** Going back through my archives, I apparently had a Manhattan on the rocks at Tony’s Saloon. I do also like the new-fangled ones at Thirsty Crow. One for the westside and one for the east! But for a Manhattan, the best is still at Seven Grand. Apparently they felt people would “get wasted.” I suppose that’s not the point of a bar? Er. They “don’t make Long Island Iced Teas” but did for a friend while I was there. I asked the bartender what other whiskeys would she recommend and she said she was a Jameson girl. I was back a couple nights later and went to a fall back- Jameson and Ginger. Still, this is the bar I come to when I want a good rum on the rocks. I should have ordered it perfect (half sweet vermouth, half dry vermouth) but neglected to.
It was definitely pleasing to look at but I felt there was a bit too much vermouth. I couldn’t resist, I ordered a Manhattan at Verdugo Bar. I was still on a Manhattan kick the next night on while on the Craft Beer Crawl. Or any of the drinks with ginger as they will add a dash of minced ginger for an extra kick. Sometimes I might have a mint julep to fully take advantage of the freshly grown mint. They tend to turn up their nose though if you try to order a vodka redbull. They have a short list of cocktails though you can order whatever you feel like. And I damn well like theirs with the veritable salad they give you the grape tomato is usually the sweetest grape tomato I’ve had in months. I do come here just with friends though as I did after dinner at Mariscos Chente. I hate to admit that I have a date bar but this is what the Mandrake is to me. The music can be good depending on who’s the DJ. There are low tables made from tree trunks, a “gallery” (I’ve heard they have art but I’ve yet to see any) and an outdoor patio where they grow their own mint. Walking in, you’ll find the most “hipster” bar on the Westside. There’s a tiny sign that says “bar.” Otherwise there’s no other signage and most people have trouble locating it the first time they go. It’s on La Cienenga, in between Venice and Washington. One of my favorite bars is the Mandrake in Culver City.
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