Fallen Angel at Red Bar at Pain D’Avignon
Let’s face it, where and what to drink on Cape Cod in high season is kind of a no brainer. In warmer weather, there are multitudes of Cape venues that do the basics satisfactorily. I will even forego my “no drinking from a plastic cup” rule if there’s a water view or a biergarten involved. However, as the cold creeps in and days shorten, it takes a special spot to coax me out of my cocoon. I want to feel pampered. I want a cocktail that warms my soul like a favorite fuzzy sweater. I want a drink that banishes the winter doldrums. Finding such an elusive elixir, along with an inviting ambiance to match, is like searching for the Holy Grail. However, I believe I have found the venue and cocktail that will check all the boxes.
For those of you who have had your heads buried in the sand for the last decade, Pain D’Avignon is not only the premier destination for otherworldly artisanal breads and baked goods, but also houses a cafe that delivers a superb gourmet breakfast/brunch/lunch. At night, the space transforms into a magical dining room offering first-rate cuisine that rivals many a Parisian bistro. The centerpiece of it all is Red Bar, a beautiful jewel of an enclave, crafted by designers Paul White and David Nault (Weena & Spook, Boston). Red Bar is a warm, charming spot that invites you to sit, sip and decompress. It’s tough to feel blue when surrounded by all that vibrant red!
Red Bar offers a tantalizing selection of premium spirits beautifully showcased on open shelving. There is also a dizzying array of wine selections (they house over 1000 bottles of French wine categorized by region) as well as local, French and Belgian beers. A well-curated cocktail list makes my decision-making impossible, so I place myself in the hands of head bartender, Joseph Leon, who assures me he has concocted the perfect recipe for the season.
“Presentation is key, we buy with our eyes first,” Leon states as he sets the stage for a condensed master class in the art of cocktail crafting. Leon prides himself on using only the finest and most pristine ingredients available. Normally not a bourbon drinker, I’m a bit apprehensive when he informs me that the base of his drink, the Fallen Angel, is Angel’s Envy, a straight Kentucky bourbon.
The cocktail execution begins: a little fresh squeezed lemon juice, a healthy dose of Angel’s Envy bourbon, a splash of Lecompte Calvados (French apple brandy), a squeeze of jalapeno-cinnamon-spice- infused simple syrup. A quick shake and taste (a good bartender samples to see if the recipe needs adjusting!), more shaking and then the blend is strained over a single “big rock” ice cube which encases a beautifully-fanned apple slice suspended within. The cocktail is topped with Aval French Cider that Leon describes as “a bit stinky, a more rustic old-fashioned-style apple cider.” A thinly-sliced apple and some jalapeno provide the garnish. Leon explains that he is conscientious of creating cocktails that tie into the French theme of the cafe.
One sip and any doubts about ever loving bourbon vanish. Ooh la la, a fantastic complexity of flavors compete for my attention. The silky smoothness of the Angel’s Envy bourbon in tandem with the Calvados offers hints of apple, vanilla and a woodsy smokiness. The housemade simple syrup adds the right amount of heat and spiciness tempered by the tang of citrus provided by the fresh lemon juice. The cider balances the heartiness of the bourbon/brandy blend by giving the mix a semisweet, yeasty, fizzy finish. It’s a beauty of a drink both visually and in flavor. Witheach sip, I feel my seasonal fog dissipating.
So if a trip to Paris isn’t in the cards, do yourself a favor and head for the next best thing, Red Bar at Pain D’Avignon. With the bar’s European vibe and the aroma of freshly baked bread in the air, order yourself a Fallen Angel and fly there in spirit!
Pain D’Avignon
15 Hinckley Road, Hyannis
508-778-8588 / paindavignon.com
