Food to eat while drinking Manhattans?

[kbrede]

A couple of us are getting together to pool our bottles and quest for the personal Manhattan. Supper will be in our bellies before it starts, but what do I serve during our quest? I have a feeling it might go a little late. it should be something hardy but not interfere much with our tasting. Would deviled eggs work?

Thanks,

Kent

[Chris Amirault]

Nuts, candied if you like. I think walnuts and hazelnuts are perfect with Manhattans, in particular.

[Adam George]

No to anything spicy.

[tanstaafl2]

I like a nice smoked gouda when sampling bourbon or another mild to moderate cheese. Should work for Manhattan sampling as well.

[FrogPrincesse]

Cheese goes with everything... A blue cheese could be an interesting contrast. tanstaafl2's smoked gouda sounds pretty good too.

Cured/smoked meats or a terrine of some kind. Foie gras. Bone marrow toast.

It would be great with a dessert course too. I would do something with cherries.

Edited July 2, 2013 by FrogPrincesse (log)

[Hassouni]

Personally I feel the Manhattan is something to drink in anticipation of food...

[blue_dolphin]

I'm with Chris. I love sipping a Manhattan after dinner and nibbling on walnuts and some dried tart cherries. And maybe some sort of caramel or dark chocolate confection....

[Chris Amirault]

I would think that you would want to avoid having anything too flavorful given the project. Hence the recommendation of simple nuts.

[FrogPrincesse]

I can see Chris' point, but I find that certain foods can amplify the flavor of cocktails and highlight elements that can be missed when they are tasted in isolation. Also there is the enhanced experience of eating delicious foods with a great cocktail. It could be fun to start by tasting the cocktails with just some nuts and then studying the flavor profile when they are accompanied by more substantial foods. It's a matter of personal preference obviously. My husband too will only eat nuts with his Manhattans.

Edited July 2, 2013 by FrogPrincesse (log)

[Lisa Shock]

Rumaki?

[Mjx]

Edamame!

[Katie Meadow]

I love salted cashews with a Manhattan but peanuts always seem wrong. Go figure. Marcona almonds might be good too. I rarely eat pate, but a nice mellow pork or rabbit pate on crackers is yummy with a Manhattan, and, along with some lightly salted paper thin slices of kohlrabi, in a pinch constitutes a complete meal.

[CatPoet]

I have a cocktail book from way back and it says  lovely  nipples with a Manhattan is a  crisp/chips  topped with sour cream and smoked oyster,  if you can find smoked oyster, a smoked prawn or a tiny bit crispy fried smoked bacon will do.

 

The picture shows a  tiny dollop of sour cream and something that looks like a prune on top of potato crisp.

 

I am not sure I want it...