You have to hand it to the proprietors of Bourbon & Branch and Rickhouse. They are the Ken Burnses of booze; they take events in American history that burned bright and faded into memory, and transform them into carefully crafted visual and sensual experiences — oops, I mean "bars." Bourbon & Branch tips its hat to Prohibition with its speakeasy vibe. Rickhouse, at least to my eye, is about the Gold Rush. Both are gorgeously designed and serve delicious concoctions; the bartenders set each drink in front of the imbiber as if it were a little, precious gift brought by the magi. Pretentious? You betcha. But these bars have the right to that golden stick up their asses.... More >>>