The Pegu at Mona's Bistro & Lounge

Seattle Times staff reporters Nicole Tsong and Pamela Sitt drink in the area's cocktail scene

The Pegu

The place : Mona's Bistro & Lounge, 6421 Latona Ave., N.E., Seattle, 206-526-1188.

Quote: "It's an introduction to gin for people who don't drink gin or assume they don't like gin." — Quinn Gallagher, owner

The scene: Looking around the sophisticated neighborhood bar known as Mona's Bistro & Lounge, we sort of wished we lived in the neighborhood.

So we pretended for a night.

In our world of make-believe, we liked knowing we could show up dressed for a night out at the classy red- and purple-hued bistro or wearing our sneakers after a brisk walk. (But we have standards: Bike helmets are not a fashion statement.)

The fine cocktail list lured us even deeper into the game of "Let's pretend."

Quinn Gallagher and wife Aleece Alexander-Gallagher took over the restaurant/bar nine months ago. Mona's already was known as a cocktail place, but its list, divvied up by liquor, now boasts even more drinks in the classic vein.

In the spirit of new-old cocktails, try the Pegu ($6.50). The Pegu, popular in the 1920s and 1930s, has an orange bent: orange curacao, orange bitters and an orange look. But there's gin hidden in there. And tart, fresh lime and two kinds of bitters balance out the drink. It's not too sweet and easy to drink.

Pegu

2 ounces gin

1 ounce orange curacao

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

Dash Angostura bitters

Dash orange bitters

Add ingredients to a pint glass filled with ice. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lime-peel twist.

Nicole Tsong: ntsong@seattletimes.com

Pamela Sitt: psitt@seattletimes.com