THE PLACE: Not exactly a “speakeasy” but Chez Zou is certainly hidden from view in the somewhat undiscovered neighborhood (or rather, development plaza) of Manhattan West – inside and upstairs a trendy Mediterranean restaurant. It feels like an extension of Zou Zou’s with large couches and a bar that is nestled into the wall. It’s a pretty cool set-up and there’s even an outdoor rooftop section which unfortunately was closed when we came on a less warm evening.
THE MENU: The tempting menu of tipples is divided up as is often the case on craft cocktail menus by style of cocktail – highballs, stiff drinks, bubbly, and coladas. Many of the ingredients are seductive, using Mediterranean influences, like grape leaf, date syrup, dill, and more. I shyed away from the cocktail I was most interested in out of fear it would be too acidic and instead went with a safe bourbon number called Banana Danse, made with banana, cardamom, chocolate, and coconut. It was smooth, bittersweet, and delicious.
THE DISH: Our server, however, was really good at his job and had been paying attention to my agony over which to drink to order. He surprised us with little tasters of the one in question: the Heliopolis. And as usual, I should have gone with my first instinct because this cocktail was out of this world. It’s one of the most innovative plays on a Whiskey Sour I’ve ever encountered. The whiskey is shaken with the unlikely ingredients of yuzu, green apple liqueur, mustard seed, and horseradish. Somehow I managed to taste every flavor and it all worked so perfectly for a tangy, not too acidic refresher. I get excited about unique savory ingredients in cocktails and this one was a home run. Price: $17
| CHEZ ZOU |
| 385 Ninth Avenue (between West 31st and West 34th Street), Inside Zou Zou’s – Upstairs Manhattan West, Midtown West (212) 380-8585 |
| chezzou.com |
