Victory

We were drawn into Victory Bar by the sign that boasted acclaimed bartenders/mixologists and immediately wooed by the chill vibe. We were greeted with the daily cocktail tasting, which was a Tamarind Rum punch that transformed my whole idea of my Island girl rum punch. It was so subtle and smooth. My Chicago 71 cocktail also offered a whole a new taste of gin. It was fun to watch the bartenders craft the drinks like pieces of art, and the guy on duty had a great shake. I'm a sucker for a good shake.  The Truffle Popcorn was delicious: the truffle oil did that magical thing it does to your taste buds and insides and each bite popped with the spice of jalapeno salt. Our waitress Cheyenne, shared a bit about the owner, who we felt like we knew because you can really can feel his intention to create a great and unique experience in the details without even meeting him. I really fell in love with the vibe: it feels cool, genuine, intimate and friendly. I wish I lived there because I would definitely be a regular.

I wanted to give the place a second chance, so a friend and I sat at the bar on a slow Wednesday evening and tucked into the menu. It was a nice touch that we got to try a taste of the daily cocktail as soon as we sat down. However, the bar and the menus were very sticky. We got two different menus, but they didn't mind making stuff off of either one. I got the impression that the bartender was filling in, training, or just really out of it. Although the recipes and ingredients they offered on the menu were top notch, he didn't seem to have a solid grasp on the offerings or what went into them. So it took a pretty long time to get each drink, which he made one at a time, frequently consulting his cheat sheet for each ingredient. The first round was OK, though a little overdiluted (I had the 13th Floor). He attentively checked on us until we were ready for the second round. This time I went with a Manhattan variation. I smiled when he selected a good bourbon and vermouth, but cringed when he proceeded to shake it into a frothy, watery mess. I think they have overpriced their signature cocktails at $12 for the level of quality and the setting they offer at Victory. Or maybe I just got a green bartender. It seems like it has potential, but I was disappointed.

Enjoyed some great beverages here last night!  Great location, friendly service, great drinks!