Post #76462 by Alnshely on Tue, Feb 17, 2004 11:34 AM

Cocktails are a lost art, service, a thing of the past, a well made drink?, a mirage that has blurred into the dry lakebed of time. This is a total sore point with me. As some cocktails creep up into the over $10.00 range, how low can quality drop?

Trader vic's in Beverly hills is a bastion of the well made cocktail. The mai-tai is $8.00, simply a joy to dink. Compare this drink to a "Mai-tai" made at Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, Appleby's, Chili's or any other godless chain. The preparation, the service, the quality, the garnish, there is no comparison. It is the difference between a complex and subtle work of art and a overly sweet trainwreck designed to inebreate sorority girls.

I point to Taboo Cove as a prime example of what is arguably the worst cocktails I have encountered. At $12.00 the drinks were horible. I realize I am the worst kind of cocktail snob, but, you should not serve overpriced, tasteless, weak drinks then complain nobody wants to visit your bar.

I too stick with the well, Whiskey-soda or Tequila-greyhounds my drink of choice. Shelley, who has been spoiled by the quality of drinks served at the Lagoon Room, terrorizes bartenders. Do you have this?, Do you have that? This is what I want you to do, it's a crackup.

My father visits a few upscale places in Orange County that have a way with Martinis or Manhatans but don't really make anything else that is very good. The Bloody Mary seems to be the last drink anyone has pride in. I know of many places that serve exellent Bloody Marys and are proud of this drink.

I'm curious to see what the Jab has to say on this subject.
Mahalo,
Al