Curiously Cool, Crafted and Curated, Curio Bar and Restaurant, Valencia St. Mission District, SF

Walking on Valencia Street, still wary of the surge, we noticed a jazz trio band playing inside the largish, well-ventilated outdoor tent of Curio Bar and Restaurant. So we ducked in for a much-needed respite and fortification. Starting to feel relaxed as an attentive and very, very polite waiter hovered and asked how we were doing, we perused the menu and were impressed by their innovative selection of cocktail mixes with spellbinding names like Mermaid, Leprechaun, Sphinx and Jackelope to name a few.

We opted for Banshee which was comprised of light & dark rums, makrut lime, pineapple, coconut, turmeric, pebble ice, angostura bitters and fresh nutmeg. The result was a refreshing, tangy and piquant libation that briskly warmed the cockels of our hearts. The turmeric was the selling point for us since we love this spice on anything we eat and drink! The cocoonut and pineapple hinted at pina colada while the nutmeg reminded me of sweet potato and pumpkin pies of holidays' family togetherness and fresh harvests. A non-alcoholic mix was the Miss Duende which was not only delicious but very fitting when you are wishing for something soury yet sweet at the same time. It came with raspberry, tangerine syrup, lemon and honeydew juice, and club soda. I thought it was quite sufficient for someone who hardly drink alcoholic beverages.

For food, we ordered the green papaya salad. It was rich with nuoc cham vinaigrette, daikon, fresh herbs, fennel, puffed rice, green mango and toasted peanuts. I would say that I have sampled platefuls of papaya salads in my life, and this one, although not as authentic in its ingredients, tasted significantly close to the "original"taste one would encounter in Vietnamese or Thai restaurants around town.

My husband, who hailed from the Midwest, selected the Coca Cola Braised Ribs which was glazed with Fernet Branca. They arrived with a side of potato sticks, crispy and tossed with red frill mustard greens. The portions were healthfully small but they were instantly a hit and earned raves about how the meat was not only soft, juicy and succulent but they possessed a delicious depth and sweetness that probably stemmed from Coca Cola.

As for the jazz trio, the diners hummed, sang and clapped to a cool and romantic improvisation of the "Autumn Leaves." They later collected tips from a chrome tub but since we had a good time with the drinks, food, and music, we dutifully dropped a well-earned gratuity.

Overall, our short foray into the cold air of Valencia Street, and our casual discovery of an equally casual venue for music, delivered us from our pandemic paranoia and left us feeling hopeful and sated for the meantime. Curio offers live music on most days.