Although, it's not much of a secret any more if there's a big old sign pointing the way. :P The Secret Society is a 1907 Victorian-era hall that once housed two men's clubs. These days, it's a lounge, ball room, and recording studio.
Up a flight of stairs.
We peeked into each of the rooms.
Before stumbling upon people about to leave their cozy alcove on top of the stairs. Gourmet Pigs checking out the cocktail menu.
Dylan's drink on the left, mine on the right.
He ordered an Old Fashioned, Bulleit bourbon, muddled cherry, orange, lemon twist, sugar cube, soda, and a dash of Angostura bitters, $8. The muddled cherry was interesting, mushy.
My drink, Death in the Afternoon, absinthe, champagne, and sugar cube, $10. I just had to order this after reading the description on the menu, "Created by Hemingway, and named after his 1932 book about the ceremony and traditions of bull fighting. While hanging out with other artistic illuminati on Paris's left bank, he enjoyed absinthe so much he concocted his own signature drink."
Gourmet Pigs went with El Floridita No. 1, light rum, lime juice, sweet vermouth, white creme de cacao, grenadine shaken, $7.50.
Dylan ordered a second drink, Moscow Mule, vodka, lime juice, and ginger beer, $7.50. I loved that the copper mug came with a story. As per the menu, "One of the earliest vodka cocktails, created in Hollywood post-WWII. A failing Russian vodka distributor met up with the owner of Cock 'n' Bull restaurant, who had an unsuccessful line of bottled ginger beer. They combined the vodka and ginger beer, and served it in the copper cups another friend needed to unload, creating a 50s cocktail craze."
Who knew that Portland had so many places specializing in old-fashioned cocktails?
Dylan's cell phone rang, our table was ready downstairs. Time for dinner!
All Oregon posts can be found with the tag Series: Oregon, but I suggest reading this particular trip in this order:
I'm Coming Home
Bunk Sandwiches - Portland - Oregon
Horsetail Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Multnomah Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Wahkeena Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Bridal Veil Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Shepperd's Dell Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Latourell Falls (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Crown Point Vista House (Winter) - Columbia River Gorge - Oregon
Stinging Nettle Soup
Stinging Nettle Tea
Nai Xao Xa Cuon Banh Trang (Vietnamese Sauteed Lemongrass Venison Rice Paper Rolls)
Thirsty Lion Pub and Grill - Tigard - Oregon
Reuben Sandwich
Argyle Winery - Dundee - Oregon
Hawks View Cellars - Sherwood - Oregon
Clyde Common - Portland - Oregon
Teardrop Cocktail Lounge - Portland - Oregon
The Secret Society - Portland - Oregon
The Secret Society
116 NE Russell St.
Portland, OR 97212
503-493-3600
Sunday to Thursday 5 p.m. to midnight
Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Happy Hours Sunday to Thursday 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to midnight.
*****
1 year ago today, Vertical Wine Bistro - Pasadena (Old Town).
2 years ago today, Snowbird Rose.
3 years ago today, the world's smallest mangoes?
4 years ago today, my oldest uncle's wife's nem nuong (Vietnamese grilled pork patties). And mine too!
Ooh, you tried absinthe? what did you think about that drink? Does it really taste like licorice?
ReplyDeleteCC,
ReplyDeleteThe licorice taste was really strong. The waitress even asked if I knew that's what it tasted like since not many people like that. But I said I was OK with it. I still prefer fruity cocktails, but I ordered it just because I was curious to try what Hemingway liked more than anything else.