Strolling along the cobblestone streets of the Old Port in Portland, Maine… in search of my next artful adventure…
Portland, Maine is home to many culinary venue gems, with talented chefs who moved here from New York City to experience a slower-paced life, farm-to-table restaurants that support local agriculture and embrace the concept of slow food, even a hidden, underground speakeasy that doesn’t advertise but relies on word-of-mouth, adding to its mystique. I recently visited a fairly new shop+bar in town, Vena’s Fizz House, that’s quickly becoming the spot for aspiring and well-seasoned mixology enthusiasts, providing high-quality, deliciously-different ingredients with which to make the perfect craft cocktail. Vena’s is true to their logo… “Crafting cocktails, mocktails, and unique experiences.” I am in love with the story behind their business.
Steve Corman, a former public school teacher, who owns the venue with his wife Johanna, greeted me warmly, and with enthusiasm, and without an ounce of pretension, helped me cull ingredients from his well-stocked shelves to craft the most delicious gin-based libation (my liquor of choice for the weekend). Not only did he deftly locate the products for me, but he invited me to the venue’s bar where he built the cocktail for me, explaining the chemistry behind it, allowing me to taste along the way as he added more ingredients (which I did with childlike enthusiasm, eyes closed, enjoying the blooming tastes). My wishes to fully experience this sensual delight were well-received and understood, a celebration for both the maker and the person appreciating it. Now that is art, amazing customer service, and a brilliant marketing strategy, as I happily purchased more than I was prepared to. My husband and I now have a new favorite drink — The Lumber Sexual — which consists of dry gin, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and a compilation of unique syrups and bitters, hand-picked by Steve and his wife: woodsy Dram Pine Syrup, Liber & Co.’s Spiced Tonic Syrup made from real cinchona tree bark (providing an authentic quinine bite), Alpine Herb Bitters from San Francisco Bitters Collection, Cocktail Kingdom’s Wormwood Bitters, and Persimmon Bitters by Owl & Whale, a local Maine business based in Portland. All of these products (and more!) are also available in Vena’s Fizz House’s online shop. Be sure to check out their online page of free infusion kit recipes.
If you are a local, a vacationer, or just passing through the Portland area, Vena’s Fizz House is not to be missed. And, they’re opening a second location in Brooklyn, New York! Enjoy a delectable craft cocktail and a simple tasty bite to eat at their bar, purchase some ingredients and attractive barware at their shop and make your own nectarous artisan cocktails at home, sign up for one of their mixology workshops, and be sure to chat with Steve, such a down-to-earth, interesting guy who would love to provide you with a unique, artistic culinary experience!
En-JOY!