Half-sampling the new fall drinks at B&O American Brasserie
When the B&O American Brasserie announced its new fall drink menu yesterday, I was excited to see if some of the drinks lived up to their lip-smacking menu descriptions.
After having a couple cocktails there last night, I'm still not sure.
You see, the B&O American Brasserie's new fall drink menu doesn't actually come out until today, our bartender told us.
All the ingredients arrive today, and the staff's formal training on how to make the new drinks starts today. Somebody jumped the gun in announcing the menu, it seems.
Oops ...
Amie got an Engineer's Coffee, which was supposed to be espresso and brandy garnished with Grand Mariner whipped cream. Since the bartender didn't have any whipped cream, he added some Grand Marnier, which didn't jive too well with the espresso.
I was glad the bartender at least tried to humor us by doing the best he could. And I loved the wide, velvet-covered bar chairs. It's a pretty swanky space, all in all.
Last night's episode brings up an interesting point. When I first started doing the nightlife column, I quickly learned it's not fair to review a new bar or club the first week it opens. Usually, the owners are still smoothing out the wrinkles.
But since blogs and Twitter have made being the first person to report news so important, I feel like in order to be on top of new nightlife (like this cocktail list), I have to be the first person on the scene.
As I learned again last night, being the first person there doesn't always work out in your favor.
(Photo from B&O American Brasserie's Web site)
I've been The Baltimore Sun's nightlife and local entertainment reporter for a couple years, and it's surprising how much the scene has grown in that time. Most of Baltimore's bars and clubs are unpretentious places with fairly cheap drinks and plenty of character. I like dancing and think this city needs more clubs, but nothing beats having a cold, locally brewed beer with friends in a comfortably full corner bar.
