Preparing for 17 weeks of travel was challenging, to say the least. As with any trip, it seems like the last week or so is the most jam-packed time, when you are frantically trying to make sure everything is ready to go and you haven’t forgotten anything important. Any sane person would put all their energy into getting prepared and use any remaining time for a bon voyage party and relaxing with friends you won’t see for months.
I, however, am not a sane person. Eight days before my departure, I commented on Padrecito bar manager David Ruiz’s Instagram post, showing the progress of the long-anticipated Mexican restaurant in Cole Valley. Padrecito is taking the place of neighborhood stalwart EOS, which closed last year. Cole Valley is my neighborhood, and I’ve been peeking into the brown paper-covered windows of the restaurant, checking on the progress for months. That one little comment turned into an email exchange, which turned into a phone call, which then turned into a quick meeting at the bar. And that’s how I found myself, less than a week before my departure, illustrating the cocktail menu of a neighborhood restaurant.
And it looks pretty bad ass, if I do say so myself.
As cool as the menu looks, imagine how delicious the cocktails are! I’m beyond bummed that I didn’t get a chance to see the restaurant in action before I left. But if you’re in San Francisco, you have no excuse. The restaurant is gorgeous, and if the food and cocktails at sister restaurant Mamacita are any indication, Padrecito is going to be delicious and packed very soon. (Sneak peek of the dinner menu is here). From what I hear, soft opening was this weekend, and looking to open for real on March 12th or so. Follow @PadrecitoSF on Twitter for updates.
So get over there, and have a cocktail for me. Bonus points to anyone who tweets a picture of their cocktail and the corresponding illustration to me at @ilovedrywell.
This is genius!