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| - 3.5 stars (mainly for value --drinks here are NYC prices)
VIBE
The Parlor Cocktail lounge on Duncan just north of King, reminds me a lot of Soho House but without the membership fee.
It's got all of your pre-requisites of that speakeasy vibe: exposed brick walls, low slung leather banquettes, beautiful glassware and of course, a stunning curated back bar.
Staff are friendly and professional but fun.
The crowd is a mix of banker and hipster. This a PERFECT first date spot on a weeknight.
WE DRANK/ATE
The menu here is absolutely gorgeous (especially if you're a fan of booze quotes and typography) but it's also very overwhelming because it reads like a book. I do like that the menu is organized by spirit. They even have a page for absinthe cocktails.
I chose off the whimsy page (would you expect anything less?).I got the Christopher The Green Mule: green charteuse, fresh lime, simple syrup and house ginger beer. This is a great alternative to a gin basil smash and is a lovely summer tipple.
I also wanted to test how their classics tasted so I got a Marguarita (that's how they spell it). I love that the presentation is in a different type of glass (kind of like a wine glass and not a straight up tumbler-type glass). It's smaller than your basic margarita but it's quite boozy in the best way. I highly recommend it (they're using tromba tequila).
I was lucky to taste most of the menu but to be honest, for the amount of food you're getting here it's way too expensive. The spiced ash hamachi is good as is the ribeye (but again, it's VERY small bites). The tarte flambee is probably where you'll get the most "food." It consists of chantrelle, pecorino and creme fraiche.
OBLIGATORY CATCHY REMARK
Definitely trumps Spirit House on the booziness factor. Drinks are pricey but if you want to impress your date, this is a good way to go. If the date's bad, hey, at least you can drink yourself from their page of the seven deadly sins (for you or for her).
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