I'm not much of a bar fly. Mostly, I take my drink in quiet settings, maybe a wine bar, a restaurant, home. And except for the occasional Jack Rose Mr. Food Musings or his dad whips up, I stick to wine.
But last night I saw the light. And it was coming out of a small, narrow bar-and-restaurant in the upper Haight called The Alembic.
San Francisco drinkers are already pretty hip to the spot, but still the group that assembled, including more than a few food bloggers, industry folks, and professional food writers, were mostly Alembic virgins. [insert crude Maraschino cherry joke here]
First I enjoyed a Power Suit. Partly because I am one again (though I refuse to own one) and partly because I'm a sucker for anything with Hangar One Kaffir Lime vodka. This plum-colored drink combined said vodka with ginger beer and zinfandel port. It sounded sort of...horrible. But I got it anyway, and then sucked down a few more. Dee-lish.
Next up was a Pisco Sour, with Peru's famed spirit, egg whites for fizz, lime juice and sugar. I liked the sour overtones but after a few sips, the smell of the egg whites was turning my tummy rather sour, so I threw in the towel and had my friend order me a custom concoction. My only request was to make it spicy.
What I got was a jumbo martini glass filled with cranberry-colored liquid and a twist of orange. It combined Maker's Mark bourbon with white creme de cacao, and enough tabasco sauce to make me sit up straight on the bar stool a full two minutes later. Yowza! The bartender (whose name I forgot, dammit, that's what drinking until 1 a.m. does to your manners) called it "sexual chocolate."
Permit me to break into song: "What a girl wants, what a girl needs...."
I suppose I should mention the other bartender (Daniel, that one) whipped up another few fabulous custom-made specialties, one with a bunch of stuff I'd never heard of, like nocino, an Italian walnut liqueur. I should probably also mention how much I wish I'd ordered a second bowl of the housemade spaetzle with rabbit and bacon and mushrooms, and taken it home to eat right before bed. Or for breakfast this morning. Or for every meal for the rest of my life.
So, how much fun was the Alembic? They sent us off with a nightcap (on the house!) made with pear eau de vie. I got home with a brand new pair of purple high heels that buckle around the ankle (don't worry, I paid for them) and one of my friends woke up this morning to find she was still wearing her clothes from last night.
Alembic, we love you!
"Give it up for Sex'al Chocolate!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8UE6DzSjhs
Posted by: Stephanie | July 19, 2007 at 03:25 PM
sexual chocolate is real?
ha ha ha ha HA
I am so writing a less sober post about this too, as soon as I get home from work.
when can we go again?
Alembic I love you too. Like love at first site, like real love that will last until it kills me.
Posted by: sam | July 19, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Sweet jesus lord ... loads of fun but I'm paying for it today. Let's do it again. :-)
Posted by: Sean | July 19, 2007 at 05:04 PM
The drinks are amazing, but the staff I'd just like to take home with me. Could they have been any nicer to us? Glad this was a home run.
I'm with Sean. Would it be completely wrong to just call it a day and go to be right now?
Posted by: jen maiser | July 19, 2007 at 06:48 PM
Sexual Chocolate is a real thing! I was trying to explain it last night to...someone? And how it's from "Coming to America" and how it's one of my favorite scenes in a movie ever. It's just so bizarre.
I am going out tomorrow to snag me some of that elderflower stuff. God, I can't wait to go back.
The staff was awesome and so patient and understanding and total magicians.
I think this is my new favorite bar -- above Bourbon & Branch, above Cantina, and above Nopa. Next time, I won't eat beforehand so I can try the food.
I did see someone getting cake and ice cream, so they must have desserts beyond that coffee-beer-wine drink.
Posted by: Stephanie | July 19, 2007 at 11:09 PM
You even make getting drunk sound classy! :)
Posted by: Tiffany | July 20, 2007 at 08:21 AM
A rare delight when the staff is just as wonderful as the drinks. Loved my Sazerac!
You MUST post a pic of those purple heels. I'm dying to see them.
Posted by: Jennifer Jeffrey | July 20, 2007 at 10:01 AM
Jen & Sean -- we must talk. I felt great the next morning! But then, I don't get hangovers. It's strange. Go ahead, hate me. Anyway, Jen, great idea. Thanks for "hosting"!
Stephanie -- only you would know this...
Tiffany -- that makes me so proud! I swear, this was the coolest bar, and I bet they also make the best most interesting non-alcoholic drinks, too.
Jennifer -- I am awfully tempted...
Posted by: Catherine | July 20, 2007 at 10:05 AM