Everyone seems to be getting into the spirit this year! Dawn has been checking out some great cocktail venues to visit this holiday season:
My first stop was Miracle on Monroe, a pop-up bar in Midtown Promenade where Tapa Tapa is usually located. Starting Thanksgiving, however, a Miracle occurred 
Elves apparently swooped in and decorated, but alas, without the Environs design team in tow! Nearly everything is wrapped in “festive” gift wrap. There is tinsel galore plus a few technology features that create a warm and inviting atmosphere, including a fireplace or two. The menu got a holiday makeover as well. My friend Anne and I tried the quite spicy Chex Mix. I of course had to taste the Christmapolitan and Anne stuck with wine. We had a Jolly Good Time and might even venture up to the Miracle Buckhead before both venues close on Christmas Eve. Be prepared for a little wait as it seems they are likely to maintain the allure by making sure there is always a line at the door. Ho Ho Ho!
Next up… Three of us (myself, Lynn and Amanda) headed to the new Rose + Rye in The Castle on 15th Street. Terry and I once stumbled upon a predecessor bar in this location in the past, but guess it didn’t work out. What a COOL building! We settled at the bar after I WALKED there from my office since traffic was terrible. Even in heels it was doable, a dangerous discovery for me 😉 Lynn and Amanda had ordered up some drinks in anticipation of my parched arrival after the long hard slog. Plus cocktails were the order of business so we sampled the True at First Light (Amanda is holding this in her photo), which was actually our favorite, containing Western Son Vodka, Ginger Liqueur, Agave, Mint, and Bubbles.
Our other 2 cocktails were the signature Rose+Rye, which was made with Dicket rye whiskey, bitters, rose water and flamed orange and packed quite a punch, and the In our Time, made with rum, Campari, pineapple ginger syrup and fresh lime, which I enjoyed thoroughly.
All were wonderful as were the super nice (and easy on the eyes) bar-folk serving them. Amanda and Lynn sampled the French Toast appetizer to soak up some alcohol (they had a head start). The bartender was making recommendations but we all knew the answer once she mentioned “pickled mushrooms”. So yes, not your typical french toast – it was a savory dish of creamy melt in your mouth toast (with fondue foam) with 2 kinds of mushrooms on the side, and yes, the pickled mushrooms were fantastic.
We’ll be doing a follow up on dinner very soon. I can’t wait to go back!
Last but not least, it seems Terry and I’s favorite Buckhead stop continues to be Bistro Niko. The bar is always lively, the bartenders KNOW their wine, can mix up a mean martini and the food is scrumptious and fast. After a quick mall shopping trip, we popped in for some much needed food and libation.
Sticking with the Holiday Cocktail theme, I ordered an apple-spiced bourbon concoction, their Bistro Cider, recommended by our server. She didn’t miss. It was made with bourbon, Calvados apple brandy, secret spices, topped with apple slices and served on the rocks. It wasn’t super sweet but we decided to have her strain and keep it for after food which was perfect.
For the edibles, we enjoyed the Endive Salad, the Oysters Florentine (OMG, candied bacon on baked oysters with spinach and Pernod) and the Trout Amandine. The trout was prepared to PERFECTION. Not a bite was left on the plate. Seems we need just a couple more shopping outings up to Buckhead this year!
Merry Christmas Y’all!