Skyline Cocktails with a SUIT

"I want to get dressed up and go out," he says...my eyebrows go up.  Reeeaaallly?  Because perhaps that is one of my very favorite things to do, ever.  So after a false start (our August date cut short due to illness - his not mine), we are dressed to the nines (what does that mean?) and have a trifecta of cocktails planned for the soiree.

Bright pink dress with a key-hole neck and back and a full swing skirt, I am READY to go out.  Even the lip gloss is on point, er as the kids say on fleek (eye roll). And my partner in crime rolls up in a SUIT - navy/charcoal (OK I admit I should have paid more attention) but he looks very, very nice. We hop in an uber and head to stop 1 on the trail - Bentley's. Now, ya'll know that this is one of my favorite places in the world to have a cocktail.  But now that Amanda's gone I know it will be different.  And because of the Carolina vs Carolina (Chapel Hill vs Gamecocks) game at the stadium, plus the Thursday before Labor Day weekend, we rolled up in there like we owned the place. And it was empty.  One table.  The bar was closing, the dining room was closing, the kitchen was closing.  So after all my talk about Oysters and martinis, I felt like a real chump. Danny (the new Amanda - who CLEARLY isn't) recognizes my drink order from Jane and Sharon a few week's prior.  And then he quizzes my date on why he wants an Old Fashioned.  Well, Danny - it was a disappointment.  The drink was too sweet (no lemon juice) and you STALKED our table for the bill. As someone who's worked in food service, if you really want to tab out ask to close the tab.  I wouldn't have tipped you at all. 

Next stop - Fahrenheit.  The breeze was balmy and coming off the fireplace took the little edge off the early September evening.  Although the view was phenomenal, this wasn't shaping up well either.  No service for almost 20 minutes.  Ok, now I'm hungry, cranky, feeling embarrassed that all my big fancy places are not delivering and FINALLY she comes over, and offers menus.  I ordered a Lexi's Aviation - more lavender infusions this week - how unusual.  Plus some Luxardo and lemon juice. I really need to stock Luxardo at home.  I mean - then I could always have the last word (cocktail pun - google it).  And we got some appetizers that were delicious.  After a couple of those...we decided that the 3rd bar of the night could wait for another outing...which may be happening soon. Stay tuned.

Bentley's - 3
Fahrenheit - 7

No idea who won - Carolina or Carolina...

ArtPop

It was 1996, I was a Freshman in high school going to my first prom, when I arrived at the Adam's Mark hotel in my date's father's vintage MG - I felt HOT.  Flash forward, it's 2015 and I'm going to my first ArtPop event in Charlotte and this very same hotel has had a major upgrade (it is now le Meridian) and I arrived on foot - and I felt hot (but that's because it was a little bit of a walk from my place plus it's September in Charlotte)!

Jane and I went to sip cocktails and watch Sharon Dowell paint...but we got to make art too!  The bar and lounge in le Meridian feels much cooler than the Charlotte I live in; it's got a very boutique hotel meets Paris meets the South kind of groove.  There is modern furniture and funky lighting with a couple of high top tables in the bar area.  The bartenders were ok - I felt more like an imposition than a VIP guest.  But I did manage to receive a menu and ordered a spectacular creation made with lavender.  It was the loveliest shade of purple with a dried lavender bloom as a garnish.  Not too sweet but elegantly crafted, this cocktail was worth the price tag ($15!).  Now hold on to your hats...this one is a cosmo - yes, with Vodka - so I've gone a bit off the reservation here.  Lavender infused vodka, lemon and lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and cranberry juice.  Spectacular. 

Sharon's art - 10
Le meridian vibe - 9 (would've been a 10 if those bartenders had made me feel moderately welcome!)
Martini -  9