Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt in Echo Park is truly a great place to meet friends for conversations over lite bites and well crafted, high quality drinks

It had been a few months since I’d hung out with Katharine. So, when she asked if I was free on a Monday for cocktails and conversation, I quickly picked out Thunderbolt, a “cocktails, natural wine and biscuits” spot in Echo Park.

To keep it casual and yet fun, I threw on a silk dress and paired it with a jean jacket and some flats. Plus, you never know how challenging parking can be in Echo Park. You could end up blocks away – and no one has time to deal with heels on a hill.

Luckily, there was a yellow curb right in front of the restaurant. Blessings from the parking gods of Los Angeles, for sure.

I started the evening with a NEGRONI NOURMAND (Calvados Gin, Apple Brandy, Campari, Pommeau, Cider) as we eased into easy conversation.

Upon first sip, I was taken aback by how truly well crafted and delicious the drink was. Unlike the brandy I had at California Brandy House in Napa, this brandy and subsequent drink was extremely smooth.

When my FRIED GREEN TOMATOES arrived, my first bite took me back to my fried green tomato order at The Bluebird Cocktail Room in Baltimore  and Hatchet Hall in Culver City.

It was delicious – perfectly fried and seasoned to perfection.

The MOMMA LEAH’S CHICKEN DRUMETTES (Tamari Glaze) was – in short, bomb AF as well. I asked for extra sauces to dip the chicken wing in and was given little cups of buffalo and house made herby ranch.

These were so damn good.

I could eat this once a week for a month and be happy with life.

Around 8:30pm, a Meet the Makers Suncliffe Arizona Gin @ Thunderbolt event started. It included drink specials and a curated list of items. Off the list, I ordered the SUNCLIFFE GIN SOUR (Suncliffe Arizona Gin, Prickly Pear, Cocchi Americano, Lemon) and the KENNEBEC FRIES (Cajun Seasoning, Ketchup).

The Gin Sour was so good, even the foam was tasty.

Soon, two and a half hours flew by as early evening turned into night.  When it was time to say goodbye, Katharine remarked on how lovely the place our time together had been.

To me, that’s the mark of a great find in Los Angeles.

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