If you’ve always hankered for a cocktail at a speakeasy, Conspiracy is the spot for you. Owned by an adorable couple from Portland (Jenn Sabo, she’s a pediatric dietician and husband Mark, a pediatrician), the joint was jumpin’ by 5 p.m. on a recent Friday night. Specializing in pre-Prohibition era classic cocktails with a twist, served in an array of vintage-looking barware, you can have your campfire Old Fashioned with a torched marshmallow (O.K., nobody tell the fire department). Buddy Michelle and I tried the herbaceous Eddy Girl Cocktail made with Cognac, Benedictine, maraschino cherry Heering, and orange and lemon juices served straight up with a pearl-studded swizzle stick ($12) and the Attorney Abroad, their take on a Tom Collins features shiso-infused gin, yuzu and simple syrup., ($10). We couldn’t resist the Grand Army smoked maple cheddar grilled cheese ($10) served with a just-right-sized bowl of black bean soup for dipping for $3. Intrigued, we also sampled the creamy and flavorful vegan cashew cheese board, which came with bread, honey and pistachios for $10.

conspiracyct.com

by Alix Boyle