OUT ON THE TOWN
BY KAIT HANSON
I’ll be the first to tell you that social media is my favorite way to find out about fun, new-to-me bars and restaurants. When I stumbled upon Town Restaurant, a farm-to-table mecca in Kaimuki, I made reservations for the next evening.
With a slogan like “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always,” I knew it had to be good! As an added bonus, the eatery is dog friendly, so I was eager to go out on the town (pun possibly intended) with my four-legged companion, Judy.
My reservation was for 5:30, but I got there a little early just in case. Parking proved to be a bit of a challenge, so I was glad for the extra time. I made my way onto the porch, just as a crowd of people started to gather around. Right at 5:30, the doors opened and we were seated at a prime location on the patio. I dove right into the cocktail menu.
The waitress noted that the Basil Gimlet and 27 Bulleits both were customer favorites, so I decided right then and there that I would have one of each.
It was a pretty hot evening, so I started with the Basil Gimlet — a mixture of Prairie Vodka, lime, basil and simple syrup — hoping for something light and refreshing. The drink seems to take its namesake very seriously: It was served with an enormous fresh basil leaf in it, as opposed to muddled. It was refreshing without sacrificing taste or strength.
Next, it was time for 27 Bulleits, a crisp concoction of Bulleit Bourbon, lemon, and Fonsica Bin 27 Port. I will be honest — it was too strong for me, and I wished I had gone with The Smoking Dove, a smoky citrus combination of Vida Mezcal and grapefruit. That being said, my husband loved it. This drink would be better suited for those who normally favor bourbon … and are not driving home.
The next time I visit Town (and there WILL be a next time — the service and atmosphere are too good to pass up!), I’ll be trying their dinner menu with specialty wine pairings — and of course, The Smoking Dove.