Drinks at Faith and Flower

Faith and Flower has recently launched new drinks and I also checked out lunch. I’ve been meaning to stop by for the lunch pre-fixe which they’re calling “quick-fixe.” For $18, you get three courses. Considering a bowl of ramen (with added toppings) can run you over $12 sometimes, this seems like quite the deal. But once I got there, I couldn’t help but sample more of the menu. Next time though! I adore the kimchi deviled eggs here and that is one of the appetizer choices. The open-faced trout melt was intriguing as well. And I bet the chocolate dessert is amazing.

If you can have liquor during lunch, the daiquiri is great.

kampachi ceviche

We started with the kampachi ceviche which features head bartender Mike Lay’s housemade ginger beer. I do enjoy using potato chips as a vehicle to bring the fresh ceviche to your mouth.

Dundorado

I’m not sure why I expected rum when I heard the name Dundorado but no, this cocktail is a combination of tequila and the orange-flavored Calisaya liqueur. It’s quite nice and something I’d like to sip on. It is a classic cocktail riff with added bitters. Usually made with gin, this drink with tequila gives it a fun spin.

Dundorado – Arette blanco tequila, Calisaya, Imbue Pearl & Thorn Aperitif, Bittermens burlesque bitters

chili marinated calamari

Following ceviche, we had more raw seafood in the form of chili marinated calamari. My seafood-loving heart enjoyed this dish. It had the perfect piquancy.

Orchard Smash

As I considered the Orchard Smash made with whiskey produced in Alabama, I wondered how many regional whiskies have I had. Guess I better start counting. This refreshing drink will remind us summers will be here soon enough.

Orchard Smash – Clyde May Alabama whiskey, lemon, mint, ginger, baked apple bitters

rock shrimp roll

When I spied the rock shrimp roll on the menu, I knew that’s what I wanted for lunch. The heavily buttered roll was the perfect wrapper of the sweet little shrimp. Plenty of pickled onion and lettuce gives the sandwich a nice crunch.

Witch of Wilshire

Not too far from Wilshire Boulevard is the Spadena House, also known as the Witch’s House. It’s very popular around Halloween but all year long tourists can be found admiring the quirky abode that looks straight out of Hansel and Gretel. This drink reminds me of that house with its yellow hue. And it’s pretty perfect that Strega which means witch in Italian, is one of the ingredients. Also in this fairy-tale like drink is Geijer Glogg, the only Swedish glogg liquer I know. Glogg is usually made with wine but Geijer is based on a family recipe that called for spirits.

Witch of Wilshire – Jensen old tom gin, Strega, Geijer Glogg, Bittermens tiki bitters

fries

Lunch is incomplete sometimes without fries. They go with everything. But particularly with the rock shrimp roll.

Berry Gin & Tonic

Faith and Flower has a gin and tonic on draft. But it’s not your average highball. The gin has been infused with berries and when mixed with tonic, the pretty pinkish drink can be your best friend during the heavier dishes of a meal. I’d drink this with a sandwich or with the roast chicken during lunch or with the heavier meat dishes at night.

Berry Gin & Tonic – Martin Miller gin infused with berries, bergamot, Small Hand Foods tonic

pickled vegetables

As I mowed down the pickled vegetables without pause (I just love pickles and pickled things), I thought these should be included for a Bloody Mary garnish. The cauliflower and wax beans would work particularly well.

Pio Pico

Named after the last Mexican governor of the territory now known as California, Pio Pico the drink is a lovely and fresh blend of mezcal and tequila with a little bit of spice. Its Latin flavor profile of pineapple, lime and chili pepper reminds me a little bit of a Margarita but without the triple sec.

Pio Pico – El Silencio mezcal, Arette blanco tequila, caramelized pineapple, lime, ginger, serrano

spaghetti with miso tomato cream sauce

I really hope Chef Michael Hung canned some summer tomatoes so he can make this spaghetti with miso tomato cream sauce all year. It’s vegetarian but you wouldn’t miss the animal proteins. It’s rich but still fairly light. It’s a great dish to share for lunch.

Cameron’s Kick

Faith and Flower picks up the tartness on their version of a Cameron’s Kick with the addition of sherry. But they give it a slightly smokey edge with Jameson Black Barrel Irish whiskey. It’s a great drink that non-whisk(e)y drinkers should try. They’ll like the creaminess of the orgeat and still refreshing enough to have during a meal.

Cameron’s Kick – Jameson Black Barrel, Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Amontillado sherry, Small Hand Foods orgeat, lemon

roast chicken

When a restaurant does roast chicken well, why would you get anything else? Served with dirty rice with Lapsong sausage and liver jus. This would be great to have on a rainy day since it is so comfy and warming.

Roxie & Cameo

The  menu says Roxie & Cameo comes on the rocks which is a little confusing for an egg white drink. I prefer sour (with egg whites) up and was glad to see this drink actually served up. This is likely one of my favorite drinks on the menu. Mostly because I adore Nardini Acqua di Cedro, a fragrant lemony liqueur. Some compare it to limoncello which I usually find cloying. But the grappa-based liqueur is very delicate. It goes well with the elderflower and the slightly herbaceous Zubrowka vodka.

Roxie & Cameo – Zubrowka bison grass vodka, elderflower, Nardini Acqua di Cedro, lemon, egg white

So now that I’ve tried dinner, happy hour, lunch and cocktails at Faith and Flower, I guess what’s next is brunch! I’ll be back F&F!

Faith & Flower

Filed under: booze, cocktalian, dtla lunch, food, foodie alert, great cocktails, minty life, restaurant reviews Tagged: cockails, downtown los angeles, drinkwire, dtla, dtla lunch, faith and flower, los angeles, lunch, restaurant review, the minty