That $35 Drink at RYU
So I walked out of SL the other night and thought to myself “Gee, I wonder how that $35 cocktail at RYU is?”. Well, $38 later and I found out ($3 tip for the bartender of course). I walked up to RYU, Scott Disick’s new Meatpacking Japanese restaurant, slipped past the doorman (yes, this restaurant actually had a doorman for the 10 people surrounding the bar) and ordered my drink. During this approximately 10 minute process there were three red flags that signaled that this was not going to end well:
- The bartender actually told me the drink wasn’t going to be good and suggested I get something else.
- The crowd resembled that of Tenjune circa 2011.
- Oh, and did I mention there were only 10 people inside the bar on a Thursday night?
On a positive note, at least the service became dramatically better once I ordered the drink. After not taking the advice of the bartender, I received my $35 cocktail known as the Shogun’s Grip made with Yamazaki 18-year whiskey, Demerara Sugar, Peychauds Bitters and Absinthe. The cocktail is actually a generous size but one sip tastes like you’re chugging a bottle of Jack Daniels, thanks but no thanks. While I’m sure RYU only did this as a publicity stunt, there actually is no logical reason to purchase this drink. Our suggestion, and the bartender’s as well, order the Mother Bucking Samurai made with Hakushu 12 Year Single Malt Whiskey, Ginger, Lemon, Line and Aromatic Bitters. At $15, it’s less than half the price and actually tastes much better than the Shogun’s Grip. [Photo via]
