New cocktail list at Metrovino
New cocktail list features beer cocktails and ingredients from plantains and clarified citrus juice to chocolate and chartreuse
PORTLAND, Oregon (March 15, 2011) – Jacob Grier has many talents – from a lover of craft beers and spirits, to freelance writer, barista and bartender. As “man behind the bar” at Metrovino in Portland’s Pearl District, he has created a new cocktail list combining many of his passions. The new list is bold and playful with some techniques not found elsewhere in the city, including clarifying citrus juice with agar-agar. According to Grier, the clarification removes solids from the juice allowing for a perfectly clear drink with smoother mouthfeel. Grier has added twists on two classic cocktails that use the clarified lime juice: the Cleared for Departure and the Crystal Caipirinha. Grier also uses savory ingredients that are more likely found in the kitchen than on a cocktail menu such as spiced plantain syrup, gum mastic, and smoked apple purée. Joining Grier behind the bar is fellow Carlyle alum, Jason Karp, and Portland newcomer Elizabeth Foley, formerly of Wolfgang Puck’s Cut and Sidebar at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in LA.
Grier’s new cocktail list allows guests to pair the New American cuisine from executive chef Greg Denton with a wide range of creative cocktails. Metrovino has received many recent accolades for its cuisine and wine program including one of the top restaurants in Portland in both the Oregonian’s 2010 Diner and Portland Monthly’s November 2010 Restaurant guide, and a 2010 Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator. According to the Portland Monthly review, “Finally, a Portland restaurant has cast wine in its proper role – as essential to the dining experience as chewing and swallowing.” With the restaurant’s enomatic wine system, owner and wine director Todd Steele can feature close to 100 wines by the glass or taste, allowing guests to explore a wide range of wine varietals from around the globe.
Metrovino’s cocktail program has been grounded in the classics since the restaurant opened in May 2009 and with the addition of Jacob Grier, the cocktails will continue to borrow from time honored techniques but with creative new ingredients. “It is so inspiring to have our new team behind the bar bringing so much knowledge and years in the trenches,” says owner Steele. “Every cocktail we make is an extension of our restaurant and are executed with the same care as the kitchen prepares its dishes and the vintners craft the bottles on our extensive wine list.”
New Cocktail List
Averna Stout Flip
averna, young’s double chocolate stout, whole egg, angostura bitters, nutmeg, up
Chios 75
small’s gin, mastic liqueur, lemon, sparkling wine, flute
Cleared for Departure
aviation gin, clarified lime, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette, up
Crystal Caipirinha
novo fogo cachaça, clarified lime, sugar, up
Dirty Grandma Agnes
ransom old tom gin, dolin dry vermouth, grandma agnes’ pickling juice, up
Ethan Allen
Bourbon, apple cider gastrique, smoked apple purée, angostura bitters, rocks
Lazy Bear
smith & cross rum, rye, honey, lime, spiced bitters, rocks
Mexican Train
Illegal mescal reposado, dolin rouge vermouth, chartreuse, mole bitters, up
Seigle Sour
Rye, spiced plantain syrup, lemon, egg white, cherribiscus bitters, up
Thyme In A Bottle
gin, farigoule, thyme liqueur, lemon, maraschino, up
Walking Spanish
bols genever, amontillado sherry, cardamaro, st. germain, up
About Metrovino
Opened in May 2009, Metrovino is located in the north end of Portland's Pearl District (NoLo),
overlooking Tanner Springs Park on the Portland Street Car line. Offering an inspired menu
featuring refined, yet rustic, New American cuisine, Executive Chef Gregory Denton uses
time-honored techniques and flavor combinations to prepare fresh, local ingredients simply
and in season. Metrovino was honored with one of the top three restaurant awards in the
Oregonian’s 2010 Diner issue and chosen as one of the top restaurants in
Portland Monthly’s November 2010 restaurant issue. Owner and wine director
Todd Steele utilizes both an Enomatic wine system and a Perlage sparkling system to
feature more than 100 still and sparkling wines by the glass or taste,
plus a strong list of locally distilled and internationally renowned spirits and beers.
Metrovino’s wine list recently received the Restaurant Awards 2010 Award of Excellence from
Wine Spectator magazine. When renovating the restaurant, co-owner and designer
Helena Steele took great care in choosing sustainable materials, such as recycled
and fully recyclable carpets and reclaimed wood, as well as preserving as much material from the
former restaurant as possible. The updated design added a warm ambience to the open and airy dining room and bar.
A private dining space for 12 guests is set off from the bar area by lush curtains and overlooks the outdoor patio.
Metrovino is open nightly for dinner 5:30 to close with Happy Hour Monday to Friday from 4-6 p.m.
For more information and reservations, please call 503-517-7778.
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