{"id":9363,"date":"2018-10-29T18:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T01:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9363"},"modified":"2018-10-29T14:06:24","modified_gmt":"2018-10-29T21:06:24","slug":"cocktail-corner-cheers-to-chaplins-martini-bar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=9363","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Cheers to Chaplin’s Martini Bar"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The

The perfect martini at Chaplin’s Martini Bar, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/b><\/p>\n

Looking for an intimate spot for a private t\u00eate-\u00e0-t\u00eate? The new\u00a0Chaplin\u2019s Martini Bar<\/a> at the Montecito Inn<\/a> offers a step back in time\u2014to Charlie Chaplin<\/a>‘s era\u2014with a nicely curated menu of classic cocktails and a big dose of retro charm.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Both the hour and the era are quickly forgotten when you step into this cozy lounge, which was briefly\u00a0home to Frankland\u2019s Crab & Co<\/a>, is now a quietly sophisticated cocktail lounge. This new concept from Scratch|Restaurants<\/span><\/a> Chef-Owners Phillip Frankland Lee<\/a> and Margarita Kallas-Lee <\/a>has a speakeasy vibe meant to hearken back to the Montecito Inn’s early days.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The “master of ceremonies” at Chaplin’s Martini Bar mixes up a variety of golden era-inspired cocktails, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

At the center of the room, a “master of ceremonies” shakes and stirs a clever cocktail menu\u2013 including the perfect, old school martini. Also available are the gin-focused, 1920s-era\u00a0Corpse Reviver #2<\/i> (Tanqueray Gin, Lemon, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, Kina L’A\u00e9ro d’Or), Bee\u2019s Knees<\/i> (Tanqueray Gin, Lemon, Honey), French 75<\/i> (Tanqueray Gin, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Sparkling Wine) and Hanky Panky<\/i> (Tanqueray Gin, Fernet-Branca, Carpano Antica).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The French 75 at Chaplin’s Martini Bar, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

The late 1930s provide the inspiration for Scotch and Whiskey cocktail offerings: the\u00a0Rusty Nail <\/i>(Monkey Shoulder Blended Scotch, Drambuie, Angostura) and Vieux Carr\u00e9<\/i> (Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, Angostura, Peychaud\u2019s Bitters, Carpano Antica, Vermouth Rouge, Pierre Ferrand 1840).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The Rusty Nail at Chaplin’s Martini Bar, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

From the 1940s \u2013 1960s, Rum and Vodka cocktails are the center of attention, with the\u00a0Kangaroo Kicker<\/i> (Charbay Vodka, Carpano Dry), and Air Mail (Bacradi Superior, Mint Leaves, Honey Syrup, Lime Juice, Sparkling Wine).<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The

The Air Mail at Chaplin’s Martini Bar, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

All of the craft cocktails are priced from $12 – $15 (a deal by Montecito standards), and a large selection of wine, craft beer and spirits are also available. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMargarita and I have been spending the majority of our time in Montecito at The Monarch<\/a>\u00a0(the excellent new restaurant at the hotel), and I have consistently been told by locals that they miss the previous bar that once occupied this space,\u201d says Chef-Owner Phillip Frankland Lee. \u201cI wanted to restore what many felt was absent, but with my spin; a place you\u2019d want to get dressed up for, but where cocktails and conversation are ultimately your only focus.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bar snacks available also have a retro vibe, and include French cheeses and Italian charcuterie, homemade sourdough and accoutrements; Endive Salad with candied walnuts and shaved apple; Jumbo Shrimp with a housemade cocktail sauce; Steak Tartare with cornichons, quail egg and shallots; and Local Oysters served On the Half Shell or Rockefeller style.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Oysters

Oysters at Chaplin’s Martini Bar, courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s hard to believe that just weeks ago this place was brightly lit crab shack. The transformation is quite dramatic. D<\/span>esigned in collaboration with Montecito Inn Co-Owner and Designer Danny Copus<\/a>, Chaplin’s design features warm tones, with\u00a0<\/span>wood-trimmed booths in tufted jet-black leather and dark, coffee-colored oak bar. 1960s era James Bond would be quite at home here\u2014it feels like the perfect spot for an assignation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs we worked on the design, I wanted the room to feel like a secret; but one worth sharing with your friends,\u201d Danny Copus. \u201cChaplin\u2019s Martini Bar is a place where you can trade the limelight for candlelight, and we are very excited to have it here at the Montecito Inn.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Chaplin\u2019s Martini Bar, 1295 Coast Village Rd., Montecito,\u00a0chaplinsmartinibar.com<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span>818\/906-9609, open daily from 4 p.m. \u2013 midnight, without reservations.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cheers! Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0for more Cocktail Corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/p>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i>\u00a0mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie believes variety is the spice of life. Send your suggestions to Leslie@sbseasons.com.<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a> on October 26, 2018.<\/p>\n

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