Green Street Grill

280 GREEN ST., CENTRAL SQ., CAMBRIDGE. 617.876.1655. GREENSTREETGRILL.COM

By TYLER BALLIET

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I didn't know exactly why I was going to Green Street Grill, an establishment known for their extensive list of perfectly prepared cocktails, with Eastern Standard Kitchen's talented sommelier, Erin O'Shea. It was her choice—perhaps after studying, sipping and talking about wine all day she was looking to mix things up? Or, maybe, she had friends who worked there? Or perchance she just lived in the neighborhood? Whatever the reason, when O'Shea walked in with her large, friendly smile and we started chatting with Misty, our tattoo-clad mixologist for the evening, I knew I was in for a world of delicious and possibly dangerous intoxication.

Drink 1: 3-2-1 ($8). We didn't mess around with the first drink, as it was bartender's choice, jumping right into the all-booze mixture made from three parts rye, two parts Chartreuse and one part vermouth (hence the name). Misty explained how she found the Waldorf Astoria drink recipe on a magazine clipping stuck in an old book. Beirut was playing on the stereo and as Erin and I started chatting about wine I realized this was the beginning of a long Sunday night.

Drink 2: 7th Heaven ($7). "We'll take that minty thing over there," I said as we both pointed to a pink martini at the other end of the bar. The gin cocktail with mint was tasty, but at this point we were engrossed in telling exotic tales about bottles that got away. Screaming Eagle, a $2,000 California cult Cab, "smells like fucking Syrah," O'Shea shouted. "It was the most disappointing experience of my life."

Drink 3: Fighting Cock Whiskey with beer chaser ($6). When asked what was the best bang for the buck, Misty replied with a smile, "I have a well filled with $5 shots. I can make you anything." By this time O'Shea's boyfriend had arrived and we all looked worried. Judging by O'Shea's face after the first sip, the slightly more expensive overproof whiskey option wasn't the smartest decision, but it did make for some good conversation. Phrases like, "What are you thinking? Cock on the rocks?" and "Is this your first time with the cock?" flew faster than I could write.

Drink 4: Fascinator / Earl Grey Teani ($8). We decided to let O'Shea's 'boyfriend pick a drink that best represented her. Fascinator, a proper gin martini from the 1930s, arrived—after the first sip, O'Shea yelled, "What's wrong with you? What did you pick?" Being three drinks in, the thought of drinking straight gin was horrid. After some whispering about the rules, we decided to override his decision and opt for the sweeter, but still booze-loaded, Earl Grey Teani instead.

Drink 5: Peanut Butter Flip ($9.50). Tommy, friend and bartender at Eastern Standard, recommended this one to O'Shea in advance. He was also the one who pointed her to Green Street. While studying for her Master's of Wine, O'Shea realized she needed to learn the difference in taste between alcohol and acid. Tommy insisted that cocktails were the best way to accomplish this, and Misty the best teacher. As we swigged our final drink of peanut butter and 12-year Macallan, O'Shea noted, "It feels like kindergarten, in a weird way."