Pointed out a marketing and fundamental area for improvement (or flaw - depending on how seriously and harshly <to themselves for improvement> Manhattan decides to to take this feedback, which I had communicated but the response was at best lukewarm) when I was there this...evening.
While I understand that the glasses tried to follow the “golden age” in Manhattan during the 20s, Im not sure if this consistency is held for the other modern day concoctions, answer is that its not. So for the Vesper Martini, as ardent fans would know, was created in 1953 by Ian Fleming for Casino Royale. It was served in a proper martini glass because it was an off the cuff creation by Bond (Fleming of course).
To serve the Vesper in a 20s glass was both demeaning and fundamentally flawed. To (hopefully for Manhattan) know that its competitors Mortons Bar and Jigger & Pony followed the fundamentals to the “t”s and still insist on a flawed and illogical thought - would be almost suicidal.
Cocktails are about its taste, its fundamentals, its presentation as well as the (logical and interesting) stories surrounding it. Any misstep in any of these areas will cause a cognitive / emotional / taste dissonance for the drinker.
Manhattan is a great place painstakingly built up but if it were to maintain its front runner position, should seriously consider accepting feedback (Hd Bartender was Kelvin who didnt quite want to accept the feedback nor thought it important enough to have a mini discussion at least?!)
Adaptability, admittance and improvements are key to success - no one is ever to big to fail, so think about this.More