Mark T.
Yelp
If you take a friend, a date, or an SO here, ensure you trust each other. Otherwise, they might be spooked by the alley you brought them to. There is no sign on the door, only a small placard that asks to keep the noise down. Once you find it, call, and they'll let you in. As far as speakeasies go, this 'arrangement' is hard to beat!
Inside, the vibe is intimate. The tables are small, yet not crowded together. The chairs are comfy, and the lighting is dim (and half by candlelight!). It reminds me of a study. Some artifacts collected when traveling and hunting were books, a few paintings, a small chandelier, a fireplace, and a mirror or two. However, this is done tastefully, feels thoughtful, and is not like the weird mishmash that was my freshman dorm wall from college.
For food, I had the opportunity to try the Crab Deviled Eggs and the Smash Burger.
The Deviled Eggs are thoroughly unremarkable. The minuscule amount of lump crab and dot of some sauce does nothing to elevate the dish from a bland, mundane, deviled egg.
Burger is a bit better. First, they actually season the meat (so many places do not, and it's a travesty). The sauce and onion jam paired with the patty very nicely as well. I wish the edges had that caramelized crispness you find in smashed burgers. The veggies were nothing special except that the tomato was quite wet. Yes, I realize tomatoes are mostly water, though this felt like it moonlights as an umbrella!
Though the burger is solid, the food seems to be on the menu solely for you to have the option to not drink on an empty stomach. This is not a place you go to eat.
That brings us to the drinks!
Their cocktail menus (yes, plural) are approachable and inventive. These are Kill Me Quickly and Sip Me Slowly. If I understand, the former contains drinks more towards the refreshing side, whereas the latter is more spirit-forward.
This time around, I tried the Espresso F*****g Martini and the Six Second Rule.
Espresso Martini was great! The espresso was not overpowering but still added great flavor. There was a good level of sweetness, and while it didn't seem highly spirit-forward, the booze was definitely there.
The Six Second Rule was unique and exciting. Like the espresso martini, the spirit was there, but not in your face. For lack of a better term, it was a bit garden-y thanks to the watermelon rind, tomato vermouth, and basil oil.
Some months earlier, I had a Hired Gun. While I don't have specific tasting notes, the theme is the same. A unique, well-balanced cocktail.
From what I've experienced, their drinks are smooth, balanced across the board, and use high-quality spirits without charging an arm and a leg (all cocktails are $16).
Finally, the service is friendly, welcoming, and appropriately speedy.
While this may not become my regular bar, it will be a place I return to work through their menu one or two drinks at a time.