Hotel Kabuki: San Francisco as Leg 1
November 14, 2018
NPS is on a 25 day adventure that includes San Francisco as a first stop. Loyal readers know that means Japantown, and Japantown these days means the Kabuki.
The lobby is a great place to hang out and get some work done. And the bar is pretty good to boot.
Nice to return to @hotelkabuki where I am informed they now have an espresso machine pic.twitter.com/RBLsRi7xO4
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 14, 2018
And there is now espresso on the property.
It was hazy in San Francisco every day due to the fires in California. In fact, the air quality was the worst on the planet on Thursday.
Hazy San Francisco from the 16th floor of @HotelKabuki in japantown pic.twitter.com/gip2KHJZPz
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 14, 2018
This trip we’re on the top floor (16) in 1602. The rooms are well appointed.

1602

1602 has two large windows overlooking the city
The bathroom is sizable, but the room is cold. The poor heater can’t keep up with nights that drop into the upper ’40s. That means the bathroom is chilly in the morning. Fortunately, the shower door in 1602 seals pretty well and does not let tons of cold air in. But the old sliding doors (still) need to be replaced with more modern glass that insulates better.

The shower is a room of its own with two shower heads and a large bench.

Bathroom accoutrements
Of course, San Francisco is a great place to visit when it comes to food and beverages. A cocktail or two at PCH is highly recommended, especially if your friend Jacques Bezuidenhout shows up with time to spare on his visa and a bottle of Amer Picon. Much fun was had.
.@PCH580 with the best @LoveTequila pic.twitter.com/Pk4wKHDVYc
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 14, 2018
Dinner at State Bird Provisions is outstanding as always. Incredible flavors put together in remarkable ways. NPS just walked right in on a Tuesday night with no reservation.
Dinner @statebirdsf (@sfjacob @elinormills). Walk in. Still outstanding. pic.twitter.com/22KqhorN30
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 14, 2018
For an interesting diner-like breakfast, try out Sweet Maple.
Ramen at Iza Ramen is very good indeed.
Ramen @IzaRamen (the first one) with @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/QKYr5Bbrs6
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 15, 2018
Hard water has a top notch bourbon and rye collection (though Jack Rose in DC has it beat). Hirsch 74. Sazarac 18. Stagg 11.
Time spent @hardwater_sf with @bvchess most xlent pic.twitter.com/pWofMUivny
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 16, 2018
The Mymy cafe is a great place for breakfast. Creative delicious options and espresso that does not suck. Recommended.
Wow. Mymy cafe is fantastic. Check out this shrimp, sausage, grits and eggs extravaganza. pic.twitter.com/rYSAecs5Iv
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) November 16, 2018
Dinner at Prarie is very good, though noisy and crowded.
Skip ABV and go straight to Churchill for a nightcap. Fewer hipsters and no bullshit at the door.
Have a wine tasting at Domaine Carneros.
It helps if you know someone who is in their club. https://twitter.com/noplasticshower/status/1063957983468474369
Four showerheads, clean air, and some warmer nights for the Hotel Kabuki. We’ll be back. Next up, New Zealand!
Filed in hotel, mixology, restaurant
Tags: abv, breakfast, churchill, cocktails, domaine carneros, george t stagg, hard water, hirsch 74, hotel, hotel kabuki, iza ramen, jacques bezuidenhout, kabuki, mixology, mymy cafe, PCH, prarie, restaurant, san fran, san francisco, sazarac 18, state bird provision, sweet maple, travel
#boaredintheusa Cocktails in London
May 25, 2018
Third time’s a charm. This year’s cocktail extravaganza was hashtagged (as always) with a tip of the hat to the Clash. (See #londonculling and #rockthecasbar entries.)
From our base at the Mondrian London, we headed out to the shard for lunch.
It's time #boaredintheusa departs @MondrianLDN for the shard @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/43allhdz3a
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
The food at Aquashard is remarkably good. Fuel up!
#boaredintheusa location 0: kir Royale @aquashard pic.twitter.com/nD1vJrc1lB
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
After lunch, it was off to the Alchemist. Espresso was in the cards since it was early yet.
#boaredintheusa location 1: iced charcoal latte @TheAlchemistUK pic.twitter.com/G5JyVz5kFC
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
Next we paid a visit to our friend Alessandro (and delivered greetings personally from Jacques Bezuidenhout) at Duke’s hotel bar. Simply put, Duke’s somehow makes the best martinis in the world. Better to only have one.
#boaredintheusa location 2: @dukesbarlondon vesper pic.twitter.com/fHehj4QIVs
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 25, 2018
Plans called for a visit to the Ritz bar, but we ran into a shoe-ware issue (someone had on trainers that cost as much as a car). So fuck the Ritz. We will be back never.
No worries, the Connaught Bar manned by Micheal was incredibly great. We sat at the bar. Somehow the Connaught became our home away from home with two visits the next day during much fun was had.
#boaredintheusa location 3 @TheConnaught bee's knees pic.twitter.com/avnfbE1Da9
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
We paid a visit to Gerry’s Wines and Spirits to amass a treasure trove of Amer Picon and some very old Cuban rum. Graham and insta-graham were a blast. Gin tasting occurred.
Then it was time for prophylactic ramen at Bone Daddies. Great ramen with a rock and roll vibe. Beer seemed like a good idea.
#boaredintheusa location 4 (kinda) prophylactic ramen @BoneDaddiesLDN pic.twitter.com/2mtIi8oqj8
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
Bar Swift was our next target. Without a reservation we shlepped downstairs. After a round, our waitress took pity on us and gave us a great round booth. Then we got into the George T Stagg 2016. Wise?? Of course it was wise.
#boaredintheusa location 5: @barswift red thing with chambourd…then trouble pic.twitter.com/gqgKvLUsfH
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
Next up was a visit to one of our all around favorites, the American Bar at the Savoy. Our barman on point at the establishment did what he could to find us some Catoctin Creek rye to use in the Red Lips Rye. He had 24 hours. Sadly, his attempt was unsuccessful, but he did put in a real effort.
We always seem to get stuck at the American Bar for 2 or 3 rounds, after which we head downstairs and transfer our tab to the Beaufort. Two of our party bowed out after the American Bar visit around 10:30.
#boaredintheusa location 6: @TheSavoyLondon American Bar "red lips rye" but a fail on @catoctincreek. 24 hours notice not sufficient. pic.twitter.com/MgRqcvuX5M
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
It was left for the remaining cocktail enthusiasts to pull all of the weight. Down to the Beaufort we went. Frankly we were not impressed with this visit. Though we love the bar and past visits have been fun (if not expensive as hell), there seem to be too many Russians around for comfort these days.
#boaredintheusa location 7: @TheSavoyLondon Beaufort bar. Silver bullet. And an almost OK neverending story pic.twitter.com/W8FoGFIxEN
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 23, 2018
Back home to the Dandelyan it was. We made it in time for fernet and a last call that seems to have involved two CR#2’s and six Liberals. These things happen!
Home pic.twitter.com/RYqlagqH9R
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 24, 2018
So, after all this we somehow ended up opening a bottle of champagne at 2am on the balcony. That was a bad idea.
You would figure that we had learned our lesson, but we had not. The next afternoon after some ramen (medicinal this time) at Monohon ramen we walked over to the Zetter Townhouse for some hair of the dog.
Dog hair pic.twitter.com/UobXDNas69
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 24, 2018
Which naturally led us back to the Connaught Bar to see Michael again before our fancy night out.
We leave you with a recipe for a Coburg Collins
50 ml London dry gin (no 3)
20 ml lemon
15 ml simple syrup
10 ml fino sherry
2 dashes celery bitters
top up with soda water over big ice.
Followed by an adjusted Coburg Collins (fino Sherry and celery bitters) pic.twitter.com/9EAgSUJTKv
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 24, 2018
Filed in cocktail recipe, mixology, we are not really sure
Tags: #boaredintheusa, american bar, aquashard, bar swift, beaufort, beaufort bar, bone daddies, catoctin creek, coburg collins, cocktail recipe, cocktails, connaught, dandelyan, drink, george t stagg, gerry's wines and spirits, jacques bezuidenhout, london, mixology, mondrian, mondrian london, monohon ramen, ramen, red lips rye, restaurant, ritz, savoy, the alchemist, the savoy, travel, zetter townhouse
Buchanan Gets it Right in San Francisco
February 12, 2017
Want to be near the Pacific in a terrific city? San Francisco can do that for you.
This visit included a bug free stay at the Buchanan Hotel in Japantown where Emily G and her excellent co-workers made us feel especially welcome. Here’s how.
First, the giant tetris game that is specific hotel room request came out in our favor and we secured 416 (the best room in the property with lots of windows and a great bathroom).

Yellow roses
Second, yellow roses!
Third, a mystery gift…

What’s in the bag?

Sleepytime tea, honey, and some pottery mugs. Just like home.
Arrival was delightful.

416 and roses

Notes, sparking water, cheese and fruit. All good. Plus tea!
416 has a spacious bathroom with a glass shower. No plastic showers!!

The glass shower cube
A little rain never hurt anything. Especially in drought stricken California. The fact that the weather was perfect for the weekend was, well, perfect.

Rainy day Japantown
With the expert help of Jacob, Saturday’s itenerary was outstanding.
Brunch at Foreign Cinema was first. We used the show up at 10:45 and walk right in at 11 hack.

Foreign Cinema brunch
Yes please @ForeignCinemaSF @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/628CoKhS1w
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 11, 2017
Alsi yes that too @ForeignCinemaSF @sfjacob pic.twitter.com/LHGXBUQ9Z3
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 11, 2017
Followed by a quick last minute stint at the Farmer’s Market

Saturday morning market
And a trip to Lands End.

Land’s End

Who’s that?
Cocktail hour was spent at the always fantastic Smuggler’s Cove for tiki, rum, and conversation. A meeting of the secret book club was held.

Smuggler’s Cove is one of the best bars in the world
Dinner was at The Progress. Super fantastic, rollicking fun time. And the food was good too!
Eating @thePROGRESS_sf. Delicious.
Caviar cloud.
Lamb tartar. pic.twitter.com/en3Jf8Kl0i— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
Sunday should start with a great brunch, say at the Hillside Supper Club.
Brunch on a gorgeous morning @hillsidesupper pic.twitter.com/CW7sa8HAPK
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
Mimosa and bloody mary morning @hillsidesupper pic.twitter.com/nSoi1mr8dB
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
And then a trip to Napa on a gorgeous day! Domaine Carneros is a great target, especially if you have club privileges.
Beautiful day in Napa @carnerosresort pic.twitter.com/YopIGjgsLq
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 12, 2017
One of my favorite wines in the world is Old Hill from Ravenswood.
Gorgeous day and no wimpy wines @RavenswoodWine pic.twitter.com/7gUktHMl1T
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 13, 2017
Pizza evening (due to a 2 hour wait at the sushi place we targetted) was followed by a visit to the delightful Churchhill bar. This is a low key almost dive like neighborhood place with an outstanding collection of serious booze.
Great times with @mmadou @churchillsf. Serious juice on hand. pic.twitter.com/xgGk8RYSeN
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 13, 2017
In other San Francisco fun NPS gladly notes the following establishments:
lunch (every day) at cafe claude
ramen in Japantown at Waraku
fun and games with superb cocktails at Forgery
world class brunch at Plow
jacques incredible cocktails in a relaxed and gorgeous room at Wildhawk
outstanding food at rich table
About which these twitterz:
Just eat @RichTable. Outstanding. pic.twitter.com/BtNk432Neu
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Turns out that @Wildhawk_SF is even more fantastic that NPS imagined. Wow @LoveTequila. Wow. @foodiewinoSF
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Finally @Wildhawk_SF @LoveTequila pic.twitter.com/1QVkoVqNb9
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 17, 2017
Brunch @plow_sf with @foodiewinoSF (@MacCocktail) pic.twitter.com/QJ1g4csrAp
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) February 16, 2017
Thursday madness was particularly fun this iteration.
Five showerheads with a wink and a nod for the Buchanan where everything went as planned.
Filed in hotel, mixology, restaurant
Tags: bourbon, buchanan, cafe claude, chruchill bar, churchhill, domaine carneros, farmer's market, foreign cinema, forgery, george t stagg, hillside supper club, jacques bezuidenhout, japantown, kimpton, lands end, mixology, naoa, old hill zin, pacific, pacific ocean, plow, ravenswood, restaurant, rich table, rum, san francisco, sf, smuggler's cove, the progress, tiki, travel, waraku, wildhawk, william larue weller
Colorful and classy at the Gray Chicago
October 11, 2016
NPS was in a bad mood because United improperly rejiggered seating into economy from economy plus (how do people stand that kind of travel?) and then an Uber driver pulled a super flaky move doing a multi-client pickup dropoff scam. So a taxi it was into Chicago in heavy stop and go traffic.
Fortunately the Gray fixed everything instantly. Alexsis and Happy greeted us at the front desk so cheerfully we knew we were in the midwest. The Gray, being a Kimpton, was alerted to NPS arrival and had already plussed us up into a fantastic suite. (Thanks Nabil Moubayed! You rock.)
1113 is new, modern, spacious, and excellent.

Amenity including a “Come Sail Away” from Volume 39

Living area

1113 bedroom
The shower is not plastic in the least. World class.

Awesome shower (with tub inside and bench)
After dropping off stuff it was down to Volume 39 where Barman Bob (no, not that one) created a bastardized (but very delicious Liberal before we headed out for some pie.

Volume 39
Volume 39 is a welcome addition to Kimpton’s excellent bar program. Mr Ryan, well done!
Then it was off to some pie. Call ahead and see whether it matters!

Best burned cheese deep dish in town
By 9pm it was cocktail time. We headed over to Barrelhouse Flat for some excellent drinks. Fernet backbar shots, amaro tastings, general merriment. The George T Stagg was definitely a bad idea though

Barelhouse Flat
We did finally have some of the hyped up Plantation Overproof Rum. It is a good product, but frankly the over the top hype built it up too much. Solid. Drinkable. But not the gods’ gift to rum salvation.
And then it was back to the Gray past last call. The Come Sail Away came in very handy.
Five showerheads and best of wishes to the brand new and utterly fabulous Gray.
Oh and guess what, United upgraded us on the flight home. Woo hoo!
Filed in hotel, mixology, restaurant, united
Tags: barelhouse flat, chicago, chicago pizza, fernet, flying, george t stagg, gray, gray hotel, hotel, kimpton, mike ryan, mixology, Nabil Moubayed, pequod's pizza, plantation rum, restaurant, travel, united, united airlines, volume 39
Bread Ovens, Hard Labor and Liquor in Ann Arbor
May 17, 2016
Perhaps this is a trend. Hopefully not! Anyway, NPS finds itself in another city not staying in a hotel. What?! The reason this time has to do with the rather appalling state of hotels in Ann Arbor. For example, these hotels.
There is still plenty of information that NPS readers can benefit from WRT Ann Arbor. So here it is.
First of all, there seems to be some kind of underground bread oven thing going on.

Bread oven
And, not following the Mason-derived construction rules can lead to hard labor.
Hard labor at the DPRK fu compound @DrKevinFu pic.twitter.com/77zUaAoF1r
— Gary McGraw (@cigitalgem) May 15, 2016
For a supremely good brunch (especially on a Sunday) try either location of Cafe Zola.
Now @cafe_zola pic.twitter.com/eZbkRTdZ5s
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 15, 2016
Excellent Cuban food can be found at Frita Batidos.
Finally, there are some reasonable cocktails to be had at Mash.
Sazarac @MashAnnArbor made by ellie pic.twitter.com/Hpt5600x5J
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 16, 2016
The Ravens Club has an outstanding bourbon and rye collection, including George T Stagg, Hirsch 74, and Thomas Handy.
Hirsch 74. @theravensclub pic.twitter.com/f9THIUM9uo
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 17, 2016
Thomas Handy rye @theravensclub pic.twitter.com/nLIY911Nq3
— noplasticshower (@noplasticshower) May 17, 2016

Ravens Club bar
Though dinner at Logan was truly outstanding in all respects (fantastic food, super bar, very good wine list, top notch service), we were left with a sour taste in our mouth when one of the owners (there are three) stopped the bar from providing us a recipe for a cocktail before heading out the door. Fuck that. In our view here at NPS, keeping recipes and techniques secret is the domain of children and assholes. Don’t be one.

Logan’s cute little bar
The attempt failed.
Here’s how to make a None More Black
1.5 oz black sesame infused blackstrap Cruzan rum
.75 oz cocchi americano apertivo
.5 oz root
Stir down, strain into coupe, express orange peel and balance.

The Last Word on a Tuesday
At the quasi-underground Last Word, we had a Last word (it was almost chartreuse day) (of course) and proceeded with a Rye and Bourbon lesson using the antique collection 2015 offerings. The Last Word is a great place to drink.

A Last Word at the Last Word
When visiting Ann Arbor, make sure not to be sentenced to three or more years of hard labor building a bread oven.
Filed in cocktail recipe, mixology, restaurant, we are not really sure
Tags: ann arbor, antique collection, bourbon, bread oven, bricks, cafe zola, DPNK, frita batidos, george t stagg, hard labor, hirsch 16, hirsch 74, last word, logan, mash, mash bar, none more black, ravens club, thomas handy rye