If you have your finger on the pulse of Boston’s craft cocktail scene, then you’ve surely heard of Wink & Nod. This South End Speak Easy opened in 2014 and specializes in classic cocktails with a modern flair.
But Wink & Nod is more than just a funky bar, they also feature a “rotating pop-up culinary program, where visiting Chefs stage at Wink & Nod to experiment and showcase their boldest creations.”
Not only does this concept keep the menu fresh and interesting, it also provides up and coming local chefs with an incredible opportunity to show off their skills.
Each culinary team takes over the Wink & Nod kitchen for 6 months. In that time they are encouraged to experiment with flavors and dishes bold enough to pair with the ever-changing drink menus.
Past chef groups have included Whisk, Bread & Salt, Akinto, Pelekasis, Gita and Little Owl Tavern.
Wink & Nod is currently hosting the culinary stylings of Kaki Lima. Chef Retno Pratiwi specializes in authentic Indonesian dishes made from exotic flavors and ingredients sourced from her homeland.
Chef Pratiwi’s dishes are divided into small plates or appetizers, medium plates or personal entrees and large plates designed to share family-style between 2 – 4 people.
Menu items feature proteins like chicken, beef, crab and lobster plus vegetarian options like tofu and soybean cakes. Glazes and sauces are created using lots of fruit, nuts and Indonesian spices. Check out the full menu here.
And the food isn’t the only rotating menu at Wink & Nod. They also vary their signature cocktail creations by season. As per their website:
“Wink & Nod runs a scratch bar, where we prepare our cordials, fresh juices and infusions in-house, from scratch, on a daily basis.”
Current options include Champagne of Sandies – a fresh Spring cocktail made with Miller High Life, Apple Cider, Brown Sugar and finished with an apple chip, the Secret Garden features Botanist Gin, Rosemary, Chamomile, Peychaud’s Bitters and Egg White, and the Banana Boat created with Cutty Sark Prohibition Scotch, Banana Cordial and Lemon.
Having a party? Order a bowl of cocktails for the whole table! Wink & Nod is currently featuring the Indian Summer made from Nolet’s Gin, St. Germain, Grapefruit and House Ginger Beer or The King’s Bowl – Great King St. Scotch, Lemon, Honey, Allspice, House Ginger Beer. Each cocktail bowl is $68.