OG craft cocktail bar that continues to deliver. Refreshingly aromatic cocktails, thoughtful staff, and a laid back vibe that complements the bookstore next door. Got a lovely gimlet on a lazy weekend stroll through the Haight. Vibe in the afternoon is really chill and perfect for catching up with besties over a cheeky. Definitely worth a stop by for a cocktail in the neighborhood. If in doubt, ask the bartenders. Rotating happy hour drink specials. read more

Alembic fills a very particular, important spot in the Haight. While there are plenty of bars on Haight, it's rare to have one that checks off all the important points: cool atmosphere, good cocktails, solid beer selection, and great staff. Even before moving to the neighborhood, I enjoyed stopping by while in the area. Now that I'm only a couple blocks away, it's naturally a go-to for a pre-dinner pint or night cap. Being a beer drinker, I really appreciate the frequently changing selection of local beers (with IPAs represented, but not overly dominating the menu.) But from the cocktails I've seen them prepare (fresh ingredients and interesting flavor profiles), I can see why they are frequently ordered. The inside actually reminds me a lot of the standard Portland look, which while everywhere up there, is underrepresented in the city. Not sure how else to describe it than by saying its cozy and welcoming. They don't have too much in the way of food, at least outside of their weekend brunch menus. If there were some vegan options on that menu I would definitely be keen on checking it out. Nonetheless, glad to have this spot so close by. read more

Surprisingly yummy food, friendly service, great environment. We'll be back for sure. read more

The Alembic - a man sitting at a bar - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Great date night spot. Went for cocktails and light bites last Saturday around 8 PM. It was busy but we managed to find a booth on the other side The bartender told us it was open seating everywhere after we struggled to find a spot at the bar. Even though we were sitting at a booth, we still had to order at the bar which was a little annoying. Though luckily my bf did not have to wait at the bar for the cocktails to be made. For food, we ordered the crudo, a butternut squash gnocchi, and the scotch egg. Each item was delicious, although the crudo was lacking the avocado and needed more chips (which we requested and received). For cocktails, we ordered the golden child & the southern exposure. I really enjoyed the golden child, and my bf said the SE was "good, not great." read more

The Alembic - Scotch egg - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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There is no reason (or existing city law or regulation) why a full service restaurants with normal tables away from the bar does not allow kids inside. Families not welcome and turned away from the door. The family was not all white, so maybe there was that. Shame on you guys. read more

Amazing drinks and food, nice environment super clean and the staff was really nice. Had a few different drinks they were all amazing and the food that we got was really good. Definitely going again read more

The Alembic - Space Jam slushie, golden child cocktail, a zezark - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Incredible food! Amazing drinks! Stellar service! Even on a busy night we were so well taken care of; between delicious food (that came so quickly!) and a bar crew totally willing to improvise and make us an off-the-wall cocktail request, we couldn't have been happier. Order the burger! We also had - and loved - the warmed olives. The ambiance is lovely - low lights and cozy tables. And big fans to keep the air moving so it never gets too hot or too cold, especially at night. Absolutely worth a stop if you're in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood; right by the park as well! From my husband: We were on our honeymoon. It was the last night before we went home. I am an absolute burger snob (me: but he's handsome, so I tolerate it). I took one bite and acted like Indiana Jones when he sipped from the Cup of Christ. It was that good. read more

This is probably the place to go for higher end cocktails in the neighborhood. The space is nice and laid out well. My favorite is the front space in the room to the right with the checker boards. It tends to be spoken for though. Definitely stop by for a drink when in the neighborhood. Great friendly service as well. read more

The Alembic - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Nice selection of beers and spirits. The cassoulet was excellent as was the mixed nuts appetizer. Friendly staff and the rustic look of the place is cute. Noise level isn't so bad you can't have a conversation which is a huge plus. read more

Came here on a Friday night around 7pm, the place was pretty packed but was able to get a table for 4. It seems like the tables turn pretty quickly here. Ordered a few appetizers to share and got a drink (got a bare bottle hazy) - they have a great drink list, plenty of cocktails and an awesome selection of beers. We got the potato and leek fritters, which were delicious- super light, airy and crunchy, exactly what you want to be eating with drinks! Also got their teriyaki glazed wings, which were very solid - note these are grill and not fried (but plenty of flavor). read more

The Alembic - Leek fritters - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yummy food. Always. Probably one of the best bar foods spots in SF. The drinks are a little pricey but it's ok. Vibe: locals, hipster and stylish yet down to earth Neat music but just loud enough that a person can still have a conversation. Will come back. read more

The Alembic - das burger - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Yelpers don't necessarily know everything... quite a bit, but some things just slip through cracks. In March, my friend offered a dinner invitation without telling me the destination other than giving me GPS instructions on getting to a particular address on Haight Street. On this rainy late afternoon, fighting through downtown traffic was a bear so we barely made our reservations in time. Finding street parking a block away, we made our way here. Yes, it sounds familiar, but mainly from reading about drinks and cocktails from other Yelp acquaintances. Walking in, it is about what I imagined, a classic long bar to the left and a walkway to the greeting podium about halfway in. There is a separate dining room to the right and several tables past the bar which is where we dined. Being early, we joined two or three occupied tables who were there for dinner. The menu is straightforward, a four-course Prix fixe $56.00 menu with two options for each course. Being a touted bar, I was compelled to try a cocktail, Arno punch (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=Q1wf-LM9hDfkthZtz_FF5g&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q). This innocent drink crept up on me. Food wise, here's what I ate: Appetizers 1. Fall squash veloute (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=eqepuMpbIMsJlWXePv_drg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - Fall squash in the winter, homey comforting soup is perfect for a cold, rainy night. 2. Octopus (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=m2-tbLng2nboZnM0lD9dYg&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - Tender and delicious, diverse mix of textures and flavors. Main 3. Akaushi Coulette (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=xjhN4D_-gnC4WKPUzMGSBQ&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - The coulette steak was cooked to order medium rare, not a substantial amount of protein but paired nicely with potatoes (neutral) and a mix of chard and leeks. Dessert 4. Truffled Panna Cotta (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=N2npB9yhDmJYu_zos4J2dA&userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q) - The presentation doesn't exude Panna Cotta in a traditional sense, seemingly a deconstructed dessert with crunchy bits and preserved fresh Fall fruits. Our dining room was near the kitchen walkway and darkly lit. We were next to the wall so we had adequate personal space for conversation. Our waitress was cordial and detailed in describing our dishes and empty plates and bowls removed quickly. We asked about the chef's background and her style of cuisine. The chef's pedigree was confirmed after a quick Google search and our waitress explained that the menu changes by season. We enjoyed the winter menu which explains the ingredients (cauliflower, chard, squash, and preserved Fall fruits). My next trip to the Ferry Farmers Market, we shopped at the same avocado stand. The hostess mentioned a Spring menu change one week later as well as a very attractive weekend brunch menu. Will be back hopefully sooner than later. read more

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After a morning exploring Haight Ashbury decided to stop here for a spot of lunch and essentially bar snacks ( hey, cannot ruin the dinner appetite when in one of the greatest culinary cities ever ) Loved the unassuming exterior and casual seat yourself old school interior. Also loved the drink selection - great local IPAs - Kush Pop from Fieldwork was an insane double IPA and also tried Lemmy have another and Inside job- all great! Stuck with bar snacks - salted nuts, roasted chick peas, deviled eggs, chips and onion dip and warm olives - all delicious and perfectly sized. Service was impeccable and loved the experience- so glad we went here !! read more

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Everything about this place was wonderful. The food was great ( had the best burger!) The drinks were perfect, and the location is perfect. But the staff? Unbelievably kind and attentive. I currently have some mobility issues and they made sure I was perfectly as comfortable as possible. I'm definitely going back, just have to figure out when! read more

A cozy, laid-back spot for creative cocktails! Drinks are ordered at the bar and food is brought to the table. I was super impressed with the Night Market, thought it was very memorable and refreshing- light green gin-based with zippy cucumber-lemongrass shrub. I also enjoyed the Chamoy-kin Me Crazy- pink mezcal-based with chamoy, pomegranate, and mandarin. Our table shared fried brussels sprouts (crispy and delicious), polenta fries, and potato leek fritters. The back seating area is quirky and old fashioned, with its floral wallpaper, booth seating, and wooden furniture. It was a little hard to hear people over the music, but overall vibes were good. read more

This place, The Alembic, is very worthy of someone's time. Yes, mine specifically. A bit random of a stop-in, I was feeling a little letdown of the famed Haight/Ashbury area, and I needed a drink. With several bars to choose from, I popped into The Alembic, and was pleasantly surprised at what I found. I expected DIVE bar. Rather, it's rather HIPSTER in the front bar area, and FANCY PANTS / TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL for food in the back. The bar: rustic and woody feature cool, no-nonsense, professional yet casual, bartenders. I'd label this a whiskey bar, but it also has craft drafts. They often have specials, a draft brew + a shot for $13-20. That's cool, and yummy (and this, I partook / obliged). The food: I didn't try, but captured a couple of photos for my yelp peeps. For the majority, it's a little too out there for me (or the everyday guy): jerk spiced duck hearts, tea smoked rabbit, hog tail, and lesser (and doable): squash tots (yes, squash not potato), and hazelnut cured lamb sugo. After all, shouldn't there be a burger or two on the menu? The bottom-line: whiskey - yes; drafts - yes; both - yes. Add a burger -- yes. read more

The Alembic - Menu, side A ~Mar 6, 2018 - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place wasn't bad! Cute date spot, but more casual than expected. It was order at the bar and serve yourself. Additionally, there was a lot of food I saw on yelp that got me excited to come here but no longer in the menu. Apparently they change their menu every month. So here's what we got on 11Sep2018: - food - SCOTCH EGG - 4 - sausage wrapped flavored egg. Delicious DUCK HEART - 3.5 BONE MARROW - 4.5 - the best item. Bone marrow was nice and fatty, and the jam surrounding it was BOMB! Licked the plate clean with the toasted bread. Yum, must get. HALIBUT - 2 - way too overcooked :( - drinks - Pau Hana - 3 - made my drink superrr strong. I guess isn't a bad thing, but would try another rather than get a second Golden child - 3 - coconut ginger drink. Not bad Came on a Tuesday night, and Haight st is kind of dead at night. So I'd recommend coming during the day when Haight is more lively! read more

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Food was great. Cute spot. No wait staff though which I'm sure is the only way a restaurant can operate with the sky high costs of running a restaurant in SF. read more

What was most memorable was the burger. Did not expect much but wow was it delicious. Wasn't super hungry so I had decided to split it, but as soon as my first bite I was wishing I had my own burger. The spot is cool, gives me a steampunk vibe. A ton of beer options and drinks were good too. Service was good, took a bit for the food to arrive but only because they were super busy since it was happy hour. read more

The Alembic - Before the happy hour rush - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

About half the time I try to go here they're closed and usually without any word on their Instagram or website, but the drinks are so good I don't bat an eye at coming back to try again. The best Manhattan I've ever had. Every drink is superb, and the food is also very good (think artful Scottish gastro pub small plate). Come on the weeknights or off hours cause the weekend crowds are no fun. This is a bar one should come to sip and read, while contemplating the alchemy of a well prepared drink. read more

The Alembic - Manhattan - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

Very cool cocktail bar- dark, comfy booths with high dividers, friendly staff, solid cocktail list, come-as-you-are dress code. B-Side, Black Manhattan, and Hi-Dive were both good. Brown butter old fashioned was even better. Place gets busy, but drinks come out quick. Open seating so may need to stand for a bit til something opens up, but worth the wait. read more

The Alembic - Brown butter old fashioned, Black Manhattan - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

We came to The Alembic with our wine passports for some afternoon snacks and Chardonnay. This place is so classy! I've seen it both at nighttime as romantic intimate seating but it also translates well to a cute, bright and open place during the daytime. We sat a a small little booth for 2 and ordered a plate of polenta fries to share. SO creamy and decadent! These got us on a polenta kick that has lasted over a few weeks now. And the sauce that went with was perfection too. Funny enough what really brought this place the extra mile to me on this day was the fabulous natural lighting! It had a sunroom window at the top that allowed lots of indirect lighting and and made for gorgeous photos. I'm talking food and personal pictures-- really, I took my LinkedIn photo here! Come here day or night, it's a classy, hip, romantic spot for a drink and some snacks. read more

The Alembic - Chardonnay and Polenta Fries - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

An outstanding cocktail bar with good food as well. Leaving it at that because I'm one food item and two cocktails in. On my list of go-to spots in San Francisco. Also I should hang out in The Haight occasionally. read more

This is a lovely local spot with yummy drinks, fantastic service, and a great atmosphere.

Very unique artisan cocktails, great but overpriced food (fried chicken is 2pcs for $16. Sure it's high quality, but $16 for two pieces of chicken...?). Friendly staff that ask for covid vaccination proof before letting you in which I REALLY appreciate. Makes me feel a whole lot safer! read more

I like the look and feel of this spot. But I was disappointed with their Bloody Mary. It tasted like lime juice. I also ordered their Benedict that sounded and looked amazing. Asked for avocado as an add on - fail. Not sure if it was the chorizo but I unfortunately felt extremely nauseous afterwards. Didn't get packed when we went for brunch so count on open seating. read more

I didn't realize how much I loved this place until the second time I came here. I think this is one of my favorite restaurants in SF.

Go here now. Order the Rosemary's Baby - milk washed gin with chardonnay syrup and, of course, rosemary! Or the Southern Exposure, with gin, celery and lime. Get a pretzel, and settle in for a wonderful experience. If you're able, come early before it gets busy. Tell the bartender what you're after. In our case, it was negroni. Then see what happens. The bartender asked us if we liked egg whites, and we said yes. He handed us the most delicious, light and airy, fresh and foamy drink ever! It was amazing! Now I know what this is my brother's favorite cocktail bar in the city. read more

My first experience here was quite decent, but my 2nd experience was extremely disappointing. Our bartender overall had a horrible vibe. He completely ignored us when my friend and I were trying to order at the bar, and gave very rude and condescending responses to my questions about the menu. If you're thinking about getting their bone marrow just don't. It was one piece of bone marrow mixed with cold butter on top for $17. You can get 3 pieces of good bone marrow for $25 elsewhere. Happy hour wasn't too happy this time. read more

Great cocktail bar! Lots of interesting and unique options. Had a gin beet drink and a rum coconut cream bee pollen drink. Both super delicious and well balanced. Their bar bites looked really good too. We only tried the polenta fries which were super yummy. Worth going even if you aren't in the area! read more

The Alembic - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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This place would be so amazing if their were any attention to service. No one greets you when you walk in. You don't know if you're supposed to seat yourself, order at the bar, etc. There are no servers and no clear directions so it's a confusing experience. I think their drinks are great and interesting but it's an overall disappointing experience. Service matters and it really makes an experience. read more

Came here for drinks with a friend. I loved the cozy ambiance and the friendly bartenders. Cocktail prices were comparable to typical SF fare. I really wanted to try the Farmer's Market smash, but servings are limited to the amount of fresh fruit they have on hand, and unfortunately they had run out by the time we stopped by. Thankfully the bartenders were able to recommend something to suit my typical 'sour and fruity' drink request. I also needed something to munch on while I was waiting for my friend and I thought their spiced popcorn was a great option. It was a bit blander (not as salty) as I wanted, but the cajun spices gave it a nice kick that washed down well with our cocktails. Would recommend for a date night or a low-key night out with friends! read more

What a gem in San Francisco!!! Old school charm looks like a turn of the century speakeasy! Great bar with an incredible selection of Alcohol! Ordered a cheese plate which was delightful! The bartender was friendly and very chill. Service with a smile! I highly recommend this place for a great time! read more

The Alembic - Cheese plate - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

I can finally remove my bookmark! YAS As good as it gets.. During my tattoo session, my tummy starts to rumble. I pop out my phone and look what do I have on my bookmarks that is close by? Ding Ding "The Alembic" All I can remember were my fellow Yelpers reviews on their bone marrow. OOOOHH kk let's go! Walk in and the place was crowded filled with hipsters and a cool crowd. I noticed two stools free at the bar, and parked it. The folks at Rose Gold tattoo shop mentioned everything was served tapas style and the bartenders were Mixologist. If you're looking for something interesting to eat along with a few drinks in a small and narrow, but sociable, dimly lit atmosphere, then you've come to the right place. I wasn't in the mood for any mixed drinks I just wanted a Vodka tonic and my sidekick wanted a stiff martini. Friendly bartender, who took our order right away and within 10mins? our food arrived 5mins a part from each other. Drinks? Oh boy, no complaints but I was buzzin.... NOTE: Menu often changes Beef Chicharron lime, carne asada spices-$6 Perfect crunch, and you can still hear the crackle as it lays in the bowl. Josey Baker Bread black garloc butter, fennel pollen-$6 Toasted and delightful, the butter melts in your mouth (Recommended by the bartender) The Carmelized beef salad watermelon, gochujang, radish, miso and egg yolk-$12 OMGEE highlight of my evening, refreshing flavor that burst in your mouth. Beef tender and a kick of spiciness. and the star of the show Bone Marrow caper gremolata, garlic confit, JB toast $16 Life does not get any better than this!!! I was very happy =) Thank you Alembic! I will be back. read more

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COCKTAIL SCIENTISTS + MUDDLED COCKTAILS = GOODSTUFF! (4.75 stars) My palate knows good quality, trust. That's why you're reading this and following me where I like to eat. - FOOD, tasty!!! COCKTAILS, the best!!! - PRICES, decent - SERVICE, on-point - AMBIANCE, dim and very small bar. chill spot. can get very packed. As of late, my palate is interested in "unique" and "creative" items on the menu. I look back the past couple of weeks and where I've ate in SF and can see how I've taking food to a new level. I'm no longer about "the food is good" i'm now about "the food is good and crazy". Mind you, this place is not for those people who eat like pigs. Their dishes are snack size and their dinner meals are small portioned. HEFFER STATUS. SWITCH-BACK cocktail ($11) - anchor hophead vodka, strawberry, zirbenz stone pine liqueur, and lemon will get you far away, yet somehow closer to home. OMG LOVE how they are cocktail scientists making the carefully and perfect muddle delicious cocktails together. I can zone out and stare at their art. Their cocktails are STRONG and TASTY, much different then any other bar I've been to. The cocktails are small but they pack a punch. Trust. PORK BELLY SLIDER ($5 each) - pork belly, smoked honey mustard, pickles, mizuna. I've had many pork sliders but THIS PORK SLIDER was by far the best. It was a hot item, everybody in the place was ordering them. The mini bun was not stale, it had that perfect grill/skillet crunch. The pork was juicy and tender, each bite was heavenly. SHISHITO PEPPERS WITH ANCHOVY SALT ($6) - this is surprisingly delicious and not spicy. I love vegetables so I will accept them in any form. but as my friend has mentioned "its like playing russian roulette" you just might get a hot one. The best advice would be to dabble carefully, pick one, nibble on it to test for any hotness, and then go into town!!!! Something about the anchovy salt gives it a great kick. The combination of the two had my mouth constantly on grub mode. PICKLED QUAIL EGGS ($2) - you get three for 2 bucks. AND THEY ARE PINK. it sounds and tastes exactly as they are described, pickled quail eggs. I love them because I love pickles and eggs. As of late, I've been obsessed with things that are eggs. So i again needed to hit an egg dish to add to the list of weird egg eats. Will I be back? Yes to try many other things. You don't have to ask me twice. JABA APPROVED. Until the next review.... read more

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Update: Food & Wine's just-released list of the Best 50 Bars in the U.S. (http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/americas-best-bars/1) Visited here on only their second day of serving lunch due to a promo on their pulled-pork sliders (great promo item which is regularly $5 for two, but the bill said $10?). Well, the lunch menu is small but it is not simple beer foods...or even bar foods. There are some flavors pairing that probably required some serious thought. Quite inventive to be sure. - the excellent pulled-pork sliders came with garnishes of "chicharrones"=deep fried pork skins (thanks to LuisC for that tip) and bed of "celery root-apple slaw". The sliders were good as sliders go and the "smoked Coke" BBQ sauce was not overwhelming in sweetness, richness, nor was it too smoky. - the $2 pickled quail eggs was an interesting mix of vinegar and light saltiness. Liked. There were three eggs to a plate. - the $5 skewered spiced duck hearts were really good by themselves. Flecks of thyme salt was an interesting addition. The pickled pineapple slices that came with the dish was an odd contrast and it's a hit or miss to a palate. - a pint of toasted amber ale fit well with the duck hearts IMO. Our server was Brette and she was great. Very helpful with suggestions and attentive to our and other patrons' needs. There are also large hanging chalk boards with the signature items and specials. While the location is in the sometimes difficult to find parking Haight St area, it is easy to find. It is not really a dinner destination since it is still basically a bar but, if one is going to eat at a bar, this is a good choice. read more

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I came here on a whim on a Saturday night, and this place was super duper crowded. I've heard that there's quite a bit of good food here, but the crowd didn't allow for flagging down a waitress (I believe there was one..) or bartender to ask. The interior is dim and compact, with "standing seats" along one side of the wall and a few cramped tables in the back. There are bar seats as well, but I can't imagine those are too comfortable with other customers jostling you from behind to get the attention of a bartender. It's a casual sort of place, more for early twenties to strut in and sip drinks in their plaid shirts and Sperrys. Southern Exposure: (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-alembic-san-francisco?select=LkD6tqXBfUmRYWw5Kapg6Q#Zw5BIgL9IEglqEdBL90JnA) This was definitely one of the best cocktails I've ever had, and it rivals the quality of Singlebarrel in San Jose. The celery juice sounds unappetizing, but it's actually really refreshing paired with the mint. I wish there had been a bit more mint in here, but it was still good nonetheless. It's small and strong, and the priciness is a consequence of the quality. Pisco Sour: (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/the-alembic-san-francisco?select=LkD6tqXBfUmRYWw5Kapg6Q#VGCeTZBALDCCYCcH8aXVTw) I've heard rave reviews about this drink, yet I really can't say I was a fan. That could be mostly because I find dark liqueurs rather distasteful, but the alcohol taste was way too strong here. Plus the fresh raw egg white, while interesting and bold, was incredibly raw tasting to me. I couldn't hold the glass up to my mouth without getting a whiff of the raw egg whites, and it was on a whole really unappetizing. Not a bad place, and I'd be interested in coming back to try some of their other mixed drinks (and food) sometime.. just perhaps not on a crowded Saturday night. read more

The Alembic - Southern Exposure. - New American Near Me - San Francisco, California

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My group of five decided to do a random Friday night dinner. Since I wasn't sure of the headcount when planning, I suggested going to The Alembic. (They don't take reservations, so I figured it would be easier.) The majority of us showed up on Friday, June 8th around 6:15pm. It's wasn't too busy at the time, so we easily managed to find a table. *Deviled Eggs: eggs, cream, lemon, thyme, truffle, capers ($7) *Scotch Egg: pork & sage sausage, mustard gastrique, pic ($9) *Curly Fries: kennebecs, salt, cayenne, garlic, rosemary ($7) *Duck Hearts: jerk-spiced duck hearts, pineapple ($8) *Grilled Kale Salad: kale, kabocha squash, pistachio, red bell pepper, garbanzo, parmesan dressing ($12) *Ribeye Burger: 6 oz burger, acme bun, pickled onion, gem, heirloom tomato, aioli, beer mustard, with fries ($16), add Cheddar (+$2), Bacon (+$2) *Fried Chicken Sandwich: spiced & fried chicken, honey glaze, acme bun, house pickles, buttermilk, cabbage, with fries ($14) *Bucatini: tomato, capers, garlic, chili flake, oregano ($13) *Wonton & Dashi: crimini, porcini, dashi, bok choy ($14) *Octopus: braised in white wine and coconut milk, with crimini mushrooms, sea beans, shallots, finger limes, and red pepper coulis ($13) I wasn't super hungry, so I just let everyone order the food. I believe the octopus was a special and one of my favorite dishes. Nice chew. The duck hearts were also good. Slightly gamey, but very tasty. I adore my greens, so I enjoyed the grilled kale. The fried chicken was delish. The batter, nice and crunchy. I enjoyed the flavors of the deviled eggs due to the truffle, but the filling was way too runny. Would have been better if it were a little thicker. The scotch egg was missing that beautiful runny yolk. I wanted that liquid gold. *Brown Butter Old Fashioned: brown butter washed old forester bourbon, roasted sugar, bitters ($11) *Black Manhattan: west of kentucky no 2 bourbon, amaro nonino, black walnut bitters ($14) *Hi-Dive: bank note blended scotch, red wine gastrique, lemon, lime, bitters ($11) x2 *Night Market: st george botanivor gin, cucumber-lemongrass shrub, thai chili ($12) *Southern Exposure: Created by Daniel Hyatt, st george terrior gin, celery, lime, simple syrup, mint ($12) *Blanc Negroni: tapatio tequila blanco, dolin genepy, cascadia liqueur ($12) *Swizzle Me This: st george botanivor gin, trois rivieres rhum agricole, strawberries, lemon, lime, angostura float, black pepper ($13) *Golden Child: brugal anejorum, turmeric, ginger, honey, creamed coconut, bee pollen ($12) *Farmer's Market Smash: limited availability, old forester bourbon with bing cherry, sugar, lime, thai basil ($14) *B-Side: rittenhouse rye, medjool dates, fennel, peychaud's ($12) *Classic Negroni: gin, campari, sweet vermouth ($10) x2 *RITTENHOUSE 100 ($8), Up (+$2) *Glengyle 12 year ($14) Drink wise, we were all over the place. I started with the black manhattan which was fine. A touch too sweet for me, but nothing I couldn't handle. Afterwards, I wanted something light, so I think the bartender just made me a rittenhouse rye smash. I wanted an icy cocktail, but without too much sweetness. This ended up being perfect! I do love trying new cocktails from time to time, so this was definitely a lot of fun. And the food was pretty good as well. The only downer was they don't have TVs here and it was game 4 of the finals with the warriors. I ended up streaming it from my phone, but it would have been nice to watch it on a big screen. In the end, the won, so it was a pretty good night. Good drinks, good food, and good company. No complaints from me. read more

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I've been here before for cocktails, but I stopped in last night with Alexandra N. after a stroll down Haight Street. We weren't starving, but wanted to grab a bite to eat and got several. We ordered a dinner consisting of bar snacks and appetizers, which made us feel like we pulled up a seat at the snack table at a party. We had a table full of plates, bowls, drinks - playing a game of tetris with each dish as it was added to the table. We had: *marinated olives - always a good idea *old bay potato chips w/ lemon-garlic yogurt - the yogurt was whipped and light, it was very good. *the artisian cheese platter - fun to try out the different cheeses (4 total) with jam/jelly/paste additions with selected breads. Very fun to experiment trying the different varieties. *they brought us a complimentary popcorn that had a really nice spice to it. *a lovely beet salad with shaved black beets and cress. Beautiful and Light We sat there and nibbled on all of our goods, while I sipped on Sazerac cocktails and Alexandra had a house made lemonade. My drink was potent, I thought I could check another one off the 7x7 list, but I'll have to come back to have the Mint Julep. We had a great time chatting and munching, while trying to avoid overhearing the awkward date conversation at the next table. I like Alembic, maybe some day I will have a real dinner here :P read more

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Gym FAIL! What do you on your first day back to the gym (after a 13-day "holiday" hiatus) and you forget to bring your gym shoes? A) Say "Oh well, there's always tomorrow and create a reminder on your calendar." B) Drown your sorrows with euphoric alcohol. C) Drown your sorrows in artery clogging fat and comforting carbs. ALL OF THE ABOVE! The Alembic has been on my list for some time now, so what better excuse for me to go there when the gym was a complete fail...for tomorrow is a new day! :X On Monday, January 10th, my friend and I came to The Alembic at 6:45 PMish and were promptly seated without reservations. D R I N K S / F O O D: *HENDRICK'S TONIC ($9): The Alembic is known for their hand-crafted cocktails, but I was trying to be "good" and stuck with a tonic. It was a little on the weak side but it's probably because I do Hendrick shots on the weekends. Instead of a lime, there was a large slice of cucumber which was a refreshing touch. Please Note: Food portions are small and similarly priced to much more upscale restaurants I've been to like Benu, BIX, Chez Papa, Commonwealth, Prospect, Waterbar, etc. "Plates" are more like apps, so expect to spend at least $50/person (w/o drinks) if you want to be somewhat full. *SPICED JERK DUCK HEARTS w/ Pickled Pineapple ($5/skewer): DELISH! The duck heart was so tender almost resembling the texture of a beef or pork cheek. The spiced jerk was packed with bold flavors; salty, savory and spicy. The pickled pineapple complemented the spices very well by cooling down some of the heat and adding a sweet tang. * FRIED OYSTER PO' BOY SLIDERS w/ Kimchee & Jalapeño Aioli ($5 each): YUMMY! Nestled between the fluffy and soft toasted bun was a tender and crisp cornmeal crusted oyster topped with spicy kimchee for crunch and the jalapeno aioli for a spicy creaminess. The perfect combo of crisp and soft textures coupled with savory and spicy flavors with a touch of sweetness (from the oysters). *BONE MARROW w/ Capers & Garlic Confit ($12 for one bone halved): SINFUL! Bone marrow is like rich, jelly-like gobbles of fat that melts upon the touch from the heat of your tongue. Too rich to be eaten alone, the marrow was accompanied with warm toasted baguette slices. As I scooped and slathered the marrow onto the bread, some of the marrow melted into a luscious liquid from the heat of the bread that soaked into every nook and cranny. The crisp bread was the perfect canvas for the marrow, which was filled with beefy fatty flavor that was heighted by the salty capers. The roasted garlic added a sweet and nutty flavor to help balance the richness of the marrow. *CRISPY PORK BELLY w/ Apple-Parsnip Puree, Turnips & Mustard Seeds ($18): MOUTH-WATERING! My friend and I agreed that this was the BEST pork belly we've ever had! It was evident that the pork belly was top-quality as it was on the leaner side with just a thin layer of fat (between the skin and meat) to coat and marinate the pork during the cooking process. The skin was perfectly roasted to a light crisp and the meat was a soft, melt-in-your-mouth tender. The creamy apple-puree had a delicate sweetness and the mustard seeds added a tangy mild spiciness making this dish the perfect blend of rich, savory, sweet, tangy and spicy. S E R V I C E: I can see why many Yelpers complain of bad service at The Alembic. Their service is fast but NOT attentive nor very friendly. We got all our dishes fairly quickly; in about 10 minute increments. However, the staff seemed very cold as they never cracked a smile and spoke in a very monotone manner. Towards the end of our meal as we were trying to get our bill, we saw several waitresses walk back and forth without acknowledging us. It wasn't until we waved and called out for someone did we get our bill. Mind you, they have 3-4 waitresses for a dining room of 20 people! A M B I A N C E / D E C O R: Hipsterish with an old southern funky flair; dimly lighted, rustic hardwood floors, bold mustard color walls with abstract paintings. The crowd and the employees is what give The Alembic the hipster vibe along with the 90s Classic Rock playing in the background. The Alembic is small with seating for about 20 people pass the bar area. It's probably best to make reservations on the weekends because when we left after 8 PM, all the tables were filled. P A R K I N G: Metered street parking is relatively easy to find before 6 PM and after 9 PM on weekdays. On the weekends, good luck! I can see why The Alembic has been featured in numerous foodie publications; the food is flavorful and simply put...delicious! HOWEVER, as much as I enjoyed the food there, it will most likely be a one-time thing. The food is way OVERPRICED and the service is subpar which cannot be justified for a hipster "bar" in the Haight. read more

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