What non-whisk(e)y spirit are you drinking?

[BigRich]

I was skeptical but I have to admit this was very nice after a steak dinner last night.  And the Fernet and coffee were great together.

 

 

[Marekv8]

12 minutes ago, BigRich said:

I was skeptical but I have to admit this was very nice after a steak dinner last night.  And the Fernet and coffee were great together.

 

 

Fantastic!

[PaulO]

I'm considering trying.  So, you have both at the same time, and sort of alternate sips.  It's not like, drink all one first, then the other. 

[BigRich]

On 7/24/2021 at 9:44 AM, Marekv8 said:

Fantastic!

Funny story about that though.  Some work buddies and I were trying Arnette's Chop Shop after work for the first time.  I would not recommend it for many reasons.  But on the Fernet....So after dinner I ask the waitress for a coffee and Fernet.  "We don't have any, I'm sorry."  My buddy Charlie: "Do you have any amaro?"  Waitress:  "No we don't I'm sorry."  So I just order the coffee and the waitress leaves.  Charlie: "There's no f&%king way." And then he makes a b-line for the upstairs bar.  Four minutes later, the coffee arrives and right behind her is Charlie with two Fernets.  I look at him with a quizzical half smile and he says "when you asked, it sounded so good that I wanted one too.  And with their bar set up, they HAD to have it."

[dad-proof]

1 hour ago, BigRich said:

I would not recommend it for many reasons.  

I have heard mixed reviews, but have been thinking of going. One of the few places besides Rathbun's you can get the spinalis as a standalone cut. I too want to try the coffee+fernet combo but maybe somewhere else!

 

[Marekv8]

2 hours ago, BigRich said:

Funny story about that though.  Some work buddies and I were trying Arnette's Chop Shop after work for the first time.  I would not recommend it for many reasons.  But on the Fernet....So after dinner I ask the waitress for a coffee and Fernet.  "We don't have any, I'm sorry."  My buddy Charlie: "Do you have any amaro?"  Waitress:  "No we don't I'm sorry."  So I just order the coffee and the waitress leaves.  Charlie: "There's no f&%king way." And then he makes a b-line for the upstairs bar.  Four minutes later, the coffee arrives and right behind her is Charlie with two Fernets.  I look at him with a quizzical half smile and he says "when you asked, it sounded so good that I wanted one too.  And with their bar set up, they HAD to have it."

 

A typical tale, unfortunately. I always walk over to the bar for a full inspection prior to taking my seat and usually end up having to convince the server that such a bottle is on hand. I'm glad it worked out well for you.

[Marekv8]

9 hours ago, PaulO said:

I'm considering trying.  So, you have both at the same time, and sort of alternate sips.  It's not like, drink all one first, then the other. 

 

A usually drink the Fernet-Branca first while the coffee cools. On two occasions (both in Louisville for some reason)-- the coffee arrived with the Fernet-Branca added to it, like some type of bitter boilermaker. Not recommended.

[Guss West]

Save a few sips for alternate tasting also!  Some informative compare/contrast notes, therein.  

[BigRich]

22 hours ago, dad-proof said:

I have heard mixed reviews, but have been thinking of going. One of the few places besides Rathbun's you can get the spinalis as a standalone cut. I too want to try the coffee+fernet combo but maybe somewhere else!

 

I can give you the full run down if you want to hit me with a PM. I'm not even that much of a steak snob but this was not worth it.   Even the steaks, which should be the first thing you get right, were all over cooked by 1 to 2 temps (rare=> medium, medium => well done).  Most of the rest fell apart too.  One of us even got the spinalis.  That was only medium rare instead of rare. 

Edited July 27, 2021 by BigRich

[beasled]

On 7/26/2021 at 5:05 PM, Marekv8 said:

 

A usually drink the Fernet-Branca first while the coffee cools. On two occasions (both in Louisville for some reason)-- the coffee arrived with the Fernet-Branca added to it, like some type of bitter boilermaker. Not recommended.

How about a coffee liqueur/amaro blend? https://www.masterofmalt.com/liqueurs/mr-black/mr-black-coffee-amaro-liqueur/?srh=1

[Marekv8]

Last night they had neither, so I ended up with a neat D.O.M Benedictine instead— tonight, however...

 

[flahute]

On 7/26/2021 at 9:01 AM, Marekv8 said:

 

I always walk over to the bar for a full inspection prior to taking my seat and usually end up having to convince the server that such a bottle is on hand. 

Same!

[BigRich]

On 7/26/2021 at 12:01 PM, Marekv8 said:

 

 I always walk over to the bar for a full inspection prior to taking my seat 

Me too.  I've been doing it for so long that the looks from the bar staff that say "weird creepy dude" don't bother me anymore.  Admittedly though, I am kind of a weird creepy dude. 

[Marekv8]

1 hour ago, BigRich said:

Me too.  I've been doing it for so long that the looks from the bar staff that say "weird creepy dude" don't bother me anymore.  Admittedly though, I am kind of a weird creepy dude. 

Yes, I’m in the same classification. Of course, I always prefer to eat at the bar whenever possible— which is typically the case when traveling alone. 

[Marekv8]

No dice on the Branca— so it’s Grand Mariner and black coffee...

 

[Marekv8]

Just now, Marekv8 said:

No dice on the Branca— so it’s Grand Mariner and black coffee...

 

Sorry— autocorrect. Marnier.

[Marekv8]

Finally, the true combo... gotta stop eating like this. 
 

 

 

[Marekv8]

No coffee, but when your niece is the bartender— you go with the flow...

 

[River Hills]

Love that glass!

[Marekv8]

Drambuie and coffee in Philadelphia— no Fernet-Branca to be found. 
 

[Marekv8]

More Fernet in Philadelphia... gonna be hell working these meals off. 
 

[Marekv8]

And finally, coffee and sambuca— Fernet- Branca doesn’t seem to be a Philadelphia favorite.

 

[smokinjoe]

10 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

And finally, coffee and sambuca— Fernet- Branca doesn’t seem to be a Philadelphia favorite.

 

They missed the 3 coffee beans in the Sambuca, too.  Heathens...

[Marekv8]

16 minutes ago, smokinjoe said:

They missed the 3 coffee beans in the Sambuca, too.  Heathens...

 

I asked, but apparently all they had was ground coffee on hand. Shame given that it was an Italian restaurant. Philadelphia in general was lacking in spirits, must be the control state vibe. 

[flahute]

6 hours ago, Marekv8 said:

 

I asked, but apparently all they had was ground coffee on hand. Shame given that it was an Italian restaurant. Philadelphia in general was lacking in spirits, must be the control state vibe. 

This is very disappointing!