Where are the Best Bartenders in San Francisco, California?
Trendy spots come and go, but spaces that truly define cool are surprisingly rare in the renowned bohemian enclave of San Francisco. Blame it on “gentrification”– long gone are the haunts of legends like Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg, LaVey, and the proto-hippies. The good news is, there are still places that offer a salon-like atmosphere for the culturally eskew. The 540, with ever-changing original art exhibits adorning its Paris-brothel wallpaper, up-and-coming deejays, post-modern cinema on the big screen, a top-notch staff, and a jukebox with over 100,000 songs, supports a steady stream of colorful characters ranging from up-and-coming social critics to transient Bukowski wannabes. And did I mention the surrounding neighborhood is like a postcard from Shanghai?Pros + Homey, Eclectic, Funky
I went to Bix last Sunday night with a party of 5. Bix has a lot of style- it’s tucked away in an alley and gorgeous once you walk inside- it has a 1920’s elegance to it. We were seated immediately and the server came and took our drink orders promptly. We ordered appetizers- the potato pillows with caviar were tasty, the tuna an steak tartares were average, and the crab rolls were boring. I didn’t get to try the mini lamb burgers since the harissa was made with almonds (I’m allergic to nuts) but was told they were also average. I will say that our server was amazing- the second he heard I was allergic to nuts, he scoured the recipes to ensure that I knew what I could and couldn’t eat. Our entrees consisted of the kobe beef, the short ribs, the crab spaghetti, and the lamb. The kobe eaters were unimpressed stating that they had had better. The BF thought the lamb was boring- it had been cooked with no seasoning and he was expected to use the scant balsamic vinegar to bring out
I arrived at Enrico’s at 6PM on a Sunday night after the North Beach festival. I was promptly seated at an inside table near the window. My waiter was very efficient and courteous even though he and the other 2 waitstaff were kept jumping. I ordered the lasagna, which arrived quickly and piping hot. With a cold beer and the fresh crusty bread, it made an excellent meal. I lingered over coffee and dessert to listen to the Jazz music. Even though the place was very full by 8PM, I never felt rushed or pressured. All-in-all, a very pleasant dining experience. Pros + Good food, Good service, Good musicCons – Noisy near the bar
