By Jordan Bailey
Corner Tavern is cozy and dragon-clad with exposed brick, wrought iron detailing and dimly lit every night of the year. The skeletons and pumpkins are an autumn specialty. Drafts and bottles from local and nonnative breweries change with the seasons making Corner Tavern the ideal spot to celebrate the tastes and festivities of fall.Weyerbacher Imperial Pumpkin Ale (pictured) is poured to allow the head to froth up and peak against the sides of a short goblet — the proper way to pour Belgium ale.
Ruby colored with a camel-colored head, the spicy fruity scent of pumpkin is easily detected. Fortunately the sweetness is restrained to the aroma as the taste focuses more on spices and the warmth of the alcohol as opposed to recreating a pumpkin pie. At 8% ABV, Imperial Pumpkin Ale is a high gravity brew and suggested to be enjoyed in front of a crackling fire.
Warming up at Corner Tavern this fall means more than just stealing away from the chill—it means firing up your taste buds with a cup of the jalapeño-packed turkey chili. Tomato-based with chunks of onion, garlic and ground turkey, this savory starter is not joking around with the spice. A cup or bowl of turkey chili is garnished with buttered and toasted hoagie rolls. Specialties like fried artichoke hearts and bacon wrapped figs distinguish Corner Tavern a sophisticated spot to masticate. The figs are steamed, stuffed with goat cheese and wrapped in prosciutto. Reduced balsamic seals in sweetness while arugula and diced tomatoes compliment this rich dish.
Corner Tavern doesn’t just stick to craft bar favorites like the Old Fashioned– it currently features a variety of fall drinks that bring a modern twist to tried and true autumn beverages. The Fireside Chat Martini mixes vodka, Midnight Moon Apple Pie Moonshine and organic apple butter together. The Hot Cinnamon Cider is a concoction of spiced rum, hot homemade apple cider and served with apple slices and ginger snaps. The Salted Caramel Martini (pictured) is the best seller of the bunch. Ingredients include Stoli Salted Caramel Vodka, Van Gogh Espresso Vodka, chocolate bitters, cream and a caramel rim with salty, crushed pretzel. This is an adequate replacement for an ice cream date or summer dessert. The taste is what an iced alcoholic caramel latte would be like if it were shaken, not steamed.
In an attempt to bring a craft bar vibe with tavern-esque motif, Corner Tavern goes beyond the usual draft-and-go bar service available by most other affordable restaurants full of students. With four shops set up in Atlanta the menus and drink specials vary from location to location, each tavern special to residing neighborhood. The Little 5 site hosts trivia on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, a fun way to break from studying for upcoming finals. Karaoke is offered on Fridays.
For more information:
1174 Euclid Avenue NE
404-521-0667
www.thecornertavern.com