Cutwater Transforms San Diego Tasting Room Into A 'House Of Spirits' For Halloween – Patch

Cutwater Transforms San Diego Tasting Room Into A ‘House Of Spirits’ For Halloween  Patch

The seasonal takeover features spooky cocktails and bites, a hidden speakeasy and Halloween-themed distillery experiences. SAN DIEGO, CA — Ghost-topped dumplings, crispy chicken made to look like a bat, and a cocktail served in a skull are among the tricks and treats waiting inside Cutwater Spirits this Halloween. The San Diego-based distillery has transformed the Cutwater Tasting Room & Kitchen into the House of Spirits, a seasonal takeover featuring Halloween-inspired food and cocktails, spooky décor and a reservation-only speakeasy hidden deeper inside the distillery. Patch got an early taste of the experience during a media preview Sept. 16, sampling the Halloween menu before venturing into the Crypt Speakeasy. The transformation extends from the décor to the dishes, with familiar bar food given playful Halloween makeovers.

The Ghostly Meatballs, $13, turn spicy meatballs into not-so-spooky but cute ghosts. The dish features lemongrass Vietnamese pork mix in wonton wrappers and is served with Vietnamese sweet-and-sour sauce. The steamed bites arrive with tiny ghost faces peeking out from a basket. The Crimson Curse Queso, $14, combines mozzarella, Oaxaca and jack cheeses with chorizo and fire-roasted poblano peppers. It's served bubbling alongside blue corn tortilla chips. One of the night's most dramatic dishes was It's Frickin' Bats, $17, crispy fried breaded half chicken coated entirely in black and suspended from a stand to resemble