Downtown Weekly waiting patiently as the GM of Hock + Hoof, delivered three signature cocktails at the bar to our team. The first, what looked like Hock + Hoofâs version of an Old Fashion was placed before us in a short single rock, centered by a large square of ice.
Filled with the light brown Soju spirit, the process of making the drink seemed enormous. It involved wood, fire, and smoke. In the beginning sips, it burned a bit when it went down, but that faded quickly and it sure did bring out the decor.
As an alternate to the old speakeasy lair DTLA was once famous for, Hock was more of an industrial garden, with a mix of wood, tile, plants and metal. The atmosphere for lounging at the bar was subperb with communal diners and window facing the Spring Street Strip behind us. To our far right; intimate seating, facing a backdrop of what seemed like a cascade of a thousand or so soft, calming lights.
The second cocktail was uber original and could have took the title of Cocktail of the Week had it not been for the presentation of the third. Yet, this delight came topped with a granola bar. Yes, so we passed that tipsy tale straight to our graphicâs gal, because sheâs health conscious.
The third little âpiggyâ however, came my way! Purple, cute, cold and incredibly tasty. Oh the gloreh! It also seemed like a purposeful chore to undertake, with snipping, mixing, stirring and shaking, followed by the reluctant balancing of an Elderflower atop a smaller ice cube, presenting a tip of the iceberg rising from the body of this lavender bittery love pond.
My Petit Peeve with The Petit Pea – It was so tasty and so petit it went down before the conversation about how much I enjoyed it was even over.
Then I was sad. Only another cocktail of the exact same liking would bring me back up to spirits. And so it did. Up and over I must say. I watched the ice cube expose more and more of itself with every sip. While the team was burning with desire, happy, and healthy, I toggled between elation and doing everything I could not to sip out.
Bet you canât help yourself.
The Petit Pea wins
