As always, remember that when I’m ranking a Whiskey Place, that is exactly what I’m doing. I’m primarily ranking it as a Whiskey Place, and while the food and setting can impact that, I’m really ranking the place based on if I’d go there solely to have Whiskey Dreams.
So how does Iguana Bistro + Cafe stand up? The staff were really nice, and there was a “Chess meat up” going on while we were there. It was interesting to see this smallish bistro turn into a very friendly game night. It made the place very homey.
On the whiskey side, I got a little worried because other than the martini list, and a Jameson Moscow Mule, I didn’t really see any whiskey drinks.
They do have a bar though, and thankfully didn’t blink when I asked for a Manhattan. Made with what? I have no idea. The waitress was zooming around and I’m not sure if there was also a bit of a language barrier. Just to be clear, I’m not complaining. She was really busy and got our drinks very quickly, she was just super busy and didn’t have time to stand around and chat.
I’m guessing they used a rye whiskey. The sip starts very mildly sweet, then turns to cinnamon and finishes with a nice pepper and subtle wood char. Overall, a very nice Manhattan. I liked it so much I ordered another and enjoyed it as I watched a ten year old kid demolish three adults in quick succession in chess.
I didn’t order any food, but one of my friends had a meatloaf sandwich and said they enjoyed it. I got the sense from everyone who was eating that the food was excellent.
As a Whiskey Place I’ve got to give the Iguana Café a 45/100. It is a nice café and I would go back for lunch to try the food, but it is essentially an upscale neighborhood bar with the whiskey’s you’d find there.
| Place | Location | Score | Price Scale | Drink |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinder Bar | Clarksboro, NJ | 96 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| Saltgrass Steakhouse | Orlando, FL | 91 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
| The Irish Whisper | National Harbor, MD | 90 | High Cost | Irish Whiskey |
| McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks | National Harbor, MD | 80 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| The Dead Rabbit | New York, NY | 75 | High Cost | Multiple |
| Iron Hill Brewery | Wilmington, DE | 71 | High Cost | Kentucky Connection |
| Cadillac Ranch | National Harbor, MD | 70 | Moderate Cost | Multiple |
| Harry’s Savoy Grill | Wilmington, DE | 67 | High Cost | Manhattan Boulevardier |
| Ted’s Montana Grill | Newark, DE | 66 | Moderate Cost | Newly Fashioned |
| Creekside Inn | Woodstown, NJ | 65 | Low to Moderate | Manhattan |
| Alewife | Richmond, VA | 63 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| roanoke | Chicago, IL | 55 | High Cost | Black Manhattan |
| Blue Line Lounge & Bar | Chicago, IL | 53 | Low Cost | Manhattan |
| Da Andrea | New York, NY | 50 | High Cost | Manhattan Negroni |
| Iguana Cafe | Chicago, IL | 45 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
| The Greene Turtle | Newark, DE | 40 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
| Restaurante Montserrat Manor | Punta Cana, DR | 35 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| Dave & Buster's | Deptford, NJ | 30 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
| Cock'n Bull | Lahaska, PA | 26 | High Cost | Manhattan Old Fashioned |
| The Brass Tap | National Harbor, MD | 25 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
| Carrol's Creek Cafe | Annapolis, MD | 21 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| Big Fish Grill | Wilmington, DE | 10 | High Cost | Manhattan |
| The Legend | New Castle, DE | 5 | Low Cost | Manhattan |
| TGI Fridays | New Castle, DE | 1 | Moderate Cost | Manhattan |
Cost Scale
Up to $30 per person – Low Cost
$31 to $50 per person – Moderate Cost
$51 and above per person – High Cost