Spritz and Giggles

Brack Shop Tavern is now open in Downtown Los Angeles. It took over the old Barrel Down space which was stripped and redecorated in less than a month. The bar remains in the same area but the bar has been transformed. Currently it’s open in the evenings with eventual brunch plans. I asked about lunch but 7th Street can be stiff with competition. And they are more a bar with good food rather than a restaurant with a bar.

To celebrate the opening, we began with the Spritz and Giggles, Brack Shop Tavern’s take on an Aperol Spritz. Instead of sparkling wine, a little tart cherry cider brings this drink to life.

Spritz and Giggles – Aperol, tart cherry cider, mint

street fruit

We kept things light with the street fruit which is just like the kind you find on a lot of LA street corners. The diced fruit can be mixed with the provided spices. Try dumping in some and shaking it all up.

pickled shrimp

I really liked how light the appetizers were. The pickled shrimp is an ideal app for a hot night as we’re still in the midst of a lingering summer.

mole cauliflower tacos

Vegetarians and non-vegetarians take note, the mole cauliflower taocs are delicious.

Just Another Tequila Sunrise

I get a kick at all these “old” drinks from the 70s-90s are making a come back. The Tequila Sunrise was already an old fashioned drink when I was in college but it makes a fresh splash at Brack Shop Tavern. This version is even better with both tequila and mezcal.

Just Another Tequila Sunrise – tequila, mezcal, passion fruit-cayenne syrup, hibiscus

fried chicken livers

I love fried chicken. I love chicken liver. I’ve never had fried chicken liver like this before. It’s like a creamy chicken nugget without the chemicals fast food joints rely on to make things taste good. These were just crispy good food.

twice baked wee potatoes

I can’t help but love baked potatoes and these wee ones were the greatest baked potatoes I’ve had in a while. Growing up, there was a baked potato shop at the mall I would get a snack from. If they had them in this size, it would have really been a snack (instead of a pseudo-meal). Good potatoes, good cheese, good sour cream and bits of bacon– it all comes together in delicious little bites.

Negroni

We were served a pilsner with our snacks but I couldn’t resist also getting a Negroni. It was perfect.

Patty Melt

A patty melt with pimento cheese is delicious. But served with extra pimento cheese? Decadent. This is one of the better patty melts I’ve had in recent history. I did wish it was served a little more rare but that’s just my preference.

Strawberry Letter 43

The Strawberry Letter 43 is a twist on the neo-Classic cocktail, Rome with a View. Brack Shop Tavern adds in strawberry and pink peppercorn. I loved this drink and it was my favorite.

Strawberry Letter 43 – Campari, dry vermouth, strawberry, lime, pink peppercorn

Brack Shop Coffee

Finishing up, we had a spiked coffee drink, the Brack Shop Coffee which is served tall so be prepared for the caffeine buzz.

Brack Shop Coffee – chicory bourbon, amaro, cold brew

ice cream sundae

We ended things sweetly and toasted the latest bar on 7th with an ice cream sundae. It felt very appropriate and celebratory.

Brack Shop Tavern

© The Minty 2016

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