Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Sex in the Snow, Hobson's Choice
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Stone Rye, Pican
The cocktail menu at Pican in Oakland is divided into Pican Signature, Southern Twist and Classics. Since I've been wanting to try a Rye cocktail, I chose the Stone Rye from the Southern Twist portion of the menu. I was pleasantly surprised with this concoction of Redemption Rye, rock candy syrup, Cherry Heering and egg whites. The Cherry Heering (a Danish cherry liqueur) not only adds a hint of cherry to the drink, but creates a beautiful pink hue. Despite the rock candy syrup and the Cherry Heering, this drink is not noticeably sweet. The rye grounds the cocktail. The cherry on top was the perfect sweet ending. As I told the server, this is my kind of drink.
Happy Valentine's All!
Restaurant Specifics
Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week, Full bar
http://www.picanrestaurant.com/
Stone Rye, $10
Other Drinks from Pican
Deep South
Monday, February 13, 2012
Between the Sheets, Hobson's Choice
When I walked into Hobson's Choice, I was greeted by the bartender wearing a t-shirt with Between the Sheets printed on the front. When I found out it was a drink on the cocktail menu, I knew I had to give it a try. Per the cocktail menu, Between the Sheets is "A classic, made with Silver Rum, Brandy, Triple Sec, sweet & sour and a sugared rim. With a name like that, it's gotta be good!" Although it's on the sweeter end of what I normally would drink, I enjoyed it. Researching the history of this cocktail classic was even more fun. Also known as the Maiden's Prayer, this cocktail dates back to the 1930's and created most likely in Paris (Harry's Bar) or perhaps in London.
5 spot, Maven
The 5 Spot at the Maven, in the Lower Haight District of San Francisco, definitely hits the spot. The combination of aged rhum, lime, ginger, maple, thai basil, and five spice give the drink an intriguing aroma, visual punch, complex flavor and frosty chill. As you contemplate the deliciousness of the drink, you definitely feel like you are soaking in some ancient wisdom. Was the name inspired from the 5 spice or from stimulating your 5 senses? Hmm...
Monday, February 6, 2012
Bacon Bloody Mary, Paul K
I just read that a new restaurant has signed a lease for the Paul K restaurant space in Hayes Valley. So before Paul K closes, I want to share some of my favorite drinks that I've had there over the years. The Bacon Bloody Mary is brunch in a glass. How else would you describe this version of a bloody mary that is made with maple bacon infused vodka and a tomato juice house mix?
Friday, February 3, 2012
The Risk Taker, Trademark
The restaurant I originally wanted to go to didn't have their cocktail menu available. So I found myself walking down Belden Alley in San Francisco's Financial District on a sunny winter day. When you walk down Belden Alley, you feel like you are in a touristy European alley. All the hosts/hostesses are encouraging you to dine at their establishment. I chose Trademark not only because, I went to an unforgettable party at it's predecessor, Voda, but because I wanted to try The Risk Taker after I perused the menu.
The Risk Taker (the only drink noted with a spicy pepper on the menu) is a silver tequila, pear liqueur, jalapeno, lime, grapefruit, concoction with a sweet chipotle rim. The bartender did warn me that it was spicy. I thought to myself, I love spicy drinks, bring it on! To date, this is one of the top two spiciest drinks I have ever had. It wasn't the chipotle rim, but the jalapeno infusion. How spicy? It's so spicy that your lips are burning after 2 sips of this cocktail and at 3 - 4 sips your tongue is burning too. If you fancy spicy drinks, you'll keep on drinking because of the captivating spicy heat.
The Risk Taker (the only drink noted with a spicy pepper on the menu) is a silver tequila, pear liqueur, jalapeno, lime, grapefruit, concoction with a sweet chipotle rim. The bartender did warn me that it was spicy. I thought to myself, I love spicy drinks, bring it on! To date, this is one of the top two spiciest drinks I have ever had. It wasn't the chipotle rim, but the jalapeno infusion. How spicy? It's so spicy that your lips are burning after 2 sips of this cocktail and at 3 - 4 sips your tongue is burning too. If you fancy spicy drinks, you'll keep on drinking because of the captivating spicy heat.
Are you a Risk Taker? If so head on over to Trademark for this cocktail.
Restaurant specifics
Lunch 5 days a week, Dinner 6 days a week
http://www.trademarksf.com/index.html
Happy Hour (aka Closing Bell) 2:30 - 8
The Risk Taker, $10
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Mescal por mi Amante, Wo Hing General Store
Mescal por mi Amante, translates from Spanish to English as Mescal for my Lover. What a perfect name for this sexy drink at Wo Hing General Store in the Mission District of San Francisco. This strawberry infused mezcal, lemon, egg whites, agave nectar, and angostura bitters concoction makes you want to slip into something more comfortable with it's luscious smoky heavenly flavor.
If you've been reading the blog, 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. Now that mescal and egg whites are checked off the list with this drink, the last thing is a rye cocktail...Any suggestions? If not, I may end up back at Wo Hing for the Laughing Water cocktail.
Restaurant Specifics
http://wohinggeneralstore.com/
Lunch and Dinner seven nights a week
Mescal por mi Amante, $10
So that you are always left wondering, Wo Hing General store changes up your cocktail experience for the same drinks by serving them in different glasses. The first time I had the Mescal por mi Amante, it was served in this stunning glass below. Some of their glassware is definitely a conversation starter. I love the gold with the turquoise.
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