The Lush

As noted back in 2013, the former 222 Hyde has closed. In its place is now THE BASEMENT, Eater reports, from owner Larry Livingston of Palladium. There is only a narrow bar on the ground floor, but the large basement has been tricked out with a new sound system, and…

UNO DOS TACOS has secured their full liquor license, and that means they’re now serving a full cocktail list. Tequila and mezcal are the focus, with a house margarita, of course, available by the glass or pitcher ($8/$29). There is also a special cazuela cocktail on the list,…

Hayes Valley’s NOIR LOUNGE has secured a full liquor license, Hoodline reports. In fitting with their 1940s film noir theme, the drink list is focused on the classics (with a spin, naturally). There’s a French 75 made with gin, sugar cubes, and lemon juice; a Vieux Carré with…

As mentioned on tablehopper last year, Tenderloin dive bar NITE CAP was purchased by a team of new partners including Dave Esler of Hog & Rocks. After a remodel, it has reopened, though Esler swears it hasn’t changed too much. According to Scoop, the new Nite Cap is focused…

Three self-identified “beer geeks” are getting ready to open a bar in Bernal, called OLD DEVIL MOON. The project comes from Chris Cohen, cicerone and board member of the San Francisco Homebrewers Guild, Andrew Kelley, also a cicerone and former manager of Los Angeles beer spot Little Bear, and Will…

What a wonderful time of year this is! Commercial crab season just opened, white truffle season continues, and now the Beaujolais is arriving from France! This Thursday November 20th, catch the seventh annual Beaujolais Bash at ~ARLEQUIN WINE MERCHANT~ from 6pm-8pm. In addition to the Beaujolais Nouveau, they’ll also…

Last week, Eater noted the ABC license activity and players for PIVOT, a project that is coming to the Inner Richmond. I reached out to Michael Ireland—a well-respected sommelier who has worked at The French Laundry, Quince, Benu, The Restaurant at Meadowood, and consults for Verbena and Gather restaurants—…

After closing for renovations in January, ~THE ALEMBIC~’s kitchen has reopened. There is a newly expanded menu from chef Ted Fleury, including albacore crudo with kohlrabi and Asian pear ($14), chicken wings with Calabrian chile jam and green papaya ($10), and chicken liver mousse with quince, huckleberry, and fried…

During the month of November, you can raise a glass to a good cause with the Give Back the Bird program, which benefits the SF-Marin Food Bank and is sponsored by Wild Turkey (Jupiter Olympus plays a big part in this charity fundraiser). Local bars will be offering their own…

There is still so very much to learn and love about sherry, and author Talia Baiocchi is going to be in town this month promoting her new book, Sherry: A Modern Guide to the Wine World’s Best-Kept Secret (Ten Speed Press). It’s a fabulous book, with a deep…