This place was a real find! Best bartender awards...

This place was a real find! Best bartender awards need to be directed to Kevin. His skill, affability, and creativity are truly remarkable. But his best asset is his knowledge of spirits - as well as the things that go with them. Of course his bar is also important - and it one of, NO, is THE BEST stocked bar I've visited. I may have seen a bar with more this, or more that, but not one with the scope and breadth of this one. Batavian Arrak, several bitter French and Italian liqueurs, home-infused vodkas, etc. It is constantly changing as well, as some of these bottles are not available all the time - but they bring them in to share with interested customers.

Then the food. Wow. Perfectly executed food, without the fuss, with all the flavor. It is subtle when that is called for, and bold where that makes the dish. The menu is a mixture of small plates, bar snacks (they avoid the word tapas here - avoiding any pretense - and it's not Spanish after all), and Cheeses and Charcuterie (a little pretense back - but really no other word works), and entrees. They also have some amazing sides which are very simple - basically vegetable based dishes (try the excellent anchovy dusted grilled broccoli! or ratatouille). The menus is contantly changing too as local or seasonal ingredients become available. I did not partake of the desserts, but watched a couple of friends out for a birthday meal and drink, have some of the best deserts I've seen in awhile. They have their own pastry chef after all. GO THERE. Maybe even make it your hang-out.

Oh, and it's a little hard to find - and I never saw a sign - I think it must be there but it is likely very subtle. It's at the base (downtown side) of the I25 walking bridge. Take Bus 28 or 44 to Plate and head NE to the next street - and around the corner to the base of the bridge. Or take the free mall ride to it's end at union station and head across the commons park - the footbridge, then NW 1/2 block to the place. = Highland neighborhood.