The 10th annual Tales of the Cocktail, held annually in New Orleans, showcases some of the world’s best mixologists and connoisseur of fine spirits for a total of five days. The event draws participants from around the globe for a series of competitions, seminars, dinners, tastings and more. This year’s event, which took place July 25 through July 29 concluded with the award of “Best Restaurant Bar in the Country” going to San Francisco’s The Slanted Door.
The restaurant, run by Executive Chef Charles Phan has maintained its high regard owing to the fact that Phan secures all of his ingredients from their original sources. However, it is bar program leader, Erik Adkins, who must be feeling the most shine. He has been bartending in San Francisco since 1993 and has designed several programs, including Heaven’s Dog and Flora, before joining on at The Slanted Door. The cocktail program at the restaurant is known for Adkins’ dedication to connecting spirits with regional agriculture and incorporating local ingredients into its menu.
A few examples of what you can find on the bar menu include the Alfonso, which blends prosecco, duboonet, and an angostura bitters soaked sugar cube. Another is the Hotel Nacional, which packs a punch from banks rum, lime, house apricot brandy, small hand foods pineapple gum and bitters. The Slanted Door also has a dedicated wine director on staff, Chaylee Priete who, while working her way through college in Atlanta, stumbled into the world of wine. Since her college days, she has run retail wine shops, started wine bars, and headed up independent wine programs. Priete has won several awards for her work as Wine Director at Greens Restaurant.
The Slanted Doors contemporary, fresh take on Vietnamese cuisine in addition to its finely tuned bar program make it a well-rounded experience for both food and drink—it’s no surprise the venue secured the Tales of the Cocktail’s top honor for the U.S’s best restaurant bar.
The restaurant is located at 1 Ferry Building #3 in San Francisco, California.
