The Bar of Chocolate

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bar-of-Chocolate/116495095042110

We like going to The Bar of Chocolate after a good meal at one of our favorite restaurants.  Today, we had dinner at the East Ender and had a nice walk to The Bar of Chocolate on a beautiful evening in Portland.

The interior is dark and lit with small lights.  Along one wall are long benches with high backs with tables and chairs.  There are also pairs of high back leather chairs giving the space a very comfortable relaxed atmosphere.  As you can tell from the name of the bar, they serve desserts, cocktails, and after dinner drinks.  Of course, chocolate is a popular ingredient. 

This evening we tried the chocolate torte with caramel and sea salt. It was very rich and dense and for true chocolate lovers only! I had to first show my Chocolate Lovers membership card to get a piece! (just kidding).  We had a Limoncello cocktail with the torte which was a great combination.  We also had the crème brulee paired with a port wine.  Wasn't sure it would go well but it did.  The brulee was a rich, creamy vanilla. Classic and satisfying.  Perfect end to the evening.

The staff is very friendly and can make suggestions on how to best pair a dessert with a wine of cocktail.  We highly recommend The Bar of Chocolate as a great way to start or end your evening.

 

chocolate torte with caramel and sea salt

 

Crème Brulee with a nice Port wine

Our ratings scale
Atmosphere: 4
Staff: 4
Drinks: 4
Mount Gay rum: Yes
Food: 4
Parking: 1

Portland Hunt + Alpine Club

http://huntandalpineclub.com/

This was our second trip to the Portland Hunt and Alpine Club.  Both times were on the first Sunday of the month  which is Tiki Sunday at the Club.  They play tropical music. The music is more Hawaii 5-0 than Bob Marley.  Resident mixologist, John Myers serves up the drinks.  Tiki Sunday features 4 different drinks, each for $9:

• Corn + Oil - blackstrap run and falernum
• Viking Fogcutter - brand, rum, gin, orgeat, and citrus
• Yellow Bird. - rum, line and Galliano
• Montego Bay - rums, citrus, honey, allspice and bitters

If these drinks sound good, its because they are.  We recommend the Montego Bay.  As you would suspect, the drink menu is terrific.  Its why you go to the Club.  Wine and Beer selecting is limited.  But, last time we were there they did have Bissell Brother's Substance and Rising Tides Daymark.  The beer selection does change, always with good options. 

Food selection is simple but good.  We have tried the snacks but not the meals.  We have sampled the popcorn and the house pretzels.  Both options were addicting and satisfying.  The atmosphere has that clean and neat Scandinavian feel.  The location is on Market street with floor to ceiling windows looking out onto Post Office Park. 

Service was disappointing.  Not great but not bad.

In a coconut shell, we like the Portland Hunt and Alpine Club and we'll go back for the drinks.

  The bar

 

 

 The Montego Bay

 

Our ratings scale
Atmosphere: 3
Staff: 3
Drinks: 4
Mount Gay rum: Yes
Food: 3
Parking: 3