The dawn of the new Black Cat is upon Silver Lake. In the space of a former bar of the same name, this upscale, polished gastropub makes its debut courtesy the team behind the Village Idiot. The long, dark wood bar and adjacent cocktail-table seating is perfect for pre-dinner drinks and romantic cocktailing; an attractive, attentive staff donning dark jeans, collared shirts with grey fitted vests, serve up nightly punch specials ($5 per glass) from pristine and elegant silver punch bowls as well as an array of bottled craft beers, wines by the glass and craft cocktails. For a dinner and drinks outing, the front room is warm and inviting—architectural details fine moldings grace an off-white ceiling and comfy leather banquettes line the walls of the dining room for a cozy-sophisticated, pre-war feel.
Vitals
Good for: Eastsiders can put on a sharp jacket, elegant dress, and have a civilized dining and imbibing experience without making the trek to the Westside. Late night dinner—the kitchen doesn’t close until midnight and the bar stays open until 2am—and a wide selection of wine, spirits and beer means everyone will be happy here.
The scene: Curious locals drop in to scope out the revived space for the first time and chat it up with the bartenders. Ask about housemade spirit infusions. Currently it’s fig-infused Four Roses bourbon; try it mixed with Fernet and Orange Bitters in the Half Flight ($12).
The playlist: Background jazz and groove set the atmosphere.
The bartender says: Framed photos and newspaper clippings line the walls, a tribute to the history of the space formerly known as the Black Cat Tavern.
Drink this: There’s an array of craft cocktails including two “bubbled and bottled” options: Negroni ($12) and a Sazerac ($12) are both kept fresh by the addition of CO2—a barely perceptible note of effervescence makes for a welcome twist on two classics. Beer selections feature local and international craft brew bottles and higher volume and alcohol content “bombers”; we like the Alagash Curieux ($30), a delicious Portland beer aged in bourbon casks.