Bomba, Specchio

Specchio is a bilevel Italian restaurant located in the Mission District of San Francisco. The cocktail menu is a splashed with a Italian named cocktails. I chose the Bomba, a deceptively spicy cocktail with tequila, limoncello, lime juice, agave and serrano pepper. When the cocktail arrived with a pepper garnish, I thought perhaps it wasn't going to be as spicy hot as I had imagined. But I didn't see the serrano pepper seeds in the drink, so I shocked my research partner with my reaction. The first sip was if a Bomba (bomb in Italian) exploded. Don't get me wrong, I like this drink. It's a good spicy cocktail. But it's not as spicy as the lip burning spicy cocktails I've had in the past.

The space is beautiful and sexy. Please note, when there is a large noisy party in the upper lounge, the sound level in the restaurant is deafening.

The Skinny
Dinner and happy hour, full bar
http://www.ristorantespecchio.com/
Bomba, $9 ($5 during happy hour)

 Veal Marsala,$18

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Summer in Paris, 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. As previously posted, the Artesian Bar won the 2011 Tales of the Cocktail Best Cocktail Menu. The Summer in Paris is a drink from the ABV section of the extensive cocktail menu. As noted from the ABV section "Our signature, alcohol free concoctions we are delighted to put our name to." The Artesian Bar's cocktail artistry easily extends to the art of the "mocktail", the non-alcoholic drinks. When The Summer in Paris arrived to the table, I was impressed with simple all-around beauty from the stemware, to the ice cubes, to the color and the garnishes. But my research partner had to quench their thirst after a long day of standing in queues at popular London tourist sites. This ABV concoction is equally delicious as it is attractive. Absolutely the perfect drink.

The Summer In Paris as described in the world winning menu,  "It is our great pleasure to present you with this delight, our delicious abv free cobbler. Crisp fresh citrus fruit shaken with homemade lavender sugar and cloudy apple juice presents perfect option for those who can't drink tonight. Delicious fresh citrus notes, lavander notes with some vibrant apple character."

The Skinny 
Full bar, food
http://www.artesian-bar.co.uk/artesian.html
Summer in Paris, £8.50, at the current exchange rate is $13.69.

Other drinks from the Artesian Bar
Aromatic Randez Vous

Berry Foolies 
Cask My Thai
Silk Route
Oye Mi Canto
Artesian Punch

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Fish Kir Royale, Fish

 

Fish is located in Sausalito across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. Fish serves delicious sustainably sourced seafood. Since I know they only serve beer and wine, I was looking forward to having their Arnold Palmer (lemonade and iced tea). But when I walked into Fish, the daily board showcased the The Fish Kir Royale. Of course, I had to give it a try. What's different? The refreshing Fish Kir Royale, as you can see, is served in a mason jar, just like all the other drinks.  Such fun!

The Skinny

Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week, beer and wine

http://www.331fish.com/location/index.html

Kir Royale, $9

Other pics from this visit:

 Advertising works, the reason why I ordered the Kir Royale

 Pasta Alla Vongole

Grilled Romaine with Chipotle Hollandaise

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Casa Noble Tasting at Tacolicious

On Sunday the Seis de Mayo, I attended my first tequila pairing dinner at the Mission District location of Tacolicious with Casa Noble. What a fun tequilalicious event at Tacolicious. The food that evening was prepared by The Restaurant (from Mexico). Every single dish was expertly prepared and delicious!

I didn't know about the tequila making process until I attended this event. Casa Noble's amazing tequilas are certified organic and use new French wood casks to age the tequila. Prior to the dessert course, our hostess for the evening from Casa Noble quizzed the diners on things she covered during the night (cultivation time for agave plants, type of wood for the casks, agave cooking process, aging times for types of tequila, etc.). I should have paid more attention since I wanted one of the beautiful purple bottles of anejo. I will definitely be purchasing a bottle of Casa Noble soon!

On a side note, at my assigned table were 3 former staff members of EOS Restaurant and Wine Bar which closed down earlier this year in Cole Valley. It was fun to share with them that the EOS Refresher was my first post and is also the wallpaper for the website. I should have asked them for the recipe of my favorite shiitake mushroom dumplings. But I was in a tequila fog and forgot to ask.

The Skinny
http://tacolicioussf.com/
http://www.casanoble.com/

 Tasting Menu

 Oyster Shooter with Casa Noble Crystal

 Crystal (Blanco), Reposado, Anejo

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Haole's Downfall, 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
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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The International, Skool

Skool is located in the Design District of San Francisco. The International is another new cocktail on the seasonal cocktail menu. From Skool, "The International is an array of products from around the globe. From Cocchi Americano of Italy, Kaffir leaves commonly used in India and assorted Asian countries, Belvedere Lemon Tea naturally infused vodka from Poland, fresh California Oranges and peach bitters." I love all the layers of citrus that come through in this intriguing global cocktail.

Today's post is the official 100th drink for Drinks in the City. Thank you to all who continue to join us on this adventure.

The Skinny

lunch and dinner 7 days a week, full bar, weekend brunch
www.skoolsf.com
The International, $10

Other drinks from Skool

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

G Rated (non-alcoholic)

Birds of a Feather
Smokey and the Bandito

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Farmer's Market, Seasons

Seasons Bar and Lounge is located in the Four Seasons hotel in the South of Market(SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. The hotel bar serves creative delicious cocktails. From the "Not the same Old Cocktail" and "Made All Local" part of the drinks menu, the Farmer's Market is made with Botanivore St. George's Gin, housemade carrot and lemon juices and rosemary. I could feel my eyesight sharpen while drinking this delectable and fresh libation.

The cocktail menu has lot's of fun quotes throughout the menu by well known people. I love the one by George Burns, "It only takes one drink to get me drunk. I can't remember if it's the thirteenth or fourteenth."

Also, don't miss the late night happy hour from 9pm to closing, known as the Violet Hour, where select cocktails, wines and bites are $8.
 
The Skinny
Dinner 7 nights a week, open as of 2:30 daily, full bar
http://www.fourseasons.com/sanfrancisco/dining/lounges/seasons_bar_and_lounge/
Farmer's Market, $14

Other Four Seasons Drinks
Lychee Martini

Other pictures from this visit:

Nuts

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