Like Eastern Standard (for Sunday night)...

[Rabbit]

I'm looking for a place like ESK for two couples on Sunday night.

We're visitors (from Toronto and Connecticut), but I've done some research some I'm wondering about Rocca, Union Bar and Grille, Sorrelina or even the new Craigie on Main... although we're open to suggestions

Criteria:
- interesting mixology (Toronto bartending sucks and I'm consistently thrilled with the height that mixology reaches in Boston!!)
- great food (no fussy eaters, but we'd rather not go too rococo because we're planning a causal evening where the focus is as much on the company as the food)
- relatively casual, but still adult... a lively and casual vibe (like ESK, which we love)... someplace we can linger
- we're staying at the Taj (Ritz, RIP), so we'd prefer to stay in Boston, unless someone has a rave recommendation across the river (which is why we're open to Craigie)

Thanks in advance for any thoughts... Rab-bit!

[AbeFroman]

I'd add that you might see a familiar face behind the stick at Craigie. Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli (formerly of ES) is their bar manager.

[rebs]

Gaslight in the South End. Mostly French fare, very good cocktail list (nothing girly or too sweet), menu priced relatively low (most expensive entrees in the low $20's), and the food is very good. dining room can get a little loud due to the acoustics of the room, but nothing unbearable. interior reminds me of being back in Paris.

[Blumie]

Just curious ... why not ESK?

[Rabbit]

Excellent question, Blumie... and we may well end up back there (I'm not sure it can be beat given our parameters).

But if you have other suggestions, do keep them coming!!

[fabeneag]

I'm a fan of Union although more so from the food side than the mixology side. Sorrelina is much more serious in my opinion than Union. Haven't eaten at Banq, but seems to get rave reviews for the scene and drinks.

[MC Slim JB]

Craigie on Main is awfully new; you might roll snake eyes in Opening Weekend Craps.

I think the bartending at Rocca and Union are pretty average nowadays. Sorellina is a bit better, but nothing special.

My favorite bartending these days can be found at ESK, the bar at No. 9 Park (which unfortunately ditched its cafe menu, leaving only the very expensive dining room menu), the new Drink over in the Fort Point neighborhood of Southie (drinks are superb, food is limited to expensive, gussied-up, old-fashioned cocktail-party snacks), Green Street in Central Square (a good option given your requirements), the new Marliave (walkable from the hotel, with the downstairs cafe menu serving solid, reasonably priced food, plus a pricey Continental menu upstairs), and Toro in the South End (excellent tapas, often crowded, but not bad on a Sunday night).