The Localista Can`t Hide Her Love of Cocktails

The Localista Can't Hide Her Love
of Cocktails
POSTED : 10.03.11 BY Biz
The Localista’s heart belongs to St. Pete, but I haven’t always lived here. I spent nearly ten
years in London prior to my having found “home” in the ‘Burg. The time I was there happened
to coincide with the evolution of the city’s cocktail culture into what is now considered the
headquarters of the cocktail revolution. The reason I’m telling you this is because I want you
to know that my standards are high when it comes to cocktail (style) bars as I’ve been rather
spoiled. It also puts into context my declaration that I believe The Mandarin Hide (TMH) to
be the best cocktail bar in the Tampa Bay area, not to mention other cities I’ve been blessed
to visit around the world! OK, you’re probably thinking that’s just “Localista love” for a
Downtown local and indie business talking here. Well, what if I told you that The Hide, as it’s
affectionately known, will be featured this coming month on an episode of Zane Lamprey’s
Drinking Made Easy (check out out the exclusive feature by iLovetheBurg)? They must be
doing something (everything!) right if they managed to be chosen for the series with less than
a year in business under their belt. *Please see below for details of their 1st Anniversary
Celebrations taking place Oct 19-23
Owner Tony Casoria (top left), Manager Jason Fackler (bottom right)
The partners of The Hide (Tony Casoria, Bill Griffin, Ryan Griffin and Blake Thompson)
spent four – five years brainstorming the concept. Their research included visiting
speakeasies and mixology bars in London, Manhattan and Chicago and The Hide is a hybrid
of those two styles describing itself as a cocktail haunt and mixology lodge. The deliberate
lack of a sign out front is a nod to its speakeasy pedigree and the menu contains Prohibitionera cocktails. Although TMH may honor the past, each day staff members also work on
honing their craft by mixing ingredients to create new recipes. Regulars who come along
during their more quiet hours are usually the first to try the new creations along with treats
like their frozen grapes marinated in grape-infused vodka – you have not lived until you’ve
tasted these!
I didn’t use the term recipe lightly. General Manager, Jason Fackler, considers himself to
be good in the kitchen and is, thus, quite chef-like in his approach to creating cocktails. The
Hide also strives to grow all of its own ingredients and they make their own simple syrups,
bitters, tinctures and infusions. I think a Nolets Nectar (gin, agave nectar, lime, basil, splash
of grapefruit and orange flower water – garnished with cucumber and basil) is a great example
of the idea of “drink as food.”
The Hide is not just magnificent because of its splendid drinks list (a selection of wine and
beer, including craft varieties, is available for those who are not “cocktail-inclined” – even
though it’s hard for me to believe they exist). Another reason this place is spectacular is its
stunning interior. Enter through its 12-foot door and to the right you’ll find the original brick
wall forms the backdrop to the beautiful bar, lined with bottles and chalkboards telling you
what’s on offer. Presiding over the bar is Manny, the enormous bison head which has
become The Hide’s unofficial mascot that gets decorated during holidays.
The diamond-pattern wall to the left of the entry happens to be my favorite wall in all of St.
Pete. There’s something magical about the way light plays on the gorgeous wood from the
attached sconces and all the other light fixtures. The bulbs on all those amazing fixtures are
on dimmers and The Hide knows how to use light to create a mood. It doesn’t hurt to have
soaring tin ceilings and fabulous furniture including a claw foot tub. It also doesn’t hurt to
have great-looking, loyal staff dressing in the spirit of the Prohibition-era. There’s something
rather sexy about suspenders, don’t you think?
I haven’t even told you about how absolutely brilliant and clever they were to place their
menus inside old dusty tomes of Charles Dickens novels, or that The Beauvilles have played
intimate concerts here, or that they have special events such as this Thursday’s one where
they’ll serve barrel-aged Manhattans. I would need you to lend me your ears (eyes) for much
longer than you’ve already obliged. I will tell you this - I have had a Bramble in the London bar
where it was created and the one I had at The Hide last week was better and that wasn’t just
“Localista love” talking.
The Mandarin Hide is located at 231 Central Avenue and is open Wed from 4:30pm to
12:00am, Thu-Fri from 4:30pm to 3am, Sat from 12:00pm to 3:00am and Sun from
12:00pm to 12:00am.
727-231-4007
www.mandarinhide.com
This Thursday: They’ll be serving the Manhattan that’s been aging for the past six weeks.
Look for details on their Facebook page.
*One Year Anniversary Celebrations* – a different drink each day will be offered at its
price during Prohibition (keep up to date via their Facebook page):
Wednesday, October 19th – Jazz night “All Stars” (jazz musicians who have played The Hide
this past year will all come together)
Thursday, October 20th – The Beauvilles will play an intimate show (no cover!)
Friday, October 21st – Open to the public after 10 pm
Saturday, October 22nd – Still being finalized
Sunday, October 23rd – 7-piece reggae band, Roots Shakedown, will play – free Bloody
Marys & Mimosas
*** WINNER 2011 Best of the Bay for Best Local Blogger ***
“The Localista,” aka Olga Bof, will be opening her o wn local and independent business, Cheeky Monkeys Books
& Toys, later this year in Downto wn St. Pete (w w w.facebook.com/cheekymonkeysbooks for updates).
Photography provided by Featured Artist of the Burg (FAB) Sheri Kendrick of Enchanted Forest
Photography( w w w.efpgallery.com).