We’re back in NoPo this week. What can I say; I live in the area, and I’m lazy. Don’t worry Southeast; I’ll get to you soon enough. 

 FRANCIS RESTAURANT Bloody Mary Special: $3.95 for a Mary “made from scratch.” Very chunky-looking, with a garnish of lemon and celery. We’re off to a good start. On the first sip, it’s readily apparent that this one is very different. The mix is a puree, mildly smoky, barely spicy, very fruity. The wild card here is carrots. I can’t get past it; it’s not my thing at all. Carrots are simply not a compliment. Maybe I would recommend it to my vegan friends who have no zest for living, but for those of us who eat meat and are going to hell, this is just terrible. 

  CUP AND SAUCER The bottom inch of the Cup And Saucer Mary was completely clear when it arrived at my table, giving it the impression of a vodka parfait. There are very strong pepper and garlic notes, and a nice onion-y afterburn. It’s a classic Mary – no outrageous ingredients, but all of them are wonderfully balanced.   

 FLORIDA ROOM Took me long enough to wind up here on a Sunday, right? I mean sheesh, Willy!On Sundays the Florida Room offers up the Bloody Mary Blasphemers Brunch, featuring a separate “Church of the Bloody Mary” menu.The Original Bloody Mary is savory and well balanced, although it is admittedly unremarkable in the face of the Mutant Marys alongside it:The Sangre Maria is made with tequila and garnished with jalapeno as opposed to celery. It’s a nice dark, heavy flavor; the tequila is actually a wonderful compliment to the Mary mix, and brings out the lime flavoring in a wonderful way.

 Also currently available at the Froom is a Mary called the Ministry Of Bacon. Our waitress said, “It’s an experimental drink, and it scares the hell out of me,” so of course I had to have it.Again, the flavor is a stunning compliment to the mix. It’s a slightly sweeter smokier saltiness, more subtle than the tequila. The bacon flavoring also helps to bolster the breakfast-y aspects of this beverage; throw in some muddled pages from the New York Times and this would be a perfect breakfast for someone late for work. This Sunday service here at the Froom is the first church I’ve ever felt at home in. Glad I wore my Sunday best.