Maine news, sports, weather from Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram, Portland, Maine

July 5, 2012

Bar Guide: Great drinks go down easy at upscale, intimate Five-O

Five-O is a place to go sip a cocktail and socialize.

By EMMA BOUTHILLETTE

I knew when I walked up to Five-O in Ogunquit and saw a valet parking sign that Mom and I were in for a swanky experience.

Just a short walk from Ogunquit Village Square, Five-O has a small bar and lounge area to offer an escape from the bustling street. Just inside, the bar is located to the left. It's an intimate space with tight seating and air conditioning to keep you nice and cool.

There's a full bar with half-a-dozen beers on tap and a martini menu that offers some standards as well as unique mixes.

One of my pet peeves about a bar menu is the listing of cocktails without prices. This was the case at Five-O. We learned later that the martinis we ordered were $10.50 apiece.

Mom, ever the fan of the Pomegranate Martini, ordered herself one of those. I was tempted by the sound of a Coconut Ginger Martini, but made a last-minute decision to try the Sparkling Pineapple Martini.

I was stunned by the vibrant red color of Mom's martini when the server delivered it to our table. "This is without a doubt the best pomegranate martini I've had," she said as she took a sip.

The martini featured fresh pomegranate puree, Absolut, Patron Citronge, a splash of cranberry juice and a squeeze of lime. We decided it was the pomegranate puree that made it so vibrant and the Patron Citronge that made it extra tasty.

My drink was the kind of martini that can quickly turn into trouble. The pineapple-infused vodka -- mixed with St. Germaine, a splash of pineapple juice and champagne -- tasted just like juice.

This kind of martini makes for quick drinking. Quick drinking leads to ordering more. Ordering more means you best not drive yourself home. I was driving, so I stuck with just the one drink.

Looking around at the patrons on a Friday evening, I realized most people were middle-aged. Five-O is a place to go sip a cocktail and socialize, but I don't think you'd find many 20-somethings there.

There was low background music playing, and I was surprised to realize one song was Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl." It seemed an interesting tune to hear in an upscale bar.

Mom and I chatted with each other nonstop as we sipped our martinis. I realized only as we were leaving, however, that listening in on people's conversations would probably be quite easy with such tight seating. I kind of hoped no one was eavesdropping on us.

Emma Bouthillette is a freelance writer who lives in Biddeford.

 

Tweet