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| - The VTR is one of the true gems of Cleveland. I have only been there once-yet I speak of it as a beloved favorite. If I were rich, I would find every excuse to visit this establishment-for the incredible ambiance as well as the perfectly executed drinks.
Once I turned 21, it soon became apparent that I was not a beer drinker. At all. This led me, perhaps, to experiment with drink orders. I tried Manhattans, Old Fashioneds, Gin Rickeys, Dark and Stormys, any classic cocktail I could find. However, as I slowly began drinking like a 70-year old man, I realized that you cannot order a Manhattan at just any bar. I went to places where bartenders assumed stronger meant better, where the art of mixology had been blurred by waves of twenty-somethings asking for Long Islands.
My oasis was the Velvet Tango Room. The ambiance is perfect. Dim, swanky, full of jazzy piano standards and low candlelight at the tables. It needs no further praise from me-go and see it for yourself. Take a beautiful lady with you and the air will sizzle with the anticipation of some of Cleveland's best cocktails.
On my first visit, I ordered the Dark and Stormy. This drink was like nectar of the gods. Very, very potent nectar. I loved the look of the drink-with its dark rum floating above homemade ginger beer, which descended gracefully into a cloudy muddle upon the first sip. Their ginger beer had such a lovely bite and the flavor packed a punch-a tart, sharp, perfect gingery taste that lingered pleasantly on the tongue after each powerful sip.
After that I tried their grown-up root beer float. This is no A&W with storebought ice cream, no sir. Homemade root beer really made this drink something to write home about, combined with bourbon and homemade vanilla bean gelato. It was so decadent and flavorful, like no root beer float I've ever concocted.
The thing that impresses me the most about this place, other than their superb command of the art of mixology, is the mixers. All of the mixers, from the vermouth to the ginger and root beers, is made in-house. They lend a unique touch of luxury to an already-luxurious experience, and each is carefully created to enhance the flavor of their perfect cocktails.
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