Now, I am going to be totally honest with you; I am completely and totally biased when it comes to Fyfe's Corner Bistro (1344 E. Washington Ave).

I think Fyfe's is one of the MOST underrated, awesome bar/pubs in Madison, and I actually have reservations about writing about how awesome Fyfe's really is, because one of the reasons I love it so much, is because it's always at least partially empty whenever I go, so me, my date or my friends always get to feel like we have the place to ourselves. But I have to be realistic; everyone deserves to know the awesome deliciousness of Fyfe's, and in order to further my massive acclaim and esteem in the unbelievably devilish realm of mixed drinks writing, I must be honest. Fyfe's is a gem.

First of all, Fyfe's is another place to go if you would like to drink AND eat, because they're pub menu is quite good; not cheap, but very good. But, for cheapsies, their weekday Happy Hour is from 4:00-6:00 and they have $1.00 off cocktails, wine and beer and, FREE wings. I mean, really. Free. Why am I not there right now?

Anyway, Fyfe's is a more pricey establishment for food and drinks, but I have never not felt like it was worth it, and their food and alcohol portions are completely worth the price, nevermind the fact that most times I go there, I get some deal or another because all the bar staff are fantastic and so, so nice. But I digress. To the drinks!

Let me start off by saying my friends and I were having a sort of totally bummer-y Saturday night. We had been terribly excited to entertain one of my good friend's BFFs (best friend forever) who was visiting from out of town but when we finally all got together, our night seemed consistently frustrating.

First, we thought Jolly Bob's would be a nice place to go for some frothy islandy drinks but PSHAW they had a cover, so we were outta there for sure. Next, we went to Mickey's, where there were no less than a million hipsters abounding, the result of what seemed to be some sort of hipster wedding reception. That, compiled with socially awkward friends-of-a-friend, the four of us (myself, my dear boy, my good friend, and her best friend) found ourselves very annoyed and VERY THIRSTY. Finally, one of us had the realization that we often do when we don't know where we want to go: there was a collective silence and
then a "Oh! I know! Fyfe's!" then we all got excited and walked to the car.

When we got to Fyfe's it's like it always is: some of the waitstaff off for the night and drinking at the bar, a television on but no volume, music playing but not too loudly, and few other people there to drink, hushed away in corners or sitting at the bar. We were greeted with non-overbearing enthusiasm and my friends and I all felt instantly better. We found a nice large corner booth (we were expecting a few more non-socially awkward friends shortly) and were so happy to see Troy was the bartender for the evening.

I asked Troy, my completely and totally favorite bartender of all time, to make me what he thought was a good representation of not only his talents (which are vast) but of the subtly refined nature of Fyfe's, and he disappeared with all the rest of my friend's orders (a One Fish, their interpretation of a Long Island, a His Boy Elroy, one of their Cosmos and a Brandy Old-Fashioned for the out-of-towner).

He came back with our drinks and I tell you; I almost cried at the sheer presentation of the drink. He brought me one of their signature martinis: The Black Martini, and it was unbelievable. Chambord (a french black raspberry liquer), Stoli Raspberry and cranberry juice with an orange rind swirl, the presentation was elegant, simple, and not trying to be anything other than what it was; beautiful. Troy stood by as I took my first sip and fell absolutely in love. As a couple of our other friends arrived and Troy asked what they wanted to order, I forced one of my friends to order The Black and she was equally floored by its simplicity and downright yumminess. What I liked most about the drink was that it was understated, just like Fyfe's. Easily ignored by other more flashy drinks of the menu, I had never tried it before, but once I had a taste, I was totally comfortable and happy, and the rest of the night went wonderfully. For $6.25 this drink is more than just a nicely presented martini; it's a little piece of being bright-eyed and happy and just content. And $6.25 for that seems like a deal, you know? Damn.

Most of the drinks at Fyfe's range between $3.00 and $6.50 or so, with some being more expensive, depending on the type of alcohol you want in your drink. But for a special occassion, or when you'd like to go somewhere you can sit and talk and have a nice time, and feel sort of hidden from everywhere else, Fyfe's is fantastic. It is simple, unpretentious, kind and delicious. Completely un self-righteous. How nice.