Irish coffee. One of the great beverages to be created by the formidable hands of talented mixologists and passed across the bar into the grasp of locals and tourists alike.
And if you want an Irish coffee made the right way, you go to the Buena Vista in San Francisco, right at the end of the streetcar line near Fisherman's Wharf.
First thing's first: What's an Irish coffee? Whiskey, coffee and heavy cream.
And like I said, they make 'em like they're supposed to make 'em at the Buena Vista.
They have a great rundown on how Buena Vista became the spot to go here.
But here's the quick and dirty:
In 1952. Jack Koeppler, owner of the Buena Vista put a challenge to Stanton Delaplane, international travel writer, to re-create the renowned Irish coffee at the Shannon Airport in Ireland. After a series of unsuccessful attempts, the two nailed the recipe. The rest, as they say... is history.
My first Irish coffee there was a magical experience- literally. I walked in and sat down- well, I walked in and stood, stalking a stool at the bar for maybe half an hour until something opened up. The place is always packed, day or night, but the people are mostly friendly and there to have a good time.
Back to the magic. I sit down with my date and the guy behind the bar is doing card tricks like he came out of the womb doing them. Amazing. He had bright white hair, almost down to his shoulders, with a bushy mustache. For the three or four Irish coffees I had while sitting there, the bartender did a few more card tricks, usually for the pretty ladies that sat down for their first. And he had game.
I know my date looked at me when he did the trick for her and said, "If you learn how to do that... like that, I'll be yours forever."
Well, I'm no magician and the girl is gone, but the bartender, the magic tricks and the Irish coffees are still there.
If you're in San Francisco, make the trip.