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When you think Lawry's the Prime Rib in Beverly Hills, we'd bet good money that you don't think "cocktails!" But with the debut of the restaurant's 1930s cocktail menu, created to celebrate Lawry's 70th anniversary, that may change.
The cocktail tasting we attended was to present the so-old-it's-new list, with its collection of post-Prohibition libations (no vodka-based ones, thank you very much).
In the small tasting room in the back of the restaurant with us were brand liquor ambassadors, press from Playboy (that's the only one we remember cuz...why) and others, and even Zagat's Merrill Schindler in a very orange shirt. We started off the evening filling up on some "lounge meatballs" which we were told actually have a cult following. They were good but, really, a cult following? The meatballs are usually complimentary and available in the lounge to keep would-be diners occupied while they wait to be seated.
Later on, appetizers were brought out to accompany each cocktail sample that was passed around. The food was so rich and deelish, but unfortunately the timing of the apps didn't really coincide with the drinks they were supposed to be paired with. However, when it came down to it, we really didn't care. Just gorged ourselves on the yummy Gougeres (baked cheese puffs), mini baked potatoes, toad in holes (creamed spinach in mushroom caps) and prime rib and whipped horseradish Yorkshire pudding. The cocktails of the hour they were supposed to match up with were the Honolulu Cocktail, The French 75 and the Sidecar (all pictured above).
The other drinks on the cocktail menu that weren't served (pout) at this tasting party were:
White Lady: Plymouth Gin, Cointreau and lemon juice
Angel's Wing: Knob Creek, Dekuyper Creme de Cacao and light cream
Between the Sheets: Jim Beam Black, Cruzan Light Rum, Dekuyper Triple Sec and sweet & sour
If you'd like to partake of these vintage cocktails ($15 each), enjoy them in Lawry's lovely restaurant bar where they are served with mini commemorative cocktail shakers you can take home. (If you're in the restaurant, they are served tableside of course.) And don't forget about the meatballs!
Lawry's the Prime Rib
100 N. La Cienega Boulevard
Beverly Hills, California 90211
(310) 652-2877
Hours: Mon-Fri 5-10pm, Sat 4:30-11pm, Sun 4-9:30pm
