Tag: SF Bars

Retro-Chic Lounge with Secret Cocktails & Stellar Food: The Madrigal

You’d be tempted to call The Madrigal an upscale cocktail lounge with elevated bar food, ideal for pre-and post-show imbibing near the San Francisco Symphony, Opera, Ballet, Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and SF Jazz. And it is. But it’s much more. Debuting on Van Ness Avenue in December 2021 from Hi Neighbor Hospitality (Trestle, The Vault Steakhouse, The Vault Garden), The Madrigal feels like what the space should have always been. Read more →

Bar Spotlight on Karri Kiyuna of Wildhawk

The latest in my NEFT Vodka column, which spotlights California’s best bartenders and bars — including a special cocktail recipe from each bartender featuring this Austrian alpine-distilled vodka. Why Karri Kiyuna and the team she leads at Wildhawk in San Francisco set an example in team spirit, service and exceptional cocktails here. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Nicolas (Nic) Torres of True Laurel, San… Read more →

Bar Spotlight on Nic Torres of True Laurel

The latest in my NEFT Vodka column, which spotlights California’s best bartenders and bars — including a special cocktail recipe from each bartender featuring this Austrian alpine-distilled vodka. Why True Laurel and Nicolas (Nic) Torres craft not only some of San Francisco’s best cocktails, but some of the most humbly innovative drinks in the world: www.neftvodkaus.com/spotlight/true-laurel-sf-nicolas-torres. Other NEFT Spotlights:— Karri Kiyuna of… Read more →

A Visionary Bar Manager Combines Spirits & Wine… In the Same Glass

Published at Haute Living Magazine, the November-December 2019 issue includes my feature on Gibson in San Francisco’s Adam Chapman and his one-of-a-kind, pioneering drinks that combine wine and spirits in one glass, employ freezer-distilled juice or roof-dry herbs before steeping them in spirits. Online here. MY HAUTE LIVING ARTICLES— Wine Country Inns with Exceptional Dining (& Growing Their Own Produce)… Read more →

Quince’s Saline Solution Library — Forward-Thinking Cocktail Bar at a 3 Michelin-Starred Restaurant

In my latest print feature at Montecristo Magazine, I dig into Michael Kudra’s forward thinking cocktail and spirits offerings at three Michelin-starred Quince, including his one-of-a-kind saline solution library. Article here: http://montecristomagazine.com/magazine/winter-2018/quinces-saline-solution-library (My past articles for Montecristo: the new Noma 2.0 in Copenhagen; dining in the “New” New Orleans) Read more →