Some quick boozy updates for you, starting with the opening of CHEZCHEZ from Bon Vivants Hospitality in the former Bon Voyage! in the Mission. The project is from founder Josh Harris; Drew Record, Chezchez operating partner and sommelier; Jennifer Colliau, BVH beverage director; and Timmy Malloy, BVH chef de cuisine. (Yeah, that’s a great lineup right there.) This new bar and restaurant is your new aperitivo HQ, with aperitivo-style food, aperitifs, cocktails, wines, beers, and drinks without alcohol, too.
Chezchez features imported tins of fish served with pain d’epi baguette, fresh seafood (like Oregon pink shrimp cocktail), lots of vegetables (like Champagne-battered and fried market vegetable fritto misto with Chezchez dip), meats (how about thinly sliced tri-tip, served cold with chile oil and blue cheese), cheeses, and more.
Chezchez’s drink menu sections include Bloodies, Daiquiris, Martinis, Negronis (including a frozen one), Old Fashioneds, and Spritzes. I just got thirsty reading about the Aperitivo Daiquiri with Martini Fiero, fino sherry, and lime. The wine list got a lot of attention here, with sections like High Acid Whites, Sparkling Wines, Chilled Reds, and Oxidized Orange Wines. There are 20 by-the-glass and -can offerings, and take a peek at the special bottles from the BVintage Cellar, an eclectic collection of old bottles that Harris sourced from a local estate.
The front terrace has seating for 50 on Valencia, with 18 spots at the counter of the original BV! bar, and another 18 seats at the back counter (and the private event Salon upstairs). Look for some great seats right by the big, new windows looking onto the street. Cheers. Open Tue-Sat 4:30pm-10pm. 584 Valencia St. at 16th St.
Last month, I mentioned UMA CASA got their liquor license, and his wife Jessi Graham just launched their Portuguese-centric cocktail program. Take a look at the brand-new menu here, which includes interesting ingredients like Azorean green tea syrup, piri-piri salt, and carob syrup. Happy hour just kicked off: Tue-Sat 5pm-6:30pm (at the bar only). 1550 Church St. at Duncan.
Over in the Castro, LAST CALL BAR has reopened under new owners Kris Foster and Tammy Soo, who reportedly want to honor the dive bar’s heritage and memorabilia and keep the awesome, disco-loaded jukebox as is, great. Open daily 12pm-2am. 3988 18th St. at Noe. [Via Hoodline]
