This week we used the fabulous [tag]Scoutmob[/tag] to try and get a deal and find a good place for cocktails.  We tried [tag]Amuse![/tag] but much to our dismay – no cocktail menu at all – just a “full bar.”  Not amusing.

The next day, we headed to the mountains of Highland, NC for the wedding of our our lovely friends Kim and Chip.  With little time to spare in Week 19, we decided to head to one of the bars at our swanky lodging, [tag]The Old Edwards Inn[/tag] for this week’s review.  When we entered the “library” bar – known as The Hummingbird Lounge, little did we know we were stepping into the Twilight Zone (insert creepy music here.) It is a beautiful place – no doubt.  Although there was no cocktail menu here either, the entire experience was worth a write-up.

It seems that this is THE place to be in Highlands, NC on a weekend night if you are a local.  “Local” seems to be people above the age of 55 who reside in the greater Atlanta area, but also own a second home in the Highlands  that may or may not have also been owned by their parents’ parents.  They also all seem to be connected to Julia Sugarbaker by 6 degrees of separation.  And by “home,” in the Highlands, we do not mean a rustic mountain cabin, we mean an estately manor with an interior designed by one of Atlanta’s finest designer’s who specializes in “mountain chic.”

Anyway, stereotypes aside,  all the locals stop by the Hummingbird Lounge for a cocktail before heading to their dinner reservations, or swing by for a night cap and smooth guitar playing after their 5:30 dinner is done. The piano fills the room from 5pm until 8, and then the guitar starts.  And does it start.  Ashley and I did not know any of the songs being played by the once famous Atlanta guitarist from the 1970′s.  Just to give you a taste of what we listened to, I have actually posted a short video from the evening.  Be sure to turn the sound up and also look for the old man with his bright green apple martini behind Alison.  

This week, we are rating Ashley’s classic dirty martini with Kettle One and three olives and my classic gin and tonic with Hendricks gin and a lime wedge.

Don’t forget our ratings scale is between 1 and 5 Olives.  One Olive = waste of my blogging time;  5 Olives = oh my goodness/yummmmmm

Presentation: 5 olives.  Come on – we are in what was called the Hummingbird Lounge – people!  Our waiter, Jason, was precious and greeted us with a knowing look that said, “prepare yourselves, ladies.”

Creativity: 1 olive.  These were not creative drinks – but they were indeed spot on in a place like the Hummingbird Lounge.

Taste: 5 olives.  We could not have asked for tastier drinks. I am sure Jason makes a heck of a lot of dirty martinis and gin and tonics and they were spot on.  The dirty martini was perfect in its dirtiness and the gin and tonic was classic.

Overall:  4.5 olives.  Our evening was not what we expected and yet, it was memorable and wonderful – I know we shall be back!