Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/109083
T he Guide the bitter truth THE COCKTAIL PROGRAM AT THE SOUTH END'S NEW RESTAURANT CINQUECENTO FOCUSES ON ITALIAN AMAROS. BY JESSICA LANIEWSKI C inquecento has arrived in the South End with one simple message when it comes to cocktails: Bitter is better. The new Roman trattoria opened recently in the old Rocca spot and has diners clamoring for a coveted bar seat. While the food menu spotlights classic dishes, the cocktail menu has fun with Italian bitters. "We have a lot of great Italian amaro liqueurs, and definitely one of the most comprehensive selections in the city. We try to use as many of them as possible in the cocktail program," says Matt Coughlin, The Aquitaine Group's beverage director. Coughlin and his crew keep the classics in mind while adding a modern twist to each cocktail by using lesser-known spirits like artichoke liqueur. We love the refreshing Limone Fresca ( PICTURED), with equal parts house-made limoncello and saffron-flavored Liquore Strega, as well as basil, lime, and Fever-Tree Bitter Lemon soda. One of Coughlin's favorite cocktails, the Armonia, is made with serrano chile–infused Campari, rye whiskey, kaffir lime, and sweet vermouth. "It's bitter and sweet while having a real backbone of heat," he says. "I tend to stay away from cocktails that are too sweet or too one-note." Cinquecento's cocktail program revolves around the seasons and uses ingredients that are fresh and available, which means incorporating juicy blood oranges, tangerines, lemongrass, and grapefruit in warm-weather drinks. The restaurant also offers a Negroni flight, consisting of a traditional Negroni plus two other variations the bartenders come up with on the spot that pay homage to the classic Italian cocktail while being a bit adventurous. Arrive early at Cinquecento (the name is a nod to the street address) and grab a corner seat at the bar so you can enjoy your drink and take in the vibrant scene at the same time. 500 Harrison Ave., 617-338-9500; cinquecentoboston.com BC THIS MONTH THE VERY BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY BY IZZY BERDAN imbibe: sophisticated sports bars relax: hot spa treatments play: best seats in the house BOSTONCOMMON-MAGAZINE.COM 129_BC_G_Opener_Spring13.indd 129 129 2/12/13 2:49 PM