic is one of my favorite bars in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. They recently updated the New School section of their cocktail menu with some new Fall libations. From the new school menu.last time I was there, they were out of the ingredients for this cocktail, so I was asked before I ordered it. So glad they had all of the ingredients available today. When served in this stylish glass, it looks like a petite Irish Coffee. Boy that limoncello really puckers your lips and the blue bottle tincture adds a bold coffee jolt of flavor. The pillowy topping of pistachio creams tops off this unique cocktail. My thoughts as I was sipping this delicious cocktail, beware who may give you the last caress of the evening with too many of these.

Alembic is always creative with their menu. Here's the cocktail as described on their menu, "Yeah I got something to say, but that can wait. First, try a little housemade limoncello with sweet vermouth and a touch of blue bottle coffee tincture topped with a bit of pistachio infused cream. Then we'll talk."

7x7 magazine recently listed this cocktail as one to try this Autumn.

The Drink - Last Caress, $11
Limoncello, sweet vermouth, Blue Bottle tincture and pistachio infused cream

The Place - Alembic
San Francisco, Haight Ashbury
Bar/restaurant
Open daily noon to 2AM
http://www.alembicbar.com/

Other Alembic drinks
Mint Julep
Promissory Note
Southern Exposure

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Celery Gimlet, Saxone + Parole

Saxone + Parole is located in the NoHo (North of Houston) neighborhood of New York City. I just love when you go to a place and are trying to figure out what to have for a second drink since everything looks so good. I had to ask for the server's help. She said, since you like savory drinks, I recommend the Celery Gimlet. I was not disappointed. The Celery Gimlet popped with unique flavors.

I had to look up the verjus ingredient since I hadn't heard of it before. I could have asked when I ordered, but I forgot. With my smartphone, I was able to find out that verjus is unripened grape juice usually found in Syrian and Persian cuisine.

The Drink - Celery Gimlet, $14 a glass/$52 pitcher
Spring 44, green chartreuse, st. germain, fresh celery, salt, verjus

The Place - Saxone + Parole
New York City, Bowery(aka NoHo)
Daily dinner, weekend brunch, full bar
http://saxonandparole.com/ 

Other Saxone + Parole drinks
Bowery Fix

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La Bourgogne, Zazie

Zazie is a French Bistro located in the Cole Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. It's one of my favorite breakfast places in San Francisco. It's always packed with a line outside on weekends. It's usually less crowded during the week, but there was a slight wait today. One of my researchers and I were trying to plan a last minute get together on 10/11/12 at 10:11:12 am. We were debating on whether or not to make DIY bloody mary's or mimosas at one of our houses. But alas, with conference calls, proposals and other real business in the making, we couldn't get together. So I popped over to Zazie for a quickie mimosa. I was originally planning on ordering the Corisca (grapefruit juice and champagne) or the Sunshine (fresh mango juice and champagne). But even though it was a cold and foggy day in San Francisco, I opted for the La Bourgogne because of the white peach sorbet. The black currant syrup is at the bottom of the drink, I don't think you can see it from this picture angle.Yum!

What were you drinking on 10/11/12 at 10:11:12?

The Drink - La Bourgogne. $11
Champagne, white peach sorbet, black currant

The Place - Zazie
San Francisco, Cole Valley
French Bistro
Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch
http://www.zaziesf.com/zazie/home.htmlhttp://www.zaziesf.com/zazie/home.html

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Greyhound, Reed and Greenough

Reed and Greenough is a sleek and stylish cocktail lounge located in the Marina District of San Francisco. It's one of my favorite places for a cocktail in that neighborhood. Sometimes with all the flashy ingredients and cocktails on a menu, you just really want to have something simple and comforting. That's a Greyhound for my research partner that day.  With a nice boost of Vitamin C and a low glycemic effect (doesn't make your blood sugar spike as much as orange juice), the freshly squeezed grapefruit juice is revitalizing. The thick wedge of grapefruit garnish just makes Reed and Greenough's Greyhound a winner.

The Drink - Greyhound, $9
Vodka, grapefruit juice.

The Place - Reed and Greenough
Tuesday to Sunday 5pm to midnight, happy hour daily
Reed and Greenough

Other Reed and Greenough drinks
Pisco Brulee
Amargo Brulee
Southern Gentleman
Strawpeno

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Bowery Fix, Saxone + Parole

Saxone and Parole is located in the NoHo (North of Houston) neighborhood of New York City. I must admit for my unexpected 3 day trip to New York, I really had a tough time researching where to go. Since I was not able to attend Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans this year, I figured why not try some of the nominees for the Spirited Awards. Saxone + Parole was nominated for Best Restaurant Bar 2012. Another local favorite of mine, Slanted Door in San Francisco, actually won this year. So I knew I could not go wrong. I loved the restaurant. The cocktails I chose the Bowery Fix because of the spicy chile tincture, tequila and mezcal. I just loved how the spicy chili tincture was dotted across the drink for the visual effect instead of being mixed into the drink. The Bowery Fix was served in a chilled glass which alleviated the effects of a New York hot and humid day.

I wish I had one of my mocktail researchers with me. Their list of non-alcoholic drinks seem so interesting (Bell Pepper Lemonade, Garden Tonic, Bowery Punch, Andy Ricker's Pok Pok Drinking Vinegar, Spiced tea, Cucumber & Thyme Fizz, and Raspberry Shrub).

The Drink - Bowery Fix, $14
Espolon blanco tequila, mezcal, yellow chartreuse, fresh bell pepper and chili, $14

The Place - Saxone + Parole
New York City, Bowery
Daily dinner, weekend brunch, full bar
http://saxonandparole.com/

Other pictures from the visit

 Bread plate

Tomato and Burrata salad

Lights in the dining room

 

Scallops on top of celery root puree

 Pork Chop

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Franco Siamese Treaty, Michael Mina

Michael Mina is an upscale restaurant located in the Financial District of San Francisco. It's always a treat when I am able to dine at Michael Mina. On this day, I popped in for at the bar for lunch. I just love when I go to any establishment and can't make up my mind because each one of the cocktails sounds so inviting. The Franco Siamese Treaty sounded exotic from the name alone but the saffron infused Domaine de Canton (a French ginger liquer) and yuzu sealed the deal for me. With the honey, I thought the drink may end up on the sweet side. But it didn't. It was absolutely refreshing and light. Perfect for a midday cocktail!

The Drink - Franco Siamese Treaty, $12
Saffron infused Domaine de Canton, yuzu, honey

The Place - Michael Mina
San Francisco, Financial District
Refined American cuisine
http://michaelmina.net/restaurants/locations/mmsf.php

Other Micahel Mina cocktails
Agave Spritzer

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Pimm's Cup, Ritz Carlton Battery Park

I had no idea there was a Ritz Carlton in Battery Park in New York City. I ended up staying there for an unexpected visit to New York over the summer. I just love when you get a special, stay 2 nights and get a 3rd night free plus an additional $100 hotel credit. Lucky me I got to use that resort credit for nightcaps. The Pimm's Cup was a nice light refresher for the heat and humidity of a NY summer night. It was also the perfect pairing while watching some London Olympics on the bar tv.

The Drink - Pimm's Cup, $16
Pimm's, cucumber, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ginger ale

The Place - Ritz Carlton Battery Park
New York City, Battery Park
Bar
Open daily 11AM - closing
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/NewYorkBatteryPark/Dining/Default.htm

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Bergen Street, Lolinda

Lolinda is a new Argentian restaurant located in the Mission district of San Francisco brought to you by the brilliant team behind Beretta and Starbelly. I wanted to immediately order most of the cocktails on the Nuevo section of the menu. But I knew that would not be wise. I had to rely on the guidance of the server for my first choice for the evening. I went ahead with his favorite on the menu, the Bergen Street. I was not disappointed. Each spirit added a delicious pop of flavor to this cocktail. Many of my researchers would probably not order this cocktail not only because of the Absinthe but because of the number of liquors in this. Shh, between you and me I may have been dancing down Mission Street and thinking I was on Bergen Street that night after a few of these.

The Drink - Bergen St., $10

Krogstad Acquavit, Plymouth Gin, vanilla, lime, Galliano, Absinthe

The Place - Lolinda
San Francisco, Mission District
California Argentian restaurant
Daily dinner
http://lolindasf.com/

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Dark n' Stormy, Bar Americain

Bar Americain is located in the Times Square neighborhood of New York City. My high maintenance research partner made me book several places until I found one close enough to their office (just 2 NY blocks away). So glad I found Bar Americain. It's celebrity Chef Bobby Flay's spin on an American brasserie with a Southwestern twist. The cocktail menu is a page full of classic cocktails. I didn't know which classic to go with since I'm used to ordering specialty cocktails on a menu. My server sold me on this drink when she said you haven't had a great Dark n' Stormy until you've had one of ours. So occasionally I buy into the marketing and I am glad I did. From the presentation of the demerera sugar rim to the pop of zing from the freshly pressed ginger juice, this cocktail brought much needed relief from the heat and humidity of a New York summer day.

 
The Drink - Dark n' Stormy, $14
Gosling's Black Seal rum, fresh lime juice, ginger, sugared rim

The Place
New York City, Times Square
Weekday lunch, dinner 7 nights a week, weekend brunch, full bar
http://www.baramericain.com/new-york-city-restaurant/index.php

Other pictures from the visit

 Bread Basket (loved the corn bread)

 Vidallia Onion Soup, $12

 Smoked Chicken Pie with Sweet Potato Crust, $19

Southwestern Cobb Salad, $19

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Homefront, Churchill

 

Churchill is a bar located in the Castro/Market neighborhood of San Francisco. A well-lit bar by day transforms into a low-lit sexy bar at night. All their cocktails captivate you. The rosemary syrup in the Homefront cocktail instantly charmed me when I read it on the menu. It's a perfect light and refreshing cocktail for Indian Summer in San Francisco.

With farm to table all the rage for foodies, I was pleasantly surprised to see on the Hangar One website the term "farm to glass". I am not a connoisseur of spirits. But I do enjoy learning about the nuances on how brands source and distill their spirits. In this case, Hangar One Straight is made from grapes, specifically viognier. Check out the Hangar One website for a well illustrated fun read.

Happy National Vodka Day!

The Drink - Homefront, $10
Hangar One Straight, Dolin Blanc, Rosemary Syrup, Lemon, Soda

Civilians at home for a nation at war.

The Place - Churchill

Castro/Market, San Francisco

Bar, open daily 4pm-2am. Happy hour daily until 7pm.

http://churchillsf.com/

Other Churchill drinks

El Diablo

Farewell to Arms
Jalapeno Business

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Firecracker Cocktail, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy Asian/Portuguese restaurant located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. When you take a peak from the street, you can barely see beyond the bar. With so many choices in New York City, it's hard to figure out where to go. My fingers did the walking on my smartphone. I am so glad I found this cocktail kingdom. The Firecracker cocktail bursts with flavors in your mouth. Smokey, slight sweetness, and spicy. One of favorite types of cocktails.

The Drink - Firecracker

Barsol Pisco Italia combined with Homemade Crema de Mezcal, lime and pineapple juices finished with Macao's 5 Spice Bitters.

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian Portuguese fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

Other Macao Trading Company drinks
Yellow Fever #2
Cicinho Sour

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The Dark Knight, Two Sisters

Two Sisters Bar and Books has quickly become my favorite spot for an afternoon cocktail in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. The quality of the food, drinks and service is top-notch. The Dark Knight intrigued me with the cherry/balsamic vermouth ingredient. I love the combination of flavors. The balsamic not only adds the deep color to this mysterious character of the night, but really adds depth in flavor. I've never tasted this style of cocktail before. I welcome this wicked savory cocktail, the Dark Knight, anytime!

The Drink - The Dark Knight, $10
Gin, cherry/balsamic vermouth, campari, aperol

The Place - Two Sisters
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Bar
http://www.2sistersbarandbooks.com

Other Two Sisters Bar and Books drinks
Iggy Pop
Spring's Arrow

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Cicinho Sour, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy Asian/Portuguese restaurant located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. You are instantly mesmerized as soon as you step inside this paradise. The cocktails, food and service complete your in the moment adventure to Macao. There are lots of fun name cocktails here. My research companion ordered an edgy twist on the classic Pisco Sour called The Cicinho Sour. It was simply divine!

The Drink - Cicinho Sour, $15

Leblon Cachaca shaken with fresh lime juice served up, sprinkled with nutmeg & Angostura bitters, prepared in the traditional manner.

Here's a link to the recipe and others at Macao Trading company.

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian/Portuguese Fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

Other Macao Trading Company drinks
Yellow Fever #2

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Southern Exposure, Alembic

The Alembic is located in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Since this Saturday is not only Cinco de Mayo but is also the Kentucky Derby, I realized that I should also feature a Mint Julep this week. I must admit I had to google Mint Julep in San Francisco to see if anyone had a recommended place for this drink. Luckily I found it on the Daytime Menu at the Alembic. It was fun to see and hear the ice cracked by hand between the palm and the back of a spoon with a resounding swift whack.

I love the description of this drink in the Alembic menu, "Mint Julep. Do you have a friend that just knows everything? The world is full of know-it-all’s, and they all have a recipe for this classic. Well, as Frank Sinatra sang, as well as Sid Vicious (who both have julep recipes), we do it our way. We offer to you, humbly, mint, sugar, old fitzgerald 12 year old bourbon, and brutally crushed ice. Refreshing and relaxing, the perfect repose from whatever race you’ve been running."

The Skinny
Lunch and Dinner 7 nights a week, late night (open until 2 AM everyday)
http://www.alembicbar.com/
Mint Julep, $9

Other Alembic Drinks
Last Caress
Southern Exposure

Mint Julep
Promissory Note


Other pics from this visit

Top view of the Mint Julep

Pork Belly Slider, $5

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A Toast to One Year for Drinks in the City

Today marks our first anniversary of sharing Drinks in the City where we live, work and play. We'd love to thank all of our contributors, fans and researchers for a fun year. Flip through our gallery(http://www.drinksinthecity.com/view/flipcard) of drinks in our first year and let us know what your favorite drink, picture and post is. 

We look forward to many more as we celebrate the deliciosity of the liquid experience!  Cheers!

Rosata Spumante "Santhomas" Pinot Nero, Cotogna, $10

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Smokey and the Bandito, Skool

Skool is a Japenese influenced seafood restaurant in the Design District of San Francisco. Frequent readers of Drinks in the City know that I love the food, cocktails and service at Skool. They have updated their menus to reflect the change in the seasons. I just love trying new cocktails at my favorite places. The Smokey and the Bandito intrigued me with the tequila, pineapple gum and the Laguvulin rinse. It took me on a smartphone research trip to get more info about the movie. I never knew that it was illegal to distribute Coors beer east of the Mississippi or perhaps that Coors limited their distribution. In any case, so glad that the Smokey and the Bandito is not illegal. Yes, if you do have too many of these, Smokey may be chasing you. So remember, please don't drink and drive.

Today mark's Drinks in the City's one year anniversary. An overflowing toast and big thanks to all of you who are celebrating the deliciosity of the liquid experience with us!

The Drink - Smokey and the Bandito, $10
Tequila blanco, pineapple gum syrup, egg white and lemon, served in a Laguvulin 16 yr rinsed coupe glass.

The Place - Skool
San Francisco, Design District
Seafood
Daily lunch, daily dinner, weekend brunch, full bar, happy hour, outdoor dining

Other Skool drinks

The International
Haole's Downfall
Empress Elizabeth
Sansho Stiles
Summer Mary
Noche Martini 
La Fresa
Imperial Caipirinha

G Rated (non-alcoholic)

Birds of a Feather

Other pictures from this visit (new menu items)

$5 Mussels during Detention Hall

Smoked Salmon Flatbread, $10

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Happy National Coffee Day!

It's another National drink day and this time it's coffee. It's been a busy national drink week with Chocolate Milk and Drink Beer days. So how will you be drinking your coffee today? Black, cream, skinny, sugar? Caffeinated or decaf? Or perhaps with a little kick with Irish Whiskey, tequila, Baileys, Tuaca, or vodka? Whip no whip? 

There are several national chains that are offering free coffee today such as Krispy Kreme, Dunkin Donuts and Noah's Bagels.

Enjoy all!

The Drink - Mexican Coffee
Coffee, tequila, whip cream

The Place - Mamacita's
San Francisco, Marina
Mexican restaurant
Dinner daily
http://www.mamacitasf.com/

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Desperado, Dosa Valencia

Dosa serves Southern Indian cuisine at two locations in San Francisco (Mission District and Fillmore District. The food, cocktail program and service is consistently good at both locations. I love the pop of fizz from the Allagash White beer in the Desperado cocktail. Oh my chai! Each ingredient complements each other in this fantastic cocktail. In the past year, I've seen a few places incorporate beer into their cocktails. Should these places be considered outlaws by making beer cocktails? Absolutely not when they are as good as the Desperado.

Happy National Drink Beer Day!

The Drink Desperado, $10
Espolon Blanco Tequila, chai, maraschino, allspice, ginger, Allagash White, lemon

The Place - Dosa Valencia
San Francisco, Mission
South Indian Cuisine
Dinner nightly, weekend brunch, full bar
http://dosasf.com/valencia_home.htm

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Happy National Drink Beer Day!

Today is National Drink Beer Day! What beer will you be drinking to celebrate? We drank The Brooklyn Pennant Ale at New York City's Employees Only when we were in New York for a short 3 day visit in August. There were lots of these bottles at dinner tables the night we dined there.

The Drink - Brooklyn Pennant Ale

The Place - Employee's Only
New York City, West Village

Dinner nightly, late night (until 3:30AM), full bar

http://employeesonlynyc.com/

Other Employees Only drinks 
Lazy Lover
Ready Fire Aim

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Chattanooga Girl,Cotogna

Cotogna is an Italian restaurant just off of Jackson Square in San Francisco. Their food, cocktails and service is always exceptional. The Chattanooga Girl cocktail continues this trend. I love the bold flavor and I adore the whiskey color which is enhanced by the red hues of the creole bitters. As many cocktail enthusiasts now, bitters were used "back in the day" in liquid tonics to cure what ails you by doctors and pharmacists. I could immediately feel the "medicinal benefits" of the creole bitters permeate through my body (even though it may have been in my head only). A few too many of these and I'll be practicing my Southern accent!

While I was researching what a Tennessee accent sounded like, I stumbled upon the concept of Southern American English and the different dialects within it. I really had never thought of the different regions as dialects, but more accents. Interesting! 

The Drink - Chattanooga Girl, $11
Tennessee Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Peach, Creole Bitters

The Place - Cotogna
San Francisco, Jackson Square
Italian
Weekday lunch, dinner nightly, weekend brunch, full bar
http://www.cotognasf.com/

Other Cotogna drinks
Strait Breeze
Vodoo Child
Viceroy
Valentino
All Summer Long
La Capilla
Crystal Beach
Spezzatura
Calypso

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Iggy Pop, Two Sisters

Two Sisters Bar and Books is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. I just love this warm and cozy bar. When I saw the Iggy Pop cocktail "pop" up my Facebook newsfeed in the beginning of September, I knew that I had to try this new signature cocktail on their menu. As my research companion said, "Wow, this is REALLY good." The Italian vermouth Punt e Mes may mean point and a half in Piedmontese, but this cocktail scores a 10+.

The Drink - Iggy Pop, $10
Tequila, Punt E Mes, and grapefruit

The Place - Two Sisters Bar and Books
Bar with food
Tuesday - Sunday after 4pm, Weekend brunch, happy hour
http://www.2sistersbarandbooks.com/

Other Two Sisters Bar and Books drinks
Spring's Arrow
Dark Knight

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Let's Go, Rich Table

The Rich Table is a new restaurant in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. I am always looking for my next favorite cocktail and place. Rich Table's Market Cocktail menu with only four cocktails is a breath of fresh air. I get overwhelmed when I read a cocktail with too many choices. Equally difficult at Rich Table with only 4 cocktails, is which one I should try, bourbon based, gin based, mezcal based or pisco based. The Let's Go cocktail with Pisco seemed interesting. Although, I must be honest, that I thought this drink was going to be too sweet since it's based with Pisco. I'm glad when my suspicions are wrong! There's enough lime juice and mint in this cocktail to balance any sweetness. I usually drink coconut water the day after I've enjoyed a bit too much to drink for the hydration and electrolyte benefits. So I am just loving how coconut water is being used in more cocktails!

The Drink - Let's Go, $10
Encanto Pisco, coconut water, mint, lime

The Place
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Dinner Wednesday to Monday, full bar
http://richtablesf.com/

Other Rich Table drinks
Big Night
Whack a Mole
Rich Coffee
Silk Road
Round Heel
Big Night: Act II
Hopalong


Other Rich Table photos from the visit

A view of Let's Go with no flash

Salmon and Bok Choy, $25

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Yellow Fever #2, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy den of Asian/Portuguese yumminess located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. Over the summer I unexpectedly found myself in New York City for a short 3 day visit. I was excited to check out the New York Cocktail scene for myself. Since there are so many places to go, it was hard to figure out where to go. I'm so glad that I found Macao Trading Company. The food was amazing and the cocktail list even better. I decided on the Yellow Fever #2 for my first cocktail of the evening. The name really caught my eye. I haven't heard of Yellow Fever since my college days. The ingredients of sassafras syrup and fresh ginger root hooked me in. I now see the reason why some guys and gals have Yellow Fever. This cocktail was solidly grounded with the bourbon with a pop of flavor from the spicy ginger and a sweet finish with the peaches.

The Drink - Yellow Fever #2, $15
Makers mark bourbon, homemade sassafras syrup, fresh ginger root and white peaches

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian/Portuguese Fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

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Love and Haight, Cat Cora's Kitchen

Last week I embarked on a cross country adventure by flying from San Francisco to Washington DC through Terminal 2 at the San Francisco Airport. It was my first time flying through Terminal 2 since it reopened. I loved the ecofriendly design in the terminal. Nothing was missed including the compostable food and drink containers. I almost stopped in Lark Creek Grill for a pre-flight cocktail, but I wanted to see what Iron Chef Cat Cora had to offer. I could not resist the Love and Haight cocktail with Jalapeno Tequila. For me there was only love for this drink with the steady stream of jalapeno heat. I can't wait to fly out of Terminal 2 again!

The Drink - Love and Haight. $14
Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila, Blood Orange Juice, lime juice and honey

The Place - Cat Cora's Kitchen
Open daily
Tapas
http://www.catcora.com/restaurants

Other pictures from the visit

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Espresso Martini on the Rocks, Vdara Pool

There were too many cocktails on the sweet side on the Vdara Pool menu. I was worried about a sugar rush and really wanted something with caffeine too. The bartender suggested a Vodka and Red Bull. I didn't want that much of a energy rush (Red Bull has 80 mg of caffeine per can and Espresso has anywhere from 40-75 mg of caffeine per ounce). So the bartender obliged and made me an Espresso Martini on the Rocks. The caffeine and ice hit the spot!

The Drink - Espress Martini, $10
Espresso, kahlua, vodka 

The Place - The Vdara Pool
Las Vegas, Vdara Hotel and Spa
Cafe
Daily 8AM - closing, full bar
http://www.vdara.com/dining/pool-cafe-vdara.aspx

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