It's out with the old and in with the new at Counter Intuitive, the rotating-theme bar that restaurateur Peter Kasperski opened about four months ago with help from some of the Valley's best bartenders. Until now, the bar has featured a New Orleans-inspired theme built around the estate sale of a fictitious character called Bartholomew Chesterfield Ignatius Sugarman.
On Friday, June 19, however, the current menu of Sazeracs, Painkillers, and bacon beignets is out — and a new menu inspired by a new theme is in.
And what's that theme you ask? In one word, Cuba.
More specifically, the new menu is inspired by a mysterious trip some people believe Pablo Picasso made to Cuba shortly after the Cuban Revolution. Here's an excerpt from the promotional materials for the new menu:
"Shortly after the Cuban Revolution and the subsequent embargo on Cuba, Pablo Picasso is said to have made a trip to Cuba. Possibly to confirm or dispel rumors of his grandfather's trip there in the 1860's, possibly to gain new creative insight. What we do know is that this trip is the inspiration behind the new cocktail menu at Counter Intuitive."
The Cuba-in-the-1960s theme manifests itself in cocktail creations such as the Cubism, "an adult banana smoothie of sorts," and the Trinidad, "a spirit-forward coffee-flavored rum offering."
On Friday, June 19, however, the current menu of Sazeracs, Painkillers, and bacon beignets is out — and a new menu inspired by a new theme is in.
And what's that theme you ask? In one word, Cuba.
More specifically, the new menu is inspired by a mysterious trip some people believe Pablo Picasso made to Cuba shortly after the Cuban Revolution. Here's an excerpt from the promotional materials for the new menu:
"Shortly after the Cuban Revolution and the subsequent embargo on Cuba, Pablo Picasso is said to have made a trip to Cuba. Possibly to confirm or dispel rumors of his grandfather's trip there in the 1860's, possibly to gain new creative insight. What we do know is that this trip is the inspiration behind the new cocktail menu at Counter Intuitive."
The Cuba-in-the-1960s theme manifests itself in cocktail creations such as the Cubism, "an adult banana smoothie of sorts," and the Trinidad, "a spirit-forward coffee-flavored rum offering."
Here's a peek at the food and drink menus:
Food
Cubano SandwichCitrus mojo pork shoulder, ham, bacon, and pickles (all made in house) served with a Dijon mayo, Havarti and Swiss cheese, on house made bread.
New Breakfast SandwichHam, egg, chorizo patty, Spanish cheese, on housemade chorizo ciabatta bread.
Ropa Vieja
Braised skirt steak with a spicy tomato sauce served on top fried yucca and plantain chips.
Cocktails
Bridging the GapHouse made toasted coconut infused Bacardi 8 anos Rum, house amaro blend, fresh lime, and pineapple syrup.
TrinidadDon Pancho 8 year Rum, NOLA coffee liquor, Crème de Cacao, P. Ferrand Orange Curacao, Unsweeted fresh whipped cream, topped with fresh grated cinnamon.
Stroke of GreenessAzunia Blanco tequila, house made Laurel Liqueur, green papaya juice, fresh lime, agave, mint, and serrano chile.
Firm n’ Tantalizing (Punch)Banks 5 Island Rum, Hop Head Vodka, house made Vin Mariani, ginger syrup, fresh lime, grapefruit oleo saccharum, and house fermented pineapple soda.
The bar, located at 7133 East Stetson Drive in Scottsdale, is open just two days a week (Friday and Saturday) for four hours (from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.) But despite the limited hours, Counter Intuitive quickly has become a hot spot for cocktail enthusiasts. That's thanks in large part to the fact that the bar menu is a collaboration between well-known Valley bartenders Jason Asher and Micah Olson, whose creative menu is only bolstered by the impressive roster of bartenders who often take shifts behind the Counter Intuitive bar.
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