HOT PICKS [FRIDAY]

Gorge on George

March 16, 2007

Sometimes, just sitting in a place makes you feel suave and sophisticated. The George Lounge in Yaletown is that kind of space. We're pretty sure you could be sitting in one of their luxurious booths in jogging pants and an Iron Maiden T-shirt and still come off looking like royalty.

Well, that might be stretching the truth, but we're telling no lies when it comes to the drink selection here. Bar manager Nick Devine may be the best mixologist in town, a kind of Albert Einstein of bartenders. We may not know what E=mc2 means, but we can assure you that any drink ordered from the George equals total enjoyment.

Need proof? Here's a few of our favourites you've just gotta try:

Vanilla espresso martini ($8) - Absolut vodka with an espresso shot, vanilla sugar and some yummy coffee liqueur

Kiwi caipirinha ($10) - ultra-trendy Brazilian cachaca mixed with kiwi, limes with sugar

Watermelon agave julep ($10) - mint and watermelon stirred with vanilla sugar in Sauza tequila

London bubble ($12) - champagne poured into a martini glass with a sorbet made from Absolut vodka and mandarins, then extravagantly drizzled with mandarin Napoleon liqueur

George Lounge, 1137 Hamilton Street (near Helmcken), www.georgelounge.com, open Monday to Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Have you entered this week's contest yet? It's for a great big basket full of pampering products for mums and their babes. And have you recovered from the exploding marshmallows in yesterday's Vancouver Trendz yet?