To me, being grown-up meant smoking cigarettes, drinking cocktails, and dressing up in high heels and glamorous outfits. ~Lorna Luft
Orbit Room Spins Off New Cocktail Menu
Following a short hiatus and mini-makeover, Orbit Room is back with a new cocktail menu sure to lure patrons into this creative watering hole. We're partial to Bourbon in Bed, which features bacon-washed bourbon paired with maple syrup, barrel-aged bitters, and an orange peel. And we experience a fleeting moment of childish glee every time we order a Shut the Front Door, made with ginger beer, hibiscus, and whatever spirit moves us at the moment. // 1900 Market St. (Duboce Triangle), facebook.com/Orbit-Room-Cafe
Chaya Launches "Matsuri Beer Garden" with Frozen Beer
If you've grown up in German-style beer gardens, Chaya's Matsuri Beer Garden might seem like a kinder, gentler version. Envision a Japanese lantern-lined patio facing the Bay Bridge, with a special menu of kushiyaki skewers (tuna poke, Monterey squid, pork belly, and chicken wings, $7-10), tako (octopus) tacos ($15), fresh platters of "kaisen" seafood (market price), plus summer-inspired cocktails ($13), and ice-cold Kirin beer topped with frozen beer foam ($7). Matsuri Beer Garden is open from 4 p.m. to close every Monday through Friday, through September 2nd. // 132 Embarcadero (Embarcadero), thechaya.com/san-francisco
The Wine Library at Press Club(Courtesy of Press Club)
Taste Wine Like a Pro at Press Club
Remember those 1980s TV commercials that challenged women to, "Be a model… Or just look like one"? Press Club San Francisco's "Taste Wine Like a Pro" seminar series is a little bit like that, except it's affordable ($50 per person), and it might actually work. The educational wine tasting seminar series is taught by internationally renowned sommelier Mauro Cirilli, beverage director for Press Club. The popular, "quiz-free" series teaches wine lovers how to describe, taste, analyze and pair wine just like the experts. The first class is slated for Thursday, July 21st from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online. // 20 Yerba Buena Lane (SoMa), pressclubsf.com
Get a Taste of Outside Lands at Southpaw BBQ
Music festival lovers who just can't wait for Outside Lands to start can get a preview of what to expect on Tuesday, July 26th at Southpaw BBQ. The Southern-inspired party kicks off at 7 p.m., featuring chicharrones, baby back ribs, brisket sliders, fried pickles and sweet potato tots as well as a hand-picked selection of special release beers, flights and draft from Anchor Brewing. Music will be provided by The Bow Ties, an award-winning five-piece bluegrass band. Tickets are available online for $48 per person, including admission, heavy appetizers, and two beers. // 2170 Mission St. (Mission), southpawbbqsf.com; anchorbrewing.com
Do Good, Drink Wine at E&O
Drinking for a cause is our best sport, so we're thrilled to hear that E&O is continuing their Do Good, Drink Wine charitable program. The modern Asian restaurant highlights a wine on the menu, and when guests purchase that wine, 25% of the proceeds benefit Heifer International.The latest charity wine is the 2013 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon from Round Pond Estate in Napa Valley for $140, which generates a $35 donation for the charity and a complimentary Estate Tasting for two at Round Pond's winery in Napa, a $100 value. Over the past year, the Do Good, Drink Wine program has raised more than $2000 for Heifer, which empowers small-scale farmers to make life better for their families. // 314 Sutter St. (Union Square), eosanfrancisco.com
