Faith & Flower
One of Downtown’s more recent additions, Faith & Flower mixes the past with present in design and taste. Tall ceilings and pristine decor greet all who enter; the grandiose furnishing hits as you attempt to consume the entire restaurant at once. You can watch as the écailler prepares a plate of half dozen oysters and Littleneck clams at the raw bar by the door. Emerald goblets on the tables smile against the muted tones of the tables and drapes.
As beautiful as the fine dining establishment presents itself, nothing compares to the beauty of their signature drink: The Leap of Faith. Aiming to salute the past with its cocktail program, Faith & Flower adds to the many bars looking to revive the classic cocktails of the Pre-Prohibition Era. This specialty cocktail, made table-side, incorporates each one of the senses as the bartender puts on a show of fire and spirit.
As house root beer sits over ice, the bartender ignites a snifter of absinthe with a long match. A blue flame fills the glass and the daring bartender begins to pour the liquid and flame atop the idle root beer. The “leap of faith” comes as the bartender lifts the flaming glass higher as he pours, creating a stream of fire between the glasses. The spectacle dazzles in showmanship and taste.
The combination of intense, anise flavor from the absinthe and warm candy notes from the house-made root beer blend together in unexpected harmony. Traditionally, bartenders dilute absinthe with water and a sugar cube but the layers of flavor that come from the sweet root beer act as a charming replacement.
Between watching the show, hearing the gasps, smelling the vapor, and feeling the heat, The Leap of Faith is a true treat for the senses. Naturally, it is found in Downtown LA.
Written by:
Cleo Tobbi
Photographed by:
Eslee & Janica de Guzman
