Bar Hop in Seattle, Part II

After checking out Taylor Shellfish and Sun Liquor Distillery, we headed to Rumba. Considered to be the best rum bar in Seattle, it just so happened to be National Rum Day that day. We caught the tail end of happy hour which includes all their daiquiris. I chose the #3 or better known as the Hemingway Daiquiri.

Daiquiri #3 – rum, maraschino, grapefruit, lime

I wasn’t hungry but my dining companion insisted I have a bite of her fish taco. Oh, maybe I should have ordered one. The fried fish was massive and really tasty. I liked the crispy batter and mango salsa. It’s definitely a must for the low happy hour price.

Moving on, I chose one of my favorite rum cocktails, Presidente. It was such a good time to celebrate National Rum Day at this shrine to rum. The back bar is just beautiful.

Presidente – rum, curacao, grenadine, blanc vermouth

Rumba

1112 Pike St., Seattle, WA 98101  —  (206) 583-7177

Kevin Langmack at Vessel had recommended a new spot, The Old Sage to us. We decided to try it out. Looking over the cocktail list, I could tell one company had completely taken over and all the cocktails featured their spirits brands. It’s not always a bad thing but it did worry me a bit because I wondered if the bartenders had any say in making up the cocktails. I opted for the Expat (which is in quotes on the menu– odd).

Expat – blended Scotch, Carpano Antica, Campari, Averna, sassafras

 

Is anyone keeping track of our food during my bar crawl? First we started with tacos at Marination Station, moved on to olives and popcorn (and ice cream!) at Vessel and we decided it was time for another snack. Some bread and salad? Sure, thing. My friend chose the puffed sour bread which annoyingly was $8 and was really two hollow buns. We ended up cutting them open like pita and stuffing them with the amaranth salad I chose.

 

The amaranth salad was great though even if I have a thing about paying for expensive (small) salads. I was glad though I didn’t feel too stuffed because we did go to shoot pool at Garage and got chicken fingers. Oh yes, that’s perfect bar hopping food.

The Old Sage

1410 12th Ave., Seattle, WA 98122  —  (206) 557-7430

Zig Zag is always a favorite. And it was easy to get to when staying in Downtown. On my last night, I headed over there and it felt like walking into one of my regular spots– even though I don’t live in Seattle.

For my first drink, I tried the Red Sea because it featured Strega and I like that liqueur. However, I was really curious about the Amer Bigallet which turned out to be Bigallet’s version of Amer Picon, a bitter orange liqueur. I thought this helped balance the sweeter Strega. Yet the cocktail itself still retained a strong rye whiskey profile. It was delicious.

Red Sea – rye, dry vermouth, Strega, Amer Bigallet

Later I had a pisco sour which was very good but went back to whiskey. That’s the fun thing about Zig Zag, you can trot around the globe just via your glass.

 

Zig Zag Cafe

1501 Western Ave., Ste 202, Seattle, WA 98101  —  (206) 625-1146

Before my flight out, I decided on one last snack and drink before heading to the airport. I had been eying the W Hotel since it was so close to my hotel. I always like W Hotels. It was empty Trace, the hotel restaurant since it was between lunch and dinner plus it was a week day. I sat at the bar and ordered scallops and a Vieux Carre. I normally don’t order such drinks at hotel bars but I had high hopes since it was on their menu. Those hopes were dashed.

Oh dear, the Vieux Carre was shaken. I opted not to return the drink since I could not get a hold of the bartender. Although the bar was more or less empty, there were two other parties and the bartender spent most of the time at the other end of the bar.

As for the scallops, they were good if a bit salty. I would return for those. Sadly, I wished I had ended my drinks tour of Seattle at Zig Zag the night before.

Vieux Carre – rye, Benedictine, cognac, sweet vermouth, bitters

TRACE at the W

1112 4th Ave., Seattle, WA 98101  —  (206) 264-6060

© The Minty  2013