The Weekly Pour — The espresso martini grows up, new bars in L.A. & Lele's Roman hits the Ace Hotel Brooklyn
Issue 8: Dispatches from the road
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We’re back!
We were busier than a bee the last two weeks, so we took a ‘lil break on the Weekly Pour, but we are now rested and ready to go with a new newsletter. Spring is, sort of, kicking in here in NY so we are ready to get out there and visit some new spots.
Lots to sip on in this letter.
As always our inbox is open. Please enjoy!
-Tom
SHOP THE FULL LINE UP OF SUPERGAY SPIRITS HERE
Today’s letter includes:
Bánh Anh Em brings Vietnamese comfort to Union Square.
Lele's Roman hits Ace Hotel Brooklyn with all-day Roman vibes.
Laliko revives Georgian traditions in the West Village.
The LA bar scene gets two new standouts.
A drink that tastes like red clay, heat, and longing.
And our latest Dummy of the Week.
This Week in Bar & Restaurant Buzz
Bánh Anh Em (Union Square, NYC)
A new Vietnamese restaurant from two sisters (hence the name) has opened up just off Union Square, and it’s already delivering the kind of comforting, savory dishes we always want more of downtown. The star is the bánh khôt, crispy turmeric coconut rice cakes topped with shrimp and herbs. There’s also a housemade chili oil that’s going to haunt our dreams. More Info
Lele's Roman (Downtown Brooklyn)
The team behind Le Dive is now serving Roman-style food and drink at the Ace Hotel in Brooklyn. Lele’s Roman has the vibe of a Roman bistro with big art, anchovy-forward snacks, and martinis that go heavy on the brine. It’s open all day and the ciambellone is calling your name for breakfast. More Info
Laliko (West Village, NYC)
The West Village gets its first proper Georgian restaurant with Laliko. Come for the Khinkali and stay for the wine list—a love letter to the country's ancient winemaking tradition. The interiors are full of hand-painted tile and oversized warmth. More Info
Park (Los Feliz, LA)
This sleek new neighborhood bar comes from alums of the Manzke Group and it's giving laid-back but precise. The drinks are classic-adjacent, the bar snacks are proper, and it’s an easy place to lose an evening in. More Info
Lowboy (Echo Park, LA)
Lowboy has been a neighborhood favorite for years, but it’s experiencing a new wave of relevance. Their whiskey-based drinks are strong and unpretentious, and the whole place has the vibe of someone you shouldn’t text past midnight. More Info
The Espresso Martini Grows Up
Turns out the cult of the espresso martini finally got tired of tasting like sweet sludge. Punch asked some of the country’s best bartenders how to fix it—and the answer isn’t more vodka. The new approach swaps in overproof rum or split bases with tequila and coffee liqueur for depth, cuts the sugar, and insists on real espresso (no cold brew, please). The result? A drink that’s still buzzy but far more balanced—bold, bitter, and sexy in that very caffeinated way.
New Bars in LA we WILL be Visiting
1. Redbird Bar (Downtown LA) — Elevated cocktails in a historic setting with an unbeatable mezcal selection. More Info
2. Thunderbolt (Echo Park) — Southern-inspired drinks and frozen Irish coffees Echo Park needs this. More Info
3. Accomplice Bar (Mar Vista) — A hidden gem with inventive cocktails and an attached ramen spot. More Info
4. Bar Flores (Echo Park) — Floral vibes, strong margaritas, and a patio that feels like a secret garden. More Info
5. Apotheke LA (Chinatown) — Speakeasy-style cocktails with a focus on herbal and botanical ingredients. More Info
Dummy of the Week
NYC’s New Trash Container Rule Has Everyone Confused
The city’s new initiative to clean up sidewalk trash by mandating sealed bins has been met with…let’s say mixed execution. Several restaurants have reported no communication, unclear enforcement, and — in true New York fashion — neighbors fighting over bin placement. As one operator said, “it’s just another thing they forgot to plan for.” More Info
Cocktail of the Week: "Terra Amara"
Inspired by Georgian winemaking and hot LA sidewalks
1 oz Supergay Vodka infused with dried tarragon
1 oz dry vermouth
½ oz tomato water
¼ oz red wine vinegar
Pinch of smoked salt
Shake with ice, strain into a chilled coupe
Garnish with a tomato slice or tarragon sprig
Pairs well with distrust, lust, and old patio furniture.
What I’m Listening To
"Love Hangover" — Ruby: Hazy, hypnotic, and wildly bad for your decision-making.
"Milk of the Moon" — Kara Jackson: Sounds like falling asleep after making out in the back of a car. In a good way.
Got some tea?
Send us your gossip, hot tips, or unsolicited restaurant opinions. Until next week, keep it Supergay. 🍸
SHOP THE FULL LINE UP OF SUPERGAY SPIRITS HERE
Final Note:
All details in this newsletter are accurate at the time of writing, but always check with the venues for the latest updates. If you have any hot takes, complaints, or love letters, reply to this email and let’s talk.