Out There :: Days of Wine & Poses

As we were saying last week, life may not be a bowl of cherries, but for Out There, it's at least a press feed and a bottle of vino. We've never subscribed to the new/old American puritanism. We think there are a lot worse things to be addicted to than a nice bottle of Pinot Noir. Greed, money, and power, for instance - everything that late capitalism is built on. But the fruit of the grape? That's just an example of Mother Earth's merciful blessings.

The night of the historic World Series Game 7, we had accepted a press dinner invitation at Trace in the W San Francisco hotel, and to our everlasting credit, we honored our commitment. "I'm afraid we won't have the game on in the bar or at table," apologized our press escort, but that was okay. It was on everybody's phone, and the San Francisco Giants would go on to victory with or without us.

Lead mixologist Erik Tennyson whipped up delicious seasonal cocktails such as the Smoky Paloma for us in the Upstairs bar. Then we progressed with a posse of pressies to dinner downstairs at the refreshed Trace restaurant, a meal prepared with panache by executive chef Jason Rea. We were joined at table by charming W-SF general manager Roger Huldi . Fried Brussels sprouts (Most Valuable Vegetable), crispy fried quail, and herb and potato stew with roasted octopus served to whet our appetite. Then came our entree of roasted chicken leg confit, pickled summer peppers, acorn squash and green lentils. For dessert we enjoyed huckleberry glace with toasted meringue, lemon and mint. Such culinary delights successfully took our mind off baseball.

When we took our leave and ducked into the Muni Metro, the station attendant was just announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Giants have won the World Series!" A perfect night in downtown San Francisco, a dream of a night.

Field of Dreams

Then last Tuesday evening, we were invited to experience Bar Car, the Bay Area's first mobile bar, which brings the party to any doorstep in a retrofitted 1965 Airstream trailer. Bar Car hosted a party for the press in Chrissy Field, one of the most spectacular settings imaginable. The Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Lights, and a bright moon waxing to full: quite a spread.

We love Chrissy Field. We love bars (none too wisely, but too well). And we love Airstream trailers. The Bar Car was created by entrepreneur Greg Medow, and it comes complete with a full bar serving artisanal cocktails and local brews on tap. Medow described his trials of Hercules in getting the Airstream across country and set up with all the necessary permits. Mid-century modern design aficionados will love it. Interior design details include stainless steel cabinets, a brushed aluminum interior, a mahogany bar, and LED floor lighting.

The Bar Car is available for private parties and events. Medow and staff were headed next to booze up a party at the Googleplex. Pricing begins at $25 per person and a minimum of $1,000. For more information or to book Bar Car, visit barcarsf.com.

Barihunk Beat

The handsome gentleman in the accompanying photo is baritone Zachary Gordin. He's the guest soloist in a concert of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder with the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony [BARS] guest conducted by Michael Morgan on Nov. 22 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore St. at Jackson, S.F.

As a proudly out "barihunk" opera singer, Gordin's appearance is part of BARS' LGBTQ Composer and Performing Artist Series, which strives to redefine perceptions of LGBTQ music and increase awareness of the beauty, talents, and accomplishments of LGBTQ individuals and groups. The program also includes Conrad Susa's The Blue Hour and Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 2. For info and tickets, go to bars-sf.org.