A good time at Pastis - The Manhattan Experience

I went to Pastis two Sundays ago for a Manhattan. Pastis is a nice French bistro located in the corner of 9th Ave and Little W 12 St, and it is from the same owners of Balthazar.

I went for the bar and asked for a Manhattan. The waiter (Jimmy) with no snobness create a better Manhattan than his 'friend' from the Blue Bar. A really straight forward Manhattan, not too sweet. Still I would like it a little bit more dryer. However, it was a good Manhattan.

Suddenly, the other bartender (Jeremy) ask him which whisky he used, and Jimmy answered back "rye whisky" as the client asked me.

Then they started to discuss the Manhattan and they I thought to myself - they really are bartenders!!
Just after that, Jeremy came to me with another Manhattan, made by him, with a special vermouth. A really special, spicy Manhattan. Dryer than the one made by Jimmy, and almost perfect (will I once find the perfect one?). He used Makers Mark (bourbon) instead of rye whisky.

Final grades: Pastis - 9 (claps...claps..)
Jimmy - 9
Jeremy - 9.25

Perfect Color and Excellent Taste Manhattans at Pastis!

p.s. - with all the discussion about the Manhattans, I forgot to take the picture of Jeremy’s Manhattan.. I am really sorry!

Manhattan - HK Restaurant.. and that is a Fault!

Against the common sense I went to the Hell's Kitchen Restaurant for a Manhattan. I am saying that because during the weekends they have a fix price for Mimosas, Belinis and Sparkling Wine (as mentioned in the post about the Hell's Kitchen Flea Market).

The place is really nice. The first floor remembers a restaurant in Sao Paulo called Spot (which I think it was inspired by HK but I am not sure of that).

During the summer days they literally open the walls so you almost get into the street (which is closed for the Flea Market). The second floor is a very interest roof top, perfect for warm weather days as well.

Now about the Manhattan, I seat at the Bar and asked Ina (which was using a costume, due to Halloween weekend) for a "straight up Manhattan". The first time she didn't understand. So I repeat: "straight up Manhattan". Oh a "manharan"..  she said.. and so I complement it.. "yes, straight up please".

Suddenly she appeared with a Manhattan on the rocks(!)(!)(!)... What the hell?!?!

Manhattan on the Rocks!
Not the right one!

Since this is a challenge, I didn't complained, I just drunk it. She used Jack Daniel's on it...

The good thing about that was I really noticed that the liquor can really alter the taste of it. The Jack gave a more strong flavor. At the end, it wasn't a bad Manhattan.. but it was just the wrong one!!

That said: 4.00 for HK's Manhattan.

Ina, this isn't the right way to do it! :)