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Best Bites

2012 Best Bite #19: Mason jar cocktails, Back Bay Ale House

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Mason jar cocktails

Why it’s a Best Bite (Sip): In August, I reunited with a group of great friends from college at one friend’s family beach house in Atlantic City, New Jersey. One of the many highlights was this sunset dinner outside on the lively patio’s picnic tables. While we came for the seafood, we also came for the novelty of “Basin Mason” cocktails served in 32-ounce mason jars. I admit that I fell in love with the presentation – there’s just something about slowly sipping from a vessel that’s down-home humble and beach-chic at the same time. I was partial to my fruity hurricane, pictured above between a mojito and a Long Island iced tea, but the oversized drinks come in enough varieties to suit nearly everyone.

The details: Back Bay Ale House, 800 N New Hampshire Ave., Atlantic City, NJ.

Categories
Best Bites Chicago

2012 Best Bite #8: Ricotta and honeycomb vasi, Davanti Enoteca

Each day in December, I’m celebrating my best bites (and sips) in 2012, posted in chronological order.

Ricotta and honeycomb
Ricotta and honeycomb vasi

Why it’s a Best Bite: I love Davanti’s Italian small-plates concept, and it’s appetizers like these that make it so successful. The restaurant devotes a section of its menu to vasi, toast and spreads served in miniature mason jars. The dish is a lesson in simplicity: just impossibly creamy ricotta, delicate honey, and crusty bread.

The details: Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W Taylor St., Chicago.