fantastic, fresh made cocktails?

[foodfanUSA]

where can i find some cocktails made with absolutely as many fresh ingrerediants as possible? a place with a atmosphere condusive to relaxing and enjoying a fine drink, not a "ultra hip" type of place.

[lexdevil]

A Cote in Oakland.

[Chuckles the Clone]

Definitely fantastic but the place is a madhouse. What's a good day/time to go there when everyone else in town isn't jammed in there with me?

[lexdevil]

Sadly, the answer is an early reservation. Or going late on a work night. Booking really helps. It gets you your own table, so you avoid the madhouse at the bar and the communal table. The back room is quieter and more cozy, though I still prefer the front room.

[bbulkow]

Berkeley side:
I think Cesar Berkeley is better than A Cote, although A Cote's pretty good. I didn't have as much luck with Cesar Piedmont.

Fonda deserves mention - and is open late. They don't go ultra-premium on their liquor, which I somewhat respect

Cafe van Kleef specializes in the fresh squeezed greyhound, but otherwise is not fancy

I once had astonishingly good caipirinhias at Cafe de la Paz - excellent caused by excellent limes - the feat was never repeated - but you can just have a drink downstairs; maybe you'll get lucky

OP - as usual, what part of the bay are you asking about? Where have you tried?

[lexdevil]

I like Cesar a lot too (though I prefer the more spacious Piedmont Ave. location--probably because I can walk home and avoid a DUI). Cesar has a great selection of liquor, but I think A Cote does more with fresh ingredients. A quick look at their specialty cocktail lists tells the tale:

http://www.acoterestaurant.com/menus/spirits.shtml
http://www.barcesar.com/piedmont/wine...

Cesar does more high end takes on classics. A Cote has more unusual drinks and ingredients. Which is not to say that you can't get a great, unusual drink at either.

[Chuckles the Clone]

I was going to mention van Kleef, but it's hipsters up the wazoo there. Of course, it's the entirely more tolerable Oakland hip, rather than Mission hip. Noisy and a cover on the weekend. Big box of citrus and a juice squeezer on the bar is as fresh as it gets.

[Pei]

On a weeknight, I really enjoy Rye Bar. I don't know if it's "as many as possible" per drink, but they do have what my friends and I call "the buffet." It's a tray full of different slices of fresh fruit and herbs.

Weekends it's a little crowded and "ultra hip," but on weeknights it tends to be quiet. There are sofas to lounge on, bar tables outside, or sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders. They're very nice. Rye also holds monthly cocktail mixing contests for their customers, so I think they are trying to cultivate at least a little of a neighborhood feel, and constantly looking for fresh new drinks.

[pane]

We went to Rye last night--I second everything Pei says.

The menu includes some standards (like a delicious basil gimlet) as well as award-winning cocktails from other bars and restaurants in San Francisco. Lots of herbs, fruits and interesting liquors.

[jason carey]

Cantina is great, if you go early or early in the week.. Great Great cocktails

[ccbweb]

Jariniere has fabulous cocktails but I don't know about the atmosphere since their remodel.
Absinthe is excellent.

[susancinsf]

Aziza, although the bar is quite small. (no tables, just the bar itself, and it isn't that long). Great cocktails though.

[courtneyp]

Absinthe -- They wrote a recent book on cocktails! ("The Art of the Bar")

Bourbon and Branch -- Great classic cocktails as well as innovative originals. Speakeasy, quiet atmosphere.

[Chuckles the Clone]

Is B'n'B still doing the whole affected theater thing or can a guy just walk in off the street and get himself a drink there these days?

[courtneyp]

Anyone can walk up and have a drink in the Library using the password "Books". It's not the full menu, but it's still pretty good.

[Fig Newton]

The Alembic has been making some fine, fine drinks. And I like their snacks too.

[courtneyp]

I second this one as well! It's just been a bit crowded for my tastes lately, even on weeknights. Best to go before 7-8pm.

[mchan02]

hip, but not ultra-hip
knowledgeable bartenders, great house-infused spirits, fresh fruits and vegetables, delicious cocktail menu.

[Dave MP]

I second the Orbit Room, at least at certain times of day. It's nice there when it's still light out and warm enough outside for the windows to be open.