Lan's #17: White Horse Tavern

White Horse Tavern
635 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 673-9900

I was going to meet J at Cantina, but when I walked in, I realized I'd already been here last year (a review of this blog shows that the bar was called Lucid at this time last year. The decor hasn't changed). So, I walked up Sutter and happened upon the White Horse Tavern & Restaurant.

In Berkeley/Oakland, there's a gay bar by the same name on Telegraph. Here in SF, it is just a pub with a restaurant in the back. There seem to be a lot of tourists in this bar, which makes sense considering its proximity to Union Square hotels. In fact, while I was waiting for J to arrive (sipping Jameson and reading Camus--how obnoxious), a tour bus stopped in front of the tavern and dropped off a whole bunch of seniors. Most went to their respective hotels but some trickled in.

An old man with hairy ears stuck his hand into the bowl of pretzels/peanuts in front of me. He threw some of the pretzels back. EEEW. Good thing I wasn't eating those. Bartender was quite friendly, too.

Went to the subterranean sushi place for some uni and sake and called it a night.

Lan's #14: Cortez

Cortez
550 Geary Street
(between Jones St & Shannon St)
San Francisco, CA 94102

Wandered in here with J and 3 friends on a Friday afternoon after some drinks and snacks at Grand Cafe. My original destination was Ponzu but they were closed for a private party--boo!! I've heard good things about their small plates, but the prices are a bit ridiculous. Since we weren't hungry, I opted for a glass of Viognier...which tasted like the bottle had been open for a while. Service was slow and a bit retarded (there was a waitress staring blankly at us).

Free rosemary popcorn, which was nice. The decor is kind of random and the crowd is ooooooold. Probably won't be back although the foie gras looked good.

Jamie took us home and we met some folks at Godzilla for sushi and copious amounts of sake. I did not run the ascribed 10 miles the next morning.

Lan's #13: Olive

Olive
743 Larkin St
(between Ellis St & Ofarrell St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 776-9814

This is where the Marina folks head when they want to get "dirty" in the TL. I came here for a drink while waiting for hh for dinner @ Pagolac (Vietnamese food for the Marina folk when they want "authentic" TL...but another story for another time).

I sat down at the bar and it took a while for the bartender to get to me. During these 5-10 minutes, I looked at the limited food menu (the only interesting thing was pizza and only because I like pizza) and tried not to make a face every time a girl would scream. What is it with drunk white girls and high pitched screeching? This place is LOUD--not just because of the people but because of the concrete interior. I hate having to yell.

Well, the bartender finally came over...but first, he took two fernet orders from some old guy that had JUST wandered in. Bartender probably noticed my dismay at the wrongful order of orders so he asked me what I wanted: Kaffir Lime & Basil martini. Fernet is just OBNOXIOUS (and disgusting). My drink tasted watered down but it did the trick at almost 9pm on an empty stomach. HH wandered in and ordered a beer...a very flat beer.

Would I go back? Probably not. I'd go up the street to Rye where I don't have to yell and the bartenders don't complain about making the drink specials.

There's a pic on my cell phone that I'll upload later.

Lan's #11: The Metro

Metro
2124 Market St
(between 15th St & Church St)
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 703-9750

First stop, Anchor Oyster Bar (NOT the right spot for $1 oysters...oops) for a Hoegarden (sp?) and an oyster shooter while we waited for Bill to get out of his doctor's appt to tell us where the $1 oysters REALLY were. My bad for not confirming...

Second stop, Blue, for mac n cheese and a glass of wine. By the time Bill arrived, oyster happy was over (for future reference, its on Market & Church). Bill's car was parked in front of the Metro so we stopped in for a drink after dinner. It was gay pool night and one of the boys was into Bill (and Britney Spears). I was too full for beer so I had a glass of red...a bottomless glass. It took me FOREVER to finish.

The evening ended at the good ol' Pig & Whistle. Tuesday night, but no Andy. We miss Andy. I had forgotten how much I love Magner's. It doesn't fill me up as quickly as regular beer.

Lan's #10: Rickshaw Stop

Rickshaw Stop
155 Fell St
(between Franklin St & Van Ness)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 861-2011

Last night was one of those rare "summer" nights in SF. I was walking around outside after dark with just a tank top...in March!

Went with Tania to see Tilly & the Wall at Noisepop. There were three opening bands and we arrived just in time to see the last opening band, also from Omaha, but not very good. The singer made the unfortunate fashion decision to wear the cowboy neckerchief...which hipsters love but I think looks ridiculous.

The space is pretty small and intimate. Security at the door is smooth and the bartenders are prompt. I enjoyed my $5 sangrias. My only complaint? Why do indie boys have to smell so bad??? Tilly & the Wall came on promptly and put on a great show. They make me smile. So does unusually warm weather. Why am I moving to cold, cold Chicago??

I have jury duty today. Boo.

Lan's #9: Izakaya Lounge

O Izakaya Lounge
Hotel Kabuki
1625 Post St
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 614-5431

On our way to Tanpopo for some ramen, I noticed that Dot Lounge (which had been closed for a few years) had finally reopened...as an Izakaya Lounge! I love Izakaya (basically Japanese bar food) so we abandoned the idea of ramen (which I'd been craving all week) and stopped in to try this new spot. It has been totally remodeled and looks nothing like what it did during the Dot Lounge days. The hotel has also been remodeled and renamed.

The entrance from Post St is not the main entrance. The bartenders just kind of stare at you and we stare confused back. To get seated, you have to walk over to the hotel entrance towards the right. Strangely, none of the servers in this Japanese(-inspired) place are Japanese...I think the water lady was Chinese. The head chef is from the Americano down by the Embarcadero as are many of the cooks.

J ordered a $3 Guinness from the can and I got a Pinot Noir. You're supposed to drink beer or sake at an izakaya, but I was in the mood for wine. I've had too much beer this week and my belly shows it. For food, we ordered pork belly and beef loin yakimono (skewers). Sadly, they were out of Hamachi belly yakimono. I wish they were served a little hotter.

We also got yakisoba, which seemed to be pan-fried ramen noodles with a teriyaki sauce and some tofu & vegetables. SKIP THIS.

Finally, we got the O Lounge Burger, which is pretty good. Sooo...the best thing at this izakaya was the burger. However, their burger does not make it onto my list of elite burgers (Bistro Aix, Chez Maman, Zuni, Absinthe, and the Richmond).

Lan's #8: Red Devil Lounge

Red Devil Lounge
1695 Polk St
(between Clay St & Sacramento St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 921-1695

This one is slightly out of order since we went here the night before I flew out to Orlando. We went here to see Digital Underground. Got a nice spot up by the balcony but some drunk chick kept trying to push me from my spot. Her boyfriend kept telling her not to push me, her ass kept trying to push me away, she was leaning her whole body weight on me (if I stepped back, she stumbled towards me), and her elbow came an inch from hitting my face more than once. This happened many, many times before I elbowed her in the back and shoved her into her boyfriend. After that, she never came back. So, Joyce, I suppose that's the closest I've ever been to a real fight. There was physical contact this time instead of just yelling :P

Had a couple beers but I was feeling like ass (coming down with a cold) and J had wanted to drive. I was the owner of the keys.

This place gets too crowded and though I've never liked crowds, I'm now REALLY too old (and short) for crowds.

Lan's #39-40: Nectar Wine Lounge & Finnegan's Wake

Castros suck at blogging. Joyce, good job.

Went to Nectar Wine Lounge after some drunk shopping at BCBG (when they serve booze, I tend to buy...though not as much as Jamie). I had the $15 bubbles flight. We also had the salmon flatbread and some salumi. I was starving and drunk already. I don't particularly care for the company surrounding me (there were some girls in suits screaming), but that's my fault for being in the Marina. Would I go again? Probably not. I like the wine bar on Chestnut better (forget what its called, but its painted yellow and has a large open window in the front).

Finnegan's Wake: I've been there before but didn't have a drink. This time I did. Good neighborhood bar with a backyard area. It would be my Pig & Whistle if I lived in Cole Valley.

Angelina's #6-11: Shanghai Kelly's, Buccaneer, Bourbon & Branch, 441 Cocktails, Rye, Ambassador

Overall total with these six new bars are #11-16. This evening which was intended to only be 2-3 bars turned into a crazy 6 bar crawl. Probably not the best idea on a Wednesday night.
Lan and I started the night off at Shanghai Kelly's.

Shanghai Kelly's

2064 Polk St (Cross Street: Broadway Street)

San Francisco, CA 94109

(415) 771-3300

I walked in and was the only female. Waltzed up to the bar and ordered myself a pint while I waited for Lan who cruised in 5 minutes later. Very casual and chill corner bar. If I lived nearby, I may frequent this place more often. They claim to have some special drink night on the first Thursday of every month, so that may be worth checking out. Cool stuff on the walls.

Buccaneer

2155 Polk St (Cross Street: Between Broadway Street and Vallejo Street)

San Francisco, CA 94109-2506

(415) 673-8023

Due to Nick's Taco's being closed, Lan and I kept walking and found ourselves at a pirate bar! Yesss!!! The Buccaneer. How could we not enter?

Another typical bar...the pool table in the back was a plus. Bartender was very friendly. Bought ourselves a beer and some red pirate underwear and we were good to go. Jamie joined the group and so we were three.

Bourbon & Branch

501 Jones St (Cross Street: O'Farrell Street)

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 673-1921

This is the bar that spurred our Wednesday night outing. Lan made a reservation so....

Anyway, after ringing the doorbell at the unmarked door and giving our password, 4 of us enter (Minh joined us). Jason and Alden soon followed.

As their gimmick is a speakeasy, everything in here was very hush hush. Extremely dim lighting, but pretty cool to see. Every table was occupied. Lots of booths and split level for more privacy between groups. Very skinny tables and even more expensive drinks. Tasty, but not necessarily worth $12 each.

We did, however, get some free mini drinks/shots prior which were ok. Nice idea though. The servers could be nicer, although I'm not sure if being an ass is part of the whole theme. Probably the coolest part is the secret door to the library in the back with another bar and room for private parties.

We had our one drink...saw the place...and left.

441 Cocktails

441 Jones St.

San Francisco, CA 94102-2014

(415) 474-2284

We escaped from B&B and walked down the street to 441. This is pretty much the complete opposite of what B&B tries to be. A typical dive bar with some very nice Korean ladies tending bar. Can't say the same for their regulars who managed to give me and Lan some kissy faces.

Yes, fresh popcorn was good. Went with a shot of jagermeister and that was it.

Rye

688 Geary St (Cross Street: Leavenworth Street)

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 474-4448

I don't how or why we decided to go to more bars, but we did. I really liked Rye....one of the best ones I've come across. Two rooms - very modern with minimal decor, but not cold. Two rooms, separated by a few steps and the bar in the middle. There was an outdoor area, but closed in by floor to ceiling checkered wire - almost as if you were in a cage. It didn't feel like a prison, but more like a safety and exclusion to keep those on the street out. And again, a pool table in the back.

Beverage wise, I shared a basil martini with Lan which was well made. Then, I had a vodka shot with Mr. Jason Chen. I don't order vodka, nor do I drink it often, but this one was pretty smooth and yummy. Good one, J. Nothing too expensive - average drink prices.

The bartenders were great. Jen and Justin. Very friendly, generous and attentive.

I'd definitely come back here for a drink with a friend or to gather a group of us for a party.

Ambassador

673 Geary St (Cross Street: Jones Street)

San Francisco, CA 94102

(415) 563-8192

Last bar of the night. After Rye, all we had to do was cross the street.

I loved the decor of this bar. I was immediately drawn in with the multiple chandeliers hanging from the pitch black ceiling, giving the impression of floating crystals. Several large boths lined one side of the large room with the bar lining the other. The great expanse of space in the middle made the room seem almost empty. I can imagine this place fills up on weekends and that middle area could become a sea of bodies fighting for air. There is limited seating.

If you do manage to get a booth, you are in luck. There are phones that can call the other booths, so you can chat with your neighbors if you are so inclined.

Drinkswise, nothing incredible or special. Their shots are served in tiny ass metal cups the size of thimbles....fancy ones. The waitress was snooty and not very attentive either. Go to the bar and order yourself if you can.

The thing to note is the upstairs area. Nice and private with couches and additional seating, another bar and more restrooms. This area is ideal for private parties. I'd do it in a second.

I'd just have to see this place on a weekend and see if it's under control.

Overall, Mike has done a great job! =)

And, that brings Wednesday, January 31 to a close. Sixteen bars overall for the month of January; Eleven of those sixteen in the SF/Bay Area. Doing well and more to follow!!!