The tagline for August Laura, a new cocktail bar opening tonight in Carroll Gardens, could be la famiglia. There's the name, a tip of the hat to co-owner Alyssa Sartor's grandfather; the glassware, much of which comes from Sartor's father's bar in New Jersey; and the story of Sartor and business partner Frankie Rodriguez, who's soon to become her life partner, too. The two have the industry in their lifeblood, having met when their paths crossed working for The Bar Room and Death & Co, respectively.

The duo have adopted an Italian theme for their bar, speaking to the couple's roots in the country. "Nobody's doing Italian spirits, we wanted to take it in a different direction," Rodriquez says. While their history is centered on cocktails, the couple says they don't like the connotation of a cocktail bar. Their creations ($12) eschew the overwrought drinks that have become an industry standard. "You can get a great cocktail with two-to-three ingredients," Rodriguez says. "It's faster, too."

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Source: http://gothamist.com/