Mezcalito Matt D’Ambrosi Mezcalito

Mezcalito Awards

Come for the mezcal. Stay for the sweet potato salad.
Openings: Dinner Tues.-Sun.

Features

Mezcalito, San Francisco, CA


Mezcalito Restaurant Review:


This lively mezcal bar showcases an extensive collection of the smoky spirit, supported by a well-conceived cast of shareable plates. A diplomatic cocktail list offers rye, gin and tequila dominated selections, but the frothy mezcal-driven “Maracuya Sour” with its vanilla agave and the refreshing “Manzañilla Sylvestre,” steeped in manzanilla tea syrup, steal the headlines. Not to be overlooked are the barrel-aged offerings, including a “Mezcal Negroni” and “Vieux Carré.” Standouts from the kitchen include an ornate sweet potato salad of avocado, sunflower seeds and cumin rolled in ricotta, and the house burger with caramelized onion and smoked Gouda on a spongy, crust-faced potato bun. Juicy confit pork belly with pineapple guajillo pastor glaze on a corn tortilla is also well worth ordering. Cilantro and chile ginger pork ribs in lime basil fall off the bone, and an intriguing ceviche of thick hamachi bathed in chili oil and citrus purée is popular among regulars. A pair of simple desserts completes the menu, but most patrons simply opt for another cocktail. And rightly so.