A good spot for a chill drink. A variety of delicious tropical beverages will satisfy a broad constituency -- from those looking to get plastered without ever tasting booze to those seeking to prove something by ordering a cocktail that hurts to drink. I fell into the latter group the night I was there. So naturally, I ordered the Tabasco Steamboat, a vodka martini with a boat load of hot sauce.
I won't say it was a mistake. It was a valuable experience and a precious memory. But I won't do it again. Something that harsh should at least be healthy -- unless you need to clear your sinuses or stave off hypothermia, the Steamboat is an unhealthy and masochistic experience. And this is coming from someone who puts hot sauce on everything. Granted, I'm not generally a vodka fan, so if you're into vodka and spicy food, maybe you should give the Steamboat a try.
If I had to make a drink with hot sauce, I would probably combine it with some type of mixer to counteract the spiciness. Maybe rum, pineapple juice and a little Tabasco. The Bloody Mary, of course, is a great example of a drink that works perfectly with hot sauce.
Any ideas?
(Read about the Bayou's food from Linda Falkenstein.)
