Evil Eye — Restaurant in San Francisco

Name caught my own evil eye, so decided to walk in.. First impressions: surprised to see a door greeter checking ID's... but hey it's Friday on Mission in SF! I asked the door person if there's a kitchen and she mentioned that it's pub grub with some Asian infusion, something familiar yet unexpected, also excellent cocktails. Long bar with great overall aesthetics, 3 booths and several low tables with comfy looking lounge chairs, and a pool table. I post up at the corner of the bar furthest from the door. I scan a QR to see their menu which starts with their creative libations and ends with Amaro/Aperitif, with their food menu somewhere in the middle. I asked the bartender what they have on tap and he offered a tailored but respectable draft beer selection. I got the Fort Point Animal, which is a local offering great for any occasion(IPA, 7.5 ABV). As I had something to wet my whistle I went back to explore the food on their menu, lots of inviting options but what sang to me was the Orange Chicken "Wings" (they use boneless thigh meat instead of actual wings... 🤤). Knowing I also wanted to pair it with one of their above-mentioned 'excellent cocktails', I asked about their El Gruño, a mezcal + fernet + ancho chile liqueur base with strawb-balsamic, lemon, ginger to finish. The owner of the bar remarked they would pair very well together and banged one out for me. Oh man... upon first sip I knew I made the right choice. Once the food came out I was excited to dig in and take more meaningful sips of the elixir with it. Chicken was perfectly crispy while coated with the bruléed orange, evey bite with the kumquat ranch and scallions was balanced and as consistently tasty as the last, but when I washed it down with the El Gruño it was like a flavor match made in heaven. Highly recommended! I was very happy to be a member of the clean plate club. To top it all off I had to get the Go-Go Juice for some café raspb-vanille sweetness and just a little more liquor with aged rum. I was surprised to find it had a spiciness to it, but far from disappointed.. Exceptional spot, will come back with a date or...

After a long picnic at Dolores Park with my fiance, we took a stroll down Valencia Street. Many of the bars and restaurants seemed too crowded, so we ventured down to Mission St where it is a tad sketchy at night. The first place that caught our eye, funny enough, was Evil Eye. My fiance pointed out the alluring decor, furniture and lively crowd from the doorway so we decided to take a peek inside. Riddled with mid-century and vintage modern collectibles (i.e. the artsy pinball machines and live edge tables) it seemed the perfect for Sunday evening cocktail.

Now, the service was a bit slow; my only gripe. Had it been for this, Evil Eye would have received 5 stars. I sat there trying to flag down the bartender for 15 minutes, which felt like an eternity as if we were back at Dolores Park standing in line for the bathroom, and finally to my relief the woman took our order. We were handed one menu, and then a second menu a minute later. Slightly confusing, but the second menu had bar snacks that seemed delish. We were still full from our picnic, so next time we will try the Brussell Sprouts.

The drinks were muddled with even ratios, not too strong but had a decent kick. The coriander was a nice touch. We actually couldn't even finish them since we had to jet home, but sitting in the cozy booths in the back surrounded by locals, smiles, and laughter sealed the deal. Even the bathroom was pristine and better than most.

Evil Eye, you're...

At Devil Eye, we savored Devil's in the Details and Business Milk – both remarkable.

Devil's in the Details blended bourbon, ginger, coffee liqueur, spiced passionfruit syrup, and lemon for a captivating fusion. The complex flavors worked seamlessly, resulting in a satisfying, intriguing drink.

Equally impressive was Business Milk – an audacious mix of bruichladdich Islay scotch, black sesame, rums, mango, star anise, vanilla, chile, and lemon on the rocks. The unique combination showcased mixology at its best.

The bartender's charm elevated the experience. Their skillful crafting of drinks and engaging demeanor, like playfully shaking in front of my camera, added an extra layer...