OUT ON THE TOWN

Basil Gimlet
KAIT HANSON PHOTO

BY KAIT HANSON

I’ll be the first to tell you that social media is my favorite way to find out about fun, new-to-me bars and restaurants. When I stumbled upon Town Restaurant, a farm-to-table mecca in Kaimuki, I made reservations for the next evening.

With a slogan like “Local first, organic whenever possible, with Aloha always,” I knew it had to be good! As an added bonus, the eatery is dog friendly, so I was eager to go out on the town (pun possibly intended) with my four-legged companion, Judy.

My reservation was for 5:30, but I got there a little early just in case. Parking proved to be a bit of a challenge, so I was glad for the extra time. I made my way onto the porch, just as a crowd of people started to gather around. Right at 5:30, the doors opened and we were seated at a prime location on the patio. I dove right into the cocktail menu.

The waitress noted that the Basil Gimlet and 27 Bulleits both were customer favorites, so I decided right then and there that I would have one of each.

It was a pretty hot evening, so I started with the Basil Gimlet — a mixture of Prairie Vodka, lime, basil and simple syrup — hoping for something light and refreshing. The drink seems to take its namesake very seriously: It was served with an enormous fresh basil leaf in it, as opposed to muddled. It was refreshing without sacrificing taste or strength.

Next, it was time for 27 Bulleits, a crisp concoction of Bulleit Bourbon, lemon, and Fonsica Bin 27 Port. I will be honest — it was too strong for me, and I wished I had gone with The Smoking Dove, a smoky citrus combination of Vida Mezcal and grapefruit. That being said, my husband loved it. This drink would be better suited for those who normally favor bourbon … and are not driving home.

The next time I visit Town (and there WILL be a next time — the service and atmosphere are too good to pass up!), I’ll be trying their dinner menu with specialty wine pairings — and of course, The Smoking Dove.