I visit a lot of bars and restaurants on Mondays – not only because it is my day off from a full-time job, but because I usually don’t have to worry about finding an open spot at a bar. My visit to Viale might be the first time I encountered a Monday evening that was actually fairly busy in a restaurant, and it only got more and more packed inside as the night went on. Viale is lively and trendy, decorated with plants and graffitied walls, string lights and a constant hum of conversation.
My first drink was the Fiore Rosso, made of hibiscus-infused gin, pink peppercorn hibiscus syrup, bianco, lemon and ginger beer. I normally don’t finish most of the drinks I try for this column, to maintain my level-headedness for each new cocktail, but the Fiore Rosso was so delicious that I felt obliged. It’s a delightfully floral gin cocktail; the hibiscus compliments the gin, as does the carbonation from the ginger beer and lemony tang.
My second drink was The Untucked Banana, made of Old Monk Rum, banana liqueur, salted caramel syrup and lime. The bartender recommended this to people who like daiquiris, and my expectations were exceeded. The salted caramel flavor is amazing, especially when paired with the banana, and the flavors balance really well.
Viale is warm and friendly, with a variety of delicious cocktails and an energy that runs throughout. Natural light streams in from the huge windows, and the conversation never seems to peter out. Even early on a Monday evening, the excellent cocktails, food and service at Viale make for a bustling and lively night in Central Square.
Vialé, 502 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square
A stronger
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