Big City Tavern Ft Lauderdale – New Craft Cocktails Review
Big City Tavern Ft Lauderdale on Las Olas has added new weekly cocktail events such as Manly Monday, Tuesday BBQ Night and Kettle Night on Thursdays. To go along with these Happy Hour themes are new craft cocktails that serve as the pot o’ gold at the end of the Work Day.
Chef Zobel’s new menu items also pairs with the Happy Hour themes, such as Tuesday BBQ Night. From 5-11PM, enjoy a delicious platter of Chef Zobel’s favorite BBQ dishes ($24.99) and House Smoked Cocktails, such as Smokin’ With Mary -Chopin Rye Vodka, Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix, & Hickory Smoke, with Bacon Stirrer, ($14).
I visited on Manly Monday, which serves $8 Old Fashioneds with choice of Bulleit Bourbon, Bulleit Rye, Crown Royal Blended Canadian Whisky or Ron Zacapa Rum, from 4-9PM.
However, I came for the fabulous Smoke Show table-side presentation, featuring House Smoked cocktails, such as the Smoked Turkey On Rye -Wild Turkey Rye, Infused with Orange Peels and Cherries, Apple Wood Smoke. And, so should you!
For the show, the bartender presented a butcher block displaying an upside-down turned double Old Fashioned glass filled with Applewood smoke, accompanied by a small glass holding an over-sized and flawless cube of ice, a carafe filled with Wild Turkey Rye, and a skewered garnish of orange peel and Italian Amarena cherry.
The bartender quickly overturned the drink glass to retain the vapors as he placed the ice cube inside and poured the rye. The smoke-infused cocktail received its fruity garnish, and voila!
For my next cocktail, one of Big City’s House Infusions caught my eye the Tequila Mockingbird -Pineapple, Jalapeno and Fresno Peppers all Infused with Milagro Silver Tequila served in a double Old Fashioned glass. This hefty-sized drink was more potent than sweet.
My drinking companion chose, from Big City’s Cocktails On Tap, the La Paloma A Fuego –Herradura Blanco Tequila, House Made Grapefruit Soda and Fresh Ginger. Also on tap is their Triple Crown Mint Julep with Big City’s Select Barrel of Old Forester Bourbon infused with Mint and fresh Florida Oranges, and served over shaved ice.
We were getting pretty happy, so we ordered the Pan Seared Sea Scallops appetizer. This deconstructed version of the one of the swankiest hors d’oeuvres, the toothpick-skewered bacon-wrapped scallops, got us quite ecstatic.
The plate arrived with Thick-Cut Artisan Bacon, Grilled Green Apples, and Candied Pecans cuddling sweet Sea Scallops that are browned quickly at a high temperature to retain its juiciness, dressed with sweet Thai sauce and drizzled with classic aioli. A perfect marriage of smoky and sweet flavors; reminiscent of my rye cocktail.
As I planned on drinking dessert, namely the Layered Latte -Absolut Vanilla Vodka, fresh Espresso, and Rumchata, topped with whipped cream, it seemed wise to order dinner first.
Celebrating along with the macho Manly theme, I courageously ordered the hearty Allen Brothers NY Strip Steak topped with a brick of Gorgonzola Dolce Butter, with Hand Cut Fries, and, the veggie special of the day, a medley of Roasted Cauliflower, Bacon and Arugula, on the side.
My friend also went with a new dinner menu item, the exotic Moroccan Spiced Grilled Chicken Breast served with Almond Cous Cous, Pomegranate Molasses and Yogurt sauces.
While I only consumed half of my first two cocktail samplings, but I completely drained my Layered Latte, and even spooned up the leftover fresh whipped cream. This excellent dessert-inspired, chilled coffee cocktail combined smooth Vanilla vodka and creamy Caribbean rum flavored with a touch of cinnamon. A sweet and happy ending.
Big City Tavern Ft Lauderdale will continue their daily Happy Hour from 4-7PM with $2 off drinks and half-priced appetizers, and Wino Wednesday with half-off bottles of wine.
Big City Tavern Ft Lauderdale is located at 609 E. Las Olas Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 For reservations or more information, call: 954.727.0307, or, visit: BigCityLasOlas.com