Busy Beth's Blog: Oldfield's Liquor Room

If you come to Culver City thinking you'll find an updated Saints and Sinners, you'll be in for quite a shock. Gone are the flaming shots, velvety walls and shagadelic decor ("It's like an awesome bordello!" I once heard gleefully exclaimed). The jewel tones and sparkle have been replaced with bright tiles and light wood. Coupled with the aprons and bow-ties of our fine mixologist bartenders, it's look is more reminiscent of a soda fountain of yesteryear than a bar. But don't be fooled…there's nothing soft about these drinks.

Still owned by 1933 Group -whose bars include The Bigfoot Lodge, The Thirsty Crow, Little Cave, and Bigfoot West- Oldfield's Liquor Room cocktail menu had been created to include new twists on classic flavors. The menu will vary seasonally. Some favorites of the night included:

The Oakshade ($12-pictured here)- Bulleit Rye, Walnut Liqueur, Averna Amaro Carpano Antica, Chocolate Chili Bitters

The Cactus Derby ($11)- Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Chartreuse, Fresh Lemon, Egg White, Strawberry

Lovetta ($11)- Berkshire Mt. Greylock Gin, Campari, Fruitlab Orange, Limoncello, Egg White

No.999 ($12)- Talisker 10 yr Scotch, Fresh Lemon, Housemade Grenadine

Two that sounded great to me but, in order to be kinder to my liver, I did not have a chance to try:

Peerless ($11)- Miller's Westbourne Gin, Apricot Liqueur, Apricot Nectar, Fever Tree Ginger Beer

The Vanderbilt Cup ($12)- Hendrick's Gin, Port Reduction, St. Germain, Peach Bitters, Fever Tree Ginger Beer

The bar is named for early 20th Century showman and race car driver Barney Oldfield. He started out as a bicycle racer, and his fate took a turn when a gasoline-powered bicycle led him to meet a little-known Henry Ford. Although he'd NEVER driven a car before, Ford know of Oldfield's bicycle racing prowess, and invited him to test drive two cars he'd readied for racing.

Neither would start.

Luckily for the racing world and Mr. Ford, Oldfield was not deterred, and bought the test vehicles. The famous No. 999 was the first of these vehicles to debut at the Manufacturer's Challenge Cup in 1902. When Oldfield beat the current champion by a half-mile, both he and Ford became household names. He was even the star of his own silent film, Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life in 1913 in which he races a train to rescue a heroine tied to the tracks.

Owner/ designer Bobby Green is a race car builder and driver himself who specializes in land speed racing. Having received numerous world land speed records in recent years, it's an exciting opportunity for him to have a chance to honor one of his lifelong heroes.

The manager, Jared Mort, brought in some fine drink-mixing talent. The man taking care of our side of the bar was Armando Conway from La Descarga and The Abbey. He was great to watch, and made music with the shakers. The other bartenders are Robin Jackson from Club Mallard, and Aaron Stepka from A-Frame and Rivera.

Tasty sandwiches created by local chef and author of The Cheesemonger's Kitchen, Chester Hastings, with such unique flavors as
 *Thick-cut Fra' Mani Ham with Black Cherry Jam and Farm Butter
*Challerhocker Cheese with Rosemary and Apricot Mostarda, and
*Valhrona Bittersweet Chocolate with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Sea Salt
will be available daily until they run out.

To make our experience even more enjoyable, there was a woman on the smoking patio rolling cigars for us. That will not be a regular part of the bar, but it sure was fun while it lasted!