NATIVE
KNOWLEDGE
The breathtaking gold skull sculptures that fabricate the walls were made by Rob Zombie’s set designer, and no one does skulls more glam than Rob Zombie. You have to see it! Anthony Schmidt of Noble Experiment
NOBLE EXPERIMENT 777 G. Street, San Diego, CA 92101 | 619-888-4713 | www.nobleexperimentsd.com You think you’re in the right place, but then you’re not. I walked the block for 20 minutes, asking clueless passersby for advice before finally heading into Neighborhood (another fantastic bar from the Consortium Holdings crew) to again ask for directions. I was told I was in the right place. Head back to the bathrooms and push on the artificial wall of kegs. It’s actually the front door to Noble Experiment. I felt like I was sneaking into a place I shouldn’t be until I turned the corner and the compact yet paramount Noble Experiment came to life. Thousands of gold skull sculptures lined the dominant wall, 16th century-style paintings spread across the ceiling, large frames flanking the space came alive with rotating digital images and crystal chandeliers sparkled against the mirrored and sculpted bar back. This tiny space is truly magical and so are their cocktails. Mixologist Anthony Schmidt opened Noble Experiment two and a half years ago after retiring his position as the general manager 70 |
| Holiday 2012 Issue
at El Dorado (although, he remained all in the Consortium Holdings family). He and the minds behind this speakeasy-esque bar traveled to New York, San Francisco, Chicago and New Orleans for research and discovered that cocktail enthusiasts were trending on small spaces that serve delicious drinks. Applying simplistic innovation like a touch of salt added to a cocktail (and we’re not referring to an over-sized, salt-rimmed margarita) can really bring out groundbreaking flavors. “Our mission is delusions of grandeur,” Schmidt said. “Innovation is ingredients and process. It’s the minute details.” For the holidays, Schmidt proposes “any cocktail with winter spices or Angostura bitters.” The aromatics, cinnamon and cloves can turn a classic whiskey sour into a wintertime dream. Noble Experiment requires reservations, so if you plan to host your next party there (because we think it would be a stunning place for a soiree), book it now!