Cuban Style Mojito at Cana in San Francisco

Cana is a Cuban Parlor and Cafe located in the Mission District of San Francisco. I've been wanting to try Cana's outpost in San Francisco since going to the original in Oakland. They have such fun named cocktails on the menu such as Some Like it Hot, "...But Hemingway Ain't Cuban...", and John Coltrane walked in with La Mulata. Usually I would have ordered Some Like it Hot with tequila and serrano chile, but I haven't had a good Mojito in a while. Cana's Cuban style Mojito did not disappoint. Per their website, they "use of Real “Caña,” that is Crushing Our Own Sugar Cane to Produce Syrups".

Make sure you check the website when there is live entertainment. When I dined there, I had no idea they cleared the first floor to allow for salsa dancing and very loud live music. My dining companions and I ended up conversing via text messaging. I loved the food, the space and the drinks. But I enjoy good food with good drinks and good conversation.

The Drink - Mojito, Cuban Style, $13
Mint, lime, cana (simple syrup), splash of soda with Angostura Rum

The Place - Cana San Francisco
San Francisco, Dogpatch
Cuban restaurant
http://www.canasf.com/

Other Pictures from the visit

 Fried Chicken Sandwich

Salad...loved the plantains!

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Redford Manhattan at Redford in San Francisco

Redford is a new place bordering the Tenderloin and Nob Hill neighborhoods of San Francisco. I always try to grab a seat at the bar so that I can see what others are ordering and how the drinks are prepared. While I decided to stick with the Redford Lemonade, my research partner opted for the Redford Manhattan for the next round. I'm so glad they did. I just love the unique twist on a classic Manhattan with the addition of St. Germain and Fernet Branca. I can't wait to return to try some other drinks on the menu.

The Drink - Redford Manhattan, $11

Bulleit Bourbon, St. Germain, splash of Fernet Branca

The Place - Redford
San Francisco, Tenderloin/Nob Hill
Bar with a kitchen
Open daily 5pm-closing, happy hour
http://www.redfordsf.com/

Other Redford Drinks
Redford Lemonade

Making a drink at Redford

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Redford Lemonade at Redford in San Francisco

Redford is a new place bordering the Tenderloin and Nob Hill neighborhoods of San Francisco. I love the wood floors, the cozy wood bar and the exposed brick walls. Luckily when we walked in there were two free seats at the bar. I decided to start the evening with the signature Redford Lemonade. If you're like me, you'll opt for the bourbon based Redford Lemonade instead of the vodka as the base spirit. I can imagine sitting on a front porch sipping the Redford Lemonade all day and into the night.

FYI, their food is delicious too.

The Drink- Redford Lemonade, $11
Vodka or Bourbon, lemonade, ice

The Place - Redford
San Francisco, Tenderloin/Nob Hill
Bar with a kitchen
Open daily 5pm-closing, happy hour
http://www.redfordsf.com/

Other pictures from Redford

 Vegetarian Flatbread Pizza, $12

A taste of the Fried Chicken...it's finger lickin' good

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Mey'er Salty, Dog at Prospect in San Francisco

Prospect is located in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. I haven't been to Prospect since both chef extraordinaire Ravi Kapur and the talented mixologist Brooke Arthur left. I was in the neighborhood and decided to drop in. I'm glad I did. I love this refreshing twist on a classic Salty Dog cocktail (gin and grapefruit juice with a salted rim) with the coriander rim. It's the coriander that hooked me in to order this. If I didn't have to attend another event, I would have ordered another one of these. But I thought it wise to save the other guests from my pirate imitation.

The Drink - Mey'er Salty, Dog, $12 
El Jimador Blanco Tequila, meyer lemon, coriander, white pepper, salt

The Place - Prospect
San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Restaurant, full bar, happy hour
Dinner daily, weekday happy hour, Sunday brunch
http://www.prospectsf.com/

Other Prospect drinks
Coconaut

Other Pictures from the visit

Meatballs Al Forno

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Eve's Abandon at RN74 in San Francisco

RN74 is a Michael Mina restaurant located in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. I've had many memorable nights with good friends at RN74 since it first opened. In fact, I am surprised this is the first RN74 cocktail that I am posting. Earlier this particular evening, I attended the sneak peak at RN74 for The Company Bar and Kitchen which is slated to open late Summer. My research partner is a big whiskey drinker and opted for the Eve's Abandon cocktail. When I took a sip, I wanted to abandon my drink and have her's instead. I did like mine, but I liked the Eve's Abandon more.

The Drink - Eve's Abandon, $10
Applejack, Rye, lemon, mulling spice, egg white, whiskey barrel aged bitters

The Place - RN74
San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Contemporary French
Daily lunch and dinner, weekday happy hour, full bar
www.rn74.com

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The Lola at Blackbird in San Francisco

Lola is a Spanish form of Dolores. I had just seen my Lola Dolores the day before at her daughter's wedding a few weeks ago and was inspired to order this. I knew of the sexy and strong association with the name Lola. However, I didn't know about the Spanish origin meaning sorrow. This drink definitely has a strong spirit base from both the tequila and mezcal. But is also shows it's sexy side with white tea, King's Ginger and Grapefruit Bitters. This cocktail is definitely not for the weak at heart. This was my last drink of the evening from a Sunday crawl a few weekends ago. So can you guess what song was running through my head on the way to dinner at Kpop. Here's a hint, "Her name was Lola, she was a showgirl".

The Drink - Lola, $9
Altos Plata Tequila, Vida Mezcal, White Tea, King's Ginger, Grapefruit Bitters

The Place - Blackbird
San Francisco, Castro
Full Bar, happy hour, bar jars
Cash only

Other Blackbird drinks
Sumo Wrestler
Kokomo

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The Kokomo at Blackbird in San Francisco

Blackbird is a wonderful neighborhood bar located in the Castro in San Francisco. I spent a a few days in April in Hawaii. When I saw the ingredients in the Kokomo cocktail, I knew it would transport me to the island paradise. The rum, coconut water, orgeat and the tiki bitters teased me for a taste of the islands. As expected, this cocktail did not disappoint. Head to Blackbird for a Kokomo if you want to  reminisce moments from your tropical travels.

The Drink - Kokomo, $9
Rum, orgeat, coconut water, tiki bitters, nutmeg

The Place - Blackbird
San Francisco, Castro

Bar, happy hour

http://blackbirdbar.com/

* Note, Blackbird is cash only. 

Other Blackbird drinks
Sumo Wrestler
Lola

Other pictures from the visit

Our eyes were playing tricks with us

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The Sumo Wrestler at Blackbird in San Francisco

Blackbird, in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco, was our 3rd stop on a bar crawl.  I haven't been to Blackbird since it opened in 2009. Within a nano second of viewing the cocktail menu, my research partner declared, "I want a Sumo Wrestler". Did I have the heart to tell it that Evan Williams was bourbon? Of course not because I wanted to try it too with the bourbon and yuzu(Japanese citrus). Wow, what a tasty cocktail. The yuzu adds complexity to this cocktail. You will find yourself pinned to  the floor in the doyho ring with one too many of theis delicious Sumo Wrestler. Trust me, it's hard to stop at just one.

I love the tag line on the Blackbird website, "Drink like a horse for the price of a bird". That about sums it up. It will not take me another three years to return to this place. I love everything about it: the drinks, the crowd, the vibe and the savvy bartenders.

The Drink - The Sumo Wrestler, $9
Evan Williams, Nigori Sake, Yuzu Juice and Yuzu Marmalade

The Place - Blackbird
San Francisco, Castro
Bar with bar jar bites
Cash only
http://blackbirdbar.com/


Other Blackbird drinks
Lola
Kokomo


Other pictures from the visit

 Hummus with crackers

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Mint Julep, Dixie

Dixie is a restaurant located in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco. With the Kentucky Derby coming up this weekend, some of you may be looking for places that serve a good Mint Julep. One place that is always serving a Mint Julpe is Dixie. They can make Classic Mint Julep as shown above or a seasonal one (which per their website is a Strawberry Mint Julep).

In San Francisco, Alembic, Hakkassan, and Hard Water also serve a classic Mint Julep and ones with a twist. Any other places?

The Drink - Mint Julep, $10
Mint, sugar, Maker's Mark Bourbon, Angostura

The Place - Dixie
San Francisco, Presidio
Southern inspired cuisine
Weekday lunch, dinner nightly, weekday happy hour (4pm-6pm)

http://sfdixie.com/

Other Dixie drinks
Derby Cooler
Georgia Lemonade
Dixie Triple S
Terroir Fizz
Pomegranate Mint Julep

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Beauty School Dropout, Mortimer Bar

The Mortimer Bar is located in the Hotel Adagio just a few blocks away from Union Square. I've been wanting to try Mortimer since it opened in August 2012. The Broadway inspired Cocktail Menu is a fun read. As soon as I saw the Beauty School Droput drink on the menu, I immediately started envisioning Frankie Avalon singing the song to Pinky in the movie "Grease". If had a few more of these, I would have been singing this song right in Mortimer. Luckily I decided to spare the other Mortimer patrons from my singing and did not order another. I will definitely be back for this delicious, smooth concoction. As a friend noted about this drink, "Wow it's got a great finish, not a strong finish like a lot of other drinks you like." Stop by to try a Broadway inspired cocktail. Perhaps with the Evita, The Fosse, Jersey Boys or The Phantom you'll be transported to the Broadway stage.

The Drink - Beauty School Dropout, $12
Breaking & Entering Bourbon, Cherry Heering, almond orgeat, egg white and a squeeze of lime

The Place - Mortimer Bar in the Hotel Adagio

San Francisco, Union Square

Hotel Bar with food, weekday happy hour (5pm-7pm)

Monday - Friday 4pm to Midnight

Weekends noon - midnight

http://hoteladagiosf.com/the-mortimer-bar.php

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Black Pearl, E&O Asian Kitchen

E&O Asian Kitchen (formerly known as E&O Trading Company) is a restaurant located a block from Union Square in San Francisco. As the name suggests, this Asian inspired restaurant also serves Asian inspired cocktails. With a name like the Black Pearl, how could I not try this cocktail first? The coconut water (great for hydration) and creme de violette(color) ingredients also hooked me in. I was also curious what they would use for a black pearl. You will have no trouble quickly getting to the sunken treasure at the bottom of the glass. So what's the black pearl? You'll need to go to find out.

This marks the 300th drink in our collection.

The Drink - Black Pearl, $12 

Matusalem rum, coconut water, velvet falernum, creme de violette

The Place - E & O Asian Kitchen

San Francisco, Union Square
Restaurant, Asian
http://www.eosanfrancisco.com/
Open daily for dinner, lunch (Monday to Saturday), happy hour (*including Saturdays*), late night (Thursday to Saturday), full bar

Other pictures from the E&O visit

 Indonesian Corn Fritters

Shiitake Dumplings (reminds me of the EOS days on Carl and Cole)

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Stop Fenneling Me, Alchemist

Alchemist is located 2 blocks from AT&T park in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. While my research partner started with the Something with Vookah cocktail, I was drawn to the Stop Fenneling Me. How could I not order this fun named drink? I don't know what I was expecting, but I was surprised that it arrived clear and transparent.  I loved the complexity of flavors in the drink. No need to stop fenneling me when it tastes this good. Beware, you may need to tell others to stop fenneling you with one too many of these potent drink.

The Drink - Stop Fenneling Me, $11
Right Gin, manzanilla, falernum, fennel bitters

The Place
San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Bar, open Monday - Saturday
http://alchemistsf.com/

* It's on the 2nd floor of the building. With their street signage, it's hard to miss. They don't serve food, but with Root (a new Thai restaurant) downstairs, it's easy to grab a bit before/after a visit to Alchemist.

Other Alchemist Drinks
Something with Vookah

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Something with Vookah, Alchemist

Alchemist is located 2 blocks from AT&T Ball Park in the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco. I've been looking forward to having drinks at Alchemist for some time. The cocktail menu is a fun read. We started our visit with the Something with Vookah. Even before we took a sip, we were practicing our Russian accent. It's funny how cocktail names can start a great conversation. I just love how in the moment some cocktails. I can say our Russian accent improved with each sip and each order of this drink. Even as I write this, I am remembering the conversation and all the laughs that started from this refreshing drink. I loved the aroma from the thyme and the pop of texture from the ginger beer. Tres has usually been my go to place for a pre-game margarita. But with the variety of cocktails at Alchemist, I will definitely be going here.

The Drink - Something with Vookah, $11
Vodka, elderflower liqueur, lime, thyme syrup, ginger beer

The Place
San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Bar, open Monday - Saturday
http://alchemistsf.com/

* It's on the 2nd floor of the building. With their street signage, it's hard to miss. They don't serve food, but with Root (a new Thai restaurant) downstairs, it's easy to grab a bit before/after a visit to Alchemist.

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Pomegranate Julep, Dixie

Dixie is located in the Presidio National Park in San Francisco. Dixie's website says "Contemporary Bay Area Cuisine...with a Southern Soul". Their cocktail offerings are no different. When it arrived, I felt like a kid again. It's a grown up's version of a kid's snow cone. I just love Dixie's seasonal take on a classic Mint Julep. My research partner and I both concluded that we can imagine sitting on a porch sipping the day and night away with this Pomegranate Julep. 

The Drink - Pomegranate Julep, $10
Mint, pomegranate, sugar, Maker's Mark bourbon, Angostura bitter


The Place - Dixie
San Francisco, Presidio
Southern inspired cuisine
Weekday lunch, dinner nightly, weekday happy hour (4pm-6pm)

http://sfdixie.com/

Other Dixie drinks
Derby Cooler
Georgia Lemonade
Dixie Triple S
Terroir Fizz

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The Cure, Skool

Skool is one my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I am never disappointed with their food, drinks or service. For some time, I've been wanting to swim with Skool for brunch. Their facebook page picture posts have finally hooked me in for a visit. I am definitely addicted to Skool and this Cure. I'd drink multiple shots of this even without needing one. It's so delicious and reenergizing. Would mixing the Cure with vodka still have the same effect? Stop by and give it a try. I will definitely be back.

*The cure is in the shot glass in the foreground. Behind is another one of my Skool favorites, the Imperial Caipirinha.

The Drink - The Cure, $2
Ginger juice and honey water

The Place - Skool
San Francisco, Design District
Asian inspired seafood
Daily lunch and dinner, weekend brunch, happy hour, full bar
http://skoolsf.com/

Other Skool drinks

The International
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

Other pictures from this visit

 Veggie Omelette, $12.50

Crab Brandade, $14

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Honey Kumquat Caipirinha, Elixir

Elixir is a bar located in the Mission District in San Francisco. This is one of my favorite bars in the Mission. I love how they blend an innovative seasonal cocktail program alongside classic cocktails. When I first read the Honey Kumquat Caipirinha on the menu, I thought that the Clover Honey syrup would make it too sweet for me to try. Don't let the honey mislead you into thinking it's a sweet drink. Mine certainly was not. It's an edgy bold citrus cocktail. Per their Facebook page, hurry in for this cocktail since the Kumquat season was so short this year.

Drop in for pre-dinner, post dinner or nightcap drinks to help them celebrate 155 years of a saloon being located at this corner (established in 1858).

The Drink - Honey Kumquat Caipiriha, $12
Barrel Aged Leblon Cachaca, Velvet Falernum, Clover Honey Syrup, Kumquats muddled and built in an Old Fashion Glass

The Place - Elixir
San Francisco, Mission
Weekday 3pm - 2am, Sat noon to 2am, Sun 11am to 2AM, full bar
http://www.elixirsf.com/

Other Elixir Drinks
Emperor Norton's 2nd Mistress

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Yerba Buena, Two Sisters

Two Sisters is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. As frequent readers of the site may know, I am definitely not a beer drinker. However, I do enjoy a beer cocktail. Yerba Buena translates from Spanish to English as good herb. I love the refreshing pop of spice from the ginger and gin and the fizz from the beer.

The Drink - Yerba Buena, $10Ginger infused gin, lime, beer

The Place - Two Sisters
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Bar
http://www.2sistersbarandbooks.com/

Other Two Sisters drinks

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Chamomile Old Fashioned, Two Sisters

Two Sisters is located in the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. If this is not the first time you are reading about this place on our site, then you know this is one of my favorite places in Hayes Valley. I enjoy a cup of Chamomile tea with honey for it's soothing effects. With the addition of bourbon, its even more comforting. Nothing skips a beat at Two Sisters. I love how the lemon garnish, makes the drink even more inviting.

The Drink - Chamomile Old Fashion, $10
Chamomile infused bourbon, honey, bitters

The Place - Two Sisters
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
Bar with food
http://www.2sistersbarandbooks.com/

Other Two Sisters drinks
Two Sisters
Iggy Pop
Spring's Arrow
Dark Knight

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Bluestem Smash, Bluestem Brasserie

Bluestem Brasserie is located in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. With the Bluestem Smash, you get to pick your poison of vodka or whisky. Since I had a tequila drink earlier in the day, I decided to avoid getting "smashed" and opted for vodka (pictured above). This smash is refreshing. It reminded me of a lighter version of a mojito. They have a great deal at Happy Hour, beer on draft or select bottled beer, $3, wine by the glass $5, and this is all in support of UCSF Cancer Research. Way to go Bluestem.

At two different happy hours, I tried both versions of the Bluestem smash. I must admit, I loved the bolder flavor with the whiskey version. Stop by and give it a try.

The Drink, Bluestem Smash, $7 during Happy Hour, $11 all other times
St. Germain, Vodka or Whisky, seasonal fruit, lime, mint, and Sparkling Wine.

The Place - Bluestem Brasserie
San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Lunch and dinner daily
Weekday Happy Hour 4pm to 6:30pm
http://www.bluestembrasserie.com

Other Bluestem Brasserie drinks
Blood Orange Margarita

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Blood Orange Margarita, Bluestem

Bluestem Brasserie is located in the South of Market (SOMA) neighborhood of San Francisco. It's been a while since I've been there. I had to organize a small happy hour event for a group and chose Bluestem Brasserie. The lounge offers the perfect meeting space and a good selection of happy hour drinks from $1 to $7. After having a delicious Blood Orange Margarita at Oola a few weeks ago, I just had to try Bluestem's version. What a beautiful color and equally delicious taste. It's really hard to drink just one.

Happy National Margarita Day! How are you celebrating?

The Drink - Blood Orange Margarita, $11
Tequila, Blood Orange, Lime

The Place - Bluestem Brasserie

San Francisco, South of Market (SOMA)
Daily lunch and dinner, full bar, happy hour
http://www.bluestembrasserie.com

Other pictures from the visit

Ruffled Espellete Potato Chips, $3

Honey Spiced Nuts, $3 and Feta and Olives, $3

Old Bay Chiccharones and Malt Vinegar, $3

 

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