Dirty Habit

photo - Yelp, Janelle Q.

Dirty Habit, SOMA, Drinks
April 1, 2016

P:
Oaxacan Express -
Espresso infused Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Pueblo Viejo Tequila, Suze, All Spice, Tempus Fugit Creme de Cacaco

J:
What I wanted: Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove -
Avua Cachaca, Barsol Quebranta Pisco, Lillet Rose, Velvet Falernum
What I got: Aloe Be Thy Name -
Banks 5 Island Rum, Chareau Aloe, Guava, Banana, Lime


Notes:
We came here for a drink after having some fabulous Vietnamese fare around the way.  Dirty Habit is on "our list" not only for the food, but for the cocktails, so we didn't argue for a second when it was suggested as our next stop.

I'm sad to say, I'm not sure we'll be able to humor this place a second time.  The bar/restaurant is located on the 5th floor (you're welcome - we searched 4 out of 9 floors before finding it) in the hip and trendy boutique Hotel Zelos.  This is one of those hotels where everyone, patrons and personnel alike, is young and attractive, and all have "that" look (you could interpret this many ways, and I'll let you).  The staff was not well trained, which resulted in the four of us doing a ridiculous dance just to get a seat.  (Make that three of us, I saw this coming and excused myself, finding respite in the toilet paper-less ladies' room.)  Then the drink menu was one of those 10-page deals, with a cute name and lengthy description for each cocktail, but with only one copy per four people, it took us a while to decide on what we wanted.  And when I ordered the Iron Fist in a Velvet glove, we learned it was one of the two cocktails being "phased out", and therefore unavailable.  Thankfully, I had a second choice in mind.

The drinks took 10 minutes, maybe more, maybe less; though, they were lovely.  But, at $13 each our bill turned out to be more for four drinks than dinner for five people, which might not have been so bad had the experience not been so lackluster.

So, here is the conundrum.  I'm too old (There, I said it!) to tolerate this sort of nonsense, but the food here is supposed to be HAYMAZING!  What to do, what to do?!  Maybe worth another shot?  I think so.  But on a Tuesday.  At 5 o'clock.  Early bird special.