My Little Secret (CLOSED)

Despite a few nods to a Prohibition theme (see the two-way mirror at the entrance), this frequently empty “speakeasy” in Little Italy is a poor addition to the clandestine-bar craze. Every drink we tried was homogenous and dull: A Spring Smash (Buffalo Trace bourbon, Lucid absinthe, lemon juice, simple syrup, fig, sage) tasted like a watery whiskey sour, while the overly dry Corpse Reviver #1 (Rémy Martin VS, applejack, sweet vermouth) was too weak to deliver on its resuscitative promise. Food—like dull risotto balls with a Prego-style marinara—was worse than the drinks. Speakeasy nostalgia has given birth to some excellent bars, but we wonder if it’s time for the trend to sleep with the fishes.