Crystal Clear Martinez

Back to cocktails, a few months ago I went to Purl, a New York-style speakeasy in the Marylebone area of London, and tried an exquisite cocktail called the Crystal Clear Martinez. Martini fans, here's a great distraction. Made with Jenson’s Old Tom gin, sweet vermouth , Maraschino liqueur and Bob’s Orange & Mandarin bitters, it's served shaken and on the rocks with bits of orange peel. Absolutely delicious and sophisticated, makes you feel cooler than Bond...well, almost.

For a bit of history thanks to NPR:
"There are several stories about where the martini got its name. They include the claims that it was named for Martini & Rossi vermouth or for the Martini & Henry rifle used by the British army in the late 1800s (both had a strong kick). I like the story that in 1874, a miner plopped a bag of gold nuggets down on a bar in Martinez, Calif., and asked the bartender to make him something special. The bartender mixed up what he called a Martinez cocktail. The city has put up a brass plaque identifying itself as the birthplace of the martini."
-http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124904105

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Redefining Happy Hour

If anyone has bragging rights to the best happy hour in town, it ought to be Gyu-Kaku. We're not only talking about fab specials on their extensive drink list ($2 sake shots, $3 Sapporo & Kirin drafts, $5 sake, wines AND cocktails), Gyu-Kaku also offers an amazing array of $5 food items and 50% off their BBQ (Kobe, NY Strip, Bone-in Kalbi, etc). And by "food items", they mean the freshest yuzu snapper carpaccio, ahi tuna poke, sake steamed mussels, as well as plenty of tasty rice, noodles and salad options. The midtown east restaurant is beautifully decorated with spacious dark wood booths and tables with built-in "do-it-yourself" grills but the expert and gracious staff will serve you well. What I also love about Gyu-Kaku Midtown is that their happy hour also extends to weekend lunch - truly one of the best deals in town. I went a few months ago for Sunday lunch, we ordered too many items to remember, hopefully the photo above does some justice. I did not try their cocktails that time but plan to soon and will report back. Kanpai!

Official Gyu-Kaku Website: http://www.gyu-kaku.com/

Gyu-Kaku Midtown:
805 3rd Ave., 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10022
(212) 702-8816

Happy Hour Schedule:
Mon-Fri: 2-6PM
Mon-Thu: 9:30PM-Closing
Sat&Sun: 12-3PM

Gyu-Kaku East Village:
34 Cooper Square
New York, NY 10003
(212) 475-2989

Happy Hour Schedule:
Daily 3PM—6PM
Mon—Thu 9:30PM—Closing

Also has locations in California, Chicago, Hawaii, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

Empire Hotel Lobby Bar

If you're in the mood for a relaxed, swanky evening, enjoy a cocktail or two at Empire Hotel's Lobby Bar whose cocktail menu is inspired by Gossip Girl - since the hotel is now one of the characters as it was bought out by Chuck Bass. Not sure how I feel about that as I don't watch the show but they did feature a rather tasty scotch, ginger and apple cocktail that I would like to recreate. It's quite empty on a weekend night since everyone else is clamoring for their rooftop bar - but if you're in the mood for one or two after the opera or ballet, and want to check out a hotel bar, it does the trick. I should mention they also have ridiculously plush couches which will send to you heaven before your cocktail will.

Empire Hotel
44 West 63rd Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 265-7400

Thanks to www.hotelchatter.com, please see below for their cocktail menu:

Jenny's Tartlet recipe revealed for HotelChatter:
1 ½ oz. Montecristo White Rum
2 oz. Grapefruit Juice
½ oz. Lemon Juice
½ oz. Simple Syrup
2 Sprigs Mint
Lollipop
In a mixing glass, muddle the mint with the lemon juice and simple syrup. Add all other ingredients and shake. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lollipop.

“S” (Serena)
Zyr Vodka, Honey Water, Champagne and Lemon Pappabubbles.

“B” (Blair)
Bluecoat Gin, Blood Orange Bitters and Crystal Candy

I’m Chuck Bass
Dewar’s Scotch, Red Apple, Ginger Bites and Apple Cider

Lonely Boy (Dan)
Brooklyn Lager, Makers Mark Bourbon and Crème de Cacao

Georgina’s Mind Eraser
Vieux Carré Absinthe Wash, Don Julio Silver Tequila, Pomegranate and an Atomic Fireball

Nate’s Fickle Flings
Sagatiba Cachaça, St-Germain and Sour Blackberries

Eau de Vanessa
Grey Goose Le Poire, Pear Nectar and White Grape Juice

James Beard House Events

A few months ago, courtesy of a generous friend, I experienced one of the most sublime meals and gastronomic nights of my life. Quite a statement but I promise you, a dinner at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village is a magical time. I attended the "Wine Lovers Dinner" presented by Paul Kulik, celebrated Nebraskan chef of The Boiler Room in Omaha along with Jesse Becker, Master Sommelier. The evening began in the greenhouse with delectable passed hors d'oeuvres and a delicious "old-fashioned inspired" cocktail made with Bonal (a complex aperitif wine), prosecco and orange peel - and I use quotation marks b/c trust me, it tasted exactly like an old-fashioned. The hors d'oeuvres: wagyu beef navel pastrami with marrow sabayon on brioche, house 18 month prosciutto, corned beef tongue with puffed crawfish & horseradish, and sweet potato churros and house cured salmon roe. After an hour, and mind you it is a bit like an opera so expect to stay 3-4 hours, we ascended into the dining room and took our places at immaculately laid tables with champagne in James Beard's very own living room. I ended up going by myself and was wondering whether I might be seated at a table for 1, however everyone is seated at circular tables of 10 so be prepared to mingle - and what better company than a bunch of food and wine lovers! We then began a six-course meal with fabulous wine pairings and Jesse Becker narrated with each offering. I've included the full food and wine pairing menu below - it was just divine. Right before dessert, Chef Kulik and team came out to thundering applause from his happy diners and stayed to answer questions from an admiring crowd. Truly, it was a night to remember and thankfully, there will be many more nights to come. The James Beard Foundation offers 20 events each month and are open to the general public. Discounted prices are available to members.

For a list of upcoming events, click here.

For membership details, click here.

For the amazing meal I had, which should have been renamed Pork Lovers' Dinner (which is why I deliberately chose this one), please see below:

Wine Lovers' Dinner at James Beard with Paul Kulik and Jesse Becker
March 30, 2011

Dinner Menu:
House Charcuterie
dried chorizo, finocchiona, bresaola
Vigna Dogarina "Oro", Prosecco, Veneto, Italy NV


Araucana Chicken Egg Raviolo
shadowbrook farms chevre, smoked ham, claytonia
Rudi Pichler, Gruner Veltliner, Federspiel, Wachau, Austria 2009

TD Niche Red Wattle Pork Belly
royal red shrimp, pea shoots, cherry belle radish
Movia, Sauvignon Blanc, Brda, Slovenia 2008

Nebraska "Ossabaw" Pork Loin
cheeks, sunchokes, oregon yellowfoot mushrooms, obtuse du doubs carrots
J. Hoffstatter, Lagrein, Steinraffler, Alto Adige, Italy 2002

Slow Roasted House Red Wattle Coppa
lemongrass sausage, iowa flageolets, minutina
Tardieu-Laurent, Gigondas, Rhone Valley France 2008

Shadowbrook Farm Goat Milk Panna Cotta
strawberry-rhubarb macaron, coffee froth
Cultiva Coffee Roasters coffee, Chemex-brewed, Lincoln, Nebraska

American Craft Beer Week: May 16-22

Hello again folks! The blog is back and if you haven't already heard, this week is American Craft Beer Week! There are over 800 events in all 50 states so check out the official page here.

NYC-ers - Beer Menus has compiled a ton of great events for us as well so be sure to check out this list on where to go and what to drink this week: http://www.beermenus.com/events

Cheers!