An Unpretentious Drink

It’s harder and harder to find a place to get a drink. It’s not that there aren’t tons of places to go, it’s just that I’m getting more particular. There are lots of places to hang with the college kids, play beer pong and feel old. There are lots of places that take themselves and the booze WAY too seriously. There are some places that are so quiet they put you to sleep or so loud you shouldn’t even bother brining anyone to talk to.

I’ve been hearing about Oliver’s Twist up in Phinney Ridge for awhile. The other night, Utter Ambrosia and I went to a movie and grabbed a drink there.

On a Friday night at 9:00 it had a bustling vibe but we still found a table right away. The crowd was somewhere between the studying for midterms and putting the kids through college.

The drinks were delicious. I strongly recommend the Giles – vodka, blood orange, St Germain, peach bitters and cava. UA went with the Miss Nancy – gin, rhubarb-tarragon syrup, lemon, blood orange bitters and bubbly.

To go with it, garlic truffled popcorn and Salumi salami with Columbia City bread, celery and golden raisins. The truffled popcorn didn’t last long enough to get a photo.

Classy food, classy drinks and non-stuffy vibe, in short the perfect place for a grown up to get an unpretentious drink.

Violet in Kenneth Cole black flats

Toulouse Twice

Twice during the past week, I have visited the newest addition to Lower Queen Anne, Toulouse Petit. I have to say it gets a resounding, meh.

What I didn’t like

- The service: My first experience was on a Friday night, the restaurant was busy but not packed. Supposedly we had reservations but we had to wait. Once we got seated our waiter was rude from the very beginning. During both of my visits it took an especially long time to bring the drinks we had ordered.

- The food: Two of the dishes the, the fried green tomatoes with crab and one of the shrimp appetizers, were drenched in mayo and didn’t have much flavor (I should note that it wasn’t even the app that we ordered).

What I liked

- The atmosphere: Much like its sister and neighbor Pesos lots of candle light, textured walls and deep U-shaped booths. The picture windows leading out to the street made for great people watching.

- The food: The French fries were amazing. My entre, a seasonal vegetarian special, gnocchi with mushrooms and truffle oil, was scrumptious. I could have licked the plate. And my companion’s order of the short ribs was amazing - rich and flavorful.

- The menu: It’s huge. If you can’t find something to like in the cook, then I’m not sure what to tell you.

- The drinks: One of their signature cocktails, the Katie Mae, was a favorite of mine. I love champagne cocktails so I’ll being coming back for another one of these.

So based off this list, I’m giving the place another shot. I’m hoping that with a little more time, some of the issues will get worked out, in particular between the servers and the bartender.

Violet in Paolo, green, peep-toe pumps

one blueberry press please. by orange

Even though I'm in my late twenties (sadly I think 27 counts as "late") I still drink like I just turned 21.  You might think from that statement I'm an acholic or have high tolerance.  Really what I mean is, I still like those really fruity and sweet drinks: Long Island Ice Tea, Black Opal, etc. 

Once you get into the working world and have 'classy' happy hours with friends, ordering a Black Opal doesn't seem quite right.  Especially when your friends are ordering the likes of a vodka soda or gin and tonic.  Just the name of the fruity drink ('washington watermelon' or 'blue karaoke') and/or seeing the drink (bright orange with a maraschino cherry and an umbrella) screams "can't handle the taste of alcohol/might have just turned 21." 

Recently, I went to a nice dinner with the husband and, per usual, asked the waitress what would be a good sweet drink to try.  She offered up a Bluebery Press. 

I heart this drink.

1) It's delicious!  It's not overly sweet but still sweet enough for me. It tastes almost like flavored seltzer water.
2) Much more sophisticated name then 'Black Opal" or "Purple Haze"
3) As all the liquids are clear that go into the drink...no one knows the difference between my sweet blueberry press and my girlfriend's vodka soda.

The magic:
In a vodka press, vodka is diluted with both a club soda or tonic and Sprite. You can order it with any flavor of vodka.  Hence, Blueberry vodka = Blueberry press.

Have I ordered this drink ever since that night out?  Yes.  Here is my most recent Blueberry Press at The Daily Grill in downtown Seattle.

Yum.

orange in Guess Lawri - gold leather wedges