Relax. You’re at home. That’s what Truth and Beauty Bar & Kitchen proprietor Doug Vaira wants you to get out of a welcoming experience at his Carroll Creek eatery. Opened in March 2020, at the cusp of the pandemic, Truth and Beauty has weathered the storm and is still bringing delight to customers serving unpretentious American fare with a twist. The menu coaxes surprise out of the familiar and brings unity to eclectic tastes.
Truth and Beauty, Vaira says, is built around the understanding that even stopping in for a burger is an experience, and it’s about the sum of the component parts.
“I want everything about the restaurant to make people feel taken care of, from the warmth of our servers to the passion people can sense in the food,” Vaira says. He himself grew up in a “food family,” where his mother was an excellent cook, and he quickly developed the understanding of meals creating experiences for people.
“It’s about creating the environment to make positive memories,” he says.
Truth and Beauty is airy and open, the art spare and referencing touchstones of Americana, the table wood light and seating simple and modern. The vibe is very relaxed, without much to distract guests from the joy of connecting with one another. And the joy of the delicious menu.
Vaira’s sweet spot in menu development, honed at two previous restaurants, is “riffing” on American food. He’s dedicated to the farm-to-table mission so that ingredients are as fresh and local as possible. At Truth and Beauty, fusion elements such as Korean grilled pork loin exist side by side with bacon pickled deviled eggs. There’s something for everyone.
His craft cocktails are no different. All Truth and Beauty drinks use fresh juices and agave to sweeten rather than simple syrup. Unique ingredients bring a lift and a twist to familiar favorites.
At last, a gin fizz that makes you think of an afternoon on a Southern porch. Weren’t looking for one? Well, this popular cocktail is that rush of rocking-chair relaxation you didn’t know you needed. The sweetness of the strawberry rhubarb syrup brings a homey touch to an otherwise undistinguished classic. This pairs well with Truth and Beauty’s grilled salmon or Korean grilled pork loin entrees, picking up the notes of the sweet thai chile brussels sprouts side.
Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Fizz
2 oz gin
¾ oz strawberry rhubarb syrup
1 oz lemon juice
Fresh mint
Club soda to top
Shake gin, lemon juice, and strawberry rhubarb syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain into a Collins glass and top with club soda. Garnish with fresh mint.
Fall isn’t just about cinnamon, cloves, and apple cider. A fresh take on the fall cocktail is this jazzed-up paloma, set off by the smokiness of charred jalapenos in an infused tequila. Those of us who secretly wish we could keep the summer going will appreciate this drink, with its citrus flavors complementing a spicy nod to the fireside. And we all like a little spice – but some of us would rather forego the pumpkin variety. Cheers!
This drink pairs well with Truth and Beauty’s Southwestern-inspired tater-tot nachos appetizer (“totchos”) and the cheddar-tomato flavors of the blackened catfish entrée.
Spicy Paloma Rita
1 ½ oz charred jalapeno-infused tequila
½ oz lime juice
½ oz grapefruit juice
¼ oz agave nectar
Club soda
Tajin seasoning
Create a Tajin rim for a rocks glass by swiping rim with lime and dipping on a plate of the seasoning. Shake tequila, lime juice, grapefruit juice, and agave nectar in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Pour into the ice-filled rocks glass and top with club soda; garnish with lime or grapefruit wedge if desired.
This simple mocktail relies on fresh ingredients to deliver a lift without the spirits. Juicy blackberries offer natural sweetness and flavor with no need for agave or additional sweeteners – try to get them as large and ripe as possible. The lovely purple flush of this drink adds beauty and delight to the experience. A truly refreshing combination that brings satisfaction and a sense of health any time of year.
Try this drink with one of Truth and Beauty’s salads, such as the baby bok choy or the seasonal greens. The notes of blackberry and mint pair well with a sesame-soy or ponzu vinaigrette.
Blackberry Mocktail
A few fresh blackberries
½ oz lime juice
Fresh mint
Club soda
Muddle blackberries at the bottom of a rocks glass; add lime juice and ice. Top with club soda; garnish with fresh mint.
TruthAndBeautyMD.com