Orient-Express 325 W. 11th St. (Greenwich & Washington Sts.)
West Village
212.691.8845
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Orient-Express:
This West Village dining car-styled cocktail bar may be called The Orient Express, but this train is clearly running local. While points are given for inventiveness and personal attention, if your buzz is killed in the time it takes for that block of ice to be hand-knocked into cubes for a drink, the novelty is lost. Champagne cocktails rule the drink list, the signature “B2C2” ($14)—a mix of champagne, brandy and Benedictine Cointreau—was "created" by World War II troops who found crates of the three liquors while waiting to be deployed home. Simple but authentic touches like vintage suitcase racks help complete the theme, but just when the old-school glamour sets in, a random '90s love ballad might turn up on the sound system and ruin the moment. While the Orient Express train transported royals and dignitaries from Paris to Istanbul in luxury style, the Orient Express bar just transports middle-aged euro-types from sober to tipsy at a painstakingly slow pace.
Nice cocktails in a beautiful room served by a RUDE and SURLY bartender, at least last night (12/23/10). If this is their general attitude, you won't find me going back.
12/23/2010 6:35:30 PM
cocktailnerdnyc says:
Finally!!
Been waiting so long for a great cocktail bar such as this one to find the West Village! This review is ridiculous...whoever wrote this has no appreciation for classic cocktails and the importance of and hand cut ice cube. Love the drinks, love the atmosphere, love the decor. 4 stars!!!!
10/27/2010 5:29:20 PM
Clara says:
Great place
I live in the west village and have become a regular at this bar since it opened. It's a beautifully decorated and sophisticated space. The staff, decor, classic cocktails and 30's music make you feel as though you've stepped back in time. Excellent, excellent addition to the neighborhood. This review is way off.
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