Sometimes you just gotta sit back and order a pizza.
Which means more scratch on hand to pair it with something extra nice — like a local beer, or a Napa wine.
Below, our five favorite delivery meals in S.F., complete with exceptionally specific, all-Northern Californian drink selections, courtesy of Aaron Paul, beverage director for Daniel Patterson’s Alta Group restaurants (Alta, Alfred’s steakhouse and Plum Bar in Oakland).
Polish up that wine key and cally yourself sommelier.
Meal: Pad thai at Lers Ros
Pair it with: 2016 Companion Wine Co. Riesling from Arroyo Seco California. This Riesling is made here in Cali and it comes in a can! It’s dry and crisp, so you can go ahead and order your pad thai spicy, but it’s got a nice weighty mouthfeel that complements the peanut oil in the noodles.
Meal: Pepperoni pizza from Escape From New York
Pair it with: 2014 Unti Vineyards Segromigno from Healdsburg. We love Sangiovese with pizza and Unti Vineyards makes the best California grown Italian Varietals. This one is a blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, and is like a California cousin to Chianti; big red concentrated fruit and a little earthy … so good with a slice of ‘roni.
Meal: Sour chili chicken at Mission Chinese
Pair it with: Temescal Brewing Company Cat Nap Blonde from Oakland. This is a blonde ale that they brew with chamomile, hay and orange peel. It’s soothing and zesty and a little sweet so it’ll lull your taste buds back to their natural state after the crazy spiciness of Mission Chinese’s sour chili.
Meal: Shrimp burritos from Pancho Villa
Pair it with: Francis Ford Coppola Sofia Blanc De Blanc Minis. I love when it gets hot outside and you can see these little pink cans all over Dolores Park — in peoples’ hands, not on the ground, please. It’s made from Pinot Blanc, Riesling, and a little Muscat, so its crisp and bright with a little bit of sweet. Perfect with shrimp and salsa!
Meal: Barbecue ribs from 4505
Pair it with: 21st Amendment Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer from San Francisco California. Pretty much the best thing to drink all summer, and especially with Ryan’s ribs. It’s a light, refreshing wheat beer with a tiny hint of watermelon. It tastes like hanging out with your best friend in the park.
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