All Aboard!
Since the dawn of time storytellers have held a revered place in society. They spark our imagination, teach us lessons, and preserve our history. Storytellers are no less important today than were thousands of years ago before there were written words.
If you meet Jason Asher and Rich Furnari you might incorrectly assume they are simply business men and bar owners. But if you spend a few minutes with them you will realize they are actually storytellers first. The kind that captivate your imagination and immerse you so deeply in their stories that you forget where you are. The kind that so perfect every detail of the experience you couldn’t possibly even take notice of them all. The kind that you can spend an hour obsessing over the carefully curated music choices in the bathrooms with (that actually happened, but Kristi Durkin of Where Should We Eat? is mostly to blame for that rabbit hole).
Jason and Rich are partners in Barter & Shake and I just visited their brand new immersive concept called Century Grand. So this is a spoiler alert…. if you want to be completely surprised just click here to make a reservation and go visit for yourself. But if you want to know more read on.
Century Grand is a concept in three acts: a vintage train car, an art deco train station and a whisky apothecary. All of these play an important role in the story of the fictitious railroad baron Hollis Cottley Pennington who is your illustrious host while at Century Grand.
The Platform 18 bar is set inside a Pullman Company railcar replica, designed to resemble the presidential train car known as the Ferdinand Magellan built for president Franklin D. Roosevelt and used by three other presidents. It’s remarkable in every detail, including the painstakingly shot video from a real steam train taken as the train heads through the Rockies in the winter. Which plays in the windows, and makes you swear the car is moving. It encourages you to grab a sweater to shake off the winter chill while you relax and listen to all the sounds of your journey.
The Train Station, which features the food of local star (and award winning vegetable wizard) Chef Sacha Levine. Sacha has reimagined period favorites into beautifully updated versions using locally sourced ingredients. Her sustainable style uses nearly every piece of food that enters the kitchen. What she can’t use she takes home to compost. One of my favorite features are the dim sum and wine carts that move about the restaurant ensuring there is always a surprise to delight you….and a full glass. Somehow that enhances the whole train station feel. It also has a full menu of incredible cocktails divided up by historic train lines and named after real stops. If you like refreshing yet complex try the Evanston. If you prefer spirit forward cocktails like I do, try the New Orleans.
The last concept, but no less impressive, is the Grey Hen. It’s an apothecary type space that focuses heavily on whiskey. Jason flew around the country for nearly a year choosing single barrel whiskies. The Grey Hen features 85 barrels, which is the largest collection in the country. They sell everything they have on the shelves and will happily source other bottles for guests if they are available. The Grey Hen flourishes under the watchful eye of whiskey expert and curator John Christie. Who is well known in Phoenix for his expansive knowledge of whisk(e)y and love for teaching others.
It’s hard to believe I am this far in and I haven’t thoroughly discussed the cocktails yet. All I can say is that they are on par with the entire experience. Each drink is painstakingly designed for flavor, balance and visual contribution to the story. Both drink menus have a great mix of spirit forward, refreshing and no alcohol cocktails. There is truly something for everyone here. One of my favorite drinks from Platform 18 menu is called “The Philanthropist” it features: Cacao Bean Infused Hennessy Privilege Cognac, Vermouth, Campari, Giffard Apricot, Averna, Chicory, Coconut Essence, Bittermens Tiki Bitters, Orange Oils.
There is so much more I could say. But I think I will instead leave you with the words of our protagonist as he describes Platform 18 and encourage you to find out for yourself…
“You are encouraged to believe that time has stopped completely. That the whispers outside are merely the winter wind - and that the person next to you is just as welcome as you are…”
- Hollis Cottley Pennington
