San Francisco's Marina district has been sparked with a refreshing blend of innovation and tradition with the opening of Lilah, a whimsical, low-proof cocktail bar, making its debut at 2336 Chestnut Street. The brains behind the popular Causwells, partner Elmer Mejicanos, brings his expertise to this vibrant new spot, offering a dynamic array of over 20 whimsical drinks. Lilah, stationed just two doors down from its sister restaurant, transforms Japanese shaved ice into artful kakigori cocktails and, according to San Francisco Chronicle, features a crowd-pleasing low-proof take on the espresso martini. The location is a snug fit in a space previously occupied by an eyeglass store, creating an intimate atmosphere with a playful, chic interior design sparked by Mejicanos's daughter, Delilah.
The kakigori cocktails are undoubtedly the show stealers, with concoctions like the Watermelon Crayon, which pairs low-proof rum with a medley of watermelon cordial, vermouth, and a host of other flavors, all topped with watermelon rind sour candies. Another notable creation is The Key Lime Pie kakigori, a delicate mix of shaved ice and low-proof vodka infused with tonka beans, amongst other ingredients, playfully garnished with a Nilla wafer. For those opting out of alcohol, six nonalcoholic options aren’t afterthoughtsMejicanos highlighted the importance of "playful" and "sustainable" drink options in an interview with Eater San Francisco.
The inventive food menu curated by Causwells' co-owner and chef Adam Rosenblum stands in harmony with the creative drink selection. Patrons can indulge in a blend of Asian-inspired dishes, such as Taiwanese pork belly buns and a refreshing white poke enriched with the tang of mango and watermelon radish. Brunch-goers are not forgotten, with offerings that pivot from a scallion pancake breakfast wrap to a heartwarming Hangover Rice Congee that blends the boundaries of comfort food and innovation, according to the Eater San Francisco.
The bar may be the city’s most intimate, with only two seats. Still, the 40-seat venue is optimized for coziness and whimsy, featuring custom woodwork and wallpaper adorned with hand-drawn animals, a playful nod to a childlike imagination Mejicanos revealed the inspiration behind the establishment named after his daughter to SF Chronicle. Every attention to detail, from using local Dandelion Chocolate in their cocktails to the eye-catching bird-shaped sconces, reflects a space designed to delight but also to be approachable, "a place where you can just come in on a Monday night and hang out," Mejicanos explained to Eater San Francisco.
