A Short Work Day

Last night I went out to sample some infusions at a few bars and restaurants around town for my upcoming story for the Bay Guardian. I began at Voda, the vodka lounge on Belden Lane that I once called in an article for San Francisco Magazine, "the Piet Mondrian to the rest of the street's Toulouse Lautrec." I felt very arty for that statement. Anyway, I had a quick drink there- bubblegum-infused vodka. For something that tasted like Bazooka, it was surprisingly okay. I stopped into Colibri Mexican Bistro next to see if they had any infused tequilas, knowing they like to put out some fancy cocktails. They did. The guava-infused tequila was excellent. The others I didn't think were so great on their own, but probably worked well in their mixed drinks. Then it was on to Millennium, the big surprise of my research. Not only do they do infusions at this mostly-vegan restaurant, they use organic ingredients to infuse in them, and they make really creative drinks that rotate regularly. (Mint and ginseng-infused Irish whiskey, anyone?) More in my article when it comes out, but do think about stopping in just for a drink when you're downtown. I've been a vegetarian for 16 years yet still haven't eaten at this restaurant. That just makes one more fine dining establishment that I've been served in, but not the food... Then I ended up at Rye, as I often do. There I was just drinking for pleasure. I finally tried something new. I forget the name, naturally, as I'd had three cocktails and six other samples previously. The drink had muddled...guava I think, or mango, or one of those tropical fruits, and it was rimmed with a spicy pepper sugar. Very good. Beyond that I can tell you nothing. It was only 8:30PM when I left this bar, but I was a wee bit intoxicated. I grabbed pizza at Katz Bagels (they now serve pizza, obviously, and it's very good), ate it, and passed out by 9:30PM. Eleven hours of sleep later, I woke up fresh and fruity and ready to continue my research.