Category Archives: Hotel Bar Reviews

The Plaza Bar at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

 

Photo by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

I just recapped my recent stay at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and need to add a separate post about its indoor/outdoor bar, The Plaza Bar. Over the 5 days we spent at this gorgeous Scottsdale hotel, I must admit that we spent a considerable amount of time at this bar. Why? Several reasons:

The Space

As I mentioned earlier, The Plaza Bar is an indoor/outdoor bar that offers several spaces to fit any moods. There’s the typical bar with comfy stools where we had lovely conversations with the mixologists and watched a couple football games. There are sofas with fire pits reminiscent of a home outdoor living rooms. There’s also a modern indoor bar with floor-to-ceiling glass walls/windows that overlook both the central hotel plaza and the backyard/golf course.

Photo by Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Drinks

This property has invested in the right bar program. The mixologists are awesome and personable and have developed a craft cocktails menu offering house made bitters, infusions, syrups and powders that are used to make some pretty spectacular drinks. To my hubby’s delight, there are many craft, seasonal beers with some local favorites. There are also many wines by the glass.

My favorite cocktails during out stay were the #1 – vodka, lime, chili-anise shrub, basil, grapefruit segments and ginger beer ($15), Salted Cucumber Gimlet – gin, lime, cucumber and salt ($14) and French ’75 – gin, lemon, sparkling wine ($14).

The Food

The Plaza Bar has a nice bar food menu which features items like chips and onion dip, deviled eggs, burger, chicken Caesar salad and wings. It’s a good alternative to doing a full meal which enjoying drinks or while watching the games.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona, United States 85255

Telephone: (480) 585-4848

Email: scottsdale@fairmont.com

Happy cocktailing,

Veronique

The Bar at Baccarat Hotel & Residence – Expensive Booze in Expensive Glasses

 

Baccarat BarAdjacent to the Grand Salon, The Bar at Baccarat Hotel & Residences New York exudes grandiose style reminiscent of classic European lounges. The space features a 60-foot long bar with ultra-comfortable stools, some tables all set in an opulent black and white space with contrasting ruby-colored accent walls. The showstoppers in the beautiful room are the three giant Baccarat crystal chandeliers, adding a royal touch to an already majestic space.

The afternoon I visited, the place was completely vacant…perhaps the clientele visits later or hasn’t fully found the place yet. The mixology professionals pour outstanding wines and masterly-crafted cocktails in magnificent Baccarat crystal glassware. After perusing the interesting drinks list, I opted for the La Vie en Rose ($24) – Lillet Rose, Citadelle Gin, Fresh Grapefruit Juice, Campari and Ruinart Rosé Champagne. It’s a stellar, elegant cocktail with perfect balance between ingredients – how could one go wrong with Ruinart? Other cocktails featured include reinvented classics like the French 75 and the Side Car ($22/each).

In warm months, The Bar extends outdoors to a terrace featuring topiaries, an outdoor fireplace and trellis work for a secluded, intimate feel.

The Bar also offers French-influenced “snacks” – caviar and petite potato buns ($45), hand-cut tuna tartare ($17), lobster dumplings ($17) and a classic charcuterie board ($26).

The Bar at Baccarat Hotel & Residence New York – 28 West 53rd Street, New York, NY, 10019.

Cheers,

Veronique