Eighteenth Cocktail Bar

Sometimes you need a change from the traditional bar scene and Eighteenth Cocktail Bar is the perfect place to do just that. Take a step back in time to the Prohibition era bar where you can sip on old school drinks and munch on house bites that are sure to satisfy. In case you aren't familiar with the staple drinks of the past, they are definitely something you need to try at least once in your life. Some of my favorites are Pimm's Cup, Mojito, and Bee's Knees. If you are a fan of fresh flavors that aren't overly sweet, then these should definitely be on your list. Whether it's cucumber, gin, and lemon (Pimm's Cup), mint, rum, and lime (mojito), or gin, honey, and lemon (Bee's Knees), these are sure to be pleasing to the palate. However, I was feeling super adventurous and decided that I was going to try the infamous Ramos gin fizz. This specialty cocktail is made with egg and becomes a frothy, heavenly beverage. Fun fact - it because it takes about 10 minutes to get the egg frothy, so it is somewhat time consuming to make. I know it sounds a bit odd, but give it a try because it actually turned out to be one of my favorites of the night! (Shout out to the bar tenders for their hard work to make such a wonderful drink!) However, one can't usually go to a bar now without ordering some kind of food, so we started with The Eighteenth Sliders. These sliders were served with a cheddar jalapeno aioli and kettle chips. These patties such packed a lot of flavor and weren't your average slider, especially with the yummy aioli. If you are looking for something extra spicy, be sure to order them with extra jalapenos.

Next up was the capicola margherita flatbread, which happened to be my favorite. This flatbread was topped with capicola, tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. The bread was soft and not soggy from the toppings. The fresh basil kept the pizza from feeling too heavy and the capicola was a unique twist and made it feel a bit more substantial. The chimichurri chicken panini isn't your average sandwich because of the sauce. It added a smoky flavor note to the sandwich, which took it to the next taste level. I really like that they used wheat bread because it adds an earthiness to the panini and to be honest most places don't use it, so it's just a nice change. The kettle chips are crunchy, not super salty, and have a yummy smokey spice sprinkled on...much better than the bland regular potato chips that are usually served. (Plus they go great with the sauce.)

I know that shrimp cocktail isn't usually anything to write home about, nor is it something that I would usually order at the bar, but I figured this was a good opportunity to break out of the norm. The best part was how pleasantly surprised I was by the cocktail sauce. It was not your normal red sauce because how many times have you had jalapeno cocktail sauce, which made a huge difference in the dish. If you are a fan of shrimp cocktail, this is definitely something you need to try because it's not what you are expecting. I am still a child at heart and get really excited when places have a grilled cheese on the menu. This was a brie and proscuitto grilled cheese and it was heavenly! The brie had a touch of sweetness to it that balanced well with the salty proscuitto and melted perfectly. The best part is pulling the halves apart and watching the melty cheese stick together. This was a close second with the flatbread for my favorite bite of the night. For me this was an upscale way to enjoy one of my favorite childhood foods.

I can honestly say that I wouldn't have expected a Caprese salad to be on the menu, as it's most definitely not your typical bar food...but Eighteenth Cocktail Bar isn't about giving you the typical bar experience. I don't think that I should really ever be a judge of Caprese salads because I don't like the tomato - which is a problem since that's a major component of the dish. Luckily, I was with someone who did eat the tomatoes, so between the two of us I feel better about making a judgement on the salad. The fresh basil and mozzarella were well balanced and the balsamic vinegar gave it the touch of acidity that it needed. But what's not to love about cheese and basil?! Eighteenth Cocktail Bar is a great place to relax and catch up with friends. You can't help but forget about the world when you step inside and find yourself watching old school black and white movies, sipping on an Old Fashion. Whether you are looking for delicious food or unique cocktails, you can be sure you will find it at Eighteenth Cocktail Bar. Be sure to mark your calendars to head on over to their grand reopening on Friday, June 7! It will be a great time to eat, drink, and celebrate the start of the weekend. Cheers!