Since the first Italian quality assurance label denominazione di origine controllata e garantita was named in 1980, 20 more have received the blessing. Before 2009, when Amarone was asked to join this elite club, Asti Spumante and other questionably deserving wines were already in. Amarone della Valpolicella and its sweeter sidekick, Recioto della Valpolicella, have long been among the very top wines made in Italy. So, finally, viva Amarone!
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By:
Erik Cummins
03/17/11 8:00 PM
With distressed wood, antlers and rifles mounted above the bar, Bloodhound hints of a hunting lodge. And with a bar stocked with top-shelf whiskies and craft beer, this Folsom Street bar fills a niche not found in the immediate neighborhood: It is a high-concept, artisanal cocktail lounge. Anthony Healy-London, who has tended at several other saloons in San Francisco, has been at Bloodhound for two years. Since then, Bloodhound has developed a strong following of regulars drawn from the South of Market region and from out-of-town on the weekends. Open from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.
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Going ‘green’ is a given on St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of the ‘luck of the Irish,’ explore The San Francisco Examiner’s guide to the merriest Paddy places in the ’hoods:
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By:
Erik Cummins
03/10/11 9:45 PM
The newest Irish bar in San Francisco is preparing for its first St. Patrick’s Day. Located in the heart of the Financial District, the Irish Times serves traditional Irish fare and will host live music on St. Patrick’s Day. Owner John Lillis, a native of Ireland and a second-generation barkeep, can often be found behind the bar pouring drinks with wife and bartender Jennifer. Irish Times, 500 Sacramento St., San Francisco, (415) 217-5060
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As someone who actually opened a restaurant on St. Patrick’s Day a third of a century ago at the behest of an Irish partner, the elegant, now departed Robert Flaherty, may I give some advice? Stay away from Irish pubs on St. Paddy’s Day.Even a regular Friday night happy-hour crowd at the Irish Bank, a soulful Irish pub tucked away in a Financial District alley, hints of St. Paddy’s Day madness.
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Every year, the Gambero Rosso, Italy’s premier wine rag, goes on tour with the Tre Biccheri. Translating to “three glasses,” this event celebrates and, cynically speaking, promotes the wines that have been awarded the magazine’s top honor.
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Located across from the Ferry Building, One Market bar has long been a favorite spot for ferry commuters as well as the after-work Financial District crowd since celebrity chef Bradley Ogden opened the adjoining upscale restaurant in 1993. Bartender Shanti Deluca came up with the ginger- and marjoram-infused Bees in a Pram cocktail for the Cocktail World Cup competition in February. The apple juice and spices combined with the ginger give the drink an interesting spicy bite.
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Has there ever been a more controversial subject than wine and chocolate, as least so far as the gastronomy world is concerned? Granted, I’m more of a vanilla person, but when I think of chocolate, my brain quickly goes to tawny port or Banyuls, not red wine.
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Local chefs tend to run into one another at Annabelle Lenderink’s La Tercera vegetable stand at the Tuesday Ferry Plaza farmers’ market during chicory and shelling bean season. One day she introduced me to Mr. Pollo, actually Manny Torres Gimenez, the chef-partner at Mr. Pollo, a literal hole-in-the-wall on Mission Street. About three months later I found it — four tables, two stools and a tiny open kitchen with bad ventilation, plus a few tables on the sidewalk.
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By:
Erik Cummins
02/24/11 10:00 PM
Many San Francisco restaurants and bars offer ham cuts and raw oysters. But none have paired the two delicacies in quite the same way as Hog and Rocks, a 7-month-old restaurant and bar in the Mission district that focuses specifically on these two savory appetizers. Likewise, bar manager Joe Summa pours a wide variety of whiskies to match the regional flavors of the restaurant’s ever-changing ham and oyster menu. This month, Hog and Rocks inaugurated its happy hour, which features inexpensive, daily themed drinks and food pairings from 5 to 6 p.m.
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URL: http://www.sfexaminer.com/archive/17556/17556?page=33&type[story]=story&quicktabs_1=0
