Amber Dhara @ Valencia Reviewed by Michael Bauer
Michael Bauer (SF Chronicle) reviewed Amber Dhara @ Valencia in San Francisco on October 15, 2012. Below is what he had to say about the wine list and cocktails that I conceptualized and designed:  
The wine List
The signature cocktails ($10) at Amber Dhara are, according to the menu, "designed around the Ayurvedic healing concept using herbs, spices and fresh fruit."
That includes combinations like the Cocky Sultan with bourbon, house-made spiced honey nectar, mint, blood orange bitters, lemon wedges and toasted almonds.
I love the concept - who doesn't want to be healed and relaxed at the same time? - but from my experience the sweetness of many of the cocktails negatively impacts the supporting ingredients.
The list also includes favorites such as a too-syrupy Negroni ($9) and a weak Pisco Sour ($9).
Yet that's only the beginning of the beverage offerings. Beers include three on tap ($5) and more than 20 bottles.
The international wine list created by Nirupama Srivastava has an interesting perspective. Wines are arranged from lightest to most robust, and include selections such as the 2011 Bodegas Muga Blanco Rioja ($40), which costs about $14 retail. Markups tend to be high on the regular list, but are more reasonable on the reserve list that includes the 2009 Neyers Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon ($75) which retails for more than $50.
More than half the wines are offered by the glass, along with four "fun flights" of 3-ounce pours of each of three wines ($15). If you bring your own wine, corkage is $20.
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/New-Amber-Dhara-doesn-t-yet-measure-up-3944050.php#page-3

Sheetal Ohri interviews Niru Srivastava

Nirupama Srivastava is a Sommelier who with her expertise in wine have made Restaurants win the Michelin star. (www.sheetalohri.com/wp-_content/uploads/2011/04/Nirupama_Srivastava.mp3)