Eleven Twenty Two’s sign is small and easy to miss. You press a buzzer. A small hatch opens. With some speakeasy theater, you enter. Inside, it’s dark. Candles and sepia-tinted bulbs glow dimly. Click. Whoosh. A blowtorch burns a cedar plank. A martini glass, frozen with liquid nitrogen, is placed to cover the smoke. It’s cocktail theater.
Behind the bar, a science lab of spirits, potions, concoctions and ingredients. Glasses, beakers, tools and utensils are used by cocktail scientist creating masterpieces for adults to drink.
The smoked martini is delectable. The gin is distilled in Paso Robles.
Next, I’ll have…
– Mary Charlebois is a freelance journalist and photographer based in coastal Northern California. No matter where she’s wandering, she digs in, getting to know people, history, food, and art.