Jardiniere

San Francisco Cocktail Week

Sleek, sophisticated, elegant Jardiniere provides a delightful deco-inspired ambiance. The champagne flute-shaped posts fencing the upper balcony above the oval bar (which takes center stage upon entering) inspired me to long for a flapper dress and a form like that of an Erte statuette, while sipping a glass of sparkling spirit.

The raw exposed-brick walls are a masculine backdrop to feminine soft lighting and gentle curves, which I can only imagine are a purposefully expressed balance of nature by restaurateur / designer Pat Kuleto.

I feel as though I cheated myself by only stopping in for drinks - award-winning Chef Traci Des Jardins is renown for her French-Californian cuisine, and has been featured on TV's Iron Chef. (Next time, for sure!)

Their Cocktail Week feature is the Rhum Pegu (a twist on the classic Pegu Cocktail). Loved it. And, even more, loved the place I drank it.

*Photos courtesy of Claire Barrett Photography

San Francisco Cocktail Week!

Few cities take cocktails as seriously as San Francisco. So, it is no surprise that their first (hopefully annual) Cocktail Week was stupendous! I was blown away by the rich and layered cocktail culture in the City by the Bay, and impressed by the collaborative spirit amongst the bartenders, Mixologists, liquor-company owners, chefs and cocktail connoisseurs. From my experience, the only other US cities which mirror that level of shared passion and educated experimentation are New York, Chicago and a handful of people in DC. (All “drinking cities,” of course. Unfortunately, LA is not even on that map…yet)

The main brains behind San Fran’s citywide event are three local bar owners: Jeff Hollinger from Absinthe (and author of The Art of the Bar), H. Joseph Ehrmann of Elixir, and Duggan McDonnell of Cantina. The trio rallied friends and colleagues in the bar industry to present one classic cocktail and one unique twist on a classic for the whole 7-day period, giving the public a chance to try as many as they could handle!

Below is a list of the participating bars, and their drinks. I was only up for two nights, with photographer, Claire Barrett. We hit three places each night, and I’ll have write-ups on those in coming posts. I will also do a more in-depth report on the bustling and stylish “wrap party” at Absinthe on Monday, May 21st. In the meantime, make note of these hotspots for your next trip to San Fran. You will leave a changed drinker.

Absinthe: * Classic: Sazerac * Original: Bob-Tailed Nag
Alembic: * Classic: Mint Julep * Original: Vow of Silence
Bourbon & Branch: * Classic: 1896 Martini * Original: Todd's Smoked Olive Martini
Butterfly: * Classic: Monkey Gland * Original: Cao Dai Cocktail
Cantina: * Classic: Pisco Punch * Original: Marmalade Cooler
Citizen Cake: * Classic: Mint Julep * Original: Ring of Fire
Coco 500: * Classic: Whiskey Sour * Original: Tortuga Ahumada
Cortez: * Classic: El Diablo * Original: Tore Margarita
Elixir: * Classic: Corpse Reviver No. 2 * Original: Eldersour
Forbidden Island: * Classic: Nui Nui * Original: Forbidden Island
Garibaldis: * Classic: Old Fashioned * Original: Basil Banger
Jardiniere: * Classic: Pegu Club Cocktail * Original: Rhum Pegu
Le Colonial: * Classic: French 75 * Original: Gigi
Monaghan's: * Classic: Manhattan * Original: Menage au Poire Cocktail
Nopa: * Classic: Sidecar * Original: Gran Reserva Sidecar
Pesce: * Classic: Negroni * Original: Venetian Cocktail
Presidio Social Club: * Classic: Pisco Punch * Original: Boots and Saddle
Range: *Classic: Negroni * Original: Little Italy
Rye: * Classic: Manhattan * Original: Dogpatch
Slanted Door: * Classic: New Orleans Buck * Original: Agricole Rhum Punch
Solstice Lounge: *Classic: Rhum Crusta * Original: Mamere
Tres Agaves: *Classic: La Paloma * Original: La Rosa

World Cocktail Week Begins Today

If ever there was a time to raise a glass in honor of raising a glass, its now!

As decribed by The Museum of the American Cocktail, "World Cocktail Week was established to celebrate the rich history of the cocktail and recognize the craftsmanship and skill of the bartenders who have been mixing them for over 200 years." Bartenders, Mixologists, and otherwise described Cocktail-Enthusiasts around the world kick off celebrations over the next couple of weeks to pay homage to their profession and passion.

San Francisco
San Francisco Cocktail Week is back for its second year. I went up north with my photographer pal, Claire Barrett, last year, and covered the parties at Rye, Jardiniere, and the wrap up party at Absinthe (the site of this year's grand finale, too).

Also in San Fran, this year, Tony Abou Ganim is going to be honored for his contributions to local Mixology, namely his infamous Cable Car cocktail which he created at Harry Denton's Starlight Lounge.

Washington DC
Meanwhile, in our Nation's Capital, the city's top bartenders are gathering at Proof on May 12. Tickets cost $135 with some proceeds going to support The Museum of the American Cocktail. The swanky soiree includes passed hors d'oeuvres and five specialty cocktails created by each of the mixologists involved.

Los Angeles
We're no shlumps down here in So-Cal, either, although being part of our celebration may cost more than the price of a drink. This evening, uber-hip members-only drinking club The Doheny in downtown LA is featuring Brand Ambassador/Mixologist, Jamie Terrell, who will showcase Sagatiba cachaca and several Brazilian cocktails. Additionally, The Doheny's Head Barman Vincenzo Marianella will present his own cachaca creation, the Rio. Plymouth Gin Brand Ambassador/Mixologist, Simon Ford, will also be on hand highlighting classic cocktails such as the Corpse Reviver #2, Hanky-Panky, Positano, and Vincenzo’s Spring Collins. (I know where I'm drinking tonight...)

Where Else?

Please let me know if your bar / city / country is doing something unusual and fun for cocktail week. I'd love to post it here!

Continue the Party in New Orleans!

And if all this hullabaloo feels like a warm up for Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, July 16-20... it is. The Museum of the American Cocktail is also re-opening its doors in the Big Easy around the same time. There is just so much dang cocktailian fun down there, you won't be able to contain yourself! Buy your tickets for that before they are gone, like the last sip of the last drink at last call. Boo-hoo.


Happy Cocktail Week, Everyone!