What a delight hidden in plain sight! I’m skeptical 100% of the time the bar or restaurant I’m going to is in Midtown. It’s usually a place that has too much seating, is jam packed, and doesn’t have a sense of individuality. And the food + drink usually stinks. Pebble Bar was none of those things.
Straight away, our bartender Sweeney was a pop of energy. He designed about half of the cocktail menu, and he enthusiastically ran us through his creations to determine which two drinks would be our first endeavors. We became fast friends and he told us some fascinating stories about his upbringing. Those are his stories to share, so to hear them you’ll have to go meet him yourself!
Our first selections were The Stampede and Strokin’. The Stampede was a great spin on a spicy margarita. It hit the spot just right. Sweeney was the creator of the Strokin’ and suggested that he might actually like it even more with whiskey as the lead spirit. Then he felt bad for influencing Tiff. And he wound up saying, “Ah, forget it. I’ll just make you both and you tell me which you like more!” A cock-off? Let’s fire up!
Our bellies started rumbling and our eyes fell to the menu. There were plenty of tasty looking options, but we’ve been (interestingly) on a small deviled eggs kick. We picked up those and I got the sliders as a little belly bonus. The sliders were good, but those eggs. I mean THOSE EGGS! Crunchy, creamy, spicy, tangy. It was a mouth party and everyone was jammin’. We went back for seconds! I think the kitchen saw us boogy-ing with these bad boys and they were incredibly kind to send out some complimentary salmon over crisped crackers. I’m pretty sure John, Paul, George and Ringo were running this kitchen because it was hit after hit after hit.
Sweeney’s shift was coming to an end, and he left us with a parting round of shots. What a mensch. We were nervous about his replacement, but we need not be concerned. Noel brought his own friendly and fun vibe for round 2. Oh yeah, and more shots.
This time, Tiff and I went with Crimson and Clover and Tiki Blinders. Tiff loved her C&C - it was a sweet and tangy raspberry forward drink. However, I think the Cock of the Night goes to the Tiki Blinders. Not only because it had the best name on the menu, but for a tiki drink, it was still flavorful and dynamic. Delightful was to finish the evening.
My optimism going into the evening was at the lowest it could be. I am so happy to have been so wrong. This place had a great look, acoustics were on point, it was not crowded - and that doesn’t even touch the quality of the drinking/dining experience. Pebble Bar went from a place I don’t think would ever come to mind to now being one of my top recommendations for anyone heading to Midtown.
🫒🫒🫒🫒🫒
Drinks
STROKIN’
(Grey Goose Vodka / Whiskey), Aperol, Mango, Cinnamon, Lime, Regan’s Orange Bitters
THE STAMPEDE
Avion Reposado Tequila, Vida Mezcal, Pineapple, Lime, Agave, Fire Tincture Bitters
CRIMSON AND CLOVER
Teeling Irish Whiskey, Raspberry, Tawny Port, Angostura, Lemon, Egg White
TIKI BLINDERS
Diplomatico Planas Rum, Zacapa 23, Appleton, Chinola, Pineapple, Lemon, Lime, Cinnamon
Food
DEVILED EGGS
Crispy Chili OIl, Chicken Brittle, Radish
PEBBLE SLIDERS
Sumac, Zesty Yogurt, Kirby Pickles