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May 20, 2008 4 min read

May 20, 2008

May 20, 2008
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I've been excited about this new project that's "in the werks": coming in July will be ~ZWEIBAR~, (site coming soon), just like a little Bavarian train station café that has magically appeared in the Mission. Partners in the project are Chris Gorog of Revel Industries (you might know him from behind the bar at Gestalt Haus), and Fra Kepler, who started Atlas Café, Treat Street, and Gestalt. There will be a variety of sausages available, try ten, with many that will be private-label when the place opens. (Can't wait to try the beer one, heh.) They've been taste testing for months, so I trust the vittles will be right-on. Everything will be house-made, including the spätzle, and the traditional salads, like a raw purple cabbage variation—but everything will have a slight Cali spin on it (read: healthy). Food will also be available to go, great for folks who work and live in the area. The space was most recently the El Farito deli and is a cozy 1,000 square feet, with communal tables and 20 bar stools, where you can take your pick from 20 beers on tap ($4 a pint), 20 well-chosen wines by the glass (starting at $5 each), and 20 bottles of beer from around the world. The plan is to be open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week—will let you know when the opening date is close. 2400 Folsom St. at 20th St.

Snags have ended, so now I can talk about ~PISCO LATIN LOUNGE~, James Schenk of Destino's new project I alluded to a few weeks back. Think early 1900s bar that will pay homage to San Francisco's legendary pre-Prohibition Bank Exchange Bar, home of their signature Pisco Punch, considered to be San Francisco's first cocktail. Some say the original Pisco Punch recipe was a secret, others say it was lost during Prohibition, but reportedly Guillermo Toro-Lira, Pisco's unofficial historian, recently rediscovered the recipe through painstaking research. Other cocktails include the Chichabana, a Pisco-infused cocktail with a spicy purple corn punch (I think I've tasted this before, delish); the Algorobina, a traditional South American cocktail made with carob syrup; and a Dulce de Leche Martini; as well as a full array of mojitos. The wine list will focus on Spanish and South American varietals, plus some California boutique vintages.

There will also be some South American-inspired bar bites ($8–$18), like fried quinoa risotto balls with shiitake mushrooms and romesco salsa; jamon Serrano-wrapped endive boats with grilled peaches and Cabrales cheese; Peruvian tiradito, plus sweet finishes too. The design team behind the project is Architects II (Bin 38, Levende East, Mexico DF) who are referencing yet modernizing the classic concept and materials with a 26-foot-long walnut bar, rich red accents, low-slung lounge seating mixed with cocktail tables for two, and this I gotta see: "a floating island surrounded by a water feature with changing lights that sends ripples of color up the surrounding walls." There will also be a modern chandelier, ceiling-high wine towers creating a "pisco shrine," plus doors that lead into Destino. There will be DJs, live music, and a nightly "social hour" from 5pm–7pm. Pisco will be open in the end of June or beginning of July, six days a week, Tue–Sun, 5pm–midnight, and serving late until 1am Fri–Sat (the bar will open for drinks one hour past kitchen closure). 1817 Market St. at Octavia.

Anyone with estrogen (or something approximating it) is getting ready for the release of ~S*X AND THE CITY~ (*I gotta be careful of those spam filters) on May 30th. Presidio Social Club has created a version of a cosmo in honor of their favorite character, Samantha, which they will serve through the opening weekend for the film (Friday, May 30th through Sunday June 1st). Their version, called "Samantha's Holy Water," is made with Hangar One Mandarin Blossom vodka, grapefruit juice, Cointreau, Leopold's Cranberry Liqueur and a splash of cranberry, $8. You can get that paired with a mixed greens salad for $17, no joke. Bldg. 563 Ruger Street (just inside the Lombard Gate), 415-885-1888.

Last week's weather totally had me scouring my fridge for rosé, drinking up the Sinskey vin gris at Spork, and closing Zeitgeist with a pitcher (I had company, mind you). In case you'd like more ideas on summer sippers, swing by ~WILLIAM CROSS WINE MERCHANTS~ this Wednesday evening, May 21st, from 6pm–9pm to taste some light summer wines (wines that are under 13% alcohol), including: 2006 Krizevci Grasevina Kalnik Croatia; 2006 Gunn Estate Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough; 2006 Jean-Paul Brun Terres Dorees "L'Ancien" Beaujolais Vieilles Vignes; 2005 Domaine Chevalier Pere & Fils Bourgogne Rouge; 2004 Chateau La Coustarelle Cahors; and 2005 Les Cretes Torrette Vallee d'Aoste. The flight is $15. 2253 Polk St. at Green, 415-346-1314.

~UNCORKED EVENTS~ will be hosting the second anniversary of their "Best Of" Tasting on Wednesday, June 4th. Their favorite wines from around the world will be represented, over 100 in all, plus some Belgian and German beer stations. Virtually every wine will be 90 points+ rated, with many small production, hard-to-find gems. Rounding out the night will be a spread of hors d'oeuvres from A.G. Ferrari, plus tunes from DJ Sol. This event will sell-out, so purchase tickets in advance. $40 through May 21st, $50 after, $60 door (if available). 6pm–9pm. Club Sportiva & On The Fly Showrooms, 840 Harrison St. at 5th St.

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