In his 42 years at the Buena Vista Cafe, guest bartender Fred Dagnino served over four million Irish coffees. What's a few hundred more?
It’s no secret that h2 is a super “green” hotel. Not only have we received significant press about our eco-conscious efforts, but several of our previous blog posts have touched upon things like the bees on our roof. But on St. Patrick’s Day, spoonbar took the meaning of green to a whole new level.
For starters, Scott Beattie served (naturally) green cocktails. Think Basil Gimlets, Chartreuse Swizzles, and Last Words. And, as you might imagine, they were so good you’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite. But you know a night is special when Scott isn’t even the main attraction behind the bar. That distinction fell upon guest bartender Fred Dagnino of SF’s Buena Vista Cafe.
Fred did what he’s always done… make the best damned Irish coffees this side of the Atlantic. By his count, during his 42 years working at the place that popularized the drink stateside, he made well over four million of them. And on this night, he made a few hundred more. The team at Flying Goat Coffee even designed a special blend just for Fred’s drinks.
The secret to his success, in case you’re wondering, is the fresh whipped cream. According to this NPR segment, Dagnino has nothing but contempt for the canned whipped cream that usually tops Irish coffee in other places: “Everywhere else you go, they bastardize them and put all this sugar around rim and creme de menthe and all stuff. It’s not an Irish coffee. Irish coffee is very simple and good.” Funny and true.
While the Irish coffees, green cocktails, and Chef Rudy’s corned beef and cabbage sliders were highlights of the night, spoonbar’s very Irish server, Finleigh McCormick just might have stolen the show with her traditional step dancing. A little after 9 pm, the tables beneath Katy Stone’s “Little Universe: Burst Boom Bloom” were cleared out, giving way to a dance floor. Upon which Finleigh and three fellow Healy Irish Dancers twirled, tapped, stepped and spun their way into the hearts of the hundred or so revelers. It was like Riverdance but way cooler because it was Finleigh! And inside spoonbar! Who knew?!?
For those of you who couldn’t make our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, this clip should give you a great sense of what you missed. (Finleigh is the blonde dancer, by the way). And make a mental note to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day next year at spoonbar!
