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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Lazy Lover, Employees Only

 

Employees Only is located in the West Village neighborhood of New York City. They have such fun named cocktails on the menu such as Billionaire, Quiet Storm, and Mata Hari. From the Fancy Cocktails ($16) section of the cocktail menu, I originally overlooked the Lazy Lover cocktail because of the name. But upon reading through the menu again, the jalapeno infusion caught my eye. I normally would not like a lazy lover, but this one at Employees Only is a keeper. 

The Drink - Lazy Lover, $16

Leblon Cachaca, Jalapeno infused Green Chartreuse shaken with Benedictine, fresh lime juice and agave nectar

The Place - Employees Only

New York City, West Village
Dinner nightly, late night (until 3:30AM)

http://employeesonlynyc.com/

Other Employees Only drinks
Ready Fire Aim

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Yellow Fever #2, Macao Trading Company

Macao Trading Company is Employee's Only's dark sexy den of Asian/Portuguese yumminess located in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City. Over the summer I unexpectedly found myself in New York City for a short 3 day visit. I was excited to check out the New York Cocktail scene for myself. Since there are so many places to go, it was hard to figure out where to go. I'm so glad that I found Macao Trading Company. The food was amazing and the cocktail list even better. I decided on the Yellow Fever #2 for my first cocktail of the evening. The name really caught my eye. I haven't heard of Yellow Fever since my college days. The ingredients of sassafras syrup and fresh ginger root hooked me in. I now see the reason why some guys and gals have Yellow Fever. This cocktail was solidly grounded with the bourbon with a pop of flavor from the spicy ginger and a sweet finish with the peaches.

The Drink - Yellow Fever #2, $15
Makers mark bourbon, homemade sassafras syrup, fresh ginger root and white peaches

The Place - Macao Trading Company
New York City, Tribeca
Asian/Portuguese Fusion
Dinner nightly, late night
http://www.macaonyc.com/

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Karmakaze, Dobbs Ferry

Dobbs Ferry is a restaurant located in the the Hayes Valley neighborhood of San Francisco. The Karmakaze teased me with it's name. Per the cocktail menu, "A kamikaze featuring Karma Blanco tequila and Cointreau. Kind of sounds like a margarita…". I probably haven't had a Kamikaze since I was in college. Dobb's Ferry's twist on this classic was Kamikaze sweet. But a squeeze of lime smoothed out the sweetness. It felt like I took a couple sips and next thing I knew, the bartender asked if I wanted another.  It made me think, of the reason why this tequila is named Karma which naturally lends to the drink's name, or is it because too many of these and there's karma the next morning?  Hmm... 

The Drink - Karmakaze, $10
Karma Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, lime juice

The Place
San Francisco, Hayes Valley
California cuisine
Lunch and Dinner 7 nights a week, full bar, happy hour, late night happy hour

http://dobbsferrysf.com/

Other pictures from the visit

Grilled Prawn Salad, $11

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Pineapple Ginger Fizz, Jasper's Corner Tap

Jasper's Corner Tap is located in the Hotel Serrano in the Union Square neighborhood of San Francisco. They are known for the beer and cocktails on draft. If you aren't in the mood for a cocktail, they have a few mocktails on their extensive cocktail menu. The non-alcoholic cocktails (known on their cocktail menu as "The cups that cheer, but don't inebriate...") are equally noteworthy. I loved the garnish of lime and candied ginger with the Pineapple Ginger Fizz.

The Drink - The Pineapple Ginger Fizz, $6
Pineapple juice, lime, ginger beer

The Place - Jasper's Corner Tap
Union Square, San Francisco
Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night, full bar
http://www.jasperscornertap.com/

Other Jasper's Corner Tap drinks
Allison's Ruby Summer
Strawberry Lime Soda
Bill's Toasty Coconuts

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Bill's Toasty Coconut, Jasper's Corner Tap

Jasper's Corner Tap is located in the Hotel Serrano a few blocks away from Union Square in San Francisco. I absolutely love this place with a great list of unique cocktails. The Bill's Toasty Coconut is a smoky collaboration with the bar and the kitchen. I knew I was going to order this drink not only based on the title, but on the wonderful writeup. The smoky touch of scotch and toasted coconut garnish puts this drink over the top. Even before I read the tiki and white sandy beaches in the description I already had the visual in my head. Although nothing can replace being at a tropical destination and sipping a tropical cocktail, Bill's Toasty Coconut is the next best thing!

Happy National Rum Day All!

The Drink - Bill's Toasty Coconuts, $12
Banks Rum, Laphroig Quarter Cask, lime juice, pineapple juice, house-made coconut sorbet

Per the menu, "Bartender Kevin Deitrich uses Pastry Chef Bill Woodward's house-made coconut sorbet to this smoky, tropical concoction. Using Banks Rum and a small amount of smoky Islay Scotch. Kevin shakes this tasty tiki treat for your tippling enjoyment. One sip will have you dreaming of white sandy beaches."

The Place - Jasper's Corner Tap
San Francisco, Union Square
Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, full bar
http://www.jasperscornertap.com/

Other drinks from Jasper's Corner Tap
Allison's Ruby Summer
Strawberry Lime Soda
Pineapple Ginger Fizz

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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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Lychee Martini, Seasons

Seasons Bar and Lounge is located in the Four Seasons Hotel in the South of Market Neighborhood of San Francisco. The Lychee Martini is from the Classic Cocktail section of the menu. With Skyy vodka, fresh pineapple, lychee and vanilla bean, this cocktail is simple, clean and divine. Do you eat the lychee before the drink, after the drink, or since there are two, you can do both?

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/ 

Lychee Martini, $14 ($8 during late night happy hour, aka Violet Hour at Seasons)

Other Seasons Bar and Lounge Drinks
Farmer's Market

Other pics from the visit

Tuna Tartare with taro chips

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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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Mint Julep, Alembic

The Alembic is located in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco. Since this Saturday is not only Cinco de Mayo but is also the Kentucky Derby, I realized that I should also feature a Mint Julep this week. I must admit I had to google Mint Julep in San Francisco to see if anyone had a recommended place for this drink. Luckily I found it on the Daytime Menu at the Alembic. It was fun to see and hear the ice cracked by hand between the palm and the back of a spoon with a resounding swift whack.

I love the description of this drink in the Alembic menu, "Mint Julep. Do you have a friend that just knows everything? The world is full of know-it-all’s, and they all have a recipe for this classic. Well, as Frank Sinatra sang, as well as Sid Vicious (who both have julep recipes), we do it our way. We offer to you, humbly, mint, sugar, old fitzgerald 12 year old bourbon, and brutally crushed ice. Refreshing and relaxing, the perfect repose from whatever race you’ve been running."

The Skinny
Lunch and Dinner 7 nights a week, late night (open until 2 AM everyday)
http://www.alembicbar.com/
Mint Julep, $9

Other Alembic Drinks
Last Caress
Southern Exposure
Promissory Note

Other pics from this visit

Top view of the Mint Julep

Pork Belly Slider, $5

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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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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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Tequila Fix

I love the Tequila Fix at Bar Agricole.  Thad Vogler and Eric Johnson show their twist on the Tequila Fix with the combination of the tequila, lime, pineapple gum and hellfire bitters.  I've sipped the night away until closing a few times with this cocktail.

http://www.baragricole.com/

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