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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Peony, Dosa Fillmore

I found myself on a recent Saturday afternoon at Dosa on Fillmore for a late brunch. I usually don't have a difficult time choosing a cocktail, but that particular Saturday I had a tough time. The Peony looked really interesting, except that it's made with gin. I've been working for over a year on "breaking out of my cocktail comfort zone" as prescribed in, http://eatocracy.cnn.com/2012/01/02/55-break-your-cocktail-comfort-zone. I am so glad I followed point #2 in this article by going with the gin drink. Besides the Right Gin, the Peony is also made with hibiscus masala nectar, coconut milk, lime, and birds eye chili. The homemade hibiscus masala nectar is a toasted ground spice mixture of black peppercorn, cumin, coriander, mustard seed and bird's eye chili, which with turbinado sugar and whole hibiscus infuses water. This drink is smooth, creamy with a underlying kick of heat from the bird's eye chili. For gin lovers and gin newbies, this cocktail is must order at Dosa.

Restaurant Specifics
Lunch (Wednesday-Sunday), Dinner (7 nights a week), Happy Hour (Mon-Thu 5:30-7)
http://dosasf.com/fillmore_home.htm
Peony, $10

I will definitely go back soon to order the drink at the bar so I can update this picture.  This picture does not do the drink justice.

Other Dosa drinks
Divya

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Gunpowder, Presidio Social Club


Since Presidio Social Club is celebrating 5 years today, we thought we'd feature one of their drinks today:  The Gunpowder.  This cocktail, served up, is made with gin, lime, cane syrup and a dash of cayenne.  This drink gets spicier as you let the cayenne soak into the well balanced cocktail.  During their birthday celebration (and Dine About Town), this drink is $5.  Happy 5th Birthday to Presidio Social Club!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Pina Colada at Wo Hing General Store


I love the Pina Colada at Wo Hing General Store.  Bar Manager Brooke Arthur shows off her mastery of cocktail mixology with her twist on the Pina Colada.  It's definitely not the thick blended sweet concoction you've had at the pool bar on a beach vacation.  The cocktail menu lists the ingredients as white rum, lime, coconut cream, and nutmeg.  However when I googled the drink, I found that it also has pineapple juice, pineapple gum syrup and speared cherries served over crushed ice.  The freshly grated nutmeg and the cherry on top, tease you to make the difficult decision of whether to take a sip first or eat the cherries first.  What do you think I did?

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

The Ginger Rey, Windows Lounge

After a long scenic drive down the coast from San Francisco to Los Angeles, the Windows Lounge at the Four Seasons had the perfect renergizing drink:  The Ginger-Rey.  It's a zesty combination of Patron Reposado Tequila, King's Ginger Liquer, fresh lime, agave and passion fruit puree.

An added treat to complete the tequila experience at the Four Seasons is the Punta Mita Tequila Massage.  Per the Spa brochure, "Blended together, tequila and sage form the basis of the Punta Mita massage. Both these ingredients are antiseptic, good for cleansing and detoxifying the body. The treatment is specially designed to improve circulation, aid digestion and relieve the fatigue of jet lag."  Did I go for it?  Of course I did.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Roasting Hazelnuts by an Open Fire, US Grant

Hands down my favorite drink of the holiday season was the Roasting Hazelnuts by an Open Fire at the US Grant hotel in San Diego.  After a day of being a tourist in San Diego, this drink was the perfect ending to a busy day.  The server did ask if I liked bourbon and I said "When mixed well in a cocktail, most definitely!"  The drink did not disappoint.   I enjoyed every sip to the last drop.  This cocktail was perfectly balanced with the Bulleit Bourbon, torched Briottet Hazelnut Liquer, applewood smoked brown sugar syrup and egg whites.