Enrique Sanchez of La Mar's "The Remedy"
What an exhilirating week it was to be in San Francisco. The Bay Area has always been recognized and respected for it's food and wine advancements, but the mixology movement of San Francisco cannot be ignored. What only broke ground four years ago, San Francisco Cocktail Week is now a full fledged seven days of education and celebration of the historic and thriving Bay Area liquor and spirits industries.
SFCW Founders -H. Joseph Ehrmann, Jeff Hollinger & Duggan McDonnell
Just this past month, San Francisco's own Comstock Saloon, Elixir, Rickhouse and The Alembic, four industry favorites, were named in GQ magazine's Top 25 Cocktail Bars in America. Smuggler's Cove was also mentioned as "home to the country's best rum selection". In addition on any given night, there are many accolade-worthy bars, lounges and restaurants serving and pairing seasonal cocktails, with the freshest, most creative of ingredients.
Leblon, Figs, Plums, Martini & Rossi at Farmers' Market
"That Time of the Month" benefit at Lazslo
Ragtag Rabble Gaming Soiree at The Burritt Room
San Francisco Cocktail Week 2010 kicked off with a formal inauguration of the Boothby Centre for the Beverage Arts followed by a "That Time of the Month" after-party benefit at Lazslo in the Mission District. The week continued with many official and non-official events such as the Farmers' Market Happy Hour at the Ferry Building, a Ragtag Ramble Gambling Night at the Crescent Hotel's Burritt Room, a Cocktail Carnival Gala at the historic Old Mint, a Spaghetti Feast at Long Bar and gatherings at Cantina, 15 Romolo and Elixir just to name a few.
Danny Louie at Cocktail Lab's Soiree
Bon Vivant's Punchbowl at Cocktail Carnival Gala
Just like fashion, the great classics remain and the fads change and evolve with time. Long gone are the days of Cosmos, Mai Tais and Dirty Martinis being the exclusive choices on the adult beverage list. Now you will see a well-select and thought out drink menu featuring chilled glass components of what's currently in season locally and what ingredients are being offered by neighboring distilleries and farmers.
Enrique Sanchez of La Mar at Cuesa Farmers' Market
Food Fashionista hearts San Francisco at Boothby
Steven Liles stirring it up at Boothby Inauguration
Once you taste a cocktail, a real cocktail from one of these mixologists or bartenders who put their heart and soul into their trade…you will quickly be awakened to why there is an entire week dedicated to magnifying the significance of what these liquor industry folks do. Lucky for us, SF Cocktail Week is not something that is just honored one week every year here in the City By the Bay. The world of cocktails is a part of the everyday existence of San Francisco's culinary and potation culture and lifestyle…and that is why we absolutely love it here.
FOR ALL PHOTOS OF SF COCKTAIL WEEK 2010, VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE
For more information on SF Cocktail Week, visit HERE
photo credit of La Mar: Kara Murphy
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