We are so excited to introduce our next contestant on The Q+DD Bartender Challenge….Alli Royce Soble of La Tavola!

We had a great time with bartender Alli who has found her home behind the bar at cozy-yet-elegant La Tavola for the last 11 years.

We chatted about her affinity for the Virginia Highlands (she lives just steps away from the restaurant – which is located the corner of Virginia and North Highland), her unbelievable mental map of the city (Alli is a native and joked that with her knowledge of Atlanta backroads, she could have been a taxi driver instead!) and her deep appreciation for her position at La Tavola – she loves her loyal clientele, coming up with creative cocktails, and the study of wine and spirits.

A true renaissance woman, Alli’s creativity doesn’t end in a glass – she is also an award-winning photographer and painter and is the official food photographer for the Fifth Group Restaurants!  (Check out her website HERE)

In addition to all that, she has a lovely energy and we both enjoyed her very much!

Without further ado… here are Alli’s answers to…

THE DIRTY DIRTY DOZEN QUESTIONS

1 – Please state your name + place of employment for the record.

Alli Royce Soble.  La Tavola.

2 – What’s your drink?

Campari and soda with a splash of OJ

3 – What drink do you hate to be asked to make?

Lemon Drops.  (and if she makes one, she knows she’ll have to make another.  Apparently Lemon Drops are like potato chips…people rarely have just one.)

4 – What’s the best story you’ve heard in your bar?

Alli recalled one particular colorful conversation between two men…one in a dress.   If you want the full deets – you have to ask her!

5 – Describe your clientele in three words.

Loyal – Patient – Passionate.

6 – If you’re not drinking at La Tavola, where are you drinking?

Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium

7 – If your bar was personified in a celebrity, who would it be?

Paul Rudd.  He’s charming, quick witted, loveable, infectious and has a good energy

8 – Imagine you were stranded on a desert island + wanted to start a bar from scratch.  You can bring 4 bottles and 1 type of glass.  What would they be?

(1) Campari (2) Gin (3) Vodka (4) soda water.  Collins glass.

Collins.

9 – Currently, what is the most popular drink at your bar?

Basil Lemonada (Lemon vodka, basil syrup, splash of soda and sour)

10 – What is your favorite area of town?

The Edgewood Corridor

11 – What is your secret weapon?

Her smile!

12 – The name of the cocktail is “The Quick + Dirty Dirty.”  What’s in it?

Since we were there at a brunch hour, Alli made us her idea of The Quick + Dirty Dirty Bloody: Absolut Peppar, chili flakes, fresh lemon, a splash of lime juice, cracked black pepper, and a lemon twist

Please witness:

Gorgeous (because it was styled by Ms. Alli herself, of course) and delicious!

Lindsay and I had a delightful morning at La Tavola and Alli was a fabulous contender!  Many thanks to Alli, La Tavola, and our buddy Michael Erickson of Fifth Group Restaurants!

Who’s next?

Do you have a recommendation for our next contender?  Are you a mixologist we need to meet?  Email us at thequickanddirtydirty@gmail.com or tweet us up at @LaurenKAtlanta and @Lindsaywhat44!

Maybe we’ll see YOU on The Q+DD Bartender Challenge!

xx, L + L

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