2012 - Tavernita

FINALLY - we have long been awaiting the chance to make it to this place - and not just for the food, but for the many unique cocktails on their menu. So much so, we spent the night at a hotel within walking distance to ensure we were able to safely try all the beverages we wanted to.

We didn't bother taking pictures of the beverages but we tried all the kegged and shaken cocktails (except for the house made cola and tempranillo) Here's the list (in no particular order):

kegged cocktails

  • booty collins - green tea-infused absolut vodka, passionfruit, lemon, cayenne, yohimbe

  • comandante big nose - hibiscus-infused cruzan rum, macadamia liqueur, falernum, lime, nutmeg

  • the turista - hornitos tequila blanco, preserved cherries, grapefruit, black pepper syrup, lime, bbq bitters

  • pisco double punch - barsol pisco, pineapple, lemon, aji amarillo

  • jay & tay - plymouth gin, lime, antique tonic

  • quixote - spanish brandy, sherry, grand marnier, yellow chartreuse

From the Kegged Cocktails, the booty collins and the turista were our favorites. We actually like the Quixote also, but felt this was best served as an after dinner drink. The Jay and Tay was disappointing for Sue as it was basically a gin & tonic for people who don't like gin and tonic.

Shaken & Stirred

  • tatan-kat - zubrowka bison grass vodka, averna, licor 43, house-made orange soda

  • 3x wise - rhum jm, dark rum, lemon, sage, mole bitters

  • one-thumbed gypsy - leblon cachaça, red pepper & saffron syrup, lemon, moroccan bitters

  • dirty pig on fire - giardiniera-infused belvedere vodka, olive brine, chile oil, lomo

We liked this round of drinks better than the kegged cocktails. Dirty Pig on fire is a really fun drink if you like giardiniera. The tatan-kat was also good. Actually none of them were bad.

Now for the food:

We started out with the Escalivada - eggplant, red peppers, hazelnut romesco, goat cheese, crostini. This was surprisingly good. It wasn't something we were originally planning on ordering, but added at the recommendation of our server.

Next we moved onto the much anticipated and delicious Pork Belly Bocadillos - apple jam, pickled red onions, brioche bun - um, what's not to love!

We next went with something Mark had read about online and although it didn't sound too exciting, it was highly recommended. Brussels Sprouts - chestnuts, val d'aosta fontina cheese. It was good, but personally, I think it needed bacon.

Continuing with our oyster theme from earlier that day, we decided to order the Oyster Cocktail - samish bay pickled oyster, mango, papaya, poached shrimp, jalapeño relish. This was really really good.

Next we had Corn Pudding - shrimp, chile poblano, herb salad. Holy Moly this made our mouths very happy. Sue didn't even mind the shrimp!

Next we ordered the Patatas - potatoes, chorizo, fried egg, brava sauce. These were pretty tasty, but we were definitely slowing down from being full.

Lastly we ordered the Suckling Pig Confit - apples, squash, caramel sherry vinegar sauce. This was good, but we're not sure if we were just too full to really appreciate it or if our expectations were so high, that it just didn't live up to it.

Really had a great night here. We're both really looking forward to going back again - soon.