syoung68

Like so many others here, I have been away from eGullet for quite some time and this news is tragic. Steven was an inspiration to us all. What he and Jason accomplished with eGullet has been amazing. It has affected the food world like nothing else. Steven you will be missed. Rest in piece.

Broken Arrow - http://www.brokenarrowranch.com/

The other evening I found myself at a friend’s home for an early evening cocktail. The boy just recently moved into his new condo and had a very successful “Stock the Bar” housewarming. However, being the consummate bachelor, he had ZERO mixers and not a single piece of fruit in the house. Not even an unnaturally vibrant maraschino. I was fine with the latter, but really wanted a brandied cherry. So, what was I to do? Improvise. Noticing the opened bottle of Carpano Antica that surely needed to be used before it was past its time, AND a bottle of Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao Ancienne Methode, which I had not had up until this evening, I obviously had to do something with them. Grabbing a bottle of Bulleit Rye, I thought, "something Manhattanish". 2oz Bulleit Rye 1oz Carpano Antica .5oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao Ancienne Methode Stirred with ice poured into a rocks glass a la Sazerac style – he has limited glassware. They were delicious.

Ok, I stand corrected. Not hemostats, but plating tweezers. My point was that the level of precision is on a different playing field.

Achatz, a Keller disciple, is another chef who denounces tongs. However, like Alcuin said, this is suited for their kitchens where everything must be precisely placed. They use hemostats - no lie.

We do that but take it a step further and use Mike's Hard Lemonade. But we are drinkers.

I have the Lodge version and it lives on my stove. Mostly for breakfast, but we use it all the time.

I have candied them in the past and then used as garnish. They are tasty too.

I just wanted to say that I got a chance to meet Bengal and sample the bitters at Tales of the Cocktail last weekend and I have to say the product is really nice. I took home samples of the Cinnamon & Walnut, and Wild Cherry & Tahitian Vanilla. The latter made for a delicious riff on a Vieux Carre. Best of luck to you guys.

I always feel like a Twentieth Century is a great drink to get people to drink gin. People who do not "like" gin, like them and I have given them to the biggest "girlie drink" drinkers and they have always gone over well.

So I made an uncooked Peach Shrub. I was lucky enough to have picked up some Peach Balsamic in Florida and used it with turbinado sugar and fresh peaches; 6 over ripe peaches, 1 cup of sugar and .5 cup of Peach Balsamic and .5 cup of Cane Vinegar. It sat for about a week. Tonight was 2oz Bulleit Bourbon 1oz Peach Shrub 1oz Cocchi Americano Shaken and up. I am thinking about adding basil. It is really good, but it could use some nuance.

this it?

On no other food board would this conversation happen. I love eG.

Thank you for all of the replies. This is fantastic information. For what it is worth our friends were already planning on taking us to Polpo. They too feel that St John's is hit or miss, but will probably make reservations. I will bring up Hereford Road. Wright Brothers is also on the list to bring us to and for "old school Brasserie" they love the Wolseley. As for day trips, I think we will be heading out to Bath, are there places in Bristol to try?

We have one in New Orleans and I have yet to go in. Guess I should do that.

That is true, since as you said, D&C will be a wait by 7:30 - 8:00 anyway.

The only problem with an early dinner is that we really want to hit PDT early enough to get in without a wait and get two seats at the bar. I am as much of a cocktail junkie as a food one.

Del Posto was on my list as a possible too and JG is on my bucket list. Sushi here is not strong. A land of often copied rolls - the bigger the better. Yasuda could be a fit. Masa has always interested me, but the cost is probably prohibitive. I got word from EMP that they will be closed on the 4th. This may become my problem.

Kathryn, thank you. That is exactly what I was looking for. Any other ideas for lunch? We would love to do WD-50, but they do not serve lunch either.

I second the butter crock. We have had one for ages and I love it.

Thank you. This helps. That is good to hear about St John's. I will keep it on the list.

DW and I will be spending a week in London July 5-12. We plan on one, maybe two, big ticket dinners while we are there. We know we would like to get fish and chips and really good Indian, but other than that we are wide open. We may take a day trip out to Bath, but the itinerary is not set as of yet. St John's was on my list, but from what I have read lately, there are now tons of places doing the same type of food and some are better. Thoughts? What are some MUST try places. Any and all suggestions are welcome.

Any other suggestions for late night food? I figured we would have a bite at D&C along the way. And I am not really sure we will make it to Pegu so I am not sure how "late night" it will be. My guess is I am limited on Sunday nights.

So DW and I will be stopping in NYC on the way to London. We arrive July 3rd at 1:30 (JFK) and will be staying in SoHo. The current plan is to grab a late lunch, go back to the room and then head out early(ish) for a cocktail crawl that will start at PDT, then Death & Co, followed by Pegu and ending at Stanton Social for late night food. We have eaten a Blue Ribbon on a previous trip years ago and that would be another option for late night. Anyone have any thoughts on a late lunch on a Sunday? I was thinking maybe go get Dim Sum at either Go Go or Red Egg. Monday is up in the air. Our flight out is not until 10:30 PM. We would like to do an upscale lunch but would also like it to be semi casual (no jacket). I am thinking EMP or Corton. My big concern is will either be open on the 4th. Then maybe pre-airport hit something else. The Breslin? Any input is appreciated.

Also, how is Whiskey Cake in Plano? They were not high on it. I am just curious to the eG opinions.