This is such an amazing touch for bars & restaurants. I'm a huge proponent of great service being just as important as great cocktails at a bar. We do the chilled martini switch at 4 Charles Prime Rib, Bavette's Bar & Boeuf, Ciccio Mio & Armitage Alehouse. I first got the idea from a Hillstone restaurant- the now closed location on Michigan Avenue. Its such a fun moment for martini lovers!
The last time I had a Martini at Bemelmans—probably 5 years ago—it was way WAY too large, not that great, and far too warm before I had made a significant dent. I very much felt like I was renting a table and provided an afterthought of a drink to keep me company. Been a long long time since Audrey had that joint tightened up and dialed in.
I still find the bar enjoyable, based on the atmosphere and history alone, which is not matched anywhere else in town. The experience can be spotty. But lately I've noticed they've tightened up their game and are more conscious of details.
It’s a great room, but it’s the kind of place I probably won’t gamble on mixed drinks and just order a whisky. If and when I go at all. This reminds me it’s been far too long since I hit the bar room in the former Four Seasons restaurant—IMO an equally great space.
Yes. Also a great space. I wish I could say the King Cole Bar was still a great space. But really the only great part of it is the mural. I wish the Oak Room would reopen again. New York should have more great old bar spaces than it does.
On the practice of having your cocktail server bring you a fresh, chilled glass midway through your drink to replace your warm glass: I live in Phoenix. My husband and I went out for happy hour one midweek afternoon to a moderately nice restaurant. And our cocktail server did just that - midway through our cocktails she brought fresh, chilled glasses and poured our partially finished drinks into the new glasses. I'd never seen that done! Needless to say, she got a good tip from us.
I don't currently have a martini on my menu, but I'll make them for guests who request them. Had a couple come in yesterday and the gentleman ordered two gin martinis. Did the cold glass switch for him both times and they both FREAKED OUT. Permanently working this into the service repertoire!
Earlier this week, I bopped into Hillstone on Park Avenue South for a martini, prompted by Morrissey's video in The Bartender's Guide to New York (one of the best things on Instagram). I did NOT get the cold glass switch. Maybe I can chalk it up to bad luck -- they served my drink with two olives!
You already have London on your list, but the first time I went to Satan’s Whiskers in 2019 I experienced the cold switch too, and I was pleasantly surprised by the attentiveness! Although it did make me feel like I was drinking my martini too slowly. 😅 But if you haven’t been to Satan‘s, I highly recommend!
Now that’s a kind of service I like! Hillstone was one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I went there a lot! They really crushed service, food and atmosphere. Need to plan a visit again! They have one in NY?
Robert, as a new Upper East Sider, while I love the IDEA of Bemelmans and hope it exists long after I am gone (it is one of the few Savoy-like experiences in NY), I have to agree with your friend Martin that I have never actually had a good martini there, and I like super-dry, old school martinis - I think the problem is two-fold. For one, if you're going to give me a bird bath of gin, at least fill it to the top and don't let a sidecar do it for me (they fill the glass a quarter of the way and the whole thing gets warm in this sidecar you have to pour). It's never, ever been cold, and their other cocktails are similarly not great and a fortune. However, I was ignorant until very recently from this blog that apparently they make a great Old Cuban, so...
As for Hillstone, I am not a huge fan with the exception of East Hampton Grille which is operated by Hillstone/Houston's and I have loved their all gin, ice cold glass replacement midway through even when they are the busiest. The crowd is awful there but it really is quite good.
Love this! The Harvey House in Madison, WI does the switch! Budonoki, an izakaya in LA, also does the switch with their sake martini. One of the owners started his career at Hillstone.
If it's the one I'm thinking of, they usually -- or used to -- have a live jazz trio play every night. When I go there I often think "This is what it just have been like in the late fifties."
Houston's (or Hillstone) actually has a very selective and limited kick-ass menu. Pretty much everything on is tasty and affordable. I always go for the Hawaiian Rib eye and the fully loaded baked potato.
This is a really classy technique and would certainly influence where I would order a Martini . It is something that I do regularly at home and additionally serving the sidecar . When a friend is drinking at home with me , will serve the sidecar on ice and when they reach for it replace their glass . Always surprises them but a simple touch to make the drink the very best it can be
Wow, I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since we were in Madrid. What an amazing place! 🍸
It was a memorable trip.
This is such an amazing touch for bars & restaurants. I'm a huge proponent of great service being just as important as great cocktails at a bar. We do the chilled martini switch at 4 Charles Prime Rib, Bavette's Bar & Boeuf, Ciccio Mio & Armitage Alehouse. I first got the idea from a Hillstone restaurant- the now closed location on Michigan Avenue. Its such a fun moment for martini lovers!
Wow. Four more places on the record as doing the Martini glass switch! I've also heard they do it at Gibson's, but cannot confirm.
Next time that I go- Ill do some field research 🍸🍸
The last time I had a Martini at Bemelmans—probably 5 years ago—it was way WAY too large, not that great, and far too warm before I had made a significant dent. I very much felt like I was renting a table and provided an afterthought of a drink to keep me company. Been a long long time since Audrey had that joint tightened up and dialed in.
I still find the bar enjoyable, based on the atmosphere and history alone, which is not matched anywhere else in town. The experience can be spotty. But lately I've noticed they've tightened up their game and are more conscious of details.
It’s a great room, but it’s the kind of place I probably won’t gamble on mixed drinks and just order a whisky. If and when I go at all. This reminds me it’s been far too long since I hit the bar room in the former Four Seasons restaurant—IMO an equally great space.
Yes. Also a great space. I wish I could say the King Cole Bar was still a great space. But really the only great part of it is the mural. I wish the Oak Room would reopen again. New York should have more great old bar spaces than it does.
On the practice of having your cocktail server bring you a fresh, chilled glass midway through your drink to replace your warm glass: I live in Phoenix. My husband and I went out for happy hour one midweek afternoon to a moderately nice restaurant. And our cocktail server did just that - midway through our cocktails she brought fresh, chilled glasses and poured our partially finished drinks into the new glasses. I'd never seen that done! Needless to say, she got a good tip from us.
That move is a proven charmer. Can you name the restaurant so other people in the area can know?
I don't currently have a martini on my menu, but I'll make them for guests who request them. Had a couple come in yesterday and the gentleman ordered two gin martinis. Did the cold glass switch for him both times and they both FREAKED OUT. Permanently working this into the service repertoire!
Love this!
Earlier this week, I bopped into Hillstone on Park Avenue South for a martini, prompted by Morrissey's video in The Bartender's Guide to New York (one of the best things on Instagram). I did NOT get the cold glass switch. Maybe I can chalk it up to bad luck -- they served my drink with two olives!
What the heck? That ain't right!
You already have London on your list, but the first time I went to Satan’s Whiskers in 2019 I experienced the cold switch too, and I was pleasantly surprised by the attentiveness! Although it did make me feel like I was drinking my martini too slowly. 😅 But if you haven’t been to Satan‘s, I highly recommend!
I went 10 years ago, but need to return!
Now that’s a kind of service I like! Hillstone was one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I went there a lot! They really crushed service, food and atmosphere. Need to plan a visit again! They have one in NY?
Yes, one.
Robert, as a new Upper East Sider, while I love the IDEA of Bemelmans and hope it exists long after I am gone (it is one of the few Savoy-like experiences in NY), I have to agree with your friend Martin that I have never actually had a good martini there, and I like super-dry, old school martinis - I think the problem is two-fold. For one, if you're going to give me a bird bath of gin, at least fill it to the top and don't let a sidecar do it for me (they fill the glass a quarter of the way and the whole thing gets warm in this sidecar you have to pour). It's never, ever been cold, and their other cocktails are similarly not great and a fortune. However, I was ignorant until very recently from this blog that apparently they make a great Old Cuban, so...
As for Hillstone, I am not a huge fan with the exception of East Hampton Grille which is operated by Hillstone/Houston's and I have loved their all gin, ice cold glass replacement midway through even when they are the busiest. The crowd is awful there but it really is quite good.
Love this! The Harvey House in Madison, WI does the switch! Budonoki, an izakaya in LA, also does the switch with their sake martini. One of the owners started his career at Hillstone.
The Hillstone/Houston's influence does seem to go far, as far as this is concerned.
If it's the one I'm thinking of, they usually -- or used to -- have a live jazz trio play every night. When I go there I often think "This is what it just have been like in the late fifties."
Houston's (or Hillstone) actually has a very selective and limited kick-ass menu. Pretty much everything on is tasty and affordable. I always go for the Hawaiian Rib eye and the fully loaded baked potato.
I’ll have to try the Hillstone in Manhattan.
I had the martini swap with a sidecar at Harvey House in Madison. Elegant and delicious.
Wisconsin! Great.
This is a really classy technique and would certainly influence where I would order a Martini . It is something that I do regularly at home and additionally serving the sidecar . When a friend is drinking at home with me , will serve the sidecar on ice and when they reach for it replace their glass . Always surprises them but a simple touch to make the drink the very best it can be
I love the Martinis at Bemelmans—just thinking about them is making me nostalgic for New York!
It's the sort of space that makes you nostalgic.
This hospitality practice could be adapted when the cocktail is served with a sidecar. Elevate the experience to a notch.
Maybe I’ll ask my local Queen Mary to bring a new chilled glass for the sidecar Martini. 🍋
Enjoyed the connections you made here with bartending local & abroad. 👏
Thanks! There seem to be pockets here and there for this technique. Can't help but wonder who did it first.