By Dina Novar–
In the sea of industrial clean-lined restaurants popping up in SF—those sterile spaces with exposed concrete, minimalist plants, and all the warmth of a tech office—Catch French Bistro is anything but. Walking into Catch feels like stepping into someone’s vibrant, well-lived-in home. Warm tones envelope you, French pop art catches your eye from every corner, and colors that make you feel pride every day of the year create an atmosphere that pulses with life.
The colorful umbrellas hanging from the ceiling aren’t just decoration—they’re a statement. In a neighborhood often viewed as being for gay men, these umbrellas seem to whisper: “You can be under our umbrella.” Catch is the catch-all for all people, managed pridefully and colorfully by humans who understand that hospitality isn’t just about serving food and drinks; it’s about creating a space where every person can feel the quirks that only a human touch can bring … right now.
So, who are the humans behind the magic of Catch?
Amy, the Co-Manager, embodies the multilayered complexity that makes Catch special. She flows between French and English with the same grace she brings to dancing between conversations among multiple tables. There’s something more poetic about her presence than any algorithm could capture—a warmth that translates into every interaction, every recommendation, every moment she spends ensuring guests feel welcomed.
Alberto, the longest-tenured employee and Co-Manager alongside Amy, carries thirteen years of Catch’s history in his approach to hospitality. His empathy isn’t programmed—it’s earned through countless interactions, reading guests’ needs before they voice them, and understanding that sometimes the perfect drink isn’t about perfect ratios but about perfect timing and genuine care.
Mina, the Owner, has curated this space with intentional passion. Every design choice is a deliberate expression of his vision. His huge smile isn’t a customer service technique; it’s genuine enthusiasm for creating a space that celebrates the Castro’s heritage in queer culture while maintaining a place for all.
Despite all the advances in artificial intelligence, it’s an open question whether it’s human enough to make things taste good. I decided to put this to the test, and see whether AI could capture the essence of these remarkable humans. I asked ChatGPT to create cocktails representing each of their personalities.
What this experiment revealed wasn’t that AI can’t create decent cocktails; it can. What it revealed is that the human touch isn’t just about technical skill or perfect ratios. It’s about the story behind the drink, the intention in every pour, the ability to read a guest’s mood and adjust accordingly.
In Catch French Bistro, surrounded by those intentional pops of color and under the protective embrace of those hanging umbrellas, you’re not just drinking a cocktail—you’re experiencing the culmination of Amy’s multilingual grace, Alberto’s thirteen years of refined empathy, and Mina’s passionate vision for inclusive celebration.
AI might be able to suggest the ingredients, but it takes humans to create the magic that makes you want to stay, to return, to bring your friends under that colorful umbrella where everyone belongs. In a city increasingly dominated by algorithmic efficiency and industrial aesthetics, Catch reminds us that the most essential ingredient in any recipe—whether for a cocktail or a community—is the irreplaceable human touch.
Mina’s Cocktail: When AI Gets Suprising Human
ChatGPT’s Recipe:
1.5 oz vodka
0.5 oz elderflower liqueur
0.75 oz fresh grapefruit juice
0.5 oz strawberry syrup
Dash of chili tincture
We all perhaps wanted to dislike this cocktail, but this is where ChatGPT was most surprisingly human. The drink wasn’t bad at all and instead was decent. Disturbingly decent. It captured something essential about Mina’s passionate, encouraging nature. Was it as excellent as Mina himself, or as perfect as Alberto’s thirteen years of bar management experience could make it? Absolutely not. But it had heart.
The only adjustments needed were removing the chili tincture, which overwhelmed everything like a bad breakup, and adding a splash of soda water for brightness.
Amy’s Cocktail: The Theory vs. Reality
ChatGPT’s Suggested Recipe:
2 oz mezcal
0.75 oz cucumber juice
0.5 oz agave nectar
1 thin slice of fresh ginger (optional)
A pinch of sea salt
Shaken, strained into a martini glass.
The AI’s reasoning was adorably pretentious—cucumber for humility, agave for kindness, mezcal for authenticity. It was like watching a robot try to explain human emotions using a Wikipedia entry. The cocktail tasted like an AI’s interpretation of complexity: technically correct but missing the spark that makes life worth living.
Amy’s Human Touch Revision:
2 oz mezcal
0.75 oz cucumber juice
0.75 oz lime juice
0.5 oz agave nectar
1 thin slice of fresh ginger
A splash of soda water
Tajin salt rim
Shaken, strained into a martini glass.
The difference was immediate and profound. The lime juice brightened the cucumber and tempered the sweetness from the agave. The mezcal sang subtly, harmonizing with the other elements rather than dominating them. It felt authentic—delightfully colorful and made with natural ingredients, much like the vibrant nature of Catch French Bistro itself. The soda water brought life and effervescence, making the cocktail as dynamic as Amy’s multilingual conversations.
Alberto’s Cocktail: AI’s Suprising Success
ChatGPT’s Recipe:
1.5 oz gin (Hendrick’s or St. George Botanivore)
0.5 oz lavender honey syrup
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz white peach purée
Optional: egg white for texture
The AI’s reasoning was surprisingly sophisticated—describing the drink as “emotionally active.” The cocktail smelled wonderful and had compelling complexity, though the gin balance wasn’t quite right. Perhaps the word “empathy” drove the AI toward sweetness—after all, empathetic people do tend to be sweet.
Alberto’s Final Touch:
2 oz gin Hendrick’s
0.5 oz lavender honey syrup
0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz white peach purée
Prosecco float
Shake and pour over a tall drink glass with ice.
A few small edits, but ChatGPT had almost seemed to execute this with a human touch! The increase in gin provided better backbone, while the Prosecco float added celebration—fitting for a space that honors joy and community.
San Francisco-based Dina Novarr enjoys sharing her passion for fine wines, spirits, non-alcoholic craft beverages, and more with others.
Cocktails With Dina
Published on July 17, 2025
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