This week, I've decided to flout one of my self-imposed blogging rules—specifically, the "eat in Manhattan, hang out in Manhattan, but don't write about Manhattan" one. But I have a very good reason for this: I found out that a couple of the long-time mixologists from Angel's Share have opened a brand-new cocktail bar. These days, Brian and I don't frequent Angel's Share as much as we used to—it's a trek from our home in Queens and there are so many other fantastic drink joints to choose from now, like Flatiron Lounge and Death & Co.

Angel's Share, though, is a sentimental favorite. When Brian and I first became regulars, ten years ago, we were new to each other and new to real cocktails (not too far past, I shudder to admit, the Long-Island-iced-tea stage). I also happened to be new to the city, so excitement and a sense of enchantment embellished everything I did and everywhere I went. But while we've outgrown most of our haunts from that period, Angel's Share—a serene little nook with balletic bartenders, big windows overlooking the East Village, and a cherub mural that would be positively cheesy in any other context—has never lost its magic.

What happens when you transfer those aforementioned bartenders to Tribeca? Well, as Brian and I found out two weeks ago, you get a place that is familiar in spirit (though B Flat is not affiliated with Angel's Share), but sleeker and a bit sexier in feel. This has at least something to do with the fact that B Flat occupies a windowless basement space and is dark. Very dark. But dark in a cool way, with lots of wood and flickering candlelight. The soundtrack is (what else?) classic jazz, and comfy booths fill the wall opposite the bar. When we stopped in, early on a Wednesday evening, the place was pretty empty—just us, another couple, and three bartenders, all of them familiar faces from you-know-where.  





The cocktail menu features a nice collection of original drinks, and of course the standards, like Brian's Manhattan, are handled flawlessly. With these guys, it's all about precision and detail—down to the cut of the ice cubes, and the deep-purple (not maraschino) cherry in that Manhattan.

While sipping your perfectly made libations, order a few nibbles from the menu of small plates—which include refreshing ceviche with yuzu dressing, flavorful roasted duck in a port soy sauce, and roasted white asparagus topped with truffly bread crumbs. Unless you eat much less than Brian and I do, they won't make a meal, but may at least enable you to stick around for one more Groovy (shiso-infused vodka, yuzu juice, and shiso leaf) or Blue Moon (gin, lemon juice, and parfait amour).


           
                              
                                
                                                                        
                                                      
                      
                                                                                        
New York Metro brings us two other bits of good news:  B Flat plans to introduce a list of refreshing summer cocktails and "a Tokyo-style fusion restaurant" is slated to open in the space upstairs.


B FLAT
277 Church Street (between Franklin and White)
New York, NY
212-219-2970
For directions, visit http://www.hopstop.com


Categories: Drinks,  Miscellaneous Stuff
Technorati Tags: b flat, angel's share, cocktails, new york


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