Thursday, June 21, 2012

Big Night For Peter Vestinos, City Tavern

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Mixologist and cocktail consultant Peter Vestinos. (Photo: Peter Vestinos)

City Tavern was supposed to open Sunday, according to Eater Chicago reports, but after a few technical difficulties it has finally debuted.

The restaurant, helmed by Kendal Duque (Chicago Firehouse, Sepia), offers an old-timey tavern atmosphere . . . right down to the cocktails.

And that's where the acclaimed mixologist Peter Vestinos comes in. The San-Francisco-based bartender previously worked with Duque at Sepia, so it made sense to bring him in on this South Loop project.

His opening cocktail menu highlights his take on some extraordinary classic cocktails, from The Fish House Punch of cognac, black tea-infused Bermuda rum, peach brandy and lemon that was created in 1732 in Philadelphia to the always flavorful Sherry Cobbler that's topped off with champagne and seasonal fruit.

The Fish House Punch, incidentally, won the "people's choice" award at the annual Chefs on the Grill event benefiting the Special Olympics at Park Grill on Wednesday. To be honest, that award was quite the no-brainer, as Vestinos' cocktail reigned superior over every elixir at the party . . .

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