Christmastime At Capo’s: We’ve Got New Cocktails
by Joe Bonadio
As is apparent from our increasingly frigid mornings, somehow December is back once again. Of course with the temperatures down, spirits are up, along with plenty of bright Christmas decorations—and here we find ourselves, just a couple of weeks away from the main event.
Of course, this being North Beach, Christmastime typically comes with a generous side of cocktails and companionship. As it happens, it has been well over a year since we’ve checked in with Isabel Sandoval, the talented and terribly friendly Bar Manager and Drinkshaker at Capo’s. Any reader of the blog knows just how much I love this place, and along with the food and staff, the cocktails have a lot to do with that.
This week I was fortunate enough to chat with Isabel, and she tasted me through all of Capo’s latest creations (a challenging assignment, but remember, I’m a professional). While Capo’s cocktail list changes regularly with the seasons, it’s not all new stuff. The Goodfella, made with rye, Montenegro amaro, sweet vermouth and orange bitters, has long been a customer favorite, and recently returned to the list due to popular demand. Likewise the Midnight Special, Isabel’s lively take on an espresso martini, a blend of vodka, cold brew, creme de mocha and Baileys.
But crowds are fickle, and there’s no stopping a creative bartender, and Isabel is certainly that. So there’s always something new coming onto the list. She started me out with a pleasant surprise: the Last Straw, a wicked combination of tequila, house-made strawberry syrup, lime juice and firewater bitters. Basically a spicy strawberry margarita, complete with a tajin rim—but not at all what I was expecting. The drink was only slightly sweet, not cloyingly so like your typical strawberry marg, and the lime and spice brought the whole affair a refreshing balance. I would happily drink this cocktail again.
Next up was the Seeing Red, and boy was it another curveball. A combination of Madre mezcal, Campari, dry vermouth, Torani cherry and Luxardo maraschino, this one is the creation of bartender Facundo Gomez, and it was all elbows. As I said to Isabel when I tasted it, there are certain people who seek out only the bitterest, most intense flavors—the folks whose tastes lean toward double espressos, Fernet and triple IPA’s. This drink is for those people. That being said, this is one that I finished.
Meanwhile, Facundo’s other cocktail, the aptly named Nona’s Panaforte, couldn’t be more different. As you might have guessed from its name, this is a dessert drink through and through. Concocted from Courvoisier cognac, amaretto di Saronno and Frangelico, this one is a little sweet for my taste, but far tastier than I expected—and it packs a punch.
The Deserted Island, another of Isabel’s cocktails, was another counterintuitive combination: Flor de Caña rum, lime juice, Giffard coconut syrup and Averna amaro. And here’s the kicker: it’s got a salt rim, something typically reserved for tequila-based drinks. Of course lime and coconut is a classic combination, and the rich flavors of the rum and amaro were oddly complimented by the salt. A must-try.
Isabel’s final cocktail turned out to be my favorite of them all: the Rosemary’s Baby. A perfectly refreshing amalgam of gin, blood orange syrup, lemon juice and house-made rosemary simple, this one went straight to the top of my list. Simply a mouth-wateringly good cocktail, and not to be missed.
And in case you somehow haven’t discovered this yet, Capo’s has a phenomenal happy hour. Every day from 4:30-6:30, selected cocktails are a thrifty $11, and both draft beers and all tap wines are just $7. They’re also pouring $6 shots of Jameson, Lunazul Blanco and Fernet, along with food specials. It’s easily the best Happy Hour in the Beach, and in my opinion one of the best in the city. And make sure to check out their brand-new Thin Crust Thirsty Thursdays, when you can buy any pitcher of beer and receive a free Tavern Margherita or pepperoni pizza. Such a deal!
And one last tip for the newbees: make sure to try the Chicago Beef Sandwich. Tender Chicago beef on a soft bun, dripping with beef jus and studded with spicy giardiniera, this sammie is in a category of its own.
Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to everyone—and I’ll see you in the neighborhood!
by Joe Bonadio
As is apparent from our increasingly frigid mornings, somehow December is back once again. Of course with the temperatures down, spirits are up, along with plenty of bright Christmas decorations—and here we find ourselves, just a couple of weeks away from the main event.
Of course, this being North Beach, Christmastime typically comes with a generous side of cocktails and companionship. As it happens, it has been well over a year since we’ve checked in with Isabel Sandoval, the talented and terribly friendly Bar Manager and Drinkshaker at Capo’s. Any reader of the blog knows just how much I love this place, and along with the food and staff, the cocktails have a lot to do with that.
This week I was fortunate enough to chat with Isabel, and she tasted me through all of Capo’s latest creations (a challenging assignment, but remember, I’m a professional). While Capo’s cocktail list changes regularly with the seasons, it’s not all new stuff. The Goodfella, made with rye, Montenegro amaro, sweet vermouth and orange bitters, has long been a customer favorite, and recently returned to the list due to popular demand. Likewise the Midnight Special, Isabel’s lively take on an espresso martini, a blend of vodka, cold brew, creme de mocha and Baileys.
But crowds are fickle, and there’s no stopping a creative bartender, and Isabel is certainly that. So there’s always something new coming onto the list. She started me out with a pleasant surprise: the Last Straw, a wicked combination of tequila, house-made strawberry syrup, lime juice and firewater bitters. Basically a spicy strawberry margarita, complete with a tajin rim—but not at all what I was expecting. The drink was only slightly sweet, not cloyingly so like your typical strawberry marg, and the lime and spice brought the whole affair a refreshing balance. I would happily drink this cocktail again.
Next up was the Seeing Red, and boy was it another curveball. A combination of Madre mezcal, Campari, dry vermouth, Torani cherry and Luxardo maraschino, this one is the creation of bartender Facundo Gomez, and it was all elbows. As I said to Isabel when I tasted it, there are certain people who seek out only the bitterest, most intense flavors—the folks whose tastes lean toward double espressos, Fernet and triple IPA’s. This drink is for those people. That being said, this is one that I finished.
Meanwhile, Facundo’s other cocktail, the aptly named Nona’s Panaforte, couldn’t be more different. As you might have guessed from its name, this is a dessert drink through and through. Concocted from Courvoisier cognac, amaretto di Saronno and Frangelico, this one is a little sweet for my taste, but far tastier than I expected—and it packs a punch.
The Deserted Island, another of Isabel’s cocktails, was another counterintuitive combination: Flor de Caña rum, lime juice, Giffard coconut syrup and Averna amaro. And here’s the kicker: it’s got a salt rim, something typically reserved for tequila-based drinks. Of course lime and coconut is a classic combination, and the rich flavors of the rum and amaro were oddly complimented by the salt. A must-try.
Isabel’s final cocktail turned out to be my favorite of them all: the Rosemary’s Baby. A perfectly refreshing amalgam of gin, blood orange syrup, lemon juice and house-made rosemary simple, this one went straight to the top of my list. Simply a mouth-wateringly good cocktail, and not to be missed.
And in case you somehow haven’t discovered this yet, Capo’s has a phenomenal happy hour. Every day from 4:30-6:30, selected cocktails are a thrifty $11, and both draft beers and all tap wines are just $7. They’re also pouring $6 shots of Jameson, Lunazul Blanco and Fernet, along with food specials. It’s easily the best Happy Hour in the Beach, and in my opinion one of the best in the city. And make sure to check out their brand-new Thin Crust Thirsty Thursdays, when you can buy any pitcher of beer and receive a free Tavern Margherita or pepperoni pizza. Such a deal!
And one last tip for the newbees: make sure to try the Chicago Beef Sandwich. Tender Chicago beef on a soft bun, dripping with beef jus and studded with spicy giardiniera, this sammie is in a category of its own.
Meanwhile, Happy Holidays to everyone—and I’ll see you in the neighborhood!
