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This week's email written courtesy of birthday boy James ...
Living with one of the triumviri means that I get to influence the bar choices on a fairly regular basis. Ranging from just a suggestion to a full-on veto reserved only as a last resort, I believe that I have worked for the common good in this and we have all benefited. Once a year, though, it's my birthday pubnight and I get an increased level of responsibility. This year I really had to put some thought into it and ponder the essential nature of pubnight to make a choice.
Here's my thought process ... My first choice was a swanky rooftop place that I went to for business and was quite taken with, but the fifteen dollar cocktails and dress code just didn't hold to the democratic nature of pubnight (if you want to roll out of bed and come right to PN, that should be your right).
My second choice was Waikiki Wally's / Pacific catch (whatever it's called now), and while it's an excellent spot which - I'm sure - most of us have at least a few embarrassingly great memories of, I just can't abide by their new raw bar motif, with naked bi-valves out on trays. I will miss the strong flaming drinks, but I'm sure the shivering oysters will thank us in the afterlife.
The third non-option was Harefield Road, a solid oak beam of a place with clean tap, a long list of foreign spirits and a hearty drinking feel, but we went there just last year, plus I get brunch there all the time anyway. That brings me to one of the essential elements of PN. Novelty. One has to try new places in this big city just to see what's going on in the trenches ...
So.
... Hardly a trench, I would like to invite you to the Huckleberry Bar as my one official choice this year. It's impressive yet unpretentious! I don't know whether the bartenders actually wear labcoats or require specialized degrees in bartending but it's one of those hard-core mixologist places. They have drinks ranging from the classics made with eye-dropper precision to nouveau concoctions with hip new flavors and obscure ingredients. The bar 'snacks' are also in the eye-dropper style, so it's small portions but exquisite flavors. Maybe enjoy a local burrito beforehand and then munch on the pickle plate or boiled peanuts. The cheeses and olives are also well worth the investment. There's probably some meat that might be good as well, but for that you can check the menu on the website http://huckleberrybar.com . [Note from Rebecca: the pigs-in-blankets are awesome!]
There's an outdoor patio that rivals the indoor space for both size and design.
Brooklyn beckons - but we'll keep our phones on in case you get lost.
Cheers,
- james (RM), & Rebecca, Jaye, and Cindy