What makes a beverage program?
This month we are lucky enough to spend some time talking about the beverage program at Yalla. Before we dive into it all I wanted to talk about what makes up a beverage program in the first place. The core of any beverage program is the team that is responsible for planning, preparing, stocking, and serving the beverages. For Yalla that team includes:
Our Bar Lead
Works alongside the Bartenders to develop, prep, and serve the beverage menu.
The Bar Team
Prepare the drinks and serve our bar guests on the day-to-day basis.
The Floor Staff
Help inform guests to make decisions about which drinks they'd enjoy.
Our Beverage Director
Coordinates changes and builds education programs.
As I think about all the moving pieces required to ensure that the ~ 30 beverages (including ~ 7 house made cocktails containing their own house made syrups & batches) as well as the ~ 50 bottle wine list is available on a daily basis and that all staff are educated about all aspects of our offerings - the task seems pretty daunting...
All of this is to say that I am consistently impressed by the skill and effort that goes into making the beverage program at Yalla happen. There's so much good to say because the team is killing it across the board. Whether you're a fan of good cocktails, local beers, amazing wines, or tasty non-alcoholic options, there's a perfect drink for everyone at Yalla. I'd love to talk about ALL of it but I had to limit this article to just a few exciting things - so let's get into it!
Loyal to the Soil
There's a handful of seasonal changes happening to the beverage menu at Yalla but one of my absolute favorite new cocktails is this homage to the Dirty Martini called Loyal to the Soil. Olive oil washed gin, harissa, pickled carrot come together to create a truly delicious, and ingenious, twist on the classic.
Our Bar Lead at Yalla, Jessica, had this to say about the drink:
"Loyal to the Soil, Yalla’s nod to a dirty martini, was inspired by the warmed olives served on our dinner menu, which rest in olive oil, coriander, and orange peel. This savory olive oil is the perfect fat to wash an otherwise lean London gin, imparting a lush and supple mouthfeel. The herbaceous brine from our pickled carrots serve to “dirty” the cocktail, introducing further complexity with cardamom, caraway, parsley, and dill. (You’d never guess how much greenery goes into this recipe thanks to a diligent straining process.) A pickled carrot coin is perched on the rim of the glass - because martini people love a snack - and a few drops of harissa oil are added for some zip, visual interest, and those Sesame vibes."
Jessica absolutely nailed it with that description and this drink. The cocktail is phenomenal and you should definitely stop by sometime soon and try it.
Turkish Coffee
New cocktails are great and all but that's not all that is happening in the Yallla beverage world. We've got some other exciting things to share - like the arrival of Turkish Coffee!!
Need a coffee to wash down your Chicken & Waffles at Saturday brunch? Want a late night cup to pair with a Basque Burnt Cheesecake? No matter the circumstance, a freshly brewed cup of Turkish Coffee is the perfect choice. We prepare ours sweetened with a sugar blend containing vanilla, cardamom, and cinnamon and the aroma is amazing.
Wine & Dine
At Yalla, the wine program is a celebration of global craftsmanship, featuring a thoughtfully curated wine list by our Beverage Director, Joanna Scarpelli. From the rolling hills of Italy, France, and Spain to the rich terroirs of Greece, Slovenia, Hungary, Washington, and Oregon, the wine list is an exploration of exceptional winemaking from around the world.
A staff favorite as of late has been the Ambrositsch 'Rakete' Roter Gemischter-Satz from Vienna, Austria—a light-bodied, vibrant, and juicy wine boasting flavors of cranberry, cumin, red hibiscus, and wild strawberries. Whether you're a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply exploring, our diverse and dynamic wine selection has something to complement every palate and dish and our team will help you find the perfect wine for you.