Spirit Cruises January 2023 Leaderboard

Vegan Bar Charlie Was a Sinner Arrives on the 13th Street Scene

Nicole Marquis, the entrepreneurial powerhouse behind the smash hit all-vegan fast casual concept, HipCityVeg, arrives on the bustling 13th Street scene with her latest, Charlie Was a Sinner.

The new bar and restaurant, which like her previous efforts puts forth a menu of drinks and eats that are completely free of any animal-based products and ingredients, takes up residence at 131 South 13th St. in the long vacant property that was last home to the skeevey and sleazy strip joint Full Moon Saloon. It opens daily at 8 AM, serving coffee and vegan pastries, and keeps service going into the evening, serving a full spread of all-vegan dishes created by The Mildred’s Chef Michael Santoro and a long list of clever cocktails from former Ranstead Room bar guru, Pete Venuto.

Marquis hired Canno Design to create the candle-lit space’s sexy mood, which was set with plush, button-tufted banquettes, antique furnishings and lighting fixtures, a gorgeous brass bar top and custom-built leather stools.

As has become customary, the bar program relies of fresh-squeezed juices and where possible, housemade ingredients. Venuto’s cocktail list includes a mix of old and new creations that range from classics like Singapore Sling, Bluecoat Gin, Cherry Heering, Combier, Benedictine, grenadine, pineapple, lime, and Angostura bitters; and Penicillin, Dewars, Laphroaig, ginger, lemon, and agave to the Dr. Steangelove-inspired Purity of Essence, Bombay Sapphire, cucumber, mint and aloe vera; and Pablo Picasso, Leblon Cachaca, enhanced blueberry wine and orange spice tea.

In addition to cocktails, Charlie Was a Sinner offers four beers on draft, another five in bottles, and a dozen wines — white, red and sparkling — by the glass and bottle.

Santoro and his kitchen crew kick out a selection of meatless dishes that includes everything from Korean fried tofu and beetroot dumplings to a Maryland style “crabcake” and bucatini and “meatballs.”

Charlie Was a Sinner, 131 S. 13th St., charliewasasinner.com

 


Tags: Beer, Cocktails, Dinner, Food, Spirits, Whiskey, Wine
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