When we first stepped into Louis 649 with its dark walls, velvety booths and dimly lit swingin' scene, Jim and I felt it was a bit too jazzy, if you know what I mean, and if not… well, it's hard to explain but it's like the feeling you get upon stepping into a bar hoping to find pleasant, intimate conversation then spotting a singer/songwriter in the corner setting up his/her mic – or like walking into a coffee shop filled with actors. Luckily, we let the initially unsettling feeling slide as our friends joined us and I found the place to be wonderfully charming, particularly after a couple of bourbon cocktails.
And let's talk about those cocktails. Not only does the place boast an impressive list every kind of booze you'd like to sip, the cocktail creations are amazing. I need to give particular praise to The Lion's Tail:
Buffalo Trace Bourbon,
St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram,
Sugar,
Lime juice,
Angostura Bitters
The heavily accented and kindly waiter (I believe he's the owner) handed it to me, I took a sip, clapped my hands and declared that it tasted like Christmas!! I don't think I've had a better cocktail in some time (despite having lots of great ones over the past couple of weeks). It was frothy, it was spiced, it was bourbony and it was perfect.
Don't be surprised that Buffalo Trace is unfamiliar, it's a botuique-y distillery that's hard to find outside of Kentucky. And that St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram? Turns out it's a hard to find rum based liqueur “prized for its complex flavor of clove, cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper that dazzles the palate”. Little wonder I was a bit lit after one of these darlings.
I'm used to paying a bit more for expertly made cocktails, but it's that much more special when you know you could never make it yourself at home – though I wish I could make Lion's Tales for the Holiday season because it tastes like sugar plum dreams and warm winter nights by the fire, and kitchens filled with spices for family gatherings all while making you pleasantly drunk for the evening.
But what do you think?