For me, a night of cocktailing is on par with an evening of fine dining for foodies: Treatment should be as top-notch as the refreshments served. Similarly, at a spa appointment, I want everything taken care of so I can sit back and clear my head.
So, after months of buzz, what’s a girl to expect when she heads to opening week at Stone Lotus, the city’s first “Liquor Spa,” for a much-hyped “bottle treatment” (a choice of liquor served with complimentary mixers, garnishes and a food sampler)?
The answer: total VIP treatment. From the moment we mentioned our reservation at the door, our group of seven felt important. We waited outside only a matter of minutes while the staff prepared our table before whisking past the long line and into an Asian-inspired sanctuary.
From the start, we witnessed the first-class service touted by the nightlife fixtures behind this new River North hot spot: Chris Dexter (del Toro, Elm Street Liquors), David Rekhson, Luke Stoioff and Brandon Zisman. The result? Highly trained staffers who both pamper and pour.
Upon entering, the foyer was aglow with votives, and red lanterns illuminated a giant cherry blossom suspended from the ceiling. Rich red walls gave way to the narrow main room, where a 60-foot water wall acted as a backdrop for patrons chilling on a chocolate-hued banquette. Overhead, a 22-foot wooden lotus flower engulfed a disco ball.
We began to pour over the menus designed by exec chef and mixologist Dale Levitski (ex-Trio). The selection was mouthwatering: rums, champagnes and whiskeys were listed alongside succulent mixers like housemade huckleberry mint soda. Even more tantalizing were the food pairings like pork loin and rosemary mustard with a sweet corn-bacon muffin and thistle-honey frosting.
But you know the menu’s selling itself when seven vodka drinkers are swayed to order a bottle of 10 Cane Rum ($275), just so they can sample the accompanying mixers (passion fruit-coconut punch, limeade and hibiscus cooler); nibbles (jerk-spiced prawns, plantain chips and tropical fruit profiteroles with rum caramel); and garnishes (lime wedges, mint, fresh ginger and dehydrated cane juice).
Sadly, several minutes after ordering, our uber-attentive server Jessica (who even made an effort to learn all of our names) told us they were out of 10 Cane. Gasp! Our hearts were set on it!
According to a member of our group–a former 4-star hotel employee–it’s not uncommon for venues to send a runner to pick up something for guests spending big bucks. So we gave it a shot; when Jessica came back, we politely asked if it would be possible to drum up our bottle of rum.
Moments later we were told it was a go, and the manager even bought us a round of drinks for being patient. We sampled several of the custom creations, including the frothy, thick and dessert-like Black Forest (Effen Black Cherry, vanilla creme, Godiva chocolate liqueur, tart cherry powder).
Levitski outdoes himself; these unique concoctions offer complex tastes and texture combos. Ranging from $11 to $20, the cocktails aren’t cheap, but sipping one of these babies is a decadent dream.
When our 10 Cane arrived, we forgot all about rum and Coke, and cooed over the creamy coconut-passion fruit mix. Next, the staff brought out a beautiful plate of the prawns, plantains and profiteroles, and though there was plenty to go around, we scarfed up the scrumptious eats in no time.
Throughout the night, we were well attended as we chatted and sipped from the comfort of our banquette, and the door staff kept the crowd to a healthy flow.
As for the patrons, we spied everything from seen-and-seen-again barflies to eclectic hipsters who knew how to express themselves. One tip: Whether you wear jeans, sleek pants or a short skirt, stay classy, and leave the trashy Lycra mini-dress at home.
The bottom line? Stone Lotus is about style, service and luxury lounging. For an A-list night of carefree celebration, this place seems poised to deliver. You’ll party while feeling the pampering effects from attentive staff. And if there’s anything you want or need, don’t hesitate to ask: For about the same price as a long night out at the corner bar, you’ll get what you pay for–and more.
INSIDE
Stone Lotus
873 N. Orleans St.
312-440-9680
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KMBUDELL@TRIBUNE.COM
