After hearing good things about the drink selection at Public a friend and I hit it up to watch a playoffs game.
We sat at the bar and ordered some appies which were quite decent. The calamari was nice and the Asian BBQ poutine (think sweet & sour) was something I'd order every time I'd go in.
Ordering drinks proved more challenging.
While they were out of some of their more rare beer selections (understandable) the bartender felt the need to disagree with us on our beer selections. We just kept politely insisting and she brought them.
Then, when we tried to order some double espresso vodka off their impressive vodka list this happened:
"Oh, you don't want that vodka!"
"We don't?!"
"No. It tastes too much like coffee".
Why else would we order double espresso vodka?
She then recommended some other vodka that tastes like cotton candy. No thanks.
Finally, we were able to get the vodka of our choice, and we enjoyed it.
There's nothing wrong with staff giving your their informed opinions on what they have in stock, if well trained I trust them.
However, my palette differs significantly than that of a 21-year old female bartender and I wouldn't be caught dead drinking cotton candy vodka.
Best case scenario: pour me a sample of the vodka, if I hate it, I'll change the order.
Anyways, it was a disappointing introduction to a place in my neighbourhood. I believe I'll sit at a table next visit.