SHADE-O-METER RATING
4 OUTTA 5 WERKS: “SHE GAVE GOOD FACE – SHE SERVED IT”
What’s the Casa Monica Hotel? It’s a historic hotel in St. Augustine, Florida. It opened in 1888, and it’s one of the oldest hotels in the country.
What’s the Cobalt Lounge? It’s a jazz lounge in the Case Monica Hotel. According to the website, they offer “handcrafted cocktails” and “signature martinis.”
How was the maître d’? No maître d’. You seat yourself. How was the décor? To quote Tallulah Bankhead from the movie Lifeboat, “In a word—wow.” The architecture is Moorish revival and Spanish Baroque revival. The lounge, and surrounding hotel, is sure to satisfy all your peripatetic desires.
What was the seating like? There’s some bar seating, some high top seating, and some cocktail seating. What was the atmosphere like? Chill. The live musical is on Friday and Saturday, from 8:00 p.m. to midnight.
What was the crowd like? Virtually nonexistent. But then again, it was around noon. When was happy hour? She don’t give no discounts during the winter season but sometimes rolls em’ out during the off-season.
What libations were ordered? A cool blue cucumber martini ($11), a ruby red grapefruit martini ($12), and an apple pear martini ($9). The cucumber and the grapefruit martinis were the server’s personal recipe that she created for a local Christmas cocktail contest. Neither was on the menu; you have to ask for it.
Were they served timely? Yes. How were they? Good, but I don’t know that they’ll be winning any awards. However, they were very strong. Side note—the venue used to have a ginger martini that was “to die” for. It had Goldschlagger liqueur in it and an edible hibiscus. But alas, it’s no more (I asked).
What was on the menu? Six appetizers, a few pizzas, a few sandwiches, and less than 10 entrees. What was ordered? Two appetizers. The Wagyu beef carpaccio ($14) and the “costa” calamari ($14). Was the food served timely? Not necessarily. The wait almost verged on being excessive.
How was it? Of the two, the carpaccio app was better. The carpaccio was accompanied by a mustard aioli (which also had dill and wasabi in it) and parmesan flakes. The most interesting aspect of the calamari was that it was served with a lemon Moroccan harissa sauce (but not enough of it) and fresh oregano. It was fried correctly, and the batter was good.
How was the service? Attentive, but a bit quirky. The bartender/servers been there for 17 years. What stands out about the place? The unique décor. What could be improved? The food should be more inventive and convey risk-taking. What was surprising? That they don’t do a haunted tour of the hotel.
The Casa Monica Hotel is located at 95 Cordova St., in St. Augustine, Florida. The Cobalt Lounge is opened from about 11:00 a.m. to midnight.
