Martuni's Piano Bar

Quite possibly the best bar in SF if you are looking for an old school piano bar that is very dark. The drinks are strong, large and reasonable. I had no idea the bartender was such a mixologist as she muddled up a cucumber concoction with Hendrick's. Unfortunately, two of these drinks is a bit too much for most but to have only one is difficult. ;) Loved Proposition Chicken which is conveniently located across Market St. for some late night grub.

25 Lusk

I met a girlfriend on a weeknight and it was surprisingly not overly crowded. They were filming for a reality show so had blocked off half of the restaurant so couldn't give us a booth. We decided to sit in the downstairs bar and they have a great happy hour until 7pm. We had their prosecco, sweet potato fries, oysters and a delicious tuna tartare. The coolest part was the private area behind the bar that one would never know was there but that the waiter showed to us and we could not believe there was a totally secret area hidden away!

Favorite Hummus Recipe

3 cans garbanzo beans
2 cups olive oil
3 tbspn tahini
3 big lemons squeezed
8 cloves of garlic
You can use the garbanzo bean liquid if u need more liquid to blend or osterize.

Bulgari/Hockney Exhibit

On Wednesday, November 13th from 6:30-9:30pm attendees were given exclusive after-hours viewing of two world-renowned exhibitions at the de Young:

David Hockney: A Bigger Exhibition, created by Hockney for the de Young
http://deyoung.famsf.org/pressroom/pressreleases/david-hockney-bigger-exhibition

The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950-1990, which includes pieces that were formerly in the collection of Elizabeth Taylor
http://deyoung.famsf.org/deyoung/exhibitions/art-bulgari-la-dolce-vita-beyond-1950-1990

We had the pleasure of seeing the gorgeous jewels that Elizabeth Taylor was able to indulge in! The large emeralds and sapphires were to die!! Who knew Jennifer Tilly was such a big collector.. her poker winnings perhaps? Money from her marriage to Sam Simon, producer of the Simpsons? She is very lucky indeed!

The Hockney exhibit was very interesting with many vibrant colors. The TV screens of the forest scenes were also quite a draw. I personally liked the snow scene. 

The drinks were fab with a coconut vodka featured by New Amsterdam and an excellent cheese buffet table. Carnival Cruise provided Domaine Chandon champers and choc covered strawberries. It was quite lovely and the crowd was very chic.

white sangria recipe served slushy

I do have a few secret concoctions up my sleeve and one of the most coveted is my white wine sangria recipe which is always a stand-out at parties.

2 magnums white wine or 4 bottles white wine (sauvignon blanc preferred)
1 bottle champaigne
2 cans Kern's apricot
2 cups brandy
1 can ginger-ale
sliced green apple and peaches

**Freeze overnight and thaw out one hour before serving so will be served slushy & no need to add ice; Needed: large punch bowl, containers to freeze punch

Fog City Diner

Fog City Diner (@Fog_CitySF) recent remodel was such a success. The restaurant was packed due to a much better layout, better feng shui. The bar is now in the middle of the restaurant and can accommodate many more people and you can see all parts of the restaurant from the bar.  I do wish the bar stools were a bit more comfortable. ;( The food was much more refined and delicate and the look and feel is much more 'hip' than 'old-school'. Nice job!!