Bay Area Thread

[drgarage1]

Fat Angel is an under the radar spot if State Bird is all booked. Great beer too.

Just go to the Progress if you can't get into State Bird.

 

[jtmartino1]

Just go to the Progress if you can't get into State Bird.

State Bird > Progress IMO. While the flavors are similar, the experience at State Bird, drinking excessive amounts of HenHouse beer while ordering every single thing that comes out of the kitchen via tray, is just a ton of fun.

Fat Angel is an under the radar spot if State Bird is all booked. Great beer too.

Fat Angel's food is fantastic, and they have a great bottle list. Their beer selection puts State Bird to shame.

 

[coldstorage]

Ended up booking an Airbnb in The Castro, on 15th St, for our trip in October.

 

[matedog]

Just go to the Progress if you can't get into State Bird.

Man, my deep SF knowledge was stunted in 2014 when I moved out. Never heard of Progress, but that's where that old school Adidas store used to be. That was my first hood when I moved to SF and that neighborhood occasionally charmingly sucked.

 

[jedwards]

State Bird > Progress IMO. While the flavors are similar, the experience at State Bird, drinking excessive amounts of HenHouse beer while ordering every single thing that comes out of the kitchen via tray, is just a ton of fun.

It's funny, I find the experience at State Bird kind of unpleasant. I think there's something about the dim sum-style format that only works for me if I know the possible range of dishes (e.g. I don't have to get something that looks good because I know it will come around again and/or I know something else I want is coming out). Both great food though.

Also get reservations at Kin Khao and Liholiho!

 

[pen15clubmember]

State Bird > Progress IMO. While the flavors are similar, the experience at State Bird, drinking excessive amounts of HenHouse beer while ordering every single thing that comes out of the kitchen via tray, is just a ton of fun.

Can you actually get reservations for State Bird without knowing someone? I thought the only real option was lining up.

Edit: you certainly can't online - I just tried every day for the next month. Tell us your secrets!

 

[RyanG1]

Can you actually get reservations for State Bird without knowing someone? I thought the only real option was lining up.

Edit: you certainly can't online - I just tried every day for the next month. Tell us your secrets!

You can. Take some diligence. Like waking up and checking the online system at some ungodly hour or when you normally wake up or go to sleep. **** waiting in that line.

 

[jedwards]

You can TaskRabbit the line for like $20 #PeakSF

 

[pen15clubmember]

You can TaskRabbit the line for like $20 #PeakSF

I've heard of people doing that. Has anyone used a taskrabbit to mule SARA bottles?

 

[stupac2]

I've heard of people doing that. Has anyone used a taskrabbit to mule SARA bottles?

I haven't, but know for a fact it's been done.

 

[RyanG1]

I've heard of people doing that. Has anyone used a taskrabbit to mule SARA bottles?

 

[drgarage1]

State Bird > Progress IMO. While the flavors are similar, the experience at State Bird, drinking excessive amounts of HenHouse beer while ordering every single thing that comes out of the kitchen via tray, is just a ton of fun.



Fat Angel's food is fantastic, and they have a great bottle list. Their beer selection puts State Bird to shame.

I never said Progress was better. I said it's a great restaurant if you crap out and are in the area.

 

[jtmartino1]

It's funny, I find the experience at State Bird kind of unpleasant. I think there's something about the dim sum-style format that only works for me if I know the possible range of dishes (e.g. I don't have to get something that looks good because I know it will come around again and/or I know something else I want is coming out). Both great food though.

Also get reservations at Kin Khao and Liholiho!

I try everything. Usually works out well

 

[jtmartino1]

Can you actually get reservations for State Bird without knowing someone? I thought the only real option was lining up.

Edit: you certainly can't online - I just tried every day for the next month. Tell us your secrets!

Look 60 days out and check at midnight. I've gotten reservations probably 8 times that way.

 

[apatrick17]

Look 60 days out and check at midnight. I've gotten reservations probably 8 times that way.

Looks like this might be the move. I checked State Bird, Frances and Al's Place and all 3 of them don't take reservations more than 60 days out. We arrive on 10/14 so I'll be able to try in a week or so.

Thanks for the recs all! The menus at all 3 places look unreal and Fat Angel also looks like it will be right up our alley.

 

[RyanG1]

Looks like this might be the move. I checked State Bird, Frances and Al's Place and all 3 of them don't take reservations more than 60 days out. We arrive on 10/14 so I'll be able to try in a week or so.

Thanks for the recs all! The menus at all 3 places look unreal and Fat Angel also looks like it will be right up our alley.

Try Nopa too. Reservations are a little easier to come by and you can always drop in. Great food.

 

[jtmartino1]

Try Nopa too. Reservations are a little easier to come by and you can always drop in. Great food.

Fat Angel for pre-dinner beers, State Bird for a few small plates (apps), then a Nopa Burger to finish it off? Sounds like my kind of grand slam.

 

[RyanG1]

Fat Angel for pre-dinner beers, State Bird for a few small plates (apps), then a Nopa Burger to finish it off? Sounds like my kind of grand slam.

In! Let's get a three way going with Peter

 

[matedog]

Out of town this weekend, but the Mikkeller anniversary tap list looks pretty banging:
Draft List:

Mikkeller SD Birthday Bru(I)t
Rodenbach Alexander
Perennial Suburban Beverage
Stillwater Gose Gone Wild
Grimm Super Spruce Gose
Firestone Walker Bretta Weisse
Anchorage Mosaic Saison
Mikkeller SD Raspberry Saison
Logsdon Oak Aged Bretta
Mikkeller Recipe #1000 BA Chardonnay
Mikkeller Acid Trip
Rare Barrel Emerald Vision
Rare Barrel Keen Observation
Cantillon St. Lamvinus
Cantillon Kriek
Cantillon Iris Grand Cru
To Øl Mr. Blue
Alvinne Cuvee Freddy
Lost Abbey Framboise de Amorosa
Rare Barrel Ensorcelled
Hanssens Artisinaal Oudbeitje
Hanssens Artisinaal Oude Lambik
Hanssens Artisinaal Experimental Raspberry
Cascade Elderberry
Cascade Apricot
Cellarmaker Dobis+ IPA
Altamont Mau Waui IPA
Fieldwork Galaxy Juice IPA
Anchorage Galaxy White IPA
Grimm Psychokinesis
Mikkeller Porter BA Bourbon
Mikkeller SD Beer Geek Brunch BA
Prairie Birthday Bomb!
Modern Times Monster's Park (Bourbon)
Lost Abbey Track 10 (Bat Out of Hell)
Mikkeller/Frederiksdal Spontancherry
*Special Cask from Berryessa Brewing TBD.

 

[jtmartino1]

Great list. Also a growing fan of Grimm; for gypsy brewers they make a great product and their branding is really cool.

 

[AndresR]

Great list. Also a growing fan of Grimm; for gypsy brewers they make a great product and their branding is really cool.

Grimm's BA bottles have been on point for taste and pricing. Dig'em!

 

[jedwards]

Heh, I was going to post a slightly off-topic link to this year's Sake Day festival, but apparently it's going to be on Zwanze Day! So if you feel like drinking a bunch of lambic then going across town to drink a bunch of sake, you should come. I went last year and it was pretty fantastic.

 

[mzdoja]

Heh, I was going to post a slightly off-topic link to this year's Sake Day festival, but apparently it's going to be on Zwanze Day! So if you feel like drinking a bunch of lambic then going across town to drink a bunch of sake, you should come. I went last year and it was pretty fantastic.

$65 bucks for all you can drink sake for 5 hours? Sounds fantastic... And dangerous.

 

[RyanG1]

 

[drgarage1]

So excited for the Beechwood -- assuming it's Budweiser, given the spelling.

 

[chemman141]

Curious where you got this info as they don't seem to have much of a social media presence.

 

[RyanG1]

Curious where you got this info as they don't seem to have much of a social media presence.

Friend posted it. There is an active Facebook group.

 

[chemman141]

Friend posted it. There is an active Facebook group.

Just found that, just wanted to get it on the California Beer Calendar facebook group. Cheers! Wish I could go!

 

[drgarage1]

Friend posted it. There is an active Facebook group.

I got it as a bad email!

 

[chemman141]

I got it as a bad email!

hahah that's awesome.