When in Philadelphia I found myself with a thirst; a thirst for something alcoholic, something with a bit of a burn, to fortify the mind and whet the appetite for boozy Cheesesteak Sandwiches. There are a few food and drink items that I stray into the realm of the fussy with: eggs benedict is one, cocktails are another. Nothing angers me more than ordering a cocktail or eggs benedict out and receiving one that is sub-standard. With both I am a perfectionist. With eggs benedict it stems from my passion for it (read a few articles back – you’ll see it is one of my very favourite meals). With cocktails it stems from my own personal history. For many years I worked as a cocktail bartender (I hesitate to call myself a mixologist…my twattishness only extends so far) at a high end cocktail bar where both classic and modern skills were drummed into me. I sweated blood and tears into producing perfect Manhattans, impeccable Martinis and faultless Bellinis. Consequently nothing infuriates me more than ordering a cocktail, paying a fairly large amount for it and then seeing some imbecile prepare it wrongly right before my very eyes, obliviously handing me over the steaming culprit, eyes hinting at a tip. STOP – WHY ARE YOU SHAKING IT?! PUT THAT SMIRNOFF ICE AWAY NOW! COCKTAIL CHERRIES? Really?! Immense rage, immense.
I put myself at risk of this rarely, only when insured of quality, perfection. Once found, I am loyal. It was this that I had in mind when venturing out for cocktails in Philadelphia one evening. Our venue was to 1 Tippling Place, a newly launched bar in central Philadelphia, rumoured to be the new ‘it spot’ for elegant and refined bibation.
I put myself at risk of this rarely, only when insured of quality, perfection. Once found, I am loyal. It was this that I had in mind when venturing out for cocktails in Philadelphia one evening. Our venue was to 1 Tippling Place, a newly launched bar in central Philadelphia, rumoured to be the new ‘it spot’ for elegant and refined bibation.
The bar has an upscale quirky vibe; decorated like the trendiest living room you have ever seen with comfy sofas, mismatched chairs and tables lining the walls. Whole window frames and panes protrude from the walls: hipster chic at its most complimentary and best. Low lighting and jazz bring romance and the (all too rare) ability to hold and hear a conversation. The clientele blended the young and trendy with a more middle aged and professional crowd, with an abject and welcome absence of frats or screaming, rowdy students. Relaxed, cool and upscale – all set in your living room.
The cocktail menu combines both classic and modern techniques, heralding cocktails such as the Chocolate Rum Old Fashioned, warm and rich, finishing with a bold hit of cocoa, the Air Mail, champagne with rum and honey, fresh and zingy, and the perfect Martini. Here I found a bar team that I could trust, one that I could whole heartedly hand my dollars over to in the knowledge that I would receive perfection. Not that many dollars were needed; the menu is extremely reasonably priced and won’t leave you weeping over the tab. Around $9 a drink.
I won’t gush, though certainly the bar is worthy of it. If you are, or are to be, in Philadelphia do go and check 1 Tippling Place out – and quickly before everyone catches onto it!
http://1tpl.com/
http://www.facebook.com/1TipplingPlace/info
2006 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
http://1tpl.com/
http://www.facebook.com/1TipplingPlace/info
2006 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
