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King cake for breakfast! I've already got bets with our service staff on when the first person is going to slip on these silly beads that always end upon on the tile flooring no matter how hard everyone tries to pick them up. I think I still have some in my car from last year in the back seat somewhere.... Cheers everyone!

Non-eater here too. My last breakup I sought out tons drank a lot of water and pineapple juice balanced with Citron lemon drops. The whole summer I left the corporate world behind (the same time of this crappy end to the relationship) for a pen, order pad and serving tray I survived on snagging croutons and a solo portion cup of ranch for dipping. Did I mention a fair amount of ibuprofen? I couldn't eat or be motivated to eat. Near the end of the summer, if I had time, I was scarfing down our restaurant's spinach dip with the blue corn chips. When feeling a bit down or out of sorts I will always seek out a small chocolate indulgence. I was never one to eat a whole box of anything, so two pieces would be a treat. Elsewise I'd go back to childhood favourites -- tapioca pudding, cheeses, poppyseed danish/kuchen slices, pb&j's and, of course, croutons. My ultimate feel good comfort meal is my beloved Sailor Boy crackers with some some smoked sockeye, cream of tomato soup and some fresh salmonberries in a bowl dotted with a few wild blueberries. Chin up Ondine. I hope you feel better.

? I kinda enjoy the target of the USDA 8 servings a day recommendation (I think that is the right amount, but I forgot the amount of ounces). It does do wonders for your skin. But to reduce another's conscientious, healthful choices as annoying?

I've pulled together some Big Easy cocktails for Tuesday. Took a bit of convincing to get Those That Be at my employing restaurant/bar to order in some Pernod (it's expensive!) I know I needed to really search down if we can get Herbsaint.... oh well. Pernod will have to do! Also different this year, Ohio now permits the sale of Everclear. So, I guess I'll be able to make a similar knock off, Hand Grenade type of drink. (It is a trademarked drink recipe from the Tropical Isle). I'll take my one NOLA contact that tends in the French Quarter's word on the proportions because I remember tasting a drink with Everclear in it only once -- and two minutes later I could no longer feel my entire face from the fast numbing quality of that liquor. Of course, we'll name it something else but I'm a bit worried about limiting the number of them to be sold to one guest! Up on the special menu: Sazerac (of course) Hurricane (ditto); Mint Julep New Orleans Buck Planter's Punch; and last, and quite possibly the least (and/or funky) Grasshopper I might drop that Grasshopper. I know our local health department will draw and quarter me if I proposed the Ramos Gin Fizz because of the raw egg white would be considered a bit of a hazard. And as far as the Roffignac, the raspberry syrup makes it sound quite delish, but I'm wondering if it will sell.... Recipes? I've linked a few to Robert's website (aka DrinkBoy) and Webtender. The ones that are not linked: I tend to trust this fella. (Where's he been lately?!?) Cheers!

I managed to snag our OLBA Ohio Beverage Journal and take a look through it. Somehow it always seems to disappear because it will sit on someone's desk -- either our bookkeeper (who generally gets all of our mail first), our owner's, then the General Manager's. After that amount of time, I may find it, on rare occasion, in the magazine rack in our upstairs office, managerial loo. I checked under new products and promotions and behold! Another new vodka! So I search the web. Their website is still under construction, but I did locate a link to a press release about the stuff. Nice Absolut-like bottle with a longer neck ("an elegant French bottle" per the publication blurb) with a jewel shaped, cut stone, emerald cap. Press Release about this new spirit here. Emerald Vodka's URL under conctruction: http://www.emeraldvodka.com Cheers!

I've got my closing bartender on the hunt for an important ingredient, not sure if it is something we have in Ohio.... Here's to planning ahead! (ha) Well, if success is achieved, this evening we will be toasting with Jean Georges' signature Shanghai Cosmos, albeit in a bit of an unorganised fashion. Isn't there something to be said for being impromtu? This cocktail recipe is a Cosmo variation that I've sleuthed out of The New York Times. 1 ounce Vodka (I'd use Absolut in tribute to Samantha's hunky boyfirend, Smith) 1 ounce Choya Plum Wine 1 ounce Cranberry Juice Splash of Pineapple Juice Splash of Lime Juice (a healthy squeeze from a sizeable freshly cut wedge would do nicely) Combine in an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a properly chilled cocktail glass. Top with a spash of soda and garnish with a lemon twist. Cheers! Oh, and I want it to be BIG. The drink and Carrie's choice of soul mate....

Happy Margarita Day y'all! I go into work at noon and will be happy to see that our recent thaw has restored the river to aflowing and the dead fish afloating. A lovely view outside of my glass wall of sliding and removable doors surrounding the lower bar. Clevelanders will toast to that as we watch the gulls busy swooping and feasting. It is one of the first signs that Spring is on its way. I've picked up those lovely POM Wonderful products for some Margarita mixing variety. Cheers!

Mee too! At first I was repulsed by those Sponge Monkeys. Now I think they are hysterical. Last night's secret code words were "Beware of paper cuts." if any of the service staff wanted something from the service bar. They had to say it in the same manner. Made one of my regulars nearly fall of his barstool laughing. edited to add: Thinking about last night almost brought tears to my eyes from laughing so hard. Yup, we are imps with too much time on our hands when at work.

Eeeeeee and yuuuuuuuukkkk. Those are generally still referred to as Cement Mixers. The Bailey's curdles from the Rose's. Bleh!!!

Owen Dugan's February 18, 2004, Wine Spectator article here. Cheers!

Oh what a way to start a week! Sunday Margaritas, Tuesday Hurricanes! Here is an article from Relish with some musical thoughts on one of my favourite drinks. Of course now that Buffet song is in my head and I'm not sure if that is something I would like to have stuck in there all day. My own sliver of paradise adored the man and his work, so yes, it could be always found somewhere, blaring, in the background of any number of establishments/docked boats at any hour of the day or night. Oh, I love that! I guess I can withstand some Buffet. Memories of bright, hot sunny days in the midst of the grey, icey and snowy of the bitter cold coast of Lake Erie ought to be welcome right about now. I'll shiver as I make that first batch looking over the frozen Cuyahoga River from my bartop workplace watching the gulls huddling to keep warm. I'll giggle as I remember one of my regular islanders, a rather tall and large fella, that would sneak into our secluded hotel bar (for guests only generally), do a canon ball into the pool and stroll up to one of the watery barstools, located in the pool. This was almost like clockwork and would transpire nearly every Monday when I'd tend to enjoy the peacefulness of the imported and transplanted palm trees swaying in the island breezes. Bobito, my regular island buddy, would order several margaritas and nap in the sun for a bit of a tan. His words and smile, before removing himself from the "conversation" pool surrounding my a bar to a lounge chair, always got me to laugh out-loud and prompt me to pour one for myself as well. It was quite heartfelt and sincere. "God bless that man that first created tequila!" Cheers!

I read this earlier, thought I'd post the article link, then I though -- nah. But I channel hopped this afternoon and saw Oprah toasting the ladies of this HBO mega hit with a Cosmo at the beginning of her show. I will miss watching Sex in the City myself. Scotsman Article Here. Yummmm, the dreamy Absolut Hunk will stick in my mind forever!!!

Adams Beverage Group, State Ways article here. (scroll down a bit) Cheers!

More news on this rosey vodka. Seems as though Shakers has another one in the works too. Today's West Central Tribune article here.

Today's article here.

Anyone going?

I think it has been voiced here somewhere before, that Crown stinks, blah, blah, blah! Hrumph! I enjoy Canadian whisky! For a yearly holiday tradition we used to purchase and promptly consume a new bottle of Crown Royal Reserve. (What to do with those nice velvet bags with nice silk tassels? They are far too lovely to be disposable!) And those burly, rugged, outdoorsy types of Alaskan men -- they drank whisky! No wimpy, foo-foo Chocolate Martinis! In fact, that was the only time I worked in a bar that had the awkward sized, gigantic 1.75 litre bottles of Crown in two separate set ups. We did sell/pour the stuff like just like it was surely raining outside! So for the sake of variety, I managed to choke down a Canadian Club Reserve or two.... (a nice 10 year old -- The stuff has a pleasing aroma to savour and is very smooth, warming and smokey. What's not to love?) Well, here is an Adams Beverage Group, Beverage Dynamics article, Northern Exposure: Sales of Canadian Whisky are Finally on the Upswing, and the Market will Continue to Benefit as Brands Develop New Ways to Expand Their Consumer Franchises, by Howard Riell. [i like the Northern Exposure part of that title -- *big* fan of that old tv show]. Anyone enjoy this brown beverage too? Which ones and how? Cheers!

When did these guys sneak into the biz? I see 1996 is incorporated into their logo. Hmmm. Not available in Ohio. Well, anyway, I'm glad they did! I found an article about 10 Gins not to miss [edit: oops, 12] by Robert Plotkin (Gin thread here ) and decided to look up info on Desert Juniper gin. And if found this: Bendistillery Not only do they produce Desert Juniper gin, but also vodka. Ten times!!!!! Wow. There is a nice little section on vodka -- ingredients, distillation (center cut) and resulting taste. http://www.bendistillery.com/clv.htm Other than the Desert Juniper gin they have a Cascade Mountain gin And check out their Crater Lake Hazelnut Espresso Vodka!!! Yum. I really look forward to sampling these products, especially in one of the handful of States that sell their product (mostly the PNW). Anyone try these?

Welcome to eG Larry!

Another article from Robert Plotkin, one of my favourite guys in the biz, here, THE 12 MOST PROMISING NEW GINS: THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. Despite my aversion to juniper, I think I'm going to find out more about this Desert Juniper from Oregon and the cobalt blue bottled Mercury. I'm a sucker for all things Pacific Northwest. I'll even try anything in a cobalt blue glass bottle once or twice -- all with exception to a local winery, Firelands' bottle of Walleye White wine. edit: URL pilot errors

Not necessarily peated, single malt Irish whiskies, but I found an article (no date! ) from one of my favourite guys in the biz. Robert Plotkin's article DRAMS OF EIRE:THE 12 MOST UNFORGETTABLE IRISH WHISKEYS.

< roll the brassy rendition of Hail to the Chief > Yup, I've got cocktails for every occasion. And before the onslaught of young, lusty eyed couples descend upon our restaurant this evening ordering those eensy splits of sparkling wine (we sell record numbers of these on both Valentine's and Sweetest day holidays so I've stocked our wine cooler accordingly to the brim with cute mini bottles of Chandon) I thought I'd get this posted in the nick of time. So all of you banker and PERS collecting types take a looksy, make/sip any of the following and raise a toast to our Presidential leaders. Here's an article worthy of a wee peek. Interesting cocktail recipes are at the bottom. Cheers!

I knew there was a reason this story caught my eye. Berry Sprite Remix will be introduced and the Tropical will be faded out. Story here: http://www.bevnet.com/news/2004/02-13-2004...berry_remix.asp

The Courier-Journal's February 13, 2004, article regarding the bourbon war waging between Barton and Brown-Forman: http://www.courier-journal.com/business/ne...oze13-4197.html

The press release has made it to HappyHour. Here is an easy link to same: http://www.happyhours.com/pressRelease_story.htm?&itemid=187 edited to add: Here is another easy link from Adams Beverage Group to Yahoo: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/040213/sff023_1.html This is a large introduction for this new vodka. I wish this was available and in time for today -- barely 11:30 am and the restaurant I work for looks like it is going to be in for a hellish day. I could enjoy this new, unique vodka on the rocks guaranteeing a pleasant mood lifter. Is this going to be the new direction for flavoured vodkas? Florals? I'll have to see if I can make time to upload my Johnny Jump Up violets infused vodka tomorrow on the infusion thread....