Oh my. Is it strange to fall in love with a liquor store unless you're some kind of booze hound? Well, strange or not, that's what happened with LeNell's, a little top shelf paradise. We walked in and were confronted with the Rolling Stones Aftermath blaring and a well dressed young Donald Sutherland look-alike employee. Yes ladies, I kid you not, he made many helpful suggestions but, to be honest, with my mega-crush on Sutherland I probably would have bought anything in the world from him.
Fortunately, what I did buy based on his truly informed suggestions are all excellent: Bitter Truth Orange Bitters, Hanger One Vodka, and Blue Gin which he described as “fucking kick ass” (you'll be hearing about the good use I put these all to in upcoming Brix Picks).
What I was really there for, however, was the Rothman and Winter creme de violette, a lacquerer I have been trying to get my hands of for a very long time–since I first tried the Lady in Satin at Angel's Share–but it just could not be found.
It was Time Out, in a rare moment of sheer brilliant helpfulness, that informed me that LeNell's would be carrying it. For a small space, it's impressive how many rare and unique choices they have, not only my violette lacquerer but Absinthe, all sorts of bitters, and top shelf everything.
Really dynamite.
But what do you think?