Hear ye, hear ye, the bar tender(ess) with the mostest has resurfaced. Two months ago, I pulled up a chair at Penn Quarter’s beloved Rasika and promptly experienced one of the most disappointing cocktail hours of my life. Instead of receiving one of Gina Chersevani’s, their well known bartender, copyrighted masterpieces, a pear and vanilla infused Woodford reserve, I got a C-list imitation that consisted of extra melting ice cubes, soda water, and the dregs of bourbon happiness. I promptly took it back up to the bar. The conversation went like this.
“Excuse me,” I ask politely.
“Yes,” begin glaring by very small woman behind bar.
“I don’t mean to be a pest, but this doesn’t taste right.” Extend drink for viewing.
“It should.” Very small woman makes direct statement.
“Ummm, no, it really doesn’t. May I have the pear and vanilla infused bourbon drink.” Unhappy me makes statement back.
“We’ve changed the menu.”
“Oh, I didn’t see that. Well, I see you still have a jar of the drink, so may I have that instead?” See me eye jar of bourbon happiness that is nearly empty.
“That’s what I gave you, it’s just got something different in it.”
“Yes, that’s the problem…”
It went downhill from there. I asked for Gina. I was told “she is no longer with us.” My drinks promptly got worse. I’ve only been back once since then. It wasn’t any better. Later I learned from the Washington Post that there had been “a major shake up of Washington’s Mixology scene,” as put by Fritz in this Behind the Bar article and customers are not pleased.
Then EatBar, which is adjacent to Tallula, happened. I walked in with friends on a whim and found Gina parked behind the bar working her magic.
Hallelujah.
So for those of you looking for our long lost master creator, she’s taken her talents across the Potomac and to the capable hands of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, which also owns local favorites Tallula, Evening Star, Vermillion, Rustico, and Buzz. And the Post is claiming the Group is taking over Dakota Cowgirl, at 1337 14th St. NW, and rumor has it Gina may join the new venture. Perhaps then my cab fares can cease to be $50 a pop to visit the master at EatBar.
May all stories have such happy endings.
*After writing this post, I found that Metrocurean had written “Found: Gina Chersevani Across the Potomac.”
