I’ve read a lot of good (the cocktails) and and a lot of bad (the food) about Herbs and Rye. The food blog-o-sphere has been busy talking about this place and I’ve been eager to pay it a visit.
I knew they had a great Happy Hour, so on a Saturday night, Maren & I drove over.
It’s in a kind of run down area of Sahara, east of Decatur and not quite to Valley View on the south side of the street.
Décor? Sort of faux ‘Old Vegas’ with red wallpaper, fake bookcase and chandeliers.
The Bar
We sat at the end of the bar where there was no gaming machines set in the counter and I ordered an Aviation first, and a Corpse Reviver II second.
Aviation
The Aviation is a cocktail that was created in the 1900’s and is currently really hot at the better cocktails lounges & bars. Here’s a recipe:
Aviation
2 oz Plymouth gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
1/2 tsp. Crème de Violette Liqueur
1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
Creme de Violette at Bottom of Glass
Mix all the ingredients together in a cocktail with ice. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds so that tiny flecks of ice float in the drink as it is poured into the glass. Garnish with a Maraschino Cherry or a lemon twist.
This was one heck of a good drink. Made perfectly by the bartender, Geraldo De La Torre. This cocktail is really wonderful–a subtle and complex drink with depth that the violet liquor adds. And the color—which is a very, very pale blue—is sensational.
My second drink, the Corpse Reviver (don’t you love these classic cocktail names?)
Corpse Reviver II
Corpse Reviver II
3/4 oz Gin
3/4 oz Cointreau
3/4 oz Lillet Blanc
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Absinthe
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
Shake until thoroughly chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Geraldo garnished this with a lemon twist which he first squeezed over the drink. I notice in most of the cocktail books they call for maraschino cherries. But I liked the flavor the oil brought to the cocktail.
Squeezing the Lemon Twist
This is a very classic simple cocktail with a complexity that leaves you appreciating each sip more and more. If you like a crisp, citrus forward tangy drink with a hint of liquorish flavor—order this!
When we looked for the Happy Hour appetizers on the menu, we noticed something kind of strange. Dishes from different parts of the menu were offered for ½ price, not just a few appetizers. What a great deal.
Fettuccine Alfredo
Maren ordered Fettuccine Alfredo which regularly went for $12 and at Happy Hour costs $6.
And it was absolutely delicious, hot and creamy and full of rich, cheese flavor.
Beef Filet
I, since it was ½ off, decided to try the 9 oz Filet Mignon with Fries and Asparagus. Regularly $25, I paid only $12.50! It was good, fries were cooked perfectly, crisp & salty and the asparagus was nice and green.
Herbs and Rye is a great place to get a WELL CRAFTED cocktail and some fantastic Happy Hour food bargains, no matter if you are visiting Las Vegas or live here….go.
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