Saturday, April 1, 2023
Dale and I are out in Phoenix visiting Brenda, Irv, John, and Dianne, and we made it to Undertow's new location in Gilbert, Arizona. The above photo is from their website and is better than anything I could've taken due to the darkness of the place.
Our seating was set for 3:30 and we arrived just in time. Dianne, Dale, and I met John's son Pete at the restaurant. Pete lives only a few blocks from the bar. He's been quite excited to go for a while. I guess the Gilbert location been's open for about a year and he's been waiting for us to come out to visit before checking it out himself which is very sweet. Above photo is my own and was taken from the bar which is where we were seated.
Above photo is from Undertow's website and is a clearer shot of the barrels across from where we were seated sat the bar.
The booth that was behind where we were seated. I wish we could've been seated here since we could have seen each other better.
My first cocktail was the Missionary's Downfall which, according to the menu is from the 1940s and is attributed to Don the Beachcomber. This version was made from Flor de Cana 7 year aged Nicaraguan rum, Giffard peach, pineapple, mint, and honey. Nicely sweet, and not overly so. I adored it. So well made.
Dianne started with a non-alcoholic cocktail called the Captain's Apprentice. This featured a non-alcoholic spiced gin, green chartreuse, mint, strawberry, cream of coconut, lime leaf, and lime. She really liked it. Dale had a beer and Pete started with a Mai Tai.
For my second drink I went with the Three Dots and a Dash. A true classic which was sharper and had a wonderful hint of bitterness which really provided a great contrast with my first drink. Loved this one too.
Dianne's second drink was another non-alcoholic choice called the Shipless Sailor. This one featured non-alcoholic Jamaican rum, heirloom Alechemeres, orgeat, hibiscus, lime leaf, lime, and pineapple. I think she like this one just a little bit more from her first drink. Dale got another beer for his second round. Pete asked what I recommended for his second drink. I told him the get what I was having, the Three Dots and a Dash, because it complemented the sweetness of the first drink. He loved it.
I asked the bartender if they had any tiki mugs for sale and he brought out the little guy pictured above to show me. He was hand carved and made into a mold. The tiki mugs were a limited edition of only 500 mugs. I made him mine. He was to cool not to pass up. Dianne marveled at the detail and liked how his eyes would follow you when you look at him.
The Undertow bar experience was slightly similar to that of Pagan Idol in San Francisco. The bar takes place in the hold of a ship which sets sail after being seated. When you reach port after your hour and a half seating time you're expected to exit the ship. The experience at Pagan Idol takes you a port as well but you can stay as long as you like.
We all had a great time and it was worth the hour and a half drive to get to Gilbert from Peoria.
Everything was amazing: the drinks; the service; the decor; the atmosphere. We all felt the same way. I can't wait to go back.
Until next time....
