09/08/09

Best place to bring your closest friends

by Pretty Pan

Lights, food e drinks are perfect, but the place could be a little bigger, besides that, everything is perfect!

• Pros: drinks
• Cons: space

01/26/09

Nonexistent service

by alex swingle

Was here over a week ago on a Saturday, and while I realize it was busy for them, the bar staff werent taking ANY orders or paying attention to anyone. What more is there were four employees behind the bar!! In fact we were sitting at the bar, and this one guy was putting glasses in the washing machine and didnt pay any mind to us even though we were literally in front of him!! Ten minutes we waited and even the people next to us werent acknolwedged. It was crowded but Ive been to bars twice as crowded with less emplyoees that were more receptive to the clientele.

Maybe they got arrogant after being put on Esquire Magazines top bars in the US list.

• Cons: Bartenders too cool to pay attention to clientele

The cocktail is an art form at this TenderNob bar, made with fresh, exotic ingredients and hard-to-find Latin American spirits by mixologists with skills and meticulousness more akin to chefs than bar

by Patrick Heig

SF's superstar mixologist Duggan McDonnell runs this nationally recognized mixology bar, where one-of-a-kind drinks--Laughing Buddha: buddha's hand vodka, lime, crushed ginger & serrano chiles, ginger brew; Milk of Millenia: açai liqueur, mae de ouro cachaça, muddled mint & ginger, lemon, agave nectar, ginseng drizzle--are par for the course. Cocktails are served by the glass or the pitcher (be patient; everything is made from scratch) to a crowd that's equal parts neighborhood, after-work, service industry and connoisseur. There's a plush lounge area in the back, plus a downstairs reservable for private parties, a rotating selection of art on the walls, though nothing that compares to the artistry practiced behind the bar.

11/16/07

Where the Next Literary Greats are Drinking

by ponygecko

Atmosphere is lovely, classy-relaxed; bartenders are super-friendly and informed. The space is spare but lovingly decorated and well-suited to the intimacy that alcohol encourages. A great place to spend a couple hours with really good friends. Drinks are suprising and delicious. Owner is a smart, mega-charming, outgoing hipster hottie which is just what one wants, isn't it.

My only complaint: THERE'S NO FOOD! Old chicks cannot seriously drink without maintaining some protein/carb source in their stomachs. Revenue will suffer. I'm not talking full menu; I'm talking some kind of tapas selection with minimal prep needs, and soon! Yay.

• Pros: Grace, beauty, social quality and beverage superiority.
• Cons: No food

08/10/07

great friendly place super bar

by unloco

Happened in, thought it was part of the hotel, welcomed by one of the owners, and promptly became comfortable, the drinks only added to the experience. I suspect this bar will become, if not already, one of the "IN" places. I'm not one of the young crowd, but did not feel out of place. Thanks Duggan, Kristina, and the customers for a great San Francisco experience.

• Pros: super friendly, great drinks
• Cons: can't think of any

08/08/07

Tell me all about it

by ammert

These bartenders know their drinks. And they can tell you just what makes them so delicious. Not only do they know their drinks, but they know what drinks to give each person who walks through their hole-in-the-wall door if you're brave enough to ask for a recommendation. The atmosphere is wonderful; I love all the colors and fun random pieces that tie together so perfectly. It wasn't at all crowded when I visited (probably because you can't spot it from the street if you don't know what you're looking for), but I'd go even if it was packed from wall to wall. I will definitely be visiting again.

• Pros: Drinks: amazing
• Cons: Hard to spot from the street, but I hear from the owner's that a sign is coming.

06/27/07

Best Quality Drinks made with Best Quality Liquor!!!

by blackrussianla

What a surprise this place turned out to be! Incredible selection of drinks, the best stocked bar I've ever seen coupled with excellent bartenders. I was there on a Wednesday night before and after dinner so the place was almost empty - therefore no comments on social aspects of Cantina, but the pure pleasure of a high class bar is absolutely there.

• Pros: Incredible quality and selection of drinks
• Cons: No visibility from the street (no sign, no advertisements etc.)