Spiritual Enlightenment

Those of you who are seeking a spiritual enlightenment try visiting the Brandy Library in New York. No, not Buddha enlightenment, but the intoxicating enlightenment of Brandy, the fine spirit.

Our friends came into the city from Philadelphia and suggested we go to the Brandy Library...I had no idea what it was, I was expecting an old library with amazing architecture that housed great books. I then googled it, and was surprised to learn that it was a bar that carried an assortment of the spirit. I was excited, I mean...come on! Our dog is even named after the caramel colored liquor. Upon entering the Brandy Library, I instantly fell in love with the ambiance that the dim lit walls created. The collection of bottles that contained the different hues of burnt colored liquid that wrapped the large room was visual overload for me. I just love how a nice bottle of liquor glows with the proper back light! Anyway...the aroma of the brandy was warm and comforting. As a designer, I believe two important elements are ambient lighting and scent. This bar definitely has that!

Their huge bible of a menu was pretty overwhelming but impressive. If you can't find it nowhere else, you'll find that rare spirit here, say, a 1945 Darroze armagnac, Pierre Ferrand cognac 1914, or a Springbank 1969 single malt. Their collection amasses more than 900 bottles. Oh, and a menu of 100 signature and classic cocktails, carefully chosen wines (still and spakling) and beers, and a decadent selection of hors d'oeuvres.

My friends and I all walked out of the Library, maybe staggering a little, but content and enlightened none the less...

Visit Brandy Library website at www.brandylibrary.com