Irene C.
Yelp
I stumbled upon this bar passing by after dinner. It reminded me of a cocktail bar I used to visit frequently in Chinatown in NYC, so I doubled back and went inside.
They manage to capture the essence of a Chinatown bar; that feeling of intimacy and hospitality, with a lean toward dramatic decor that is understated with more casual furniture, and it all balances out to create a perfect place to sit down for a drink or two or three.
The bartender, Tristan, gives excellent recommendations, sees everything happening in the bar like the eye of Sauron, and instantly made me feel welcome. It was a freezing night in Chicago and I was in the mood for something with heat, and he recommended their "...we have a problem" cocktail and it was the perfect amount of sweet with a cinnamon kick that makes this cocktail extremely drinkable. It was so drinkable that I was surprised at how fast I drank it, and although I meant to only stop in for one drink, I was eager to order another one.
I ordered two more cocktails, each equally as excellent as the last in their own unique way. If it wasn't a Monday night and I didn't have work the next morning I would have stayed for more. The spirits they are using are quality and many of them local. The ingredients they use are unique but familiar, like river salt on the rim of the "Super Nice" cocktail. The craft in the cocktails is obvious, and the best part is that they're not pretentious about it.
The bartender, Tristan, walks the fine line of bringing the guests at the bar together while also letting people breathe in the way only the best bartenders can do. He reads the room and reads the crowd (hence why I said he's like the eye of Sauron) and he also makes excellent cocktails the whole time. I have had great cocktails in many places, but my favorite place to have great cocktails is a place just like this.