This is...Who They Are.  There is a bar in Champaign you can go for happy hour that isn’t filled with large screen televisions and a mess of empty peanut shells.  But you won’t miss the hum from the big screens, as you’ll be too busy choosing from the extensive drink menu. Boltini is filled with patrons sipping fresh drinks muddled to order at the ceiling high stocked bar. The chocolate brown walls are dimly lit by the glimmering reflection off the peaks in the tin ceiling.  The hardwood floors, leather booths and club like music encourage the diverse group to relax, speak loudly and sip perfectly stiff drinks all evening. The outdoor patio overflows with regulars that like this place so much they were not ushered away by the thickness of summer humidity registering a severe heat advisory.

This is... What They Do Well.  There are not very many places you can go in Champaign where the server nonchalantly slips a clean cocktail napkin under your drink as the evening evolves.  Only Paige and Lauren notice such details that accentuate the attentive service, as I was too concerned with the waiter’s tray of fresh cocktails to be grateful for its eventual resting place atop folded paper. I appreciate attention to detail, but my primary concern is the quality of the drink.  I will reach for a truly tasty beverage atop a bed of scorpions, but a bad drink might as well have the wet, crumpled napkin in it!  If you want to truly enjoy a drink, Boltini is the place to go.  They do not skimp on liquor or tastiness-scorpions welcome, but Paige and Lauren definitely appreciate the dry bev nap.

This is... What We Drank. If you want an amazing drink, order the Strawberry Basil Mojito.  A summer favorite that embraces a twist on the classic mojito. This treat replaces traditional mint with muddled basil that screams fresh with its delightful scent.  If you are over basil this summer (can that happen?), the pineapple gimlet and yuccadew are delicious.  The manager shared that the yuccadew is an upscale version on his family’s favorite concoction of citrus and sugar muddled with ice in an insulated jug and passed around the group at family camping trips. (Maybe this is a good concept for Boltini instead of hosting speed dating… Yuccadews “chug the yummy jug and hug”) I, of course, begged for an invitation to all of his family events- my family only serves plain old CountryTyme Lemonade!!!  No taste is left unanswered at Boltini, the menu is changed every Thursday often to include a seasonal selection of beer.  The extensive beer list this week includes my favorite available only in August, O’Fallon Wheach Beer from Missouri. It’s almost as good as the Annie Bananie shot we had after dessert.  I would say the drink had enough liquor to be diluted into an entire drink, but as they say “a little annie, goes a long way.”

After trying the gamut of drinks, you’re going to need to use the restroom. In fact, ladies I recommend you make it a point to use the restrooms. They remind me of a bathroom in NYC stocked with mints, fresh hand towels and other essentials…. You don’t even have to tip someone after helping yourself to the goodies.

This is... What We Ate. We ate a little bit of everything on the menu. We ordered the manager’s recommendations, as well as of a few items that caught our attention.  We ordered liberally, as Monday thru Thursday they offer half price appetizers until 6:30p.m.  The item we really loved on the menu was the cheese list. They had us at bacon. Bacon with Brie. We like brie. We like Bacon. We love Bacon-encrusted Baked Brie. The cheese plates were generously sized and reasonably priced (especially compared to most cheese plates in town).  Two cheeses were served with wedges of apple, fresh grapes, toasties and fresh bread for only $11.00.  We will definitely add a few other cheese selections to our gimlet order next visit! 

Annie Murray is co-owner of L.A. Gourmet Catering.
Phone (217) 643-7205. Email lagourmetcatering@gmail.com.