Crème Brûlée Tart made with Portuguese Egg Custard, pandan, passionfruit ice cream, macadamia crumble, banana, and pâté sucré
Left: Fallen Angels made with San Zanj Haitian rum, rye, calamansi, monk fruit cola, and milk wash
Right: Lo-Fi Fields made with Hendrick's gin, strawberry consommé, and tonic
I believe Viridian, a sleek cocktail bar located on Broadway and Grand in Uptown Oakland, was one of the last bars I visited before the pandemic started. I remember the iridescent windows, neon light sculptures, inventive menu, and wanting to return in the future.
I stopped by the second time last weekend and it's as good as I remember. My dining companion and I tried a couple of their amazing cocktails: Fallen Angels and Lo-Fi Fields. The first was made with San Zanj Haitian rum, rye, calamansi, monk fruit cola, and milk wash, while the second had Hendrick's gin, strawberry consommé, and tonic. Both were expertly prepared and reminded me of the stellar cocktails we had a few weeks back at True Laurel in the Mission—Fallen Angels was milk washed like the Mai O Mai, another rum-based drink.
Along with our drinks, we ordered one of their many amazing desserts: the Crème Brûlée Tart made with Portuguese Egg Custard, pandan, passionfruit ice cream, macadamia crumble, banana, and pâté sucré. This crème brûlée was quite unique—beyond satisfying all of the criteria of the French favorite, it had surprises of slice banana and passionfruit ice cream underneath the taut sugary crust.
Next time I stop by, I might try the Chocolate Miso or Yin Yang desserts, along with another great drink. If you've visited Viridian recently, what do you recommend trying?
Viridian
2216 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612
Open: Wednesday - Sunday 5pm - 12am
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