Tonight I had a fantastic fondue dinner at Weinhaus Schneider in Munich. This very eclectic restaurant dives guests into a Bavarian hunters lodge. 🙂
Tag Archives: Manhattan
What Makes A Good Bartender?
In New York City there are more than a few bars and each of them have the bartenders that work them. However not every bartender is a good one and the bad ones can truly throw off the relaxing vibes of being in a bar with friends.
So what makes a good bartender? There isn’t one answer to that question but with some of my own research and asking around, I have managed to make a list of 3 qualities of a great bartender. Read the rest of this entry »
Tao Manhattan
Saturday, relaxing at Tao in Manhattan on 58th Street, with a perfect Manhattan made with Bookers Bourbon. Theresa “Tess”, the very knowledgable and friendly bartender helped me with my Italian by determining that the Vermouth Del Professore used in the drink added a spicy and herbal bitterness. I am assuming this is due to the amount of clove they use in their formula for making such a unique blend of vermouth. Read the rest of this entry »
A Perfect Custom Manahattan at The Republic Smokehouse and Saloon
There have been many times where I have been able to form an opinion of a Manhattan before I have taken the first sip, usually when I do this it doesn’t bode well for the drink. Often times this happens when my drink looks like a cloudy sandstorm spinning in my glass. However, in this case, I was able to form an immediate strong positive point of view for three reasons: 1)The color of the vermouth was a warmer deeper color than usual and, 2) It was clear of any particulate air bubbles – clear amber heaven, and 3) there was a proper, not emergency beacon red, dark maraschino cherry at the bottom. I knew then that the bartender Collin, at The Republic Smokehouse and Saloon, was the real deal. I called him over before my first taste and asked about the brand of Vermouth and if it was a brandied cherry. The vermouth was Carpano Antica Formula, and the cherry was not brandied, – it was just a deep black maraschino cherry. Both made a big difference. Read the rest of this entry »
Blenheim and Bourbon at Hudlow’s Tiki Lounge
Every now and then I relax at my own place, sit at my tiki bar and have a drink. Rather than my normal Manhattan I decided to mix up a spicy Blenheim Ginger Ale and bourbon. I was first introduced to this drink at a great bar in Manhattan called Great Jones Cafe. It is made with Blenheim Ginger Ale from South Carolina. This soda will knock you back on your feet and takes no prisoners. It is freakin’ fantastic. Read the rest of this entry »
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill – Atlantic City
I went the Gordon Ramsay’s Pub and Grill at Caesars Palace in Atlantic City , NJ. Wendi our friendly bartender took care of us as we waited for our table to become available. Fortunately for us, she new how to make a great set of drinks and serve up some delicious appetizers. Of course I had a Manhattan made to Wendi’s specifications that included Woodford Reserve bourbon and Dolin vermouth. She used no bitters, which made for a pleasantly sweet drink without losing its kick, and topped it off with a 2:1 combination of Amarena and Maraschino cherries. Read the rest of this entry »
Avalon Yacht Club – Sunset Cocktail
Growing up, I split my life up between the suburbs of Philadelphia and Avalon, New Jersey, where I spent my summers. For those of you who don’t know, Avalon is a sleepy town by South Jersey standards, with a nice beaches, good food, and a few select bars and lounges. Read the rest of this entry »
The Heron Club with Woodford Reserve
My day started in Tampa, flew to Dallas for a connection on to London. Worked a full day and now I sit in a private lounge, in a private residence of corporate apartments. The Heron , both the building and the club, are of superior quality and refinement. My apartment is controlled via a spaceshipe-like control panel which is a little too advanced when all you want to do is turn on the lights 🙂 Read the rest of this entry »
St Julien at Le Bateau Ivre ( with cool Jazz)
On a somewhat lazy Sunday in late August I decided to walk around Manhattan looking for a place to continue writing my novel. I luckily stumbled across my favorite Mid Town East French haunt Le Bateau Ivre. Of course, I had to have a drink to better relax and enjoy the fine music being played. I chose a St Julien – Chateau Lalande 2009 – which proved to be the perfect selection for the day. It was amazingly well balanced and showed all of the characteristics of the little town that make it my favorite of Bordeaux. The jazz band that played today was perfectly on queue with both spirit of play with a perfect pick-up attitude and spicey blend for the day. They were as follows : Andy Friedberg on guitar, Steve Doyle on the sublime Bass, and Yuichi Hirkawa on the ever present and truckin drum kit. Read the rest of this entry »
Biting the Bulleit at STK Midtown
It always amazes me when a bartender, at an amazingly loud and crowded bar in Manhattan, can make a drink that doesn’t taste like it got caught up in the shuffle. Like it came out of one of those new fast food drink vending machines. I guess that’s why I am not a bartender… Read the rest of this entry »
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