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News and Events March Restaurant and Club Reviews San Francisco (March 2005) --- Frisson - The adage that you can't tell a book by its cover has never been truer than in the case of Frisson. Hidden behind a nondescript wooden door, one that we mistakenly walked right passed only to be redirected by the valet attendant, is a hidden world of hip and cool. Frisson, which opened in mid-August, is the latest in entry in the red-hot trend of restaurants that double as ultra lounges. In most cases this is a prescription for disaster and disappointment, but in the case of Frisson, it seemed to be just what the doctor ordered. As we (Bob, Kat & Andi) entered the lounge, we were struck by the inviting layout of the "lounge" portion of the room. Comfortable chaise couches and sofas graced the room in a design that encouraged large groups or sharing a space with the good looking crowd next to you. The drink menu featured many old favorites, all embellished with a hip, new twist in the form of an exotic addition. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, lacking the pretense of many entries in the chic category. The dining room held the feeling of an out of world experience. A circular multi-level floor was covered by a soaring doom with hundreds of multi-colored lights. Any minute we expected the space ship to be cleared for takeoff to a land of culinary adventure. The menu is dominated by recent trend of small plates and, in keeping with the drink menu, featured exotic enhancements on items such as monkfish (lapsang souchong), venison loin (yuzu kosho), and black bass (litsea cubeba). The dining portion of Frisson offers two excellent options for small groups. The "Chef's Table" seats eight and features an expansive window to the chaotic kitchen. A curtain can eliminate the performance art when watching becomes too much of a distraction. The Garden Room, a nice private corner room off the second level of the dining room, plays host to 12 and features a small outdoor patio nestled among three towering buildings giving the feel of carving out a quiet place in an otherwise busting corner of the Financial District. Another well thought out addition to the design is the Cinema Room, located down a flight of stairs; this stylized room features a state of the art media center in a candle-lit setting. This room serves as a second lounge for discrete rendezvous and is serviced by a small bar at the bottom of the stairs. This Cinema Room can also be reserved for private parties and offers an excellent option for dinner and a movie. Opposite the Cinema Room and next to the downstairs bar is Frisson's unisex bathroom that serves more as a conversation starter than a restroom. Where else can one stand in line for the restroom and place a cocktail order at the same time? Editor's Note: Executive Chef Daniel Patterson has recently left Frisson and his Chef de Cuisine, Sarah Schafer, has assumed the title of Executive Chef. Rumor has it that Patterson's intricate cuisine, with a reliance on flavored foams and scent infusions, was better suited for a smaller venue than Frisson's 150 seats.
Frisson Swig - San Francisco is jam-packed with some of the hippest, fashion-forward and trendy bars and restaurants in the world. Amongst the highlights, stands Swig, located on the corner of Geary and Taylor, in the heart of downtown. The sign above the door is sleek and modern, yet in no way uninviting. Swig, as the name implies, is fun and hip, but in no way pretentious. There are many surprising and refreshing elements here, not the least of which is that Swig is open from morning (6 a.m.) to night (2 a.m.), everyday of the week, which offers everyone, no matter the schedule or lifestyle to experience the many faces of this versatile place. Swig, once the old Blue Lamp, has rejuvenated and spiced up a tired, run-down space into a two story marriage of modern style and sophistication, with warm, homey touches to make you feel extremely comfortable and utterly hip. The design team at Swig has used a brilliant combination of glass, polished woods, and metals to create a very unique space to have a brioche in the morning, a sandwich in the afternoon or a cocktail in the wee hours of the morning. The cool brick walls and polished hardwood floors lend a hand to making you feel at home, while modern touches such as the red glass chandeliers and the low metal and glass tables bring a touch of modern charm to the rooms. The drinks selection at Swig is impressive, to say the least. The scotch selection, in particular is something to be marveled at, with over 100 different bottles, each more interesting than the last. The wine selection is vast, spanning over 20 different regions and palates. You won't find too many people drinking Bud Light here, as the beer selection is almost as interesting as the wine list. Drinks are served by a very attentive, polished staff, which are professional, fun and unpretentious, just like Swig. On a cold Thursday night in February, Swig made us (Andi, Mary, Dan & Bob) feel right at home, and yet distinctly out and about. On subsequent visits, no matter what time of day, music took center stage at Swig, with very cool back beats emanating from one of the resident DJ's. During the day, the mood is set off by laid back, yet funky sounds. When the sun goes down, the music picks up and inspires you to dance as you sip your cocktail. While DJ's dominate the line-up, many live bands grace the "stage" at Swig bringing everything from jazz to modern rock to set your night off to a great start. Swig is the perfect locale for a unique gathering. The design, the service, the style and the ambiance create a comfortable yet tragically hip environment for events of any kind. The location is ideal, just blocks from Union Square hotels. There are three, very functional spaces available from morning to night. The rooms are all very multi-faceted and can be configured for groups from 25 to 200. You will love everything that Swig has to offer, day or night, rain or shine. Come home to Swig.
Swig # # # |
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