Burritt Room's Winning Pair

Lou Bustamante

Drink Without a Name #2

​Bar manger Joel Baker's just released fall cocktail list at the Burritt Room impressed us so much that we had to make this week's choice a rare selection of two cocktails--inspired perhaps by urgency of the news that Charlie Palmer is taking over the hotel. While his PR folks tell us that no changes in the bar program are expected, the menu is so well put together it would be a shame to miss.

The Drink Without a Name #2 ($10, Partida Reposado Tequila, Qi White Tea Liqueur, dry vermouth) is like a tequila Martini, with light bitterness, floral, and sweetness. We imaged ourselves ordering one as aperitif, with a crispness and strength that cleaned and warmed up our appetites.

Lou Bustamante

Lucia Bose cocktail

​The Lucia Bose ($10, Bols Genever, Campari, strawberry gomme syrup, lemon, still rosé wine) is an example of taking a spirit like genever (a malty, almost whisky-like Dutch style gin), and crafting a recipe that compliments, but doesn't overshadow the liquor.

Clearly there's been a lot of hard work put into reviving the cocktails and space, and Joel Baker and his staff have hit their stride. Let's hope that the Burritt Room will continue to flourish under Baker's guidance.

Burritt Room, 417 Stockton (at Sutter), inside the Crescent Hotel