It's hard for me to leave downtown without stopping into one of my favorite watering holes. And it's hard for me to leave one of my favorite downtown watering holes without stumbling into one of my other favorite watering holes nearby. Yesterday I hit Bourbon & Branch for some investigative... Read more →
While waiting for flights back to San Francisco from New Orleans, some of the hungover travelers were trying to piece together what happened the previous evening. Him: "I remember we were all doing shots..." Her: "You were making us all drink tequila shots, and you started freaking out when I... Read more →
Career fantasy vacations are growing in popularity, with people signing on to be interns as chocolatiers, fashion designers, brewmasters, and other dream jobs. Now the Fifth Floor Restaurant and Hotel Palomar offers a Weekend Sommelier package. For $250 guests work with Fifth Floor wine director (and excellent teacher- I've taken... Read more →
Thursday and Friday of this week I did some (PR-sponsored) investigative drinking at these spots. Sudachi, the new sushi bar on the Polk Street (near the Hemlock, R Bar, Vertigo, Lush Lounge barhopping district) recently opened with a sushi bar room and a front restaurant/entertainment room. They have DJs and... Read more →
I received the latest copy of San Francisco Magazine in the mail today, in which I have a story on the latest trend in nightlife- retro-opulent design bars with demoted dancefloors. In San Francisco, some of the hot new spots opened recently are: Harlot (Bordello theme) Slide (Speakeasy theme) Etiquette... Read more →
Bay Area bartenders earn toasts at New Orleans cocktail event Camper English, Special to The Chronicle Friday, July 27, 2007 We like to think our bartenders and their drink creations are extraordinary here in the Bay Area. Last weekend at the Tales of the Cocktail event held in New Orleans,... Read more →
It became clear at Tales of the Cocktail that the amount of swag was going to be unmanageable, so I started declining freebies unless I was prepared to lug them home. Not everything made it (hope the hotel maid likes vodka!) and I still had two additional pieces of luggage... Read more →
I think I'm a rare person that made it through all of Tales of the Cocktail without a hangover. But then I drank a lot on the plane and have one today back in San Francisco. Still, the conference was exhausting and I was starting to feel it on Saturday.... Read more →