Dutch Kills (27-24 Jackson Avenue) has intrigued us since it opened earlier this year - mainly because it's in the middle of nowhere. Co-owner Sasha Petraske has done some interesting things - Milk & Honey - and some not so - East Side Company, a coffee place? - so we didn't know what to expect. But what we did know was that after Le Fooding (aka Le No Boozing) we needed a drink.
So why would anyone open a bar in this desolate area? Beats us but we were happy to see the bar sign lit up from a block away. This aint' Manhattan folks - they want people to find this place. And when you do find it and step inside, you'll find a handsome joint with seating in the front, a narrow hall, and a smallish bar where all the mixology happens.
Fine and dandy, but what about the drinks you ask? Pretty darn good based on generous sampling.
So why would anyone open a bar in this desolate area? Beats us but we were happy to see the bar sign lit up from a block away. This aint' Manhattan folks - they want people to find this place. And when you do find it and step inside, you'll find a handsome joint with seating in the front, a narrow hall, and a smallish bar where all the mixology happens.
Fine and dandy, but what about the drinks you ask? Pretty darn good based on generous sampling.
The emphasis these days seems to be on brown spirits, which is right in our comfort zone, with most current cocktails from recipes dating back to the late 19th or early 20th centuries. Happily, cocktails were only $10 (up from $9 at opening, cash only) and there was no sign of the live music that once reportedly filled the back on weekends so we could drink in peace.
Our suggestion is to work your way around the drink list as well as feel out the bartender to know what to order. We did pretty well with the drinks on the board but also got some great suggestions along the way. One note, if it's busy expect the bartender to not notice you for a while. All the drinks seem to have ice chopped to order - often different sizes for different drinks. This takes time. If you're at the tables note that your waitress or a bar back makes your drink, not the bartender. From what we saw, they did it with precision so there should be no quality differences. Still we recommend sitting at the bar for maximum bartender interaction.
We had a couple drinks off the menu board - the Old Pal (rye, dry vermouth, campari) was quite bitter and the large ice cube did not mellow it as much as we had liked while The Suffering Bastard (bourbon, gin, lime, ginger bitters & soda) was different than the version Raines Law Room makes. It was served in a tall glass with one long, narrow ice cube. The ginger was nice and distinct, and while I would have preferred a bit more bourbon, my companion really liked it. Regardless, it definitely got better as we drank it. Off the menu, we had a Paper Plane (aperol, nonino grappa, bourbon & honey) and the excellent 1868 Manhattan made with grand marnier and curacao.
All in all, worth a visit if you're in the area. But then again, are you ever in the area? Time will tell how this place will do but for right now, we'll take it.
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Avenue
Dutchkillsbar.com
Our suggestion is to work your way around the drink list as well as feel out the bartender to know what to order. We did pretty well with the drinks on the board but also got some great suggestions along the way. One note, if it's busy expect the bartender to not notice you for a while. All the drinks seem to have ice chopped to order - often different sizes for different drinks. This takes time. If you're at the tables note that your waitress or a bar back makes your drink, not the bartender. From what we saw, they did it with precision so there should be no quality differences. Still we recommend sitting at the bar for maximum bartender interaction.
We had a couple drinks off the menu board - the Old Pal (rye, dry vermouth, campari) was quite bitter and the large ice cube did not mellow it as much as we had liked while The Suffering Bastard (bourbon, gin, lime, ginger bitters & soda) was different than the version Raines Law Room makes. It was served in a tall glass with one long, narrow ice cube. The ginger was nice and distinct, and while I would have preferred a bit more bourbon, my companion really liked it. Regardless, it definitely got better as we drank it. Off the menu, we had a Paper Plane (aperol, nonino grappa, bourbon & honey) and the excellent 1868 Manhattan made with grand marnier and curacao.
All in all, worth a visit if you're in the area. But then again, are you ever in the area? Time will tell how this place will do but for right now, we'll take it.
Dutch Kills
27-24 Jackson Avenue
Dutchkillsbar.com
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