Truth be told I still have not made it to Turks and Frogs, so I can’t do the comparison that is expected, as Osman Cakir is the proprietor of both establishments. I also came here for the soft opening- so there will of course be kinks to work out. While the setting does convey the overall sensation of an antique street car, the high ceilings of the space prevent it from feeling like a claustrophobic train wreck. Currently the décor is fairly sparse- which could be a good thing- but there are no fabrics, cushions or other noise- absorbing elements. I am sure this will be worked out shortly, but the noise level was pretty high- just based on the clamor of alcohol feuled conversations, and not the noise.
For my libations, I started with Le Voyage (rhubarb vanilla syrup, Cocchi Americano, soaked peaches, champagne). The chunky peach pieces were a lovely addition- the drink was almost jammy while still being light. For my second drink I decided to go for something less complex- unfortunately the liquor I wanted was out of reach, and they don’t yet have a stepladder, so I selected the St. Polten instead. At this point I don’t recall the exact ingredients, but it was very similar to a Bramble, except the blackberries were added at the end, and had been soaked in St. Germaine. I typically find St. Germaine to render cloyingly sweet drinks, but this was my favorite cocktail with that liquor I have yet to try. The sweetness was nicely balanced by the tartness of the lemon, and the result was a dangerously delicious drink. At this point I felt I was done, when the bartender brought me a drink to make up for the inaccessible fernet. It was an off the menu drink, and I cannot tell you anything about it, as my memory by this time is somewhat muddled. I will say that both of the bartenders were some of the best, operating coolly on the 2nd day of the soft opening, and being hospitable to boot. Unfortunately I only caught the name of one barman- Robi Gonzalez. He also works at Rye House, and will be a force to be reckoned with in the bartending world, having a natural inclination towards hospitality.
Average drink price: $12-
212-691-8845
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