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Lounge Lizard: the Old Fashioned cocktail

Monday’s incognito Lounge Lizard imbibes at all the best joints in town. Do you have a favourite pub or barkeep to recommend?

Back on the trail for Victoria’s best Old Fashioned cocktail. I know someone had to do it.

The first stop that chance would bring my way? The Union Club. And why not? Both the cocktail and the Union Club speak to vintage, and it seemed a fitting match. Canadian Club, bitters and soda is their take on an Old Fashioned – not the classic, but refreshing. The atmosphere was great – so old school, and the price not to be beat.

And since I was going ‘all posh’ in my pursuits, I decided to amble across the road and head into that grande dame, the Fairmont Empress, and give the Bengal Lounge a chance to impress. And I must confess, I cannot think of a more apt place to indulge in any cocktail.

The Fairmont has been a leader on the cocktail front with a mixology program at most of its hotels and one of the consultants is Kathy Casey of Seattle foodie fame.

Barkeep Robin used Woodford Reserve with notes of caramel, oak and vanilla, I do find it one of the nicest bourbons out there. I would have liked it a little heavier on the angostura and I prefer it built in the glass using sugar instead of simple syrup, but this is quibbling.

Around town: Jennifer Gidora has decamped from the Marina and landed the GM gig at Mike Murphy’s trio of lovely restaurants, Ten Acres, Oyster and Pescatores. For us downtown folk it’s definitely our gain: she promises that a cocktail program is in the works.