Rum at Joe Squared

We went for the risotto and pizza (which happens to be square), and left, five or six shots of rum (and a few beers) later, full and happy - and buzzed. Joe Squared has a fine selection of beer on tap and by the bottle, but their main beverage attraction is the extensive collection of rum. Okan is the man behind the bar to ask for help navigating the list, as he clearly loves the stuff. If you ask for his favorite white and dark rum, you will be presented with the following:

Light: Oronoco (Brazil) Platinum Reserve - not to be confused with even the finest Cachaca you've ever tasted, this was indescribably smooth and silky, like creme brulee flavored with a bit of coffee.

Dark: Ron Zacapa (Guatemala) Centenario 23 year old - Cane molasses and caramel; rich, but so delicate and smooth, and so long-lasting on the palate! When I went to order some of both of these for the store I discovered that Ron Zacapa makes an XO that would cost about twice as much as this - some day we'll have to give that one a try, but in the meantime, this is the best dark rum I've ever tasted under a hundred bucks a bottle.

The risotto - two different preps - and the pizza (bacon and clam) were all terrific, too. And the djs that started up around 10pm were just getting warmed up when we left (ok, stumbled) at about 11:30pm. Joe Squared, North Avenue just east of Howard - great place. Ask if Okan is working!