silicon valley cocktails

A cocktail at Martin’s West in Redwood City.

We not only mix drinks here at the farm, but often visit local bars to enjoy their work and get ideas. Besides, there are few things better than starting off an evening with a good cocktail among friends, and it is even better when someone else is doing the mixing. Recently we wrote and took photos for an article on Silicon Valley cocktails for Edible Silicon Valley Magazine, the full article is here. We cover the excellent drinks and service at Martin’s West in Redwood City, Station1 and the Village Pub in Woodside, Manresa (famous, farm-to-table Michelin 2 star) in Los Gatos, Singlebarrel in San Jose and the Surf Spot in Pacifica. We want to thank all the owners, beverage directors and bartenders who helped us with the article…and share some extra photos to show you their work. If you are anywhere in Silicon Valley or the Peninsula, these places are worth a visit.

Martin’s West.

Surf Spot cocktails.

Mixing at the Surf Spot.

Cocktail at Manresa.

Love that red-veined sorrel…

Bar at Manresa.

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Kumquat Crofter cocktail at Martin’s West

Note: This is the first of (hopefully) many posts introducing our readers to cocktail spots in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula and South Bay. Good cocktails have reached us here in the ~~sticks~~ suburbs and country and we encourage locals to try these places. If you are out of the bay area, you can still read about some great drinks and get some inspiration.

For many bay area residents, downtown Redwood City is probably not the first place they would look for a gastropub. And if you are curious, “gastropub” is a recent term to define a British-inspired pub that features high-end food and spirits. Gastropubs are not “bangers and mash” joints, but truly high-end restaurants and bars that feature local, artisinal foods and quality spirits. Gastropubs led Britain’s unlikely charge to the heights of international cuisine, so it is a treat to have a good gastropub in the heart of the peninsula.

And this brings us to Martin’s West in Redwood City. Established in 2009, Martin’s West is a true gastropub located in the historic Alhambra building, a refurbished old-time saloon and theater, first opened in 1896. The current space features tall ceilings, and exposed bricks and beams, giving it an eclectic, pub-inspired interior. The main room features a long wooden bar with plenty of stools, multiple tables, cozy booths and even an alcove by the front windows. Martin’s West is a welcoming spot that feels comfortable like a pub, but also polished, refined, and slightly metropolitan.

In addition to the comfortable, welcoming atmosphere, Martin’s West features Scottish-inspired food from local ingredients, a great beer selection and a deep menu of single-malt scotch. We are big fans of chef Michael Dotson’s food at Martin’s West (the house-made pickles and charcuterie are favorites), but we are frequent visitors for the cocktails. Led by GM/partner Moira Beveridge, Martin’s West regularly features 10-20 cocktails with a good mix of old-time and creative, modern drinks using fresh, seasonal ingredients. We posted on the popularity of the Moscow Mule, and Martin’s is known for their interpretations of the Manhattan, and these drinks are worth a visit. But we were lucky enough to visit Martin’s West just as they added a few new cocktails to the menu.

Sunny Brae Cocktail at Martin’s West

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Putney Farm

Get some good food. Cook it. Share with friends. Have a cocktail.

Tag Archives: silicon valley cocktails

More Putney Farm In Print: Local Silicon Valley Cocktails

Cocktails at Martin’s West

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