Raising the Roof
An Outdoor Oasis on Union Street

Summer: notoriously foggy and un-summery in San Francisco.
 
But eventually the fog will lift. And the second it does, you've got to be ready...
 
And by ready, we mean at a bar, in the sun, with a cocktail in hand.
 
Here to fulfill that scenario: Marengo, the sun-dappled upscale bistro bringing an ample assortment of whiskey and sliders to Union Street next week.
 
Now, when we say sun-dappled, we mean there's a gigantic retractable roof that exposes the entire back bar. The result is a space that looks and feels like a swank, vintage whiskey den was dropped into the great outdoors. And a patio that's poised to be the Marina's version of Zeitgeist.
 
You'll want to drop by with flights of booze and flights of sandwiches on the brain, and head straight to the back communal table. Shake a few hands, make eye contact, and start in on a few Indian, Japanese and American whiskeys from the 50-plus list. When the time is right (you'll know), you'll summon some All-Americans (beef sliders) and double-dipped fried chicken Crispy Chicks, and let the night come to you.

Since the whole patio is protected from the wind on all sides (and is sunroof equipped), the sun goes from a requirement for attendance to a nice-to-have.

We can't say the same for the whiskey.