Elm City Social
Dan Rek and crew put extra effort and energy into executing each drink. (Suzie Hunter / smhunter@courant.com)
Torringtonraised Dan Rek got his first taste of bartending at a country club near his hometown, and he's been hooked ever since. As the bar manager for Elm City Social in New Haven, he's now part of its extensive cocktail program that spans everything from boozy classics like the Negroni to a desserty "cereal milk" punch with bourbon, cognac and Lucky Charms. Rek's career took him to Dish Bar & Grill and NIXS in Hartford, and then to Treva in West Hartford, calling his experience there "my main catapult into this style of bartending."
"I can't thank those guys enough. They're still like family," he says. "That place taught me a lot about service. That's what gave me my roots. The allowance that they gave me to continue to learn my craft, it continued from there on out." In New Haven, Rek and crew put extra effort and energy into executing each drink. The historic Ramos gin fizz first invented in the 1880s in New Orleans, gets its flavor from orange blossom, lemon and lime and its signature frothy top from cream and egg white. But it's a timeintensive cocktail, requiring a full five minutes of handshaking for best results. The menu warns guests ahead of time: "In short, if you're in a rush this may not be your best choice." (Handwhipped cream also adorns the warm Elm City Coffee cocktail, with Angel's Envy bourbon, Tempus Fugit crème de cacao, java and fresh grated nutmeg.) A "catch all" section of the menu is dedicated to "the drinks and twists that we come up with when inspiration strikes…at 3 a.m….when we can't sleep." Among these: the playful "Rubber Ducky" with Citra hopsinfused gin, basil, grapefruit, lemon and sparkling water, garnished with a miniature bathtub toy, and the "Miami Vice #2" , a tart and vibrant blend of strawberry jalapeñoinfused Angostura white oak rum, lime and sugar that's as colorful as the city's famous artdeco buildings. Watch a video of Rek in action and read more about Elm City Social at ctnow.com/elmcitysocial. Leeanne Griffin, lgriffin@courant.com t Elm City Social, 266 College St., New Haven, is open Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. 4754417436 , elmcitysocial.com.