The Alembic on Haight - my favorite hang out ever!

Our favorite waitress Angela has left the Alembic to go work at a breakfast/brunch place in the Sunset. This is such a shame because no one could match your cocktail with your food order like she could. During her stint at this dark and moody whiskey bar she also acquired a pretty wicked tattoo covering most of her chest and neck which just added to her already lovely personality. As you can tell, I loved Angela - she will be sorely missed - but Alembic will continue to be my number one bar and to live within walking distance of this hang-out is such a treat. Rest assured, are we ever to move, one of the criteria for our new home would have to be that it is no more than a comfortable stroll away from Haight and Cole because of the Alembic.

This place gets busy at weekends, and they don't take reservations. Expect to wait for a table for at least half an hour, and if there is already a one person deep line at the bar, they don't even let you wait inside. They will, however, take your cell number and call you back as soon as they can seat you, and I am always happy to wait. After all, you're in the Haight - there are plenty of places to hang out for a drink or two before settling in.
This is a small plate-type of place, and every dish is carefully prepared and well thought through. Along with fried heirloom tomatoes, gazpacho, lamb or pork sliders and scallops they serve quirks like bone marrow (never on my order, but always on my husbands). The only unfortunate thing on the menu is the pre-order serving of popcorn which are seasoned with about fifteen different spices. It sent Richard to hospital with a severe allergic reaction once but it still doesn't stop him from trying to sneak a handful down every time we go there any way.

The cocktails are pretty special, and mixed by pretty special bartenders who know their s**t. Richard will always have a Sazerac or a Pisco Sour, sometimes finishing of with an Old fashioned. I will have the Gilded Lily for kick, or the Southern Exposure for comfort. They also have a "Take your chances" special on the cocktail menu, where you relax and let the staff do your bidding for you, and this is where Angela comes in. She never failed to get it absolutely spot on every single time. She didn't just match the drink with the food, she also had a knack for matching the drink with number of drinks already consumed so that each new glass was cranking it up a notch. This makes for a pretty damn good night out. So, as I said, Angela is gone, but so far, the rest of the staff more than live up to expectations as well and we will continue to miss out on many other good places because we can't seem to keep away from this one.
But then, why change a winning concept?

For more information, log on to www.alembicbar.com.