Food & Wine Magazine's Travel Tips Today Includes Seattle's Tavern Law in Their "24 Best Cocktail Bars in the US to Visit" List

The story is online here. Thanks Food & Wine and congratulations to the McCracken Tough team.

Hanna Raskin of the Seattle Weekly Creates Her List of Ten Best Drink Menus in Seattle. Tavern Law Included.

photo by Kristin Zwiers

The menu is "encyclopedic" as Providence Cicero once wrote.  And the bartenders are "bookish" about their work.  End result?  One of the very best drink menus in the country and the world according to many. 

And now Tavern Law has made it onto the Seattle Weekly's Top Ten in the city list: "Tavern Law makes a point of searching out old, dead, lost, and forgotten mixed drinks and bringing them back to life in as close to their original incarnations as possible, sourcing all manner of super-artisan or ridiculously small-batch liquors and mixers and making everything else from scratch. The resulting drinks are not only some of the best you've ever tasted, but inarguable proof that dedicated, bookish bartenders can be just as creative and artistic as the greatest chefs out there. And also that your great-grandma really knew how to party."

With the sidewalk patio now open, it's an excellent time to go try a new drink on Seattle's Capitol Hill.  Congrats to the team at Tavern Law.  And thank you Ms. Raskin.

Chefs McCracken & Tough Make Seattle Magazine's List of Leaders in the "Food Establishment" of Seattle

As two of the City's most "powerful players" they're described as: "Brian McCracken and Dana Tough. Chefs/owners.  Est.: 2008, when they opened Spur Gastropub. Because: In four short years, the chef duo has dabbled in molecular gastronomy (at Spur) and brought Seattle one of its finest speakeasy-inspired craft cocktail bars: Tavern Law. New projects: This year, they took over the corner that housed Restaurant Zoë for 12 years to open The Coterie Room, where gussied-up comfort food and carefully prepared classic cocktails rule. Employees: 72. http://www.mccrackentough.com/".

Thank you Seattle magazine.

Barrel Aged Cocktails Have Big Fans: Seattle Magazine Adores Tavern Law's Rosita

Thank you AJ Rathbun for giving Tavern Law's Rosita the nod in your story on Seattle's very best barrel aged cocktails.  Read it here.

"Hot Restauranteurs McCracken & Tough" as Reported by Seattleite

Such a great interview with Chefs Dana Tough and Brian McCracken of Spur, Tavern Law and the soon-to-open The Coterie Room. "Trendsetting and trailblazing — these nightlife kings are a force to be reckoned with. During the day, Seattle is a bustling city filled with tech gurus, entrepreneur extraordinaires and bohemian artists. When the sun sets on the Seattle skyline and the moon rises, the city comes to life and Seattle’s true style and sophistication is unveiled. If anyone can represent the Seattle style scene, it’s chefs Dana Tough and Brian McCracken. With their buoyant enthusiasm and a passion for New American cuisine, this trendsetting and artistic culinary duo have created the hottest fine-dining-bar hybrids in Seattle."

Thanks to Seattleite for featuring the talented duo in your Dynamic Seattleites column. Click blog title above to read the entire story. It's a good one.

www.mccrackentough.com

talented Tavern Law earns top honors from GQ magazine

Best bars in America? In their October issue, GQ magazine has picked their favorites with Seattle's own Tavern Law making the list.

Thank you to Kevin Suntumuang for the hard research sipping at the bar at countless establishments across the nation. We're honored that the secluded upstairs of Tavern Law (dubbed Needle & Thread) was recognized.

Congratulations to Brian McCracken, Dana Tough, Nathan Weber and the Tavern Law team. Click on blog title above to read more about it!

Nathan Weber of Tavern Law Wins Mai Tai Master Award

Seattle Metropolitan magazine held a Mai Tai challenge with the City's top bar talent. The drinks were judged by "the people" and the pros. Who won? Nathan Weber of Tavern Law in both categories.

Seattle, meet your new Mai Tai Master: Nathan Weber. Congrats Nathan!

Nathan's walk of fame by Barbie Hull.

Seattle Picks Sneaks in a Visit to Tavern Law

Thanks to Seattle City Picks for doing a nice little write-up on Tavern Law today. (Note to all who'd like to sneak upstairs- advance reservations are typically a must as this private room's open limited nights (and hours)).

The story reads "Roaring Twenties: We might have been flappers in another life—dancing all night with a glass of champagne and a long string of pearls, while wearing a fringed dress. It calls to us—so much more than “this life” scenarios of frizzy hair and a soggy fleece—especially in May.

Tavern Law might have given us a way to recreate some of that speakeasy feel. On a tip from a friend, we picked up the unmarked phone in the corner and inquired if they had room upstairs for two. We’re buzzed inside and discover a dimly lit hidey-hole of velvet settees, wavy old mirrors and unfinished wood floors that make us forget our less-than-glamorous attire. You won’t find a cocktail list—instead the bartender asks the flavors we prefer and whips up something different every time. On this particular evening, we sipped a smoothly blended concoction of gin, egg whites, lavender and sweet and sour.

The only thing missing was a long cigarette holder to twirl between our fingertips. And of course, that fringed dress and string of pearls.

Tavern Law
1406 12th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98122
206.322.9734
www.tavernlaw.com"

Tavern Law Honored as Best New Bar at Seattle Magazine Event

A Monday evening trek to the gorgeous Chateau Ste Michelle in Woodinville, WA netted chef/owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough a Best New Bar award from Seattle magazine. Manager David Nelson couldn't make it that night, but editor Rachel Hart Rios is shown here with McCracken and the two of us.

Congrats Tavern Law and thank you Seattle magazine for the recognition.

DETAILS Magazine Includes Tavern Law in JJ Goode's Bed and Breakfast Story

Writer Goode, wrote up a great piece on morning after breakfasts plus "'Day Drinking'-- the best ways to wash down your breakfast--and potentially get an A.M. party started."

He included David Nelson's "Antoinette" cocktail plus the recipe which is:

Combine 3/4 oz each of St-Germain elderflower liqueur, Strega, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a shaker filled with ice. Shake with conviction, strain into a Champagne flute, and add enough Champagne to fill. Garnish with a lemon twist. (206.322.9734; tavernlaw.com)"

Thank you DETAILS and cheers, with conviction!

a hootinany + square dance in Duvall on Dec 17

Our friends out at Oxbow Farm are holding a fun fundraiser for the Sno-Valley Tilth (all proceeds go the SVT thanks to Oxbow Farms) and a PARTY!!

So scout out some fab square dancing garb and get tickets before they're gone at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/89051
Y'all come!

Tavern Law = 12th Avenue's Worst Kept Secret

Today's Seattle Times has a great story on Capitol Hill's 12th Avenue, written by Tan Vinh. It's got a terrific map of spots to stop by on your visits to the neighborhood... for dining, drinking and dropping some cash on knickknacks.

Tan was kind enough to include our client Tavern Law, describing them as "The city's premier speakeasy-style cocktail lounge and worst-kept secret. It's located upstairs through the bank-vault door. Pick up the rotary phone to get buzzed in." www.tavernlaw.com

Map by Ed Sauer for the Seattle Times

Thanks to Providence for a Great Review of Tavern Law in Today's Seattle Times

Cicero's review is entitled: "Tavern Law salutes the glory days of American bartending and offers an alchemy of flavors both in the glass and on the plate". It reads in part, "Tavern Law isn't for those who drink to forget; it's the thinking drinker's watering hole. You get an inkling of that as you browse the drinks menu, an almost scholarly tome complete with glossary and historical notes. The bill of fare, on the other hand, isn't even printed. It's written in chalk and lists just eight plates. But don't for a minute think food is peripheral here, not with Brian McCracken and Dana Tough in the kitchen.
These creative young chefs dug their Spur into Belltown and galloped to national attention last year. Now they've opened Tavern Law in the restaurant thicket of Pike/Pine. Who should go? Hedonists (over 21 only), cerebral cocktailians and anyone who's ever wished they'd lived through America's first Gilded Age."

To read the entire mothwatering review, go to the Times website: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/restaurants/2010163657_cicero30.html

Photo of bartender Philip Thompson by the Seattle Times' Cliff Despeaux.

a bittersweet celebration: Tavern Law's excellent Gourmet magazine write up

The news that Gourmet magazine's been given the axe has us all crying over our cutting boards and our key boards. We love Gourmet. We love Ruth. We love the photos, the recipes, the stories. We're stunned.

And here we've been on pins and needles for weeks, awaiting the article we knew was coming on Tavern Law. Written by Matthew Amster-Burton, and accompanied by a great photo of the chefs by Kristin Zwiers, we hope you'll take a moment to click on the link above and read the entire article at Gourmet.com. Who knows , maybe the extra web traffic will employ a few more talented folks over there under the Epicurious.com umbrella. We can only hope.

Some of what Gourmet said included, "...you have full access to Tavern Law’s encyclopedic drink menu, equipped with a glossary in case you don’t know your fizzes from your flips. The food—poached salmon, fried oysters, sautéed pimientos de Padrón—is expertly cooked and appropriately modest, as if devised to keep your mind on beverages. "

Thank you Matthew and congrats to our friends and clients Chefs Brian McCracken and Dana Tough with Bartender/Manager David Nelson of Tavern Law on a terrific piece. This article's one we'll all keep pinned to our bulletin boards. A sweet celebration indeed.

Seattle Times food writer forewarns readers about Tavern Law's buzz

Don't you love when an article starts with a line like, "With all the early press -- both locally and nationally..." We do!

Here's the scoop from Nancy Leson on our client's opening weekend (but don't let her keep you away, it's going to be fun to see everyone these opening weeks):

Tavern Law open. Don't expect a Spur-of-the-moment seat

With all the early press -- both locally and nationally, my guess is there won't be a lot of room to move at Tavern Law when the Capitol Hill restaurant and speakeasy-styled drinks-joint makes its public debut at 12th and Madison tonight. Doors open at 5 p.m. and listen up: it's 21-and-over.
Considering the talent at hand (chefs Brian McCracken, Dana Tough and their barman David Nelson -- who brought us Belltown's Spur gastropub), and the foot traffic alone on this Pike/Pine corridor (they're ensconced in the Trace Lofts complex), chances are you might just have to poke your nose in and head elsewhere. Not that you'd have far to go given the implosion of worthy places to eat and drink within a few short blocks.
Chefs Dana Tough (left) and Brian McCracken want you: to check out their new place.photo/Kristin Zwiers

Copyright © 2009 The Seattle Times Company

Tavern Law opens August 21: Daily Candy delivers the summons

Today's Daily Candy delivers the news about our clients:

Barely Legal.
Tavern Law Bar Opens.

The verdict is in. In light of recent evidence, your temporary prohibition (which began last night at 2 a.m.) of all alcohol is lifted.

Bust out your desk drawer flask, Don Draper.

Twisted classic cocktails and elegant pub fare continues at Tavern Law, Spur owners Brian McCracken and Dana Tough’s new project, opening tonight. With its curved mahogany bar, masculine leather booths, and bookcase stocked with vintage law tomes, the remodeled mercantile building recalls a privileged private library.

Study up on the short chalkboard menu with rotating specials like carnaroli risotto, braised pork belly, and fried oysters with beefsteak tomato and horseradish aioli.

Cocktails like the vintage Monkey Gland (gin, orange juice, grenadine, absinthe) and the newly fashioned Pike & Pine (rye, rosemary, lemon, kummel, egg) make a case for sticking around late into the night.
Setting a precedent.

Spur team’s new spot to open this summer included in New York Times food section article today

Click blog title above to read the article in today’s NY Times food section

We’re thrilled that William Grimes included Brian McCracken and Dana Tough’s new Prohibition era bar, Tavern Law, in his "Bar? What Bar?" New York Times article on speakeasy-style establishments today. Slated to open in the next month, Tavern Law’s kiddy corner from my old alma mater Seattle U on the corner of 12th and Madison in the Trace Lofts building. (We used to call it the Bekins building.) I haven’t seen the hard copy yet, but Margo tells me it’s front of the food section and above the fold. Thanks Mr. Grimes!

Keep up to date on Tavern Law at our blog www.tavernlaw.blogspot.com

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