Monday, November 4, 2019

Nikki Drake Named Bar Director of 2941 Restaurant

2941 Restaurant's new Bar Director, Nikki Drake

From our friends at 2941 Restaurant...

Nikki Drake Named Bar Director of 2941 Restaurant

With her new appointment, comes the debut of 14 new seasonal libations spotlighting autumnal spirits

2941 Restaurant, nestled in the heart of Falls Church, Virginia at 2941 Fairview Park Drive, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nikki Drake as bar director of the landmark restaurant. Drake has 10 years of experience in the restaurant industry, with five of those devoted to working for bars and bartending in Virginia. With her appointment, comes the introduction of new cocktails, each highlighting fresh ingredients from the season's bounties. Twelve handcrafted libations and two zero-proof mocktails have been added to the menu showcasing herbs and fruits, spices, and house-made infusions. These new cocktails will be available through December 31, 2019.

One can partake in new seasonal cocktails, including the Rhapsody in Red with cardamom-infused rye, Amaro Nonino, Aperol, lemon and Campari-Cassis foam; the Gunslinger with Old Forester bourbon, lemon, honey, egg whites and habanero bitters; Thyme Is On My Side with Mommenpop blood orange vermouth, Aperol, Amaro Meletti, lemon, orange bitters, soda and thyme; We're All Made Here with Earl Grey-infused vodka, cardamom, Crme de Cassis and lemon (available hot or cold); Study Abroad with Riesling, Laird's Applejack, Domaine Bordatto Basa Jaun sparkling cider and Yemen spice; Blood Orange Moon with Belle Isle blood orange moonshine, Mommenpop d'Pampe Pamplemousse grapefruit vermouth, cinnamon-clove honey, grapefruit and barrel-aged bitters and the Cask of Amontillado with Lustau Amontillado sherry, Belle Isle honey habanero moonshine, Lillet Blanc, Bndictine and freshly grated nutmeg.


A collection of curated classics is also available, and includes the Bee's Knees with cranberry-infused Barr Hill gin, lemon, honey and rosemary; the Mediterranean Margarita with Don Julio reposado tequila, Pierre Ferrand dry curacao, turmeric agave, ginger shrub, lime and Ras el Hanout rum; the Bijou with Catoctin Creek watershed gin, green chartreuse, Perucchi Gran Reserva vermouth and orange bitters; the Sazerac with Templeton rye whiskey, Brugal 1888 rum, Peychaud's bitters, absinthe and lemon expression and the House Old Fashioned with Knob Creek rye whiskey, Catoctin Creek Quarter Branch apple brandy, demerara, lemon bitters and small batch aromatic bitters. Two zero-proof cocktails are also available for guests, the Chai Spice Mule with ginger shrub, citrus, ginger beer and freshly grated nutmeg and the 18th Amendment with Seedlip Garden 108 non-alcoholic spirit, Indonesian long pepper, fresh ginger and Fever Tree Indian tonic. Cocktails are priced from $8 to $18 each.

Rhapsody in Red

One can also enjoy the fall happy hour menu at 2941 Restaurant, served Monday through Friday, from 4 PM to 7 PM. It features $7 house wines by the glass, $6 Lionshead Pilsner, $8 rail drinks and $6 sangria, along with an assortment of bar snacks such as Beef Sliders and Arancini, priced from $5 to $6 each.

Nikki Drake was born in Mechanicsville, Maryland and is a graduate of St. Mary's College of Maryland. In 2009, Drake began her career at Ruby Tuesday, a national American restaurant in California, Maryland, where she served for five years before being promoted to lead server.  It was here she learned the diverse skills required for the industry. Then in August 2014, Drake took on a bartending position at the popular Alexandria sports bar and steakhouse, Mackie's Bar and Grill. A year later in September 2015, she went onto work Two NineTeen Restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria. Then in April 2016, Drake became lead bartender/bar manager/cocktail consultant at The Majestic in Alexandria, Virginia. Here, she was given the opportunity to develop seasonal craft cocktails for the bar and dining room. She worked for The Majestic for two years, before being tapped to serve as bar director of 2941 Restaurant in April 2019. Drake received her Level One certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers in November 2018.

2941 Restaurant is located in the heart of Falls Church at 2941 Fairview Park Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042. It's a 10-minute walk, eight blocks, from the Foggy Bottom Metro accessible on the Blue, Silver and Orange Lines. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. Dinner is available Monday through Friday, from 5 PM to 9 PM; Saturday, from 5 PM to 10 PM. Happy Hour is served Monday through Friday, from 4 PM to 7 PM. For additional information or reservations, please call (703) 270-1500 or visit https://www.2941.com/.