32938 Mon Dec 06 02:12:23 -0800 2004 11 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 146516 I've been eating at Swan Oyster Depot since my first days in San Francisco, but Friday I was treated to a glass of their home-aged tequila. It was a perfect afternoon for oysters and crab, made that much more celebratory by a flute of smooth tequila, reminiscent of cognac rather than that awful Cuervo stuff that finds its way into so many margaritas and lime Jell-o shots. So what restaurants besides Tommy's have añejo and reposado selections worth checking out? I did find the post on The Tequila Doctors (linked below) but was thinking more upscale. I have happy memories—okay, blurry ones—from a long night at Cicero Centenario in Mexico City, spent sipping Don Julio with sangrita chasers in a velvet salon. Also curious if there are other non-commercial tequilas, or other secret spirits, to be discovered locally. Anyone with a small oak barrel in the garage? (And if there's a better cured salmon in the city than Swan's, I haven't found it; I've been enjoying it on Tartine's walnut bread with a little lavender pepper. They promised a shipment of sturgeon in time for Christmas.) Link: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/31326#136896 Mon Dec 06 02:12:23 -0800 2004 0 Windy 1 146538 For slightly more upscale, Dona Tomas in Oakland has a nice tequila selection. Mon Dec 06 12:27:32 -0800 2004 146516 0 Ruth Lafler 1 146539 My landlord is an investor in a new high end tequila bar and restaurant that will be opening in SoMa near the ball park in May. I don't know how much about it I am allowed to mention here. I'll ask him and see if I can spill any more beans. They definitely intend to put a big emphasis on the tequila range, for sure. That much I do know. Mon Dec 06 12:31:32 -0800 2004 146516 0 Sixy Beast 2 146548 You're referring to Tres Agave - there was a note about it in the Chronicle (at the bottom of the article). Julio Bermejo from Tommy's Mexican Restaurant is one of the main forces behind the project. Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/11/10/FDGC59LRU21.DTL Mon Dec 06 13:14:12 -0800 2004 146539 0 Pssst 3 146551 Yes, obviously I don't need to keep my big mouth shut after all :) Mon Dec 06 13:32:10 -0800 2004 146548 0 Sixy Beast 4 146560 Well, I think you were wise to be cautious. The Location Search Debacle was a major source of hours of gossip and speculation amongst the tequila gang. So when I heard about the Townsend location, I wasn't sure I believed it was really finalized. Now I'm just hoping it opens by Cinco de Mayo. And of course, I'm thrilled at the idea of having a world-class tequila bar within walking distance of my office. Although my husband is scared. Mon Dec 06 14:01:25 -0800 2004 146551 0 Pssst 1 146544 Maya has a nice selection of tequilas. Link: http://mayasf.com/ Mon Dec 06 12:46:04 -0800 2004 146516 0 nja 1 146552 I like Colibri, a newish place across from the A.C.T. Theatre. The prices are on the high side, but they only carry 100% blue agave tequilas. They offer numerous flights that you can mix-and-match (all anejos, reposados or blancos, or one of each). They are also one of the few places in town that offer the traditional sangrita chaser. The food is excellent as well. Everything I've gotten there has been great (guacamole, carnitas, steak). I even went for breakfast and was not disappointed. So what's the downside? The margaritas are cloyingly sweet/sour. I'd recommend you stick to the "neat" servings. I did let them talk me into a tuna (cactus fruit) margarita that was delicious. Link: http://www.colibrimexicanbistro.com Mon Dec 06 13:35:36 -0800 2004 146516 0 steaklist 2 146557 I liked Colibri also, didn't realize they serve breakfast...do they have chilaquiles and huevos rancheros on the menu? Mon Dec 06 13:56:25 -0800 2004 146552 0 susancinsf 3 146564 You know, I don't remember if they had Huevos Rancheros or not. I thought I saw Chilaquiles. I opted for the steak and eggs which were very good. I wish I remembered what my wife got...maybe some bastardized Chilaquiles with Chicken? Don't quote me. Mexican food is comfort food for me, so this place comforts more than it awes...which is good enough for me. Mon Dec 06 14:08:11 -0800 2004 146557 0 steaklist 1 146555 To be very clear for other readers, Swan does not have a liquor license and does not sell the tequila. One of the brothers is really into tequila, has his aging barrel in the restaurant and will sometimes give a taste to customers/friends that come in. My Recommendations: 1. Tommy's - great selection, knowledgable staff. Eric & Julio will tell you everything they know about tequila if you prompt them. The other bartenders can make good recommendations but English is their second language so its harder to get info from them. 2. Dona Tomas - good selection, but I've never hung at the bar so I don't know how knowledgable the staff is. 3. Marimba - decent selection. VERY poorly trained staff. I will not go back. When I asked for a list of their 100% agave tequilas, they were clueless. Honestly, I think that should be the bare minimum a bartender in the Tequila/Mexican restaurant should know. Leticia's - Don't go. When I asked the bartender there which tequilas were 100% agave, he said "All tequilas are 100% agave. Trust me, I'm Mexican." I just sat there shocked at being told such a bold faced LIE. 4. Colibri on Geary - I haven't been yet, but I hear the selection is good. 5. Left at Albuquerque - For a "soulless chain", they have a surprisingly good selection and the last time I was there they offered tequila samplers so you could get small tastes of several different tequilas. This is very helpful since it is hard alcohol and one can get very drunk, very fast drinking standard pours of straight tequila. 6. Maya - most upscale place on this list. Very good selection. They have a nice sangrita. I haven't chewed the fat with the staff so I don't know how knowledgable they are. "Anyone with a small oak barrel in the garage?" Yes, there are plenty of people aging their own tequila. But most people are at least a little protective of their product and only offer it to people with a some advanced knowledge of tequila - not just to any schmoo (I'm not implying you are). I kinda have three barrels going right now. One, a friend who's into flavoring tequila has been using one of my barrels and is making me a wonderful vanilla scented tequila which should be done for Christmas. Second, several of my friends are doing a group barrel that we expect to bottle in January. And third, Michael & I have a barrel that has been aging since last January that we cracked open last weekend. Also, some of the Tommy's gang (the "Tequila Demigods") who age tequila deposit some of their product behind the bar at Tommy's and are offer it to fellow club members but I've never seen any of them offer it to non-members. FYI - I was at a tequila party last weekend. Our host gave me a small piece of bittersweet chocolate and a shot of Rey Sol --- it was an amazing taste sensation. Now I'm going to have to do some serious investigation into tequila/chocolate pairings. To learn more about tequila, I'd recommend: The Tequila Lover's Guide to Mexico and Mezcal: Everything There Is to Know About Tequila and Mezcal, Including How to Get There by Lance Cutler and The Book of Tequila: A Complete Guide by Bob Emmons Mon Dec 06 13:47:50 -0800 2004 146516 0 Pssst 2 146607 I suspect it's the public–private aspect that appeals to me, even more now that I can visualize flavored tequila barrels hiding all over. That and pairing interesting foods with unusual spirits. Tres Agaves sounds promising. I've also enjoyed the home-made Japanese plum wines I've received for new year's. And my cranberry vodka should be ready in time for Christmas. But I'm happy enough to explore what's available locally (and legally) without becoming too much of an expert. This thread seems like a great list to work my way through. Thanks! Mon Dec 06 17:41:20 -0800 2004 146555 0 Windy