LTHForum.com

Bacon is a wonderful food and I'm all in favor of its responsible use. I do not, however, think that everything is improved by it. Case in point: the Bacon and Egg cocktail at Otom.



This concoction contains "bacon-washed Plymouth gin, bacon bitters, maple syrup, lemon, egg white and a maple-glazed bacon strip." I'd like to hear what the everything's-better-with-bacon crowd has to say after trying this one. To me it's a waste of $12 (not to mention some perfectly good bacon).

Otom
951 W Fulton Market St
Chicago
312-491-5804

Edited to fix image link.

I mostly agree with this. The waitress said I'd like it if I really, really, really liked bacon. But it was more essence of smoke with a nice bacon nose, than bacon all the way through. I don't typically care for Rauchbier either.

The server was really quite nice, and when she realized I wasn't thrilled with the bacon and egg, virtually insisted on replacing it. While I was grateful for another drink, and happy not to risk the palatal dissatisfaction of a whole Bacon and Egg, I've been left with the gnawing feeling that, like a good bowl of soup, the flavor might have really rounded out after you're halfway through. If someone else is willing to try this experiment, I'd love to hear the results.

Happily, the replacement Cilantro Sling was a delightful take on another unorthodox cocktail flavoring. The cilantro was powerfully (and positively) represented.

My Sunberry Sazerac was quite nice too.

I found Otom a very nice spot for a cocktail, and I really appreciated the menu. The flavor profile of the house cocktails runs sweet, maybe a little much in some places, but overall a nice alternative for quality cocktails in the city.

I wonder if this would have tasted better if it had in fact been presented as a soup - in a bowl with a spoon. The elements sound like they would be good together.

I don't think so. I loved the prosciutto consomme at Schwa, for example, which is more what I would expect of a bacony soup. Okay, so that's not smoked, which I guess is a big difference, but at least it was porky all the way through. This drink gave a little pork at first, but gave way simply to smoke, liquidy smoke (though not Liquid Smoke).

The carbonated effect from the egg white also would have been odd in a soup, though I admit the savoriness may have seemed less unfamiliar that way. I'm curious to hear from someone who liked it, though.

The last time I was pondering what kind of drink bacon might be good with, I came up with a bloody mary using a skewered piece of crisp bacon (perhaps peppered bacon) as a garnish, along with the typical celery stick. We never got around to actually trying it, though.

I could also see bacon infused into bourbon, which might then be used to make the kinds of cocktails often made from the peatier, smokier types of scotch or Irish whiskey.

But the pairing of gin -- typically used for clear, clean-tasting drinks or fruity cocktails -- with maple syrup and bacon just seems wrong.

O.M.G. At least it was not evocative of Liquid Smoke! I had a smoked Coke - as in Coca-Cola - cocktail at Tailor in New York and it was the most horrible experience. It was worse than Liquid Smoke - as if there could be such a thing. They were so proud of themselves but after that drink all I could taste was essence of ashtray.

See, the carbonation effect sounds so attractive to me. Maybe if it was a warm, porky, smoky - in a good way - slighty carbonated soup. That sounds really good.

I would definately reccomend trying your idea (since I have and loved it). I sprinkled the bacon skewers with fried celery leaves ( I fry the small inner, light colored, leaves for a few seconds or until they stop popping like crazy). This gives you a spicy bacon kick with a subtle, yet strong flavor of celery in this minor garnish that ties in the celery sticks.

Frontera serves a bacon infused Maragarita that's pretty forgettable.

Looks like I have my plans set for Saturday night.

I like bacon that much, but not this cocktail. I'm seriously enthused you're up for the challenge, however, and I look forward to your reaction.

Do you recommend an appetizer to go with it? (Preferably not one with bacon.)

Good question...I didn't have it with food.

Some toast, perhaps

=R=