Here's a strong date play in a former mortuary with clocks that run backwards and mythical creature-inspired cocktails from a Bourbon & Branch vet.

Hi, by the way.

And welcome to Curio, a new restaurant and bar that now resides in what used to be the Vestry space (don't worry, the patio is still there) and happens to be adjacent to the Chapel concert hall.

Interesting-looking place, this one. The original wood-paneled walls and the steel of the mortuary provide an unexpected juxtaposition to the Blade Runner-inspired mural and that display of clocks that are either stopped or running backwards.

All good conversation starters for you and your date. But so are the drinks with names like Phoenix and Mermaid. The former involves rye, mezcal, Jamaican rum, curacao, green chartreuse, vanilla, ghost pepper and mole bitters. The latter involves vodka and some other stuff. 

To say nothing of the edible delights that you'll eventually get yourselves into. Like shellfish towers that come in "petite," "grande" and "shuck the front door" sizes. Also like chicken-fried chicken sandwiches.

Labels don't really seem to be their thing.