Here are a few favorite upscale spots in the city for your next to mix-and-match adventure:
Le Cavalier: The sparkling bar is perfectly positioned for people-watching, and cocktails are works of art in themselves: Try a Green Room Old Fashioned, made with blended scotch, pinot noir reduction, orange bitters and angostura. Nibble on Steak Tartare with Castelvetrano olive tapenade and herbes d'Provence potato chips.
The Garden room at Bardea: If you can’t find room at the bar, try this cozy refuge lying between Bardea Food & Drink and its sister restaurant, Bardea Steak. There’s an airy outdoor vibe, and the bar treats are nearly as impressive as the main menu: Try a Late Night Smash (fat-washed bourbon, mint, lemongrass, mulberry), and snack on a Wagyu Empanadas, made with cooper sharp cheese, truffles and horseradish.
Columbus Inn: Old-school cocktail vibes are sustained here by cushy leather banquettes and a cozy, clubby decor. Surprises abound on the fun appetizer menu: The “Arrogant Cauliflower” comes dressed in blue cheese dressing, tomato, cucumber and celery. Wash it down with a Blue Agave Margherita, made with blanco tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice and agave nectar.
Banks Seafood Kitchen and Raw Bar: Ask for one of the waterfront tables outside if you’re seeking an intimate evening, but you’ll find more fun in the roomy bar, where you can explore the raw bar menu and enjoy a Delaware beach classic – an icy Crush made with fresh-squeezed orange, lime or grapefruit vodka.
