I love you, CI. I don't make it here nearly enough given the distance from home and limited hours, but every time I do, I vow to get here more often. Why?
The drinks are fantastic- creative cocktails that introduce me to new ingredients and combinations that always come out looking beautiful and tasting fabulous. I miss the green drink from Agua Caliente menu, and am still mourning the loss of some unbelievable whiskey drinks from Chinatown underground. Thankfully, the current edition has one called Time Has Come that is amazing enough to make up for it.
The staff behind the bar- incredibly talented bunch. No matter who makes the drink (though admittedly, I'm a Keifer fan), it turns out solid (not true at other bars where you have to hope that the one great mixologist on staff is working the night you show up). They smile when you walk in and are helpful when it comes to asking what you like and steering you towards a cocktail that will be a good fit.
The food menu is worth blowing the diet- the small list of options is not the health food I try to stick to, but always exactly what I want after the second round. Like the drink list, the food menu changes often, but if they ever have some version of a Cuban sandwich or deviled eggs, just say yes and thank me later.
The place isn't very big (though really, it's the perfect size) and seems to fill up later in the night, so I suggest getting there early to get a seat at the bar. If you haven't been, you must go. As for me, I must go back.