Jazz and Dimsum

This is perhaps the only place in the world where you can have your dimsum and listen to live jazz at the same time.

This place is like a page out of La La Land. Jay Bordeleau, the owner, creator, and mastermind behind Mr. Tipple’s Recording studio, has always loved the arts and is constantly driven by his it’s-so-crazy-it-just-might-work ambition. Bordeleau was able to combine this deeply rich cooperative leadership style
 with a profound passion for hospitality.

If you come early and not time yet for your set, you will be ushered to the bar for standing room only and drinks. At least you can enjoy some live music while you wait for your table to be ready.

There are two parts to this venture, Mr Tipple’s, which is the bar and jazz, and The Fat Cat, which is the dim sum place. The tables are reserved for those who paid for the set. There’s a minimum $20 per head for table service. And reservations are highly recommended.

And the food were not microwaved dimsum from a convenience store. These were legit dim sum made from an Asian kitchen. We ordered some xiaolongbao (Shanghainese soup dumpling), siewmai (Cantonese pork dumplings), and Sichuan spicy dumplings – they were served piping hot and delicious. There’s even claypot rice, but I did not venture that far.

The food was served promptly right before the set, and you have an entire set to enjoy the food. We gobbled them down in a jiffy so as not to disturb our enjoyment of the music.

We came for the last set, which ended at 11.45pm. The bar opens until late, and unless you want to continue drinking, there’s nothing else to do around the bar. It’s better to get a rideshare and go back to your lodging. My advice is to book the ride and go out when the ride arrives since we are in a rather deserted part of downtown.

The jazz band rotates among the upcoming talents as well some established names. Check out their website to see what’s coming up.

Mr Tipple’s Recording Studio
39 Fell Street between Van Ness and Polk, San Francisco
Text :  (415) 384-9365

Visited Apr 2024

@MrTipplesSF #soulandspirits