Fetish, Ivy Rooftop

The Ivy Rooftop is located in the Andaz Hotel which is in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The rooftop pool bar by day transforms into the Ivy Rooftop at night. The specialty cocktail names are such a fun read on the cocktail menu.  I decided on the Fetish with Corzo Blanco, cucumber, simple syrup, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  The added touch of pepper made this exhilarating cocktail more savory.

On cool nights, there are heat lamps and fire pits to keep you warm.  The Andaz San Diego is also home to the four story Ivy Nightclub where you can dance the night away on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights.  Other fun cocktail names on the menu are: Hot Mess, The Diva, The Hook-Up, The Mistress, Femme Fatale, The Cougar and The Siren.

The Skinny
Open daily noon to midnight
http://www.andazsandiego.com

Fetish, $15

Rooftop pool at night

Rooftop Bar

Rooftop firepit

Rooftop dining area

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Blood Orange Jalapeno, Flavor del Mar

Flavor del Mar is hidden on the second level of the Del Mar Plaza along the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. I had read in the San Diego Magazine that the Tangerine Jalapeno was cocktail of choice at Flavor del Mar. I was disappointed when the server said they thad replaced the Tangerine Jalapeno for another citrus. But when he returned to say the new citrus was blood orange, my disappointment turned to excitement. For me, you can not go wrong with a cocktail made with Peligroso Reposado tequila, Cointreau, fresh squeezed blood orange juice, lemon, lime, jalapeño purée, and a chili-lime salt rim.  With the the blood orange version you not only get the normal vitamin C in the citrus, but you also get the added benefit of antioxidants from the anthocyanin. This delicious spicy cocktail definitely packs a punch!

The Skinny
Lunch(Wed-Fri) and dinner (daily), weekend brunch, full bar
http://flavordelmar.com/
Blood Orange Jalapeno, $12

The lights in the outdoor

Bread with 4 types of salt

The Bar

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La Paloma, Mosto

When I arrived on a Wednesday night at 7:30, it was standing room only at both Tacolicious and Mosto in San Francisco's Mission District.  I've been wanting to try Mosto, the tequila lounge for Tacolicious since it opened. But I've always been distracted with Tacolicious' Pasion.  Luckily I found my drinking companion already seated at the Mosto Bar.

There aren't as many cocktail choices at Mosto as the tequila pours are the focus.  Mosto's version of La Paloma is made with El Jimador Blanco tequila, St. Germain Eldeflower liqueur, grapefruit juice, and Jarritos toronja soda.  It's served with a pink peppercorn rim and a thick wedge of fresh grapefruit. This tasty light drink is simply refreshing. It pairs well with the limited street tacos on Mosto's snack menu (which is different from the Tacolicious menu).  Next time, I'll have to do the tequila flight!

The Skinny

7 days a week, 5pm to midnight

www.mostosf.com

La Paloma, $9

Street Tacos

Ceiling with canning jars and candlelit wall

The Tequila Bar

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Scorpione, Farina

Farina is located in the Mission neighborhood of San Francisco.  I have always enjoyed not only the quality but also the color of the cocktails at Farina. The Scorpione is new on the Modern Italian section of the cocktail menu. The Flor de Cana rum, meyer lemon juice, simple syrup, and aperol combine to create a delicate sweetness, light citrus flavor and distinct hue of orange.  The thick lemon wedge and basil atop the ice cube complete the visual experience.

I have enjoyed many weekday lunches in the sun in the outdoor sidewalk patio when Farina used to be open for service during the day. I can't wait to return in April when their rooftop terrace opens.

The Skinny

Brunch Sunday, Dinner Monday-Sunday, full bar
http://www.farina-foods.com/
Scorpione, $12

Other Farina Drinks
Basil Supreme

Pescapolitana
http://www.drinksinthecity.com/2012/04/proibito-farina.html Proibito

Other Pics from this visit:

Stracci con vongole e gamberetti (shown split order), $24 (for whole portion)

Insalatina di Salmone, $16

Profiteroles Scomposti (pistachio). $10

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Beach Basil Ginger, Beach Chalet

After a 5+ hour trip to San Francisco Airport earlier in the day, I was looking for a place for a quick happy hour stop between the end of a 4pm and 6pm in the Outer Sunset. I decided to take a drive down to The Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant which is located along Ocean Beach since at that time, parking would not be an issue. The Beach Chalet cocktail menu is divided into two categories: Beach Chalet Cocktails ($9) and Premium House Cocktails ($11).  I didn't even look at the happy hour menu when  I saw the Beach Basil Ginger cocktail in the premium house cocktail section and knew that's what I needed.

Since it wasn't too busy during happy hour, the bartender poured the drink at my table.  The glass arrived with only a leaf of basil.  He then poured the aromatic drink over the basil. The Beach Basil Ginger is made with St. Germain, Grey Goose, basil leaves, ginger syrup and lime juice.  With the subtle sweetness from the St. Germain and ginger syrup, constant mild kick of ginger from the syrup, and the one two combination of fragrance from the muddled basil and ginger syrup, this cocktail stimulates your senses. It may have been even more enjoyable since this cocktail is only $9 during happy hour.  The Beach Chalet has two happy hours Monday through Friday called 3-6-9.  The first happy hour is from 3-6 and the second is from 9 to closing.

The Skinny
Open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Full bar.
http://www.beachchalet.com/
Beach Basil Ginger, $11 ($9 during happy hour)

Other pics from happy hour:

Beer Battered Fish and Chips, $11 during happy hour

Clam Chowder, $5 during happy hour

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Lavender Collins, O3

O3 Bistro and Lounge in the Civic Center neighborhood of San Francisco just opened in January. I love how they have updated the former California Pizza Kitchen restaurant to a sexy new bistro and lounge perfect for pre-theater, pre-symphony, pre-ballet dinner. The Signature Cocktail menu had several tequila cocktails that caught my eye. Unfortunately during my lunch there, the bartender had not arrived and only 3 cocktails were available. Given the limited number of choices, I decided to go with the Lavender Collins. You get to pick your poison whether Smirnoff Vodka(pictured above) or Tanqueray Gin(pictured below) to go with the fresh lime juice, housemade lavender simple syrup, muddled blueberries, topped with club soda.  I ordered one of each for my dining companion and I to share. Although my companion had to ask for an extra lime and a bit more vodka to cut the sweetness in her drink, my gin version was great. The spice from the gin made the difference. I'm looking forward to trying the tequila cocktails on another visit.

The Skinny

Lunch Monday-Friday, Dinner Monday-Saturday, Full Bar

http://o3restaurant.com/index.php

Lavender Collins, $11

Other pics from the visit:

Gin Lavender Collins

 Malbec Rose (love the stemware)

Grilled Salmon with Kimchi dirty rice Lunch Entree, $15

 Sauvignon Blanc, (wish the green hue was captured)

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Jenni Lee, The Bowery Diner

The Bowery Diner in the Lower East Side neighborhood of New York City just opened earlier in  2012.  It's hard to miss the cocktails listed on the menu.  There are so many with such interesting names (The Rupert Holmes, Teaches on Peaches, Sunshine on my Shoulder) and ingredients (hibiscus agave, peach infused agave and house-made pickle brine).  I decided on the Jenni Lee with buffalo trace bourbon, mint agave, fresh lime juice and orange bitters.  This cocktail was surprisingly mild and refreshing.  Since I was there for happy hour, it may have tasted even better at 50% off.  I can't wait to return to try one of the Feel Good Shakes (Chartreuse, Bourbon, Brandy or Pastis) or a spiked version of the regular shakes like the Apple Pie (with Maker's Mark), NY Cheesecake (with Grey Goose) or the Lemon Meringue Pie (with Limoncello).

The Skinny

Breakfast, lunch, dinner, full bar

http://www.bowerydiner.com/

Jenni Lee, $11

Written in collaboration with Elaine Chin, Drinks in the City NY correspondent.

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Noche Martini, Skool

The Noche Martini at Skool located in the Design Center neighborhood in San Francisco awakens your senses.  The Kahlua, Svedka vanilla vodka and Illy espresso blend together provide the perfect boost needed to get through the rest of the day or night. The strong aroma from the Illy espresso, the fluffy layer of hand whipped cream and texture of the crunchy coffee grounds on top complete this stimulating cocktail.

The Skinny
Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week, full bar, happy hour(aka Detention Hall)
http://skoolsf.com/
Noche Martini, $10

Other Skool drinks:

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

G Rated (non-alcoholic)

Birds of a Feather
Smokey and the Bandito

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Viceroy, Cotogna

Cotogna in the Jackson Square area of San Francisco serves one of my favorite tequila cocktails, the Viceroy.  You slowly sip the Viceroy to enjoy every single drop of the reposada tequila, hint of sweet from pineapple and hint of heat from chili. Cotogna's Viceroy rules!

The Skinny
Lunch Monday-Saturday, Dinner Monday - Sunday
http://www.cotognasf.com/
Viceroy, $9

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

Some pics of other dishes from this visit:

 Focaccia

Gnocchi

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Galapagos, Absinthe Brasserie

Absinthe Brasserie in San Francisco is my favorite place to drink a cocktail in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco.  They have an extensive list of cocktails with all types of liquors. The Galapagos is my go to cocktail at Absinthe when I find myself in a rare indecisive moment. Although the Galapagos is pisco based, it's not overly sweet like most pisco cocktails. The citrus and pepper flavors serve as the backdrop for this unique drink. The sweetest part of the drink, the sunken brandied cherries.

From the cocktail menu, "Pisco, kaffir lime leaf and pepper syrup, lemon-lime juice, a splash of grapefruit juice.  Shaken & served up with sunken brandied cherries. This is a Xanadoozle creation, named in honor of Kurt Vonngut's eponymous modern classic."

The Skinny

Closed Mondays, Lunch, Dinner, Full Bar

http://www.absinthe.com/

Galapagos, $9

Other Absinthe Drinks
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac
Mata Leao 
Citron Presse (non-alcoholic) 
Citron Lemonade 

Other pics from visit

Half Seafood Platter

Caucho (pisco based, with a float of rum)

Vanilla Cheesecake

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Chili Mango Margarita, JRDN

From the Mixed Pleasures section of the cocktail menu, the Chili Mango Margarita @ JRDN in the hotel Tower 23 in San Diego. With chili infused tequila, mango and house mix, this spicy sweet margarita hits the perfect spot after a sunny afternoon in Pacific Beach. The squeeze of lime smoothed the sweetness of the mango/house mix.  During the day you can sip the afternoon away in the outdoor seating area to catch more rays and to observe the characters strolling down the boardwalk.

The Skinny
Weekend brunch, lunch Monday - Friday, Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar
http://www.t23hotel.com/
Chili Mango Margarita, $9

Virgin Pomegrate Mojito

Scallops and Risotto

Chicken Caesar Salad

Green Salad

Ribs

Creme Brule

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Chipotle Margarita, Tipsy Pig

My dining companions wanted to head to Tipsy Pig in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco for their comforting mac and cheese.  My choice cocktail for the meal, the Chipotle Margarita, at the Tipsy Pig is not your usual margarita since it's vodka based not tequila based.  But with Hangar One chipotle vodka, fresh cilantro, fresh lime and simple syrup, you barely miss the tequila. I must admit the margarita was a tad sweet and only a touch smoky when sipped through the straw.  What a better flavor experience to drink the margarita with the spiced rim.  The drink is more smoky, spicy, herbaceous, and tantalizing.

The Skinny
Lunch Wed - Sunday, Dinner 7 days a week, full bar
http://thetipsypigsf.com/
Chipotle Margarita, $10

Past posts from the Tipsy Pig

The Tipsy Tea

Other pictures from this visit:

Fried Chicken Sando with sweet potato fries

 The Tipsy Burger with fries

 The Wedge with pan roasted salmon

Kids mac and cheese (no bacon as in the adult version)

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Mayan Calendar, Alexander's Steakhouse

The Mayan Calendar at Alexander's Steakhouse in the SOMA neigborhood of San Francisco is a rich comforting cocktail. With the texture and sweet tones created by mixing the Fortaleza Blanco, housemade orgeat, whole egg, lemon juice, bitters and fresh nutmeg, it's dessert in a glass.  Is this cocktail to celebrate doomsday or a cosmic shift as predicted in the Mayan Calendar developed 5000+ years ago or to pay tribute to the Mayan civilization?  Perhaps we'll find out on December 21, 2012 at 11:11pm. 

The Skinny

Dinner 7 days a week

http://www.alexanderssteakhouse.com/

Mayan Calendar, $10

Other Alexander's Steakhouse drinks

Shiso Bomb

Other pictures from the night

Sorry there's no steak pictures.  My dining companions devoured their dishes before I could get a quick pic.  Same with the grape cotton candy at the end of the meal too.

Amouz Bouche

 Beet Salad

Palate Cleanser

Columbia Steelhead

Sake Steamed Sturgeon

 Kalifornia Kumquat (non-alcoholic)

With compliments from Alexanders, assorted cookies

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