Showing posts with label san jose bars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label san jose bars. Show all posts

Friday, August 14, 2015

Haberdasher Review (Singlebarrel 2.0)

When I first heard Singlebarrel was changing their concept, I was very concerned. Immediately I thought that the best bar in Silicon Valley (and perhaps the Bay Area) was in jeopardy. Seriously, what are the chances that they could actually improve on such an outstanding product?

I'm happy to say that my worries were not warranted one bit. I finally checked out Haberdasher last week and was completely blown away!

Haberdasher means to make or manufacture with skill and careful attention to detail, and is most commonly used in reference to tailoring--explaining the theme. Walking in, the ambiance was already a big improvement. You'll find classy dimmed Edison lights hanging from the ceiling and hidden inside bollard hats. There is more bar space, most casual seating, and comfortable seating for reservations (more on that in a moment). The soundproofing is also amazing. People can talk at a normal volume now and the hushing has been replaced with some nice music.

One of my favorite upgrades is that the huge line outside and the 6-person party limit are completely gone! Haberdasher is designed to provide quality craft cocktails more efficiently than before while maintaining the same quality and level of service as Singlebarrel, if not exceeding it.

You have two options when drinking at Haberdasher: 1.) Make a reservation. You'll get the best seats and the bartender will come to your table for fully custom-tailored craft cocktail experience, usually with multiple "courses." 2.) Casually walk down to the bar area and order off of a menu of the best craft cocktails Singlebarrel had.

How is #2 even possible without a huge line you may ask? Their most popular craft cocktails are on draft. They make them from scratch in large volumes before opening the bar each day. You can still order a customized cocktails at the bar, but their "craft on draft" handles a large number of the orders. I can vouch that the Old Fashioned on draft is just as good if not better than Singlebarrel's. There is also a Moscow Mule where you get to keep the copper mug, Gin & Herb Tonic, Whiskey Ginger, and Montenegro Amaro on tap. There are 8 "house fittings" drinks that are more complex and are made to order from scratch. My wife opted to get a Singlebarrel classic that was not on the menu... the Rum Flip. Not only was it as good as it has always been, but they brought it out in an old-fashion mini milk jug. Nice touch!

Other additions to the menu include outstanding non-alcoholic craft sodas, low alcohol drinks, craft beers, and snacks (brisket jerky, chicharrones, garlic almonds, etc.).

So in summary, go check out Haberdasher! The best bar in Silicon Valley is now even better. They managed to further innovate the local craft-cocktail scene!

Haberdasher is located at 42 W. San Salvador St. For more info and for reservations, head here.







Tuesday, March 17, 2015

The Fountainhead is Officially Opening Today Just in Time For Saint Patrick's Day!

The big re-launch of the SoFA Market (387 S. 1st St.) seems to be coming along really well. The highly anticipated Fountainhead Bar and its architecture-inspired drinks is officially opening today. This looks like a great place to swing by as part of your St. Patrick's Day plans. Since it is so new it probably won't be insanely crowded like all of the other bars tonight, another plus.

In addition to Fountainhead, the new burger joint will also be open. In about a months time it will be joined by a few other eateries. I can't wait to see the final product when the SoFA Market is complete!

Source: loldawg from the San Jose Development Forum




Thursday, May 22, 2014

Paper Plane Review on the San Jose Food Blog

I'm embarrassed to say that I have yet to check out Paper Plane. My day job has made it next to impossible to catch up on all of the great restaurants that have opened over the last few months.

Paper Plane is brought to you by the proprietors behind Original Gravity, the first craft-beer oriented pub in Downtown San Jose. Check out the great review for this establishment over at the San Jose Food Blog!




Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Singlebarrel - Coolest Bar in Town

While I'm not a big drinker, over the course of my life I think I've been to at least 90% of all the bars in Downtown San Jose and a good portion of the top places in the greater bay area. Singlebarrel is far and away the coolest bar I've ever been to.

It's easy to miss since it's in the basement below Agenda/Bayonne and a barrel is the only signage adorning the exterior. Depending on the time you go, there may be a line wrapping around the corner helping you find your way. However, it is worth both the search and/or wait. By the time you get to the bottom of the steps, you find yourself in a different time--you've just entered a prohibition-style speakeasy! The ambiance is dark and relaxed, with old-school music playing in the background. The bartenders are even dressed in era-appropriate attire.

Now on to the best part... the drinks! Most of the menu is inspired from classic recipes and they are made primarily the original way. Everything is made from scratch. If a drink uses fruit, they're going to cut up fresh sample before infusing it into your drink. I was also surprised to see the bartenders crack raw eggs to extract fresh egg-whites for some of their cocktails. Speaking of the bartenders, the service is phenomenal. They are extremely knowledgeable regarding the full history of all their drinks: how they were invented, who drank them, how they became popular, etc. In addition to the history, the service is outstanding in general. 

2 of my favorite drinks:
- Ramos Gin Fizz: ONLY SERVED BETWEEN 5-6PM (and worth coming early for), takes a solid 10 minutes to make, tastes amazing, and you get a refill when you're halfway done.
- The Old Fashioned: The original cocktail. Aged whiskey, sugar, bitters, lemon, and the magic Singlebarrel touch... a giant spherical Japanese ice cube (it keeps the drink cold for longer without diluting it).

Singlebarrel is the type of unique attraction that we need more of Downtown and in San Jose in general. Definitely worth visiting, and I recommend going early for the full drink selection and extra-exceptional service.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

New Nightclub Coming to Downtown San Jose

An anonymous poster tipped us off on a new nightclub/bar opening soon in Downtown San Jose. They are looking for feedback on what Downtown patrons would like to see as part of this new club. So, if you'd like to influence the future of Downtown nightlife, just complete this short survey!  There are only 12 questions, so it shouldn't take more than 2 minutes to fill out.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Yelp Drinks Week!

Do you guys like happy hour? How about a happy hour that lasts all day long from Monday, Marth 8th to Sunday, March 14th? Yeah, I like the sound of that too. That's exactly what's happening thanks to the latest Yelp event. For all of the details, just keep on reading!

***

For three weeks in March, Yelp brings you YELP DRINKS, where you'll get a chance to sip on lip-smacking good adult beverages at places locals love all over the Bay Area! Participating locations will feature 3 drinks for 50% off throughout the promotion.

San Francisco Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 1st - Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Silicon Valley Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 8th - Sunday, March 14th, 2010
East Bay Yelp Drinks Week http://www.yelp.com/ev...: Monday, March 15th - Sunday, March 21st, 2010

A few quick notes:

1) Though we're calling this a happy hour, it's better - Yelp Drinks prices are good all day Monday - all day Sunday while supplies last.
2) Please tip on regular price.
3) Please consume responsibly.

* (NOTE: disregard the "free" listing: prices vary according to featured beverage, but each will be featured at half off)

Check out the awesome participating establishments:

BLOWFISH SUSHI (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Peach Nympho - promo price: $5
Manga Mojito - promo price: $5
Sweet Leilani - promo price: $5

CALIFORNIA CAFE (Los Gatos)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
California Crush - promo price: $5
Fresh Agave Margarita - promo price: $5
Berry Burst Sangria - promo price: $4

CALIFORNIA CAFE (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
California Crush - promo price: $5
Fresh Agave Margarita - promo price: $5
Berry Burst Sangria - promo price: $4

E&O TRADING COMPANY (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pomegranate Margarita - promo price: $5
Vanilla Mango Mojito - promo price: $4.50
Lychee Martini - promo price: $5

FLEA STREET CAFE (Menlo Park)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Jalisco Flower - promo price: $5.50
Lavender Lemon Drop - promo price: $5.50
Ginger Green-Tea-Ni - promo price: $5.50

JOYA (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Mango Mojito - promo price: $5
Sangrita - promo price: $6
Pomegranate Caipirinha - promo price: $5

JUNNOON (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Mystic Mojito - promo price: $5
Blissful Blue Yogil - promo price: $5
Bollywood Dreams - promo price: $4.50

LEFT BANK (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
French "75" - promo price: $4.25
Les Fleurs du Mal - promo price: $4.75
Ginger-Pama Martini - promo price: $4.50

MANDALA LOUNGE (San Mateo)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Sushi Boat - promo price: $5
Blue Buddha - promo price: $4.50
Tokyo Cosmo - promo price: $5

MELT LOUNGE (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Ruby Rock Top - promo price: $5
7 Crown Press - promo price: $5
Pama Drop - promo price: $5

MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Cosmopolitan - promo price: $6.13
Manhattan - promo price: $6.13
Mojito - promo price: $5.25

PARCEL 104 (Santa Clara)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Manhattan .357 - promo price: $6
Rangpur Gimlet - promo price: $6
Sweet Clementine - promo price: $6

PLUMED HORSE (Saratoga)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Pomegranate Martini - promo price: $6
Raspberry Beret - $4.50
French Connection - $6

QUATTRO (E. Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Raspberry Sparkler - promo price: $6
Espressotini - promo price: $6
Rosso - promo price: $6

SAKOON (Mountain View)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Lemon Basil Lemon Drop - promo price: $5
Latin Fiesta - promo price: $5
Kama Sutra - promo price: $5

SHOKOLAAT (Palo Alto)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Leo's Lemonade - promo price: $4.50
Margarita - promo price: $5
Audrey Hepburn - promo price: $4.50

SINO (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Appletini - promo price: $6
Lemon Drop - promo price: $6
Cosmopolitan - promo price: $6

SPENCER'S FOR STEAKS & CHOPS (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Premier Martini (your choice of vodka) - promo price: half off
Spencer's Mojito (your choice of rum) - promo price: half off
Xingu Brazilian Beer - promo price: $3.50

STRAITS (Santana Row)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Lychee Martini - promo price: $6
Lemongrass Mojito - promo price: $6
Mango Margarita - promo price: $6

THE FAIRMONT LOBBY LOUNGE (SJ)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Bubblegum Cosmo - promo price: $5.50
Tomato+Bacon Martini - promo price: $5.50
The 007 - promo price: $5.50

THE LOUNGE AT ALEXANDER'S STEAKHOUSE (Cupertino)
http://www.yelp.com/bi...
Passion Kiss - promo price: $6.50
Don Jalapeno - promo price: $6.50
Spiced Appletini - promo price: $6.50