Divina Pasion, Limon Rotisserie

Limon Rotisserie is a Peruvian restaurant with 3 locations in San Francisco (2 in the Mission and 1 in the Bayview). The cocktail menu at Limon categorizes by sours (as in Pisco Sours) and other cocktails. I chose the Divina Pasion cocktail from the other section since some of my other favorite drinks have been made with passion fruit puree like the Pasion Coco Colada (at the now closed EOS) and the Pasion (at Tacolicious). I love the tartness and sweetness from the passion fruit with the pop of spice from the mint in this refreshing drink. 

Next time I'll have to try the Pa Bravo Yo, a drink from with fresh oranges, diced strawberries and elderflower. The strawberries looked so pretty diced in the glass.

The Cocktail - Divina Pasion
Pisco Quebranta, passion fruit, lime, mint

The Place - Limon Rotisserie
Daily lunch through to dinner
http://www.limonsf.com/

Other pictures from this visit

 Sweet Potato Fries

 Truffle Mac and Cheese

 Chicharron de Pollo

Ensalada Mixta

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Wild Goose Chase, Fifth Floor

The Fifth Floor is located on the fifth floor in the Hotel Palomar in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. With many California restaurants counting down until the Foie Gras ban on July 1st, bartenders are also getting on the action. Since I'm not a big Foie Gras fan, I asked some friends who are to join me on a research mission when I read that Brian Means at the Fifth Floor had created a . I got caught up in the moment and decided to go ahead with the group to order Wild Goose Chase. We ordered 5! I knew I would like the base of the cocktail (the non-foie gras) just by knowing the ingredients. I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the foie gras rim and the foie gras stuffed prune garnish too.

I also read that Alexander's Steakhouse also has a Foie Gras Cocktail, the Daffy Slur. Remember, this cocktail will only be available until June 30th.

The Cocktail - Wild Goose Chase, $16
armagnac, lemon juice, honey syrup and sparkling wine and is served with a foie gras powder rim and foie gras stuffed prune garnish

The Place - Fifth Floor
Dinner Tuesday - Saturday, Lounge Monday - Saturday, full bar
http://www.fifthfloorrestaurant.com/index.php

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Agricole Rhum Punch, Slanted Door

 

Slanted Door is located in the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero in San Francisco. It's a Vietnamese restaurant with a stella bar program. The Slanted Door cocktails stay true to what they describe on their website, "Our bartenders mix the perfect cocktails, bright and crisp with just a hint of sweetness; expertly crafted with the finest ingredients from small producers dedicated to quality." The Rhum Agricole Punch embodies Slanted Door's vision of their cocktail program. It's perfect, it's bright, it's crisp with a hint of sweetness. Yum!

What's agricole rhum? The rum that most of us are used to is molasses based. Agricole rhum is processed from cane sugar juice.

The Cocktail - Rhum Agricole, $11

La Favorita Rhum Agricole ambre, lime, can syrup with dashes of angostura and allspice dram, dusted with nutmeg; on the rocks

The Place - Slanted Door

Daily Lunch, Afternoon tea and Dinner, full bar

http://www.slanteddoor.com/

Other pics from the visit

 Vegetarian Fresh Spring Rolls, $11

Dungeness Crab and Wild Asparagus Soup, $6

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Between the Sheets, Original Joes

Original Joe's is located in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. It's a classic Italian American restaurant with classic cocktails and classic service with the waiters dressed in black suits and bowties. There are no fancy cocktails described with locally sourced ingredients or purees. There's just a list of classic cocktails like the Martini, Sazerac and Greyhound. I must admit I did have to google a few of the drinks that I had never heard of before. I decided on a cocktail that I don't see on many menus, Between the Sheets, which is a variation of a Sidecar that was created in the 1930's. 

The first time I ordered the Between the Sheets cocktail was at Hobson's Choice in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. I bought into the advertising of the tshirt the bartender was wearing. At Hobson's I remember this classic cocktail being pretty sweet. Original Joe's version highlights the lemon's citrus and tart flavor. It reminded me of a a spiked lemonade.

When you go, sit back and relax in the beautiful large red booths. Making a reservation will help you get your table quicker. There was quite a line waiting for tables when we arrived promptly for our 12:45 reservation. We were seated immediately. Also, the food portions are large. Each of us ended up taking at least half our dish home.

The Cocktail - Between the Sheets, $7
Rum, cognac(or brandy), lemon juice, cointreau(or triple sec)

The Place - Original Joes
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, full bar
http://originaljoessf.com/


Other posts on Between the Sheets cocktails
Between the Sheets at Hobson's Choice

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High Line Fling, Standard Grill

The Standard Grill is located in the Meatpacking District in New York City. The cocktail menu is categorized by East Side and West Side cocktails. We ordered their house-spiked punch from the West Side Menu called the High Line Fling. With 4 other friends, the 5 of us easily got about three glasses each (with ice) so I think this is for 8-10 people. It arrived to our table with 5 long straws as well as glasses. This punch is mild, sweet and deceptively potent. It tasted like a sweet sparkling grapefruit juice but we definitely felt the effects as we drank more... ;-)!

I can't wait to return to try more West Side cocktails like the Penny Drop, The Vixen and Shiso Fine. I just love those names. If you twist my arm I may try some of the East Side cocktails like The Lift Ticket, The Matador and H.M.S. Pimm's too.

Written in collaboration with Drinks in the City contributor, Elaine Chin.

The Cocktail - High Line Fling, $55
champagne, orange liqueur, grapefruit, lavender

The Place - The Standard Grill
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, late night
http://thestandardgrill.com/

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Lycheelicious, Another Monkey

 

Another Monkey is a Thai restaurant/lounge located in the Mission District of San Francisco. I've had several memorable nights at this restaurant location as Another Monkey and when it was Conduit. The cocktail menu with Monkey Mixers and Monkey Specials contains a list of fun named cocktails. There is no better way to describe this cocktail which is made with vodka and lychee juice than it's name, Lycheelicious!

Our bartender that night, Gigi, made amazing cocktails and suggested some nice wines that evening to pair with our dinner. And you definitely can't beat the happy hour prices for drinks and food too. I wish I lived closer to enjoy this spot more.

I can't wait to return to try out more of their Monkey Mixers for $3, $4 or $5 that are named by the place of origin for a spirit and the mixer (Carribean & Coke, Mexico & Lime, London & Tonic, Scotland & Soda, Kentucky & Ginger, Moscow & Cranberry). I wonder why the Vodka Red Bull wasn't named Russia meets Austria?

The Cocktail - Lycheelicious, $6 during happy hour

Vodka, lychee juice

The Place - Another Monkey

Lunch (Tuesday-Friday), dinner (Tuesday-Sunday), happy hour, full bar

http://www.anothermonkeythai.com/

Other Another Monkey drinks
Vanilla Ice T

Other pics from the visit

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Morning Bell, Chez Papa Resto Mint Plaza

Chez Papa Resto Mint Plaza is in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. It's just around the corner from the Westfield Shopping Center on Market. On a beautiful but slightly windy San Francisco afternoon, I was excited get a seat outside in the plaza. Luckily, the surrounding buildings offered some protection from the occasional gust of wind. I haven't been to Chez Papa Resto in a while and was looking forward to see what was new on the cocktail menu. The Morning Bell cocktail did not disappoint. I was expecting the cocktail to be slightly sweet, because of the pear puree. But the lime, muddled ginger and reposado tequila balance out the sweetness. The cocktail was named after a song. Radiohead's perhaps?

The Cocktail - Morning Bell, $12
Siete Leguas Resposado Tequila, lime, muddled ginger, Canton Ginger Liquor, D'Anjou Pear puree

The Place - Chesz Papa Resto Mint Plaza
Lunch, dinner, happy hour
http://www.chezpaparesto.com/

Other pics from my visit
During Dine About Town event last week, 2 course lunch for $17.95. 

Carmelized Onion Soup with Mimollette Cheese

 

French Onion Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Smoked Gouda

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Derby Cooler, Dixie

Dixie is located in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco. It recently opened in the spacious former Pres a Vis space. Dixie has an extensive cocktail menu where drinks are categorized by Specialty Cocktails, "Martinis, Manhattans and Variants", Champagne Cocktails, Classic "Cocktails served up", Classic "Cocktails served on ice" and finally Beer Cocktails. My research partner chose the Derby Cooler from the Specialty Cocktail Menu for the first drink. It's a cocktail that you could imagine sipping on a hot day on your front porch. It's so refreshing and delicious that you drink it as if you're off to the races and within a few minutes you cross the finish line to order another.

The Cocktail - Derby Cooler, $12
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Ron Matusalem Rum, Orange, Lemon, Grenadine

The Place - Dixie
San Francisco, Presidio
Weekday lunch, dinner nightly
http://sfdixie.com/

Other Dixie drinks
Dixie Triple S
Georgia Lemonade
"Terroir" Fizz

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Berry Foolies, Artesian

The Artesian Bar is located in the Langham Hotel which is just off the corner of Oxford Street and Regent Street in Central London. The Berry Foolies is another fun drink from the ABV section of the extensive cocktail menu. The Berry Foolies is an ABV free (non-alcoholic) drink. It's stunning from the first glance,  the first sniff, the first sip and until the last sip.

Per the cocktail menu "Long time favourite of our guest consists of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice, rick in antioxidants and vitamins, shaken with raspberries, fresh lime and agave nectar. This is for the cells, should you need a boost! Light, vibrant and refreshing. Healthy raspberries highlighted by agave nectar create harmony with tartness of lime and pomegranate."

I think an adult version of this drink would be absolutely amazing. However with so many other cocktails on their menu to choose from, it may take a while for me to ask.

The Artesian Bar is one of 4 finalists for the 2012 Tales of the Cocktail Awards in New Orleans for World's Best Drink Selection, World's Best Hotel Bar and one of the bartenders, Alex Kratena is also up for International Bartender of the Year.  They won the 2011 Tales of the Cocktail award for World's Best Menu.

The Skinny
Full bar, food
http://www.artesian-bar.co.uk/artesian.html
Summer in Paris, £8.50, at today's exchange rate is $13.38.

Other drinks from the Artesian Bar
Summer in Paris

Aromatic Randez Vous

Cask My Thai
Silk Route
Oye Mi Canto
Artesian Punch

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Citron Presse, Absinthe

With some recent summer weather in the San Francisco, I've been wondering where to find some refreshing non-alcoholic drinks. Who knew Absinthe Brasserie in Hayes Valley would have more than a few choices. The Citron Presse is a made to order drink, made by you, and pressed by the Absinthe bartender. It's simple table entertainment with fresh pressed lemon juice, water and simple syrup. While we do make fresh lemonade at home once in a while, Absinthe has more interesting pouring vessels than our usual measuring cups at home.

The Skinny
Weekend brunch, lunch and dinner Tuesday-Sunday, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/
Citron Presse, $4

Other Absinthe cocktails
Citron Lemonade
Mata Leao
Galapagos
Absinthe Lemonade (non-alcoholic)
Sazerac

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Citron Lemonade, Absinthe

Absinthe is my favorite cocktail spot in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. The Citron Lemonade is the adult version of the non-alcoholic Absinthe Lemonade. With Hangar One Buddha’s Hand, ginger syrup, fresh lemon-lime juice, ginger beer and a topping of cranberry juice, how else can you describe this drink except for refreshing! Per the cocktail menu, "This is a variation of our non-alcoholic beverage “The Absinthe Lemonade” created by Marcovaldo Dionysos. A great drink made all the better when someone came up with the bright idea of putting a shot of booze in it." Simply Genius!

The Skinny
Lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch, full bar
http://www.absinthe.com/
Citron Lemonade, $11

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

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Blackberry Caiprinha, Il Fornaio

 

My lunch companions and I were at a loss for what to do for a quick brunch on a drive from San Francisco to the South Bay. We took a quick stop at an Il Fornaio in Burlingame. I was in the mood for either a brunch mimosa or bloody Mary, but when I saw the Blackberry Caiprinha on the menu, I knew I had to give it a try. It's a colorful and refreshing tart cocktail with freshly muddled blackberries, cachaca, lime juice and sugar.

The Skinny

brunch, lunch, dinner, full bar

http://www.ilfornaio.com/

Other pics from the visit

 Smoked Salmon Omelette, $11.59

 Capellini al Pomodoro (half portion), $8.99

Crab cake Benedict, $13.99

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Moscow Mule, Cafe des Amis

 

Cafe des Amis is located in the Cow Hollow Neighborhood of San Francisco. On a beautiful sunny afternoon, I was lucky to grab a seat outside along the sidewalk. The refreshing Moscow Mule is a  simple cocktail of Russian Standard vodka, Fever Tree Ginger Beer and lime. I loved the copper mug that the Moscow Mule was served in!

I like when you learn something new from a cocktail menu, here's the description from the menu: "This is one of four promotional cocktails (the others were the Screwdriver, the Bloody Mary, and the Vodkatini—a name that never stuck) that were popularized by John Martin and Rudolf Kunett of Smirnoff when they were introducing vodka to the post World War II United States. As part of the promotion the pub style Cock and Bull on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, which was a huge movie-star hangout at the time, offered a customized mug to every Hollywood star who ordered the Moscow Mule. All of the copper mugs were kept on a shelf, and left waiting for the stars next visit."

The Skinny

Lunch, Dinner, weekend brunch, full bar

http://www.cafedesamissf.com/

Moscow Mule, $11

Other Cafe des Amis cocktails

Zombie


Other pics from the visit

 French Onion Soup, $9

Spring Carrot Soup with medjool dates and toasted almonds, $8

 Croque Monsieur, $13.50

Open Faced Chicken Salad Sandwich, $10.50

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Tamarind Cumin Mezcal, Aziza

Aziza is located in the Richmond District of San Francisco. The cocktail menu at Aziza is categorized by liquor and then a selection of unique combinations of muddled herbs, fruits, vegetable and spices. I haven't seen tamarind as an ingredient in any cocktail menu yet, so I decided to go with the Tamarind, Cumin, Mezcal. Wow, despite it's murky color, this libation is smokin' hot! As you take your first sip, you instantly inhale the smokey fumes from the cumin and mezcal. It gets better with each sip.

The presentation of some of the dishes are as unique as the cocktails. The dishes below were too pretty to eat, but equally delicious.

The Skinny
Dinner and full bar
http://www.aziza-sf.com/
Tamarind, Cumin Mezcal, $10

Amberjack, $15

Beet Salad, $12

Rice cracker, strawberry

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Caipirinha, Farallon

Farallon is located just off of Union Square in San Francisco. They have a fun happy hour in the Jellyfish lounge called, "$6 until 7". You get select bar bites, cocktails and wine for $6 each from 4:30pm - 7pm. I chose the refreshing Caipirinha cocktail with cachaca, lime and sugar.

Farallon is a nice underwater themed restaurant and lounge to escape from all the tourists and shoppers in Union Square. The happy hour is great deal for Union Square.

The Skinny
Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar, happy hour
http://www.farallonrestaurant.com/
Caipirinha, $6 during happy hour

Sideview of the Cairpirinha

 Half Dozen Oysters, $6 during happy hour

 View of the Bar

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Ground control to Major Tom, Clock Bar

The Clock Bar is located in the Westin St. Francis Hotel just off of Union Square. The Ground Control to Major Tom in the seasonal cocktail menu is a light, refreshing, tropical cocktail made with gin, cherimoya-ginger syrup, key lime, passion fruit and egg white. I think this was the first time I've had cherimoya. What is cherimoya? It's a fruit native to South America and has hints of tropical fruits like banana, papaya and pineapple. In researching the fruit, one website said that the custard like fruit actually tasted like bubblegum. Whatever the case, this cocktail rocked! The cocktail name was inspired by the Old Tom gin and the David Bowie song.

Clock Bar is also serving a $7 seasonal punch which on this day was a strawberry rhubarb. I'm headed back soon to taste the daily punch and some of the other seasonal cocktails.

Other Clock Bar drinks
Toco Toucan turns Twenty Five

The Skinny
Full bar and snacks nightly starting at 4pm
http://michaelmina.net/restaurants/locations/cbsf.php
Ground Control to Major Tom, $14
 

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Place taker, Oola

Oola is located in the South Of Market neighborhood of San Francisco just by Yerba Buena Gardens. It was tough to choose which cocktail or even shot to try. I choose the Place Taker with mezcal, dash of Chartreuse, fresh lime and pineapple gum syrup. The cocktail was smoky with a hint of sweet.

The last time I went to Oola was for the Dine About Town last year. Dine About Town ends June 15th, make your reservations now! I should go to Oola more often just for the cocktails! The shots (Mission Standoff, the Flatliner) and the Oola classics like the Blood Orange Margarita and the Manuel look so good.

The Skinny
Lunch (Monday - Friday), Sunday Brunch and Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar
http://www.oola-sf.com/
The Place Taker, $11

Dine About Town 2 course lunch for $17.95

 

Carrot and Kombucha soup

 

 Salmon with ratatoulle and tapenade

 A tasting of bread pudding (Yummy and loved the texture)

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La Fresa, Skool

Skool is a fish focused restaurant located in the Design District of San Francisco. La Fresa is a new cocktail on the Skool menu. The fresh strawberry infused tequila, Pimms, lemon juice, sugar, habanero shrub and fresh basil combine to offer an invigorating elixir to refresh the soul. On this hot San Francisco day, the La Fresa is perfect. Skool's outside patio was packed on this sunny afternoon at 5:15 too. Arrive by 5pm on nice days to score a seat outside.

The Skinny
lunch and dinner 7 days a week, weekend brunch, full bar, happy hour
www.skoolsf.com
La Fresa, $10

Other Skool drinks

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

G Rated (non-alcoholic)

Birds of a Feather
Smokey and the Bandito

Other pics from the visit

 Mushroom Burger (includes soup), $12

 Oyster Sandwich (includes soup), $13

 Table decorations

 Empress Elizabeth, $10

Empress Elizabeth, $10

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Bengali Gimlet, Dosa Fillmore

Dosa has two locations in San Francisco. One on Fillmore and the other in the Mission. Their appropriately name Spice Route Cocktail Menu showcases a unique blend of flavors. The Bengali gimlet was recently listed in The Big Drink 7x7 June 2012  edition as one of 50 cocktails to drink in San Francisco. It's a delicious libation of Tanqueray Rangpur Gin, curried nectar and lime juice.

The Skinny
http://dosasf.com/
Bengali Gimlet, $11

Other Dosa drinks
Peony
Divya


Other pics from visit

 

Spring Vegetable lunch entree with coconut rice

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