This post is a continuation of this one on how to brine olives at home. My olives went from this: To this: To see the process, keep reading by selecting the link below. As you may recall from the earlier post, I was late on buying olives so the ones... Read more →
In my latest story for San Francisco Magazine, I talk about bars opening inside other bars. Photograph by Chris Brennan Make it a doubleThese bars within bars offer patrons a choice of drinking styles. By Camper English The hottest haute cocktails require a range of syrups, bitters, fresh herbs, several... Read more →
You may recall a few weeks ago I wrote a piece for the San Francisco Chronicle about bartenders being less snobby that proved a bit controversial. Now a few others have taken up the conversation. My initial story had the following quote from Erick Castro of Rickhouse that touched a... Read more →
Here are some drink-related things going on in San Francisco for Valentine's Day. First up, a club partnering with a hotel to rent rooms by the hour. Scandalous! Infusion Lounge and Hotel Fusion are turning the couples only holiday into a celebration of the single life. For one night only,... Read more →
This is the second post of my brief trip to Las Vegas to check out the new CityCenter. Part one is here. Our group had a big private lunch at the new Michael Mina restaurant American Fish. The food was interesting, but you don't come to Alcademics to read about... Read more →
Greetings from Las Vegas! I'm here visiting the new CityCenter that is made up of the Aria casino and hotel, the Mandarin Oriental hotel, and Crystals shopping center. The place is pretty classy, but you don't come to Alcademics to read about gambling, except taking a gamble on potentially delicious... Read more →
The new bar The Residence opened this past weekend in San Francisco. It's on the site of Amber and Zodiac restaurant before that. I believe they have the same owners but gave it a revamp. The biggest change is that the bar finally went non-smoking after using the owner-operated clause... Read more →
The Fifth Floor restaurant in San Francisco has rolled out (har!) their new bar cart and bar program. In the lounge bartenders will roam with a small cart serving classic cocktails like Martinis and Manhattans. The Martini is really the emphasis of the cart menu, with guests given a short... Read more →