Properly Sauced: Let's Go Dutch at Benny's Chop House

By Roger Kamholz in Food on Dec 13, 2010 7:40PM

It was Saturday afternoon, and an innocent session of Christmas shopping was threatening to get hairy. Unflagging wind and rain had turned our umbrella into a runaway fire hose. Someplace deep in the canyon of North Michigan Avenue, we put aside our hunt for gifts to satisfy more pressing needs for a delicious drink and a warm place to drink it.

We sneaked off to Benny's Chop House, having recalled that the beverage program at BCH had been spearheaded by Alinea alum Justin Leone. For a steakhouse, the credentials behind the bar were impressive. The cocktail list didn't disappoint, either.

We were informed that Leone is on leave, working on a project in London, but the bar is in the capable hands of Deirdre Hayes, formerly of the Oak Room in Kansas City. One of her latest additions to the menu is a genever-based jewel called, aptly, Let's Go Dutch. Served in a delicate coupe, this drink is the anti-holiday cocktail: it's light, effervescent, not overly sweet, drinkable - and contains nary a thimbleful of egg white. The sparkling apple cider takes center stage, with the woodsy pine liqueur and juniper of the Bols singing backup. No doubt, this is strong drink, but it goes down without a whisper. If it has a fault, it's the $14 price tag. But we think it's worth the splurge; or, consider bringing a friend and going, well, you know.

Let's Go Dutch

2 ounces Bols Genever
1 ounce Lillet Blanc
½ ounce Tio Pepe
1 ounce Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider
1 ounce Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur

Combine all ingredient in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a large glass coupe.

Benny's Chop House is located at 444 North Wabash Avenue.