#26 A classic gin martini at Bourbon and Branch

A week ago tonight, we ventured downtown to the heart of the Tenderloin to celebrate K's birthday. Bourbon and Branch (or B&B, as it's affectionately known by many) is a modern-day speakeasy, complete with a bouncer requiring a password if you have a reservation. (Our password was "rum dum.") Additionally, the only sign outside is something about the San Francisco Temperance League, which could be authentic (and thus hilarious and apropos) or kitschy and extremely inauthentic.

The menu is a veritable book, so most of the guests either went with the classic gin martini from the list, or asked the waitress to pick something with a liquor they like. For reasons I don't quite understand (the waitress even told us that they cure their own olives), the bar does not offer a dirty martini. They are extremely precise about their ingredients, which the prices, averaging around $11, reflect.

Because I'm addicted to the list, I opted for the classic gin martini. I'm not much of a hard liquor drinker, let alone a martini drinker, but this one, served with a thick slice of lemon peel and sweet vermouth, was pretty tasty. Not tasty enough for this lightweight to finish, but enjoyable nonetheless!

The period ambience is very nice if you have a reservation (red velvet wallpaper, pressed-tin ceilings), though they hustled us out of our spot upstairs overlooking the bar at 11pm on the dot and then told us that the reservation-free "library" was too full to accommodate our party.

Definitely a spot to return to for their interesting, unique drinks, as long as you have a reservation!