TALK DRINKS

CONDUIT RESTAURANT in S.F.

Happy Monday. If you are ever in San Francisco, you have to check out this fantastic restaurant called CONDUIT. CONDUIT is an ultra modern and sleek dining experience in the heart of San Francisco. Black wood tables and chairs and black tiled floors fill this 110-seat dining room. Steel, copper and bronze adorn the bar, walls and ceiling.
A few weeks ago, I joined Lead Barman Reza Esmaili and Executive Chef Justin Deering in hosted a Cocktail Dinner during S.F. Restaurant Week. We hosted a multi-course dinner matched with Partida Tequila cocktails to showcase San Francisco’s vibrant cocktail culture, and of course, our delicious food. Reading the menu was enough to make your mouth water. Salud - Jacques

The Cigar Bar - The Colorado Rockies

Since the introduction of the smoking ban in Colorado on June 1, 2006 there has been a period of adjustment in the hospitality business. Many small neighborhood bars that relied on a clientele of smokers have had to rethink their business plan to stay alive. Although it has been difficult on the smoking public, it has opened a number of new places to go for non-smokers, whom before wouldn’t have ventured into places that were notoriously smoky. As other bars conform to the new playing field, a loophole in the law has allowed a small number of bars to continue to allow smoking. One such place is my bar, Cigar Bar in Lakewood. 

Friday Night Live Concert Series - Windy City Post

The summer cocktail season is finally here for die hard Chicagoans. It’s not easy to have only 3 months of summer with 9 months of pure endurance. Chicago patios are open and cocktails are being served all over town. I recently attended the Friday Night Live Concert Series at Joe's. Every Friday night, Joe’s Bar partners with Chicago Sport & Social Club and Partida Tequila to sponsor a live band concert. They invite local artists and provide them a venue to perform their talent. Joe’s has multiple rooms and a large outdoor patio where they hosted the first band last week with 5 more to go. The cover band rocked the house while Partida Margaritas were being served all around. I can’t wait till the next concert. If you are in Chicago, this is the place to be on Friday nights. Salud - Alex 

Bartending from An Old School Bartender

I am not sure if this is happening in other cities, but it’s certainly happening in Austin and other cities in TX. I can't tell you how many times my friends and I have asked ourselves,"Where are all the good bartenders?" Many of us think the good bartender is a dying breed. This is what I think a good bartender should be:

1. When you are behind the bar, it’s not all about you. You are in the hospitality business and you must provide good service with a smile!

2. When you are busy, take multiple orders at once, not just the order of the person in front of you. More than half the time, people are ordering the same drink(s) and you can mix several at once. It will make you a faster bartender and make your life easier. 

3. Be personable and friendly. Introduce yourself and ask for your customers' names. Take pride in your work (back to Rule 1!). 

4. Your shift doesn't end when you serve your last drink. Make sure your bar is clean, well-stocked and ready to go for the next bartender. A clean, organized and well- stocked bar is a happy bar.   

5. Give your customers an extra level of attention by introducing them to premium spirits or your favorite drinks. Customers will appreciate the fact that you are going out of your way to make their experience a little better. Remember, going to the bar can be both a fun and educational.    

Bartending is not just about serving a drink; it's about making the most out of every customer interaction. Salud from an old school bartender. - David

The Mexican Mojito

Happy Friday!!! Summer is here and I have a great new cocktail recipe for you to try this weekend. It's light, refreshing and delicious. Nothing bets sipping a Mexican Mojito by the pool on a sunny afternoon. Cheers – Anthony Alba, Master Mixologist, Liquidity Global, Las Vegas

Mexican Mojito
2.0 oz Partida Blanco Tequila
1.5 oz Partida Agave Nectar
4 lemon wedges
4 lime wedges
10 mint leaves
1oz Club Soda
Muddle the fruit, add ingredients and ice, then stir gently. Served in a rocks glass.

Bombay Sapphire Gin Immersion - L.A. Happenings

It's been a busy few week in Los Angeles. Bombay Sapphire invited around 20 of LA’s elite mixologists to an immersion at the Edison in Downtown LA. Milo Rodriguez flew in from Miami to host a tasty "Cocktail to Start", a little history and education before the crew was let loose on the bar. The best part of these functions is catching up with old friends and making new ones. The pictures tell the whole story. There are also plenty of fresh fruits & veggies and fresh squeezed juices for us to play with. Thanks to Aidan Demarest, Director of Beverage and Spirits at the Edison for the invitation. Cheers - Damian

 

Golden Trailer Awards - L.A. Happenings

Recently, we were invited to the Golden Trailer Awards held at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Downtown L.A., a Hollywood award show paying homage to the best trailers made to promote movies. My favorite award was the “Golden Fleece” award given to the “Best Trailer Better than the Movie”, ironic isn’t it. Sinbad hosted cocktails by Partida Tequila, Martin Millers Gin, Reyka Vodka and Tommy Bahama Rum. Cheer – Damian

Talking Mexican Food and Tequila (Part 3)

In the 3rd and final part of this interview, Chef Freddy talks about how Adobo Grill hand makes fresh guacamole for their customers and the quality and authenticity of food he serves.

Salud!!! - Jacques

Click here to listen (1.5 mb)

Talking Mexican Food and Tequila (Part 2)

In this next part, Chef Freddy and I talk about Agave Nectar and how to make the perfect Partida Margarita. 

Salud!!! - Jacques

Click here to listen (1.5 mb)

Talking Mexican Food and Tequila (Part 1)

I celebrated this past Cinco de Mayo in Chicago. While I was there, Chef Freddy from Adobo Grill and I visited our good friends at The Roe Conn Show to talk a bit about quality Mexican Food and premium Tequila. It was great to see my old friends again and to be in the Windy City. I broke down our conversation into 4 parts and will be posting them in the coming days.

Part 1 is about Partida's Elegante Extra AnejoTequila If you are a Tequila lover, you must try this.

Until next post,
Cheers!!! - Jacques

 

Click here to listen (1.5 mb)