It was like the "Chinese Democracy" of cocktail bars. After multiple delays, craft cocktail enthusiasts were wondering if they would ever get a chance to taste the hotly-anticipated libations being dreamed up for Eat Street Social. Lucky for us, the restaurant and bar finally opened last Thursday (it's located in the old Taco Morelos and Caterpillar Lounge). Eat Street is an offshoot of the Northeast Social, a neighborhood spot owned by Joe Wagner and Sam Bonin in northeast Minneapolis. For their venture on Nicollet, the duo hired the Bittercube maestros Nick Kosevich and Ira Koplowitz to oversee the bar.

I got a chance to sit in on Bittercube's bartender training at Eat Street last month. Two words: Intense and fascinating. These guys know their stuff. Cocktail fans will know Kosevich from his years at Town Talk Diner. After moving to Milwaukee, he created Bittercube with Koplowitz (a former bartender at the nationally-acclaimed Violet Hour in Chicago). Bittercube has made a lot of noise around the country as a cocktail-consulting company and the maker of some really great bitters.

As for the drinks at Eat Street Social, my favorite so far is the Copper Dagger, made with Averna Amaro, Lemon Hart 151, St. Germain, lemon and egg white. It's tart and frothy. The Tea & T is fun (made with Black tea infused Broker's Gin, house winter tonic, lime and seltzer). If you're looking for something with a little bite, try The Guardian & The Spectator (Grappa Candolini, Averna Amaro, house ginger liqueur and Angostura bitters). All drinks are between $8-$10.

Details: 18 W. 26th St., Mpls. 612-767-6850. www.eatstreetsocial.com (website should be up soon). Check out their Facebook page.