Houstonist: Anvil Bar & Refuge Now Open

matthou

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:55:40 -0600

That's the issue with using recipes. All of them aren't good. OJ can dominate a drink if too much is put in. Most good bartenders have tasted their product whether at home or after hours and usually have an idea on proportions and how liquors mix. Not sure that happened in this case. Since I went prior to my review here and stated that in the review, I'm not solely basing my comments on the Bronx I had my ultimate time.

mach

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:37:36 -0600

Wondrich's recipe for the Bronx is 2 oz gin, 1 oz OJ, .5 teaspoon French vermouth and .5 teaspoon Italian vermouth. Degroff's is 1.5 oz gin, .5 oz French vermouth, .5 oz Italian vermouth, 1 oz. OJ. Different proportions, but they agree it should be shaken well, so very cold, and around 1/3 orange juice. OJ tends to dominate any drink it's in. This is not a boozy-tasting cocktail. In fact, it's juicy. I agree with David Embury: "There are few cocktails the recipes for which differ as widely as this one.... At the best, however, you will be able to produce only a fairly good cocktail--nothing to brag or write home about." I haven't been to Anvil so I can't comment on the place, but judging it on its Bronx is like saying a steakhouse sucks because its iceberg salad was disappointing.

matthou

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 23:51:24 -0600

I tried to like this place after a poor experience the first time. I returned with a friend who asked me to go with her. Different liquors, fresh juices are always a good start however the resulting drink just disappointed me again. Following a drink recipe is one thing, making a good drink is another. I ordered a Bronx and received a drink with way too much OJ and way too little gin. A knowledgable bartender would only put a hint of OJ in, not ounces! For those who like fruity drinks, this is the place for you.

tolstoy

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:33:18 -0600

Bulgakov??? you old SOB, you finally got out of jail on that inappropriate kid touching charge?

thewhether

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:11:11 -0600

this is a long time coming. nice to see. metered line sounds like a novel investment in longevity/staying power for our fair city.

Bulgakov

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:48:42 -0600

You certainly sound stuck up! So, you were a bartender, I bet the only thing you could mix is a metaphor. Do us all a favor and go back to Sam's Boat.

ward

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:14:47 -0600

Stopped in for a while Sunday evening. Anvil is a bar Houston should be proud of. Great drinks and a passionate staff. It's maybe expensive if you're used to knocking back $2 Lonestars all night, but given the quality of ingredients and the care that goes into the preparation of these works of alcohol-infused art, the value is high. Also, yes, the number of bartenders in this city who don't know how to make a Manhattan is disturbingly high. I once had one give me a drink made with coke and vodka. WTF? It's not like it's an obscure drink.

tolstoy

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:35:07 -0600

I've run into the same experience ordering Manhattans in Houston. In fact I had a friend try to order a Manhattan at a Washington Avenue bar and was asked if it was ok if they skipped the sweet vermouth.... Don't mean to sound stuck up - it's just that I worked as a bartender for many years and am amazed when folks can't mix the basic drinks...