I'll admit that I had flashbacks of my younger days when I was walking into Waiheke Island Yacht Club, the temporary New Zealand restaurant inside Pier 29. The restaurant occupies a small corner of the cavernous space that once housed other businesses attached to the America's Cup Park.
As someone who spent much of his youth chasing warehouse dance parties, it was hard not feel like this was one of those events, but with much nicer furniture, drinks, and food. Perhaps this explains the appeal that the trippy Nek Minnit ($12, Pere Magloire Calvados or Lepanto PX Spanish Brandy, Luxardo Limoncello, hibiscus gel, sauvignon blanc verjus) had on me.
See also: Drink of the Week: Sippin' with The Old Scout at Hard Water
Drink of the Week: The Phoenix Rising from the Ashes at Hi Lo BBQ
Esquire teamed up with Nashville alt-country artist J.P Harris to produce an anthem for our upcoming Srirachapocalypse. The new theme song is set to Woodie Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" and has a music video set to Sriracha pics snagged from Instagram. Damn if it didn't make us nostalgic for the sauce, even though the much-hyped shortage hasn't even come (and might never).
See also: Sriracha Factory Shut Down Again
Sriracha Plant Partially Shut Down in L.A., Everyone Please Stop Panicking
Hot Sauce and Panko, the five-table wing emporium in the Central Richmond that has already won hearts and minds with its bulgogi, honey salty crispy pepper, and hot chili crunch wings, has released a new product: fried ramen wings with pour-on sauce. Anyone familiar with this impish Korean joint is probably delighted that they've gotten in on the ramen-derivative craze.
See Also: Four Bowls of Soup to Keep You Warm and Toasty This Fall
Xi An Gourmet Brings a Hard-to-Find Regional Chinese Cuisine to the Richmond
Taking a break from his busy work week, Santa Claus will be at the Rosewood Sand Hill's Library Lounge for the next two Saturdays (Dec. 14 and 21). At this special holiday tea, children get to enjoy hot cocoa, tea sandwiches, and cookies; listen to Santa read from holiday classics like How the Grinch Stole Christmas; and take home a teddy bear souvenir. (1:30-3:30 p.m.; $55 per child, free for adults). Meanwhile, kids of all ages can admire the spectacular gingerbread village from the Rosewood pastry chef Melissa Root on display until December 26. The 90-square-foot edible village used 800 pounds of gingerbread, 750 pounds of candy, and 700 pounds of royal icing to complete. 2825 Sand Hill Rd., Menlo Park; (650) 561-1500.
I love the cold.
Well, ok, let me rephrase that: I can tolerate the cold with unusual gusto. My secret weapon? Mostly, it's that I relish the things that come with cold temperatures: piping hot beverages in ceramic mugs when my hands are cold, finding warmth under a deep layer of blankets, and the calm that comes with a nice glass of liquor by the fireplace on chilly nights.
This year, three local distilleries are offering some great choices for those fireside times. If you're new to this, just remember the point is to go as slow as is comfortable, and doing nothing is the key to doing this activity well. Summer is a demanding, active friend, but all winter wants to do is rest.
Here are three to keep close at hand this season:
See also: Five Great Choices for Alternative Holiday Catering
Beer Event Roundup: Holiday Brews at The Trappist and Special Sours at City Beer Store
