After dinner, we started walking to the theater. It wasn't that long a walk, a mile or so, but most of it was on gradual uphill streets. We were ready for a break about halfway up the hill so stopped in at Tosca's for a pick-me-up... It was another interesting, historical place in downtown San Francisco. The Tosca Cafe opened in 1919 at it's present location. The front area is another long, wooden bar with a few tables in the back area. There is an old-fashioned jukebox with choices of opera, Frank Sinatra, etc. on it. When you walk in the door, the first thing you see are these glasses lined up on the bar which will become their speciality of "House Cappuccino" although they have no coffee in them. They start with Ghiradelli chocolate (the dark in the bottom of the glass) and milk. Just before it is served, the milk is steamed, stirred and a generous shot of brandy added. It is soooooo good!
The bartender was happy to tell me a story about the history of the place. Apparently, back when Prohibition came along, the bar became a neighborhood Italian restaurant. However, most of the business was people who came in and ordered the "house coffee". Down in the basement was a keg of brandy with a hose running up to under the bar. The bartenders would make the drink of chocolate and milk, slip the glass under the bar, add some brandy and then serve it. The police looked the other way and in fact, stopped by for some coffee when walking their beat on cold winter nights. Another fun place. I was amazed at how Cass knew all these places downtown and their history!. P.S. The brandy is in a bottle now - no hose to the basement.
After dinner, we started walking to the theater. It wasn't that long a walk, a mile or so, but most of it was on gradual uphill streets. We were ready for a break about halfway up the hill so stopped in at Tosca's for a pick-me-up... It was another interesting, historical place in downtown San Francisco. The Tosca Cafe opened in 1919 at it's present location. The front area is another long, wooden bar with a few tables in the back area. There is an old-fashioned jukebox with choices of opera, Frank Sinatra, etc. on it. When you walk in the door, the first thing you see are these glasses lined up on the bar which will become their speciality of "House Cappuccino" although they have no coffee in them. They start with Ghiradelli chocolate (the dark in the bottom of the glass) and milk. Just before it is served, the milk is steamed, stirred and a generous shot of brandy added. It is soooooo good! 
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