CHSO June 2012 : Page 69
raising the bar From a honky-tonk bar in Wicker Park to a River North burger joint to a bustling downtown steakhouse, it’s hard not to find venues offering a terrific handcrafted cocktail in Chicago these days. Not sure where to go? Here are a few of our favorite places, drinks and mixologists. 1 2 3 1. The Aviary’s Cranberry 2. Inside Tavernita’s Barcito 3. Spiked milkshakes from 25 Degrees the aviary photography by christian seel; barcito and acadia photography by anthony tahlier; the barrelhouse flat photography by Jesse lirola 5. Cocktails from The Barrelhouse Flat 6. Yusho’s Soul of the Sensei 7. South x Southwest cocktail at Sepia 4. Mixologist Michael Simon of Acadia 4 Its name may mean “dove” in Spanish and its hue may be soft pink, but there’s nothing innocent about La Paloma at Big Star (bigstarchicago.com). Rather, the refreshing mix of blanco tequila, grapefruit juice and Mexican Fresca packs a punch. Don’t say we didn’t Michael warn you. Simon’s cocktails at fine dining restaurant Acadia (acadiachicago. com) are not only fun to drink (check out the absinthe ice cubes in The Amnesiac) but it’s a blast to watch them be made by the passionate It’s all bartender. about adding adult twists to childhood favorites at burger spot 25 Degrees (25degreesrestaurant. com) and that goes for its terrific spiked milkshakes, too. Getting your daily calcium just got better. No matter what you order at The Aviary (theaviary.com), from the same team as neighboring restaurant Next and chef Grant Achatz, it’s a given it will be like no other cocktail you’ve ever had. Custom-made glassware paired with techniques borrowed from the kitchen are all part of a day’s work for cocktail chef Craig Schoettler. Barrel-aging isn’t just for scotch anymore. At David Burke’s Primehouse (davidburkes primehouse. com) cocktails are getting in on the flavor-enhancing technique, too. The 5 6 7 Portugeuse Cosmo is a big hit, and not just with the Sex and the City While set either. it’s the Tippling Bros.’ innovative cocktails on tap that have been garnering all the attention at Tavernita, we’re just as impressed with the housemade vermouth at its Barcito (standandeat. com), which never fails to instantly transport us to Spain. Muchas gracias. The same care and attention to detail that goes into the food at Sepia (sepiachicago. com) can be found in its cocktails too. To wit: Its South x Southwest, which is a mix of reposado tequila, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, rosemary, lemon, Moscato d’Asti and bitters, sounds like it shouldn’t work. But in a glass, it’s a balanced masterpiece. When there’s already a line before The Barrelhouse Flat (barrelhouseflat.com) even opens its doors at 6PM on a Saturday night, you know you’re in the Sure, right place. Logan Square’s Scofflaw (scofflawchicago. com) gets inspiration from owner Danny Shapiro’s passion for gin. But that doesn’t mean the other spirits don’t get in on the handcrafted love, With a former too. Charlie Trotter’s executive chef in charge at Yusho (yusho-chicago. com), we were confident the food would be terrific. But it’s the cocktails, which also speak to the restaurant’s Asian influence, that are a very pleasant surprise. June 2012 | | 69
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