In our new column, “Order Up,” we find the tastiest things to eat and drink in Greater Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania and pass the deliciousness on to you!
Holiday shopping in the city is a real mixed-bag. On the one hand, you’ve got the gorgeous window displays, the glitz and glow of decorations everywhere and plenty of stores within a few square blocks. On the other hand, there are the crowds, the frigid winds, the slippery sidewalks and, eventually, cold and tired feet. Nothing revives the spirit like a spirit-forward cocktail mid-shopping, and, wow, have we got a stellar suggestion for you: the Private Select Manhattan at Barclay Prime .
First of all, you can’t help but to feel classy walking into this iconic steakhouse and lounge, located right off Rittenhouse Square. The rich wood, demure lighting , cozy nooks and flawless service… it all adds up to the perfect place to duck into out of the cold. You can’t go wrong with any classic or custom cocktail from Barclay’s menu, but the Private Select Manhattan is a 100% cure-all for what ails you, be it numb toes or holiday stress.
Created by Alenrry Iniguez of Barclay Prime, this particular tipple combines Maker’s Mark Private Select with tea-infused Manuel Acha Vermouth, Oxford 1970 P.X. sherry and a few dashes cherry bitters. The whole luscious affair is, of course, garnished with Luxardo cherries. The Maker’s Mark Private Select is a special blend of bourbon that’s unique only to Barclay Prime (as well as a few other restaurants in the Starr family).
Last year, a few folks from the Starr team traveled to the epic Maker’s Mark distillery in Loretto, Kentucky to participate in the Maker’s Mark Private Select program. They are now among just a handful of top-tier establishments around the country who have created their own custom versions of Maker’s Mark Bourbon by selecting a bespoke combination of wood barrel staves for barrel aging. On its own, Barclay Prime’s Private Select whiskey is bold and complex, with a nose of rich brown sugar and subtle vanilla notes and traces of vanilla and dried fruit on the tongue. It blends oh-so perfectly into a Manhattan, which, in our opinion, should be on your “menu must-have” list this week.
Find Barclay Prime at 237 S. 18th St. in Philadelphia; phone: (215) 732-7560.
