The Saucer: Achilles Heel

The phrase “achilles heel” might, by no choice of your own, bring to mind images of Brad Pitt circa 2004 when he had the best beach hair ever (and it’s so perfectly pulled back he’s got to have some butterfly clips in there, right?!) Or maybe it just stuck with me because the movie Troy (a really, really awful interpretation of The Iliad) came out on my birthday and I took my friends to see it and we ate crappy tempura shrimp and I was most definitely wearing gold lip gloss.

If this is a problem for you too, please immediately take yourself to Achilles Heel in Greenpoint. You can swap out a creepy mental association of sweaty dudes covered with fake blood, speaking in terrible British accents (why?! Troy is in Turkey…) for a wood burning fire, Muffuletta, oysters, and a super beautiful bar with the coziest vibes. Full disclosure: the first time I went there, I wore light blue lipstick-- some things don’t change.

The space is gorgeous, tucked away on West Street, and no surprise that it’s another gem in the neighborhood by Andrew Tarlow and Kate Huling. The building itself has a ton of character - the last time it was open pre Achilles Heel was in 1960. All the moldings are original, and there’s a gnarly dagger hanging over the bar that they found taped underneath it when they first moved in - hell yes.

Kea passed me a Lucky Dog, which looked especially wild when it reflected the light that pours in the bar during the day. This is one lucky pup.

LUCKY DOG

1.5 ounce vodka

.75 ounce campari

.75 ounce grapefruit

Shake, salt rim

Lap it up, kittens,

Charlotte

The Saucer: Five Leaves

It’s the dead of winter, I almost slipped off the M train platform on black ice this morning, and there was frost INSIDE my bedroom windows last night.

Cue: Cocktail to ease my angst. Enter: Five Leaves.

A resounding favorite of the Catbirdettes, this place boasts the best truffle fries, like, ever, and my absolute stand by -- the bruléed grapefruit (I have a penchant for any foods your grandmother might have eaten, and am a Florida girl at heart so citrus is my jam - spring break 4 evr). They’ve also currently got our Kitten Candles burning, making me feel right at home.

I think the bartender, Chris, could sense my need for a mental escape, and, at 11 am on a Tuesday served me a Southern Belle - the ice around my heart melted and I may or may not have left him my business card. I highly suggest visiting the bar yourself, but if going outside is just not an option, (no judgement!) try the recipe at home and light a Kitten Candle for full effect:

Southern Belle

2 oz. Tea infused Vodka

1 oz Lemon Juice

.75 oz Simple Syrup

5-10 mint leaves

Shake, pour over ice, top with sparkling wine.

Cheers,
Charlotte

The Evening After.

We went bowling last night. Maybe you heard? I perhaps had too many Salty Dogs. I am definitively going to spend a long while in bathtub tonight, where I will positively not be transformed into Brigitte Bardot.

-Leigh

Still from If Don Juan were a Woman

Tipsy Elixir Sue and Me.

I have a new friend. Her name is Tipsy Elixir Sue. You can have a new friend named Tipsy Elixir Sue, too. Here's how! Mix up some vodka (chilled), ice cubes, thinly sliced cucumber, a dash of sea salt, and a squeeze of lemon. Shake it up in a cocktail shaker, or if your cocktail shaker is currently packed away in boxes in a garage in the leafy-green suburbs, a tupperware works delightfully. Pour, top with ice-cold, extra-fizzy seltzer, and sail away.

-Leigh

Royal Rose Rose Syrup, $11 in store and online
recipe adapted from Royal Rose's Elixir Sue

The Violet Ghost, or What I'll be Doing this Weekend.

The Violet Ghost:
2 oz. Bulldog gin
3/4 oz. Royal Rose Lavender Syrup
1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice

Combine syrup and lemon juice in a pint glass or jam jar. Add 4 or 5 ice cubes and then the gin.  Shake vigorously and serve straight up or on the rocks. Top with seltzer water.

(recipe from Royal Rose)

-Leigh

Royal Rose Lavender-Lemon Syrup, $11
available in store and at www.catbirdnyc.com

What We Love Today: Royal Rose rose syurp

Or, more specifically, what I loved last night, mixed with vodka, seltzer, lime, over ice.

Royal Rose rose syrup $10 online and in store

Absinthe

A much belated thank you to those who came to our absinthe cocktail party, and especially to the lovely Leslie who was so sweet and gracious and made the MOST delicious cocktail ever!

Catbirds in Paris in April

I'm heading to Paris for my honeymoon in the beginning of April, then Rony and family pop over for the best Passover ever. Friends, readers, Parisians: what are your favorite places in Paris? And, I quite clearly choose this photo because mirrors can only mean Versailles. Which is not in Paris, but I think I can be forgiven the ellipsis. Merci.

mirror coasters, $10 in store

Swish Swish

I did done have my first pickleback (or two) this weekend. DO. IT. It'll scramble your grammar in the most delightful way.

models showing off pickles during National Pickle Week

What We Love Today: Brooklyn tumbler

A perfect receptacle for your pens, your juice, your juice. Also works real nice as a gift to take home for your folks. Pair it with some Saipua soaps for a true taste of the place of New York.

Brooklyn Low Ball Tumbler, $22 in store and online

Jalapeño, such a delightful fruit

Thanks to White Lightning, I've been doing a new little thing at home: Spicy Lemonade, capital letters very much intended. Here's how it's done: squeeze 6 or 7 lemons (strained!) into a pitcher, add finely minced/chopped/grated jalapeño (1/2 to 3/4 depending on your hot! pleasure level) and small knob of ginger, a torn handful of basil, a squeeze of honey or sugar or agave, fill pitcher with water, serve ice-cold. Drink it straight or top with alcohol when necessary. Ha cha cha. Our new friend Spicy Lemonade is sure to put a spring in your step. Forgive me, I binged on Mad Men this weekend and now all the world's a slogan.

Kobo Jalapeño candle, $34 in store

What We Love Today: Heart in Hand bottle opener

Drink wisely, and with love in your heart.

heart in hand bottle opener, $14

Love in the time of Cocktails

Feeling so very enthusiastic about reading Furious Love and getting the inside scoop on a pair of our favorite Famous Lovers. A preview of the book is up at Vanity Fair.

Night of Joy

Looks like we've got a new watering hole: Night of Joy, from the owners of Dove in the West Village, come complete with aviary wallpaper, a roof deck, and a 5 minute walk from my house.  I do believe this ought to be the locale for the next Catbird cocktail night.

Night and Day

Decanter Set $88, Water Carafe $32

Start with one, make sure to finish with the other. Take my word for it.