Review: Bittersweet offers cocktails, dessert

Located next to Oro on East Martin Street, Bittersweet combines cocktails, coffee and decadent desserts for the perfect spot to indulge.

Posted 5:45 p.m. Aug 5, 2014 — Updated 5:45 p.m. Aug 5, 2014

Kathy Hanrahan

RALEIGH, N.C. — When I heard that a cocktail and dessert bar was opening in downtown Raleigh, I was thrilled! Two of my favorite things under one roof. So, I had to stop by Bittersweet during a recent date night with my husband.

Location: Next to Oro restaurant on East Martin Street. It is a relatively small space, so be prepared to wait for a table on a busy Friday or Saturday night. There are plenty of seats at the bar. The decor is rustic meets trendy. I love the giant "Pie Hard" sign featuring a cartoon Bruce Willis carrying boxes of pies! There is parking along the street and in nearby parking decks.

Food and drink: The menu features a seasonal selection of desserts, Counter Culture Coffee and cocktails. They also have some bar snacks, including edamame, on the menu. On weekdays, Bittersweet opens a morning coffee window. From 7 to 11 a.m., they are serving up coffee and breakfast pastries. Bittersweet opens for dessert and cocktails at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

Our take: I started with the Thin Mint cocktail (mint liqueur, vodka, Videri chocolate, milk). It was a basic grasshopper. Good, but I preferred the desserts more!

We decided to try two desserts and then bring home some cookies for our babysitters. We got a slice of the Derby Pie, a chocolate bourbon pecan pie drizzled with salted caramel. This was decadent and hit the spot since we were wanting something chocolate. Our only complaint was that the pie was served cold. If it had been warm, it would have melted in our mouths! I would have also liked just a little more caramel sauce.

Our next selection: The Peach Doughnut, which was a cinnamon doughnut topped with vanilla ice cream and fresh peach compote. Delicious and not too sweet. Again, if the doughnut had been warm it would have been a homerun!

We brought home the Cookie Plate, which contained their versions of an Oreo, lemon square and the one-of-a-kind Stoner Cookie (which contains potato chips, chocolate and just about everything else you can imagine!) The lemon square was delicious. The Oreo was soft and filled with just enough cream. The Stoner Cookie had a nice sweet and salty kick to it.

The bill: My drink was about $7 and desserts ranged in price from $7-$10. I suggest going with a few friends and getting a couple desserts to sample!

The verdict: A great way to end a date night or start your day!

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