My New Favorite Drink - at Lemaire

My favorite specialty cocktails change month by month, week by week.  When I find one I like at the particular bar in question, I stick with it.  If one must try them, then one must.   This week and last its been the Bee Knees at LeMaire. Two months ago it was the Blanc and Bleu at Can Can (they got rid of it), three weeks ago it was the Strawberry Basil Collins at LeMaire (no longer serving!), and now it's Bees Knees, (again at LeMaire) and it's one of their staples.  It's won me over, and not just because it's a good go-to classic cocktail that's been around forever - it's because LeMaire takes the Bees Knees to a better level. 

The Bees Knees,
as it looked on Saturday.

The first time I experienced it, Mark, the server suggested it.  "Diligence" and "suave" are two words I'd use to describe Mark. Just the right touch and every level of respect you'd like and hope for whilst being served.. a drink.  Thanks Mark.      Gin is my natural go-to in mixed drinks.  Admittedly, I prefer gin.  It just works and I like juniper.  I feel healthier drinking it too.  Silly.  

On a spring night in Richmond, Bees Knees is something I haven't been able to resist- and at LeMaire it's mixed with house made lemonade and a honey-thyme gastrique (or agave, if they haven't the gastrique).  Thank you Ben Eubanks for developing this quenching "farm-to-glass" approach to the classic Bees Knees drink.   Bra-vo. 

Richmonders, if you need a solution to the recent heat and consequential sweaty evenings, sidle into LeMaire and try the Bees Knees.   Just make sure they serve it over ice (good call to my friend Thompson) in a highball and with a sprig of thyme to garnish.  That's how it was developed and that's how it should be served.   Depending on what bartender is not following directions or what attitude or laziness he may possess, you could get it served wrong, as I did last Saturday.   Be aware and be vigilant!   Servers like Mark will understand.

Enjoy your drinks. Go to LeMaire. 


Austin

LeMaire at the Jefferson Hotel has a great bar, with lovely bar snacks and a bar menu.  Located at 101 West Franklin Street - open till 2am.. or so. More on LeMaire later.