Falling into Glassmaking and Saffron Cocktails

As the fall art season approaches, Magazine Street in NOLA comes alive. Galleries prep for the October citywide opening dates known as Art for Arts Sake. Pollack Glass Studio had their pre opening this past weekend and their newly constructed studio did not disappoint. Situated in the 4100 block of Magazine, Pollack joins a collection of new businesses that is reviving this once lackluster section of the street.

The studio hosts a number of artists which we have been fortunate enough to visit at Jazz Fest each year. This new collective art space makes it helpful to visit your favorite artists in one spot for easy viewing and buying. As you pass through the gallery, the center section of the building is the glass blowing workshop and is a stainless steel marvel that looks like something out of a fancy restaurant, Several artists were demonstrating their skills with glass rods as guests sipped wine and cocktails. Not quite sure how brilliant it is to have cocktails next to blow torches, but this is New Orleans and anything goes most of the time.

Conveniently located right next door is Saffron which is Eater and NOLA Magazine's 2017 restaurant of the year. If you have not been yet, this charming, stylish restaurant is a comfortable hangout with exotic cocktails and great food. We had a little time to kill so we opted for bar seats for a couple of cocktails. While sitting at the bar you have the opportunity to watch the bartenders and get their take on the crowd which by the way, is as beautiful as the staff is. The restaurant is owned by the Vilkhu family, and Ashwin is always on site to greet guests. We ordered the "I Ain't Sari" which is a tall glass cocktail made with Bourbon, yogurt, roasted chili pepper, bitters and then topped with salted popcorn. It's similar to an adult milkshake and very tasty. Our second cocktail had to of course be gin and was named the "I See Stars" and included gin, aperol, dry vermouth, saffron, star anise and lemon. Served in a small martini like glass, this was quite the tasty concoction and had beautiful color. The cocktail list is extensive and has ample offerings of premium liquors, beer and wine. Take a stroll down Magazine and enjoy these two new offerings in the city.

Pollack Glass Studio

4132 Magazine Street

504-875-3627

https://www.pollackglassnola.com/

Saffron

4128 Magazine Street

504-323-2626

https://www.saffronnola.com/