Mortar & Pestle
Located in the back of Downtown San Mateo’s Curry Up Now (and under the same ownership), Mortar & Pestle provides a full menu of spicy snacks from the Indian fast-food restaurant to pair with its selection of strong, handcrafted cocktails. Instead of standard (read: snooze-worthy) bar bites like French fries or assorted nuts, you're in for top-notch Indian street food, such as a chicken tikki masala bowl, samosas, and vada pav (a mashed potato fritter sandwiched on a buttery bun with garlic chutney). The servers behind the industrial-chic onyx bar even infuse the cocktails with Indian ingredients like kaffir lime and garam masala. M&P’s namesake drink is a favorite: a refreshing, julep-style mix of Old Forester bourbon, honey, orange, grapefruit, rosemary, green cardamon, and Bolivar bitters.