no website
20 Prince St. – SoHo

This is a new subterranean ‘speakeasy’. They’ve been open about a month. The interior is rather small and it must be nuts when it gets packed. But the drinks are really nice and the bartender, Raphael, was very friendly. We checked it out right before Christmas, so I think we got lucky with the crowds.  We’ve since gone 3 or 4 times and enjoyed it every time.  It does get full of hipsters later, but we generally go early before dinner.

It’s in the basement of Jaques and that’s right, the theme is Classic French cocktails with Polynesian flair. They have a nice munchie menu to complement the drinks. And you’ll need it, as the drinks pack a punch. We only tasted one item…

Harissa Spiced Lamb Meatballs
Seasoned with a Moroccan chili paste and lemon zest

Cocktails

Americas:

• Code Noir: Marriage of French Aromatic Pineau des Charantes and American Rye Whiskey. Peach bitters, angostura bitters, and lemon oil
• Stirred Up:  Frozen Coup
• Napoleon’s Loss:  Mexican variant of a modern classic. Anejo Tequila, Lemon Juice, Ginger-Agave Nectar, finished off with some smoky Mezcal
• The Pearl of the Antilles:  France’s attempt to colonize South America with this Cachaca, Cane Syrup, Lime Juice, and muddled blueberry and cardamom

French Polynesia/Pacific (Établissements français d’Océanie):

• Rebel Yell:  Jamaican Rum, House Made Orgeat, Fresh Lemon Juice, Apricot Liquor, and Angostura. Served with a large Mint Sprig
• Tahitian 75:  Western style gin, blended with Fresh Lemon Juice and Hibiscus Syrup. Topped with Dry Champagne and garnished with an edible flower
• Colonial Vacation:  Calvados, East India Sherry, Velvet Falernum, Fresh Lime Juice, and Demerara Sugar. Topped with Blue Mountain Coffee grinds and Whiskey Barrel Bitters

Africa (Afrique occidentale française, AOF):

• Foreign Legion Punch:  Chai Red Bush Tea, VS Cognac, Fresh Lemon Juice, Demerara Syrup, and some black cherry preserves and Brandy Cherry topped off with a lemon wheel
• St. Louis Fizz: A combination of spiced rum, bourbon, spiced syrup, fresh lemon juice, and egg white
• Bang the Drum:  Spiced syrup, Ramazotti Amaro, and VS Cognac. Finished off with a large orange peel

Asia:

• Same Same But Different:  Peruvian Pisco, Lemon-grass Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Juice, and egg white. Dusted with Chai Green Tea and Angostura Bitters
• Halong Bay Cooler:  Vodka, pear juice, fresh Lime juice, and Mint delight
• Saigon Folly:  ‘Tear-jerker’ pepper infused gin, lemongrass syrup, fresh Lemon juice, Creme Yvette, and soda

Punches:

• Revelry Punch:  Soothing mixture of Rye Whiskey, Yellow Chartreuse, Absinthe, Apple Cider, Lemon Juice, and Demerara
• Pumpkin Patch Punch:  Nicaraguan rum infused with pumpkin, fresh pineapple juice, Grapefruit juice, Sugar Cane, Pumpkin Allspice, Orange Juice, and finished off with Angostura bitters, grated cinnamon, and star anise