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May 2008
Restaurant busted for serving cheap booze at luxury prices
Monique Curet of the Columbus Dispatch is reporting a story that Smith & Wollensky Steakhouse is being investigated by the state for its liquor sales and has fired several members of its bar staff.
So why is the high-end restaurant at Easton Town Center being investigated?
“Some bar employees were filling premium-brand liquor bottles with cheaper alcohol then selling it at top-shelf prices, according to a person familiar with the situation who did not want to be named for fear of repercussion. The Easton restaurant fired seven bar employees who were “in violation of company policies,” said Michael Feighery, vice president of operations for Smith & Wollensky. The company would not provide further details.”
Now that’s alcohol abuse. Read the full story here …
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“Get Carried Away” with Sex and the City cocktails
In case you haven’t heard, “Sex and the City” opens in theaters today. The cocktail culture got a shot in the arm thanks to the bar culture and cosmos Carrie and Co. established and consumed during the HBO series run. In anticipation of the films release SKYY Vodka - the films official vodka - has partnered with Houlihan’s restaurants to create specialty cocktails to celebrate your inner Carrie, Miranda, Samantha or Charlotte. And who could forget Mr. Big …
CARRIE aka THE NEW COSMO
Ingredients: 2 oz SKYY Vodka, 1 oz Triple Sec, 2 oz Mango Nectar, 1/2 oz freshly squeezed Lime Juice, 1/2 oz Simple Syrup Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with slice of dried Mango.
MIRANDA
Ingredients: 2 oz SKYY Vodka, 3/4 oz Campari, 2 oz Pomegranate Juice, 1 oz Triple Sec, Squeeze of Lemon Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled stem less flute. Garnish with a large Lemon twist.
CHARLOTTE
Ingredients: 2 oz SKYY Vodka, 3/4 oz Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur, 3/4 oz Amaretto Almond Liqueur, 3/4 oz Godiva Dark Chocolate Liqueur, 1 oz Half and Half Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with shaved Chocolate.
SAMANTHA
Ingredients: 2 1/2 oz SKYY Vodka, 1 1/2 oz Cabo Wabo Anejo Tequila, 1 oz Simple Syrup, 1 oz freshly squeezed Lime Juice. Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a chilled martini glass. Rim glass with mixture of salt and small amount of white pepper. No garnish.
MR. BIG
Ingredients: 4 oz Cutty Sark, 2 oz Cinzano Rosso, 3 dashes of Peach Bitters. Directions: Shake with ice and strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with a peach slice.
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Japan to brew space station beer
Japanese brewer Sapporo announced plans to brew beer with barley from the International Space Station using the offspring of barley that once called the International Space Station home.
“It will be the first space beer,” Sapporo executive Junichi Ichikawa told reporters.
The company said it has enough grain to make roughly 100 bottles of space beer but does not have plans to make it a commercial venture. Read the full story here …
South Korea’s first astronaut, Yi So-Yeon, brought kimchi into space last month, while Japan has previously sent noodles into orbit. Some day we may have space noodles and space kimchi to look forward to with our space beers? Mmmm mmmmm good.
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May 31 event will be clubs last day open
Billed as the “Biggest Saturday Night Party Ever!”, Club 88 is planning on having a final blowout event at it’s current location at the Fifth Third Center at 112 N. Main St.
See the previous blog post here for more details on Club 88’s move to a new location.
Click on the thumbnail image of the club flyer below to pull up more details on the Saturday, May 31, event.
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Downtown club to close on May 31
Owners of The 88 Club at 112 North Main St., Dayton say they will be closing their doors at the end of the month.
Owners Esther Keyes and Rick Krohn who opened the club on March 10, 2006, say that the clubs last day open in the current location will be May 31 due to the lease not being renewed.
“It’s just a shame … I have no idea what the plans are for the location at the Fifth Third Center,” says Keyes. “We’ve worked very hard to establish our name and our reputation and we’re going to keep doing it because we love it.”
Although disappointed with the decision Keyes says this hasn’t dissuaded them. She and Krohn are currently looking for other potential properties downtown to open the club back up in and are working with the Downtown Dayton Partnership to explore their options. They have refunded all special events, private parties and wedding parties that were booked through 2008.
“We’ll go forth, we’ve found a niche that is needed,” said Keyes.
Downtown arts patrons are likely familiar with the 88 Club thanks to a relationship the owners carved out with the Victoria Theater Association hosting cast parties and other pre- and post-show get togethers at the club.
Although the next spot that The 88 Club will call home is uncertain, one thing is not: There will be a party. May 31 the club will be open from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. for a “final blowout” to celebrate the clubs time there and the hopes of a new downtown location to call home. Check their myspace page as the time gets closer for more details.
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The 100 best bars in America
Esquire magazine has chosen its list for the 100 best bars in America and five Ohio bars made the cut. Here are the five:
1. The Beachland Ballroom and Tavern in Cleveland, which has now been added to my list of places to visit the next time I’m traveling to the tippy-top of the state.
2. Surly Girl Saloon in Columbus which is a GREAT bar. If you haven’t been, you should go. They have a great draft beer list, good food and cocktails if that’s more of what you’re looking for. It’s a fond favorite of mine. The folks who own Surly Girl also own Betty’s and Tip Top which are also worth a stop. Betty’s for the food and ambience, Tip Top for the downtown location and a cocktail (wasn’t overwhelmingly impressed with the food the last few times we’ve stopped in).
3. Mitzi Jerman’s Cafe in Cleveland which sounds just as good as several Dayton bars and makes me wonder why one of our great bars here in town didn’t make the cut.
4. Five O’Clock Bar in Lakewood whose description, “sometimes nothing is a pretty cool bar” makes me skeptical, but I’ll still plan on a visit at some point.
5. Andyman’s Treehouse in Columbus which is close enough for a visit if you haven’t already.
Check out the complete list here.
Any great bars you see that you’d agree with? What bars would you nominate. I know one of my very favorite out of town bars, Nicky Blaine’s in Indy made the cut. If you could add/take away something from Esquire’s list what would it be?
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Any thoughts on the new Starbucks logo?
Starbucks has unveiled a new logo that has lots of folks talking. It’s undeniably the big brand news of the day. Switching its branding from the familiar color green to a muddy brown color and featuring a mermaid that’s bare-chested holding two parts of her tail, the logo is said to recall the original logo Starbucks used when it was founded in 1971. Here it is:
There’s no doubt that the brand has been flailing — Howard Schultz took the reins back over as CEO in January and they’ve been introducing new products (the most recent Pike Place Roast) and gimmicks of late with limited success.
It feels like a step backwards for a company that has always seemed to be more imaginative and forward thinking … Schultz has been vocal about wanting to return Starbucks to its successful roots, but this is extreme. And check out this replica of the original store that’s in New York’s Bryant Park (click on the top corner that says tour the first store) … I can only hope they don’t decide to redecorate the stores too … talk about drab and boring!
Here’s a great story I came across about the history of the Starbucks logo. What do you think of this change? Do you care? Does it offend you? Do you think it’s a change for the better? My answer to the last query would be a resounding NO.
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Beef flavored beer? It’s for the dogs!
Pooch hooch? Yep, now man’s best friend is getting in on what his owners have been enjoying for thousands of years … beer. Imported from Holland under the name Kwispelbier (“tail-wagging beer”) it is being sold in the UK for 1.99 pounds per bottle.
The non-alcoholic beef flavored beer contains potassium, protein and fats. The article says, “Made using a traditional brewing process, the drink contains malt barley extract. A spokesman for Pets at Home (a UK store selling it) said: ‘While initially people may think of the drink as a novelty, it makes a delicious treat for a thirsty dog … It also encourages drinking, which is good for the kidneys, and is a great source of vitamin B … It means pets are even more a part of family life as they can enjoy a beer, too.’ ”
Do any pet owners out there know of anything like this being sold in the States? Read the whole story here.
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What are your weekend plans?
There’s so much going on this weekend in Dayton that it’s borderline crazy. Here are just a few things I’m looking forward to:
Brew Ha-Ha at Urban Nights … It will be at Dave Hall Plaza - 4th & Jefferson streets behind the Crowne Plaza. In addition to laughs, there will be 14 Beers to Sample: Bass Ale, Beach Bum Blonde Ale, Boddington, Bud Light Lime, Landshark, Redbridge, Red Hook ESB, Red Hook IPA, Shock Top, Stella Artois, Stone Mill Organic, Tennents, Widner & Wild Blue. $1 for a sample or $3 for a glass. Here are some other things to see at Urban Nights while you’re there. After I’ve checked out Urban Nights, A World A’Fair is happening at the Dayton Convention Center, 22 E. Fifth St. There’s sure to be many delicious dishes there to greet me when I walk in, and we all know a snack is a good idea after a few libations.
Saturday morning I plan to get my shop on at the Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market at the Clark County Fairgrounds off Interstate 70 in Springfield. About 2,500 dealers will be at one of the biggest sales events in this part of the country. Hours are noon to 6 p.m. Friday, May 16; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18. Admission is $5.
Lastly, I’m very excited about Young @ Heart finally opening in the Dayton market. In fact, I blogged about the film that proves rock ‘n’ roll will never die in April - see the clip for yourself here and find out why I’m so very, very excited. While I’m at the Neon I may try and check out the African World Film Festival also happening this weekend. Four African films, including the 2006 Academy Award winner “Tsotsi,” will be presented Friday, May 16, through Sunday, May 18, at the Neon Movies, 130 E. Fifth St., Dayton.
Downtown and surrounding areas are sure to be hoppin’ this weekend and I can’t wait to be part of it! If you care to share what’s on your schedule we’d love to hear it. Hope to see you out and about.
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Chappys Southern Hemisphere Harvest Night
Chappys Tap Room will be featuring a special draught-Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale on Wednesday, May 21. Get there anytime after 5:30 p.m. to purchase a pint and see if you can win some Sierra swag that will be raffled off. The Southern Hemisphere Harvest features fresh Pacific Hallertau, New Zealand Motueka and New Zealand Southern Cross whole-cone hops, all from New Zealand.
Here is the description Sierra Nevada offers up: “Like our Celebration Ale, the fresh hops in this beer are dried right after being picked then shipped immediately to Chico (California) for brewing so that they retain their peak aromatics and flavors. To ensure the freshest hops possible, we went to the added expense of flying these hops from New Zealand to Chico so we could brew with them the week after they were picked.”
Sierra’s founder Ken Grossman writes, “Our latest hop experience is a trilogy of fresh hop ales representing our journey following the hop harvest around the globe. Simply said, we were in search of a way to expand our offering of fresh hop ales throughout the year rather than limiting it to just the fall season. So we scouted the planet exploring new regions to source fresh hops and also explored ways to maximize the oily, resinous qualities of the hops from each harvest as we transported them to our brewery in Chico, California.”
Tasting Notes: Big spicy-floral fresh-hop aroma, robust malt bill layered with a spicy hop notes and citrus undertones.
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Is a Cosmo as trendy as it once was?
With the upcoming Sex and the City film release at the end of the month several things come to mind besides the Big Apple and the show’s four stars: Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik, Soho boutiques, Manhattan dining and of course, sipping on a cosmopolitan. But just how popular is the Cosmo today? Did it die with the hit series that ran from 1998-2004? Is Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon); and Samantha’s (Kim Catrall) drink of choice passe? The show certainly brought the cocktail to the forefront of our minds. So just how does this drink - a relative of the Kamikaze and the Cape Codder - stack up?
It seems Ask.com was asking the same questions (that’s what they do afterall …). Looking at the Ask.com searches over the past two weeks they found that searches for Cosmopolitan recipes over the past two weeks were only second in popularity to the ‘Queen of brunch cocktails’ … the Bloody Mary. Here’s the full list:
Ask.com’s Top 10 Most Popular Cocktail Searches 1. Bloody Mary 2. Cosmopolitan 3. Sex on the Beach 4. Margarita 5. Martini 6. Manhattan 7. Sangria 8. Pina Colada 9. Mimosa 10. Daiquiri
So what do you think, is the Cosmo so totally 2004? Do you still order them or make them at home? What’s your verdict? Are you excited about the movie? While you think about your answer, here’s a recipe for a Cosmopolitan from “The Complete Book of Mixed Drinks” by Anthony Dias Blue. Cheers!
Ingredients: 1 1/4 ounces vodka, 1/4 ounce Triple Sec, 1/4 ounce lime juice, Splash of cranberry juice, Lime wedge
Directions: Pour all the ingredients, except the lime wedge, over ice in a large mixing glass. Stir and strain into a chilled martini glass. Squeeze and garnish with the lime.
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Prepare to pay more for Oktoberfest
Beer prices are climbing everywhere including Germany. With grain prices rising steadily, the six million guests expected at this year’s Oktoberfest happening Sept. 20 through Oct. 5 in Munich, Germany, it doesn’t take a math major to figure out after reading this article that you’ll need to carry more money with you thanks to the roughly $12.50 beers they’ll be selling.
“It has definitely reached a range where consumers will need to think about how to keep things in proportion,” tourism chief Gabriele Weishaupl said … In recent months, grain prices have been spiralling upward as supply is squeezed by a growing market for biofuels to help combat climate change, strong demand for food in developing countries and extreme weather that has affected crops.
Yikes! When you start thinking about airline tickets and gas prices, Newport’s Hofbrauhaus is suddenly looking a whole lot better …
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When engineers play drinking games …
600 LEDs that flash to the beat of the music and automatic ball washers? It’s beer pong built by folks who like to think hard and play hard. I don’t know if this is the ultimate beer pong table, but it would have to be one of them.
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Drinko de Mayo!
Cinco de Mayo without a margarita? No way … Margaritas are a quintessential summer sipper. Dependant on a delicate triangulation of flavors — sweet, sour and boozy — the margarita is also one of the most often poorly executed and most often reinterpreted drinks at the bar.
Traditionally mixed with fresh-squeezed lime juice, tequila and an orange liquor (triple sec, Grand Marnier or Cointreau), sour mix sometimes serves as a substitute depending on which bar you’re ordering at.
It’s a beverage that’s haunted by questions …. Salt? No salt? Juice? Sour mix? Frozen? On the rocks? Silver tequila? Gold tequila? Cointreau? Triple Sec? There are a lot of great ‘rita recipes out there. We’ve compiled a few we’re fond of here for your tasting pleasure. Here’s a mix masters guide to creating your own flavor fiesta ….
Classic Margarita
Ingredients: 1 part Grand Marnier (or another orange flavored liquor like triple sec or Cointreau), 2 part Tequila, 1 part Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice. Directions: Shake with ice and strain into a salt-rimmed margarita glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge. Recipe by Grand Marnier
Virgin Margarita
Ingredients: Lemon and salt for frosting, 3 parts sweet and sour mix, 1 part lime cordial, 1 part fresh orange juice, crushed ice. Directions: Frost the rim of a wine goblet or cocktail glass by rubbing it all around with a halved lemon and dipping it into a saucer of salt. Shake the sweet and sour mix, lime cordial and orange juice in a cocktail shaker with a scoop of crushed ice and stain carefully into a frosted glass. From “Mocktails” by David Biggs
The Bourborita, Craig’s favorite twist on the margarita
Ingredients: 1 1/2 part Bourbon, 3/4 part Tucaca Italian Liqueur, 3/4 Agave 15 Margarita Mix (available from William Sonoma). Directions: Run a lime wedge around the top edge of a margarita glass. Dip moistened glass in bowl of course salt, set aside. Next, fill margarita glass with crushed ice. Pour margarita mix over ice in margarita glass. Add Bourbon and Tucaca to drink shaker and shake. Strain mixture into glass. An original recipe
The Pama-Rita, Alexis’ favorite twist on the margarita (see picture below)
Ingredients: 2 part PAMA Pomegranate Liqueur, 1 1/2 part Silver Tequila, 1/2 part Lime Juice, 1 part Sweet ‘n’ Sour Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a margarita glass. Rim glass with sugar and garnish with a lime slice. Recipe by Pama Liqueur
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Mint Juleps anyone? Recipes and how-to information.
The Mint Julep has been the traditional drink at the derby for more than 100 years, and during that time about as many variations — some refreshing, some not — of the drink recipe have been imagined.
Some of the recipes suggest the aromatic mint should be used as a garnish while others suggest muddling — otherwise known as stirring and gently crushing — the mint.
One aspect of this race-day concoction that doesn’t seem to vary is the ice — almost all agree, crushed is best. What to place the ice and the drink in is another matter. For a more musty mixologist, the only choice is a sterling silver julep cup; for the rest of us, a rocks glass should do the trick.
So when you’re ready to celebrate the most exciting two minutes in racing this weekend, the Lounge Lizards have gathered a few refreshing recipes for the popular drink for you to try.
A Smithsonian article says the widespread success of the famous race is thanks in part to Southern tradition, big-name movie stars, the rise of mass media, the minty minty drinks and loads of luck. Whatever the case, the Lounge Lizards will be raising a glass tomorrow with a toast to red roses, big hats, fast horses and the much-admired quintessential drink of the 134rd Kentucky Derby.
Early Times Mint Julep recipe 2 oz. Early Times Whiskey 1 tbsp. simple syrup (recipe below) Mint sprigs Crushed ice Crush a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8-oz. glass and fill with crushed ice. Add one tablespoon of simple syrup and one tablespoon of water. Add 2 oz. Early Times. Stir gently until glass frosts. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig, sip and enjoy.
Mint simple syrup* 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 bunch fresh mint sprigs Combine sugar and water. Boil for 5 minutes without stirring. Pour mix over a handful of mint leaves, and gently crush the mint with a spoon. Refrigerate overnight in a closed jar. Remove mint leaves, but continue to refrigerate. Stays fresh for several weeks. * Speaking from experience - don’t overcook the simple syrup or you’ll have a batch of simple crystals instead. — RECIPE FROM EARLY TIMES WHISKEY
Thoroughbred Punch Serves 15-18 1/2 cup sugar 4 oz. lemon juice 6 oz. orange juice 4 oz. Grenadine 1 Liter Woodford Reserve Bourbon 1 Liter club soda Combine sugar with the lemon and orange juice and stir well. Add Grenadine and Woodford Reserve and stir again. Add the club soda, garnish with mint sprig and Ice mold and serve. For an alcohol-free version substitute Woodford Reserve with sweetened ice tea. — RECIPE BY TIM LAIRD, CCO (CHIEF COCKTAIL OFFICER) OF LOUISVILLE-BASED BROWNFORMAN
Julep Mintalicious Martini 2 oz. Kentucky Bourbon 2 oz. orange liqueur 1/2 oz. vanilla vodka 1 oz. Mint Julep syrup (stores like Arrow Wine sell this pre-made) 2 oz. tonic water Shake, strain, garnish with an orange slice and mint spring. — A LOUNGE LIZARDS TAKE ON A RECIPE FROM COCKTAILTIMES.COM
Run for the Roses Cocktail Serves 2 3 oz. orange vodka 2 oz. peach brandy 2 oz. Southern sweet iced tea (recipe below) 2 oz. fresh lime juice 2 rose petals for garnish Chambord for floating Add first four ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until the outside of the shaker is frosted and beaded with sweat. Strain into two rocks glasses filled with crushed ice; pour Chambord so that it floats on the top of the drink. Garnish drink with rose petals.
Southern sweet iced tea recipe Use five tea bags for one quart of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes and add one cup of sugar while tea bags are steeping. Stir to dissolve. Place in refrigerator to cool. — CREATED FOR LAST YEAR’S KENTUCKY DERBY FESTIVITIES BY GREY GOOSE VODKA’S NICK MAUTONE
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