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| - i had here one of the. best. cocktails i've had in my life - solid 5 stars for that. the AVANT GARDEN cocktail created by bartender Chelsea mixes gin with muddled cucumber & mint, vermouth, maraschino liqueur, bergamot syrup, and celery bitters. incredibly fresh! and most fitting to welcome a sunny spring-thank-god-you're-finally-here evening. smells delicious the entire time you're drinking it. i may not be exaggerating when i say i'd want it by the pitcher-full this summer...
the ZA'ATAR SOUR was not nearly as life changing but far better balanced in terms of sweetness/tartness than any whiskey/bourbon/rye sours i've had in the past. this one was made with bourbon and sprinkled with za'atar for some meatiness.
onto the food, we just wanted a few nibbles; 3 stars for the food:
the ROAST CAULIFLOWER is a beautiful creation - roasted whole head of cauliflower, drizzled with a cilantro-heavy sauce and tahini, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and pine nuts, and halloumi cheese. really satisfying but undoubtedly pricey ($17) for what it is. taking this as inspiration in my own kitchen, yoink!
the LATKA PLATTER came as three well-crisped potato/onion latkes toped with cured salmon, shredded smoked fish, a slice of pickled hard boiled egg, sour cream, and salmon roe. i wish the caviar/dill each offered a stronger presence but the egg made up for their lack of flavour. altogether tasty nonetheless.
i'd want to return for the cocktail, of course, and with more people to try lots of the salatim/dips. hummus would always be satisfying for me but i am skeptical of how it can get to be worth the $$...
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