TALK DRINKS

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. 

Forbidden Island

Back in the days of Trader Vic and Beach Bum Jerry, Tiki drinks where made with care using fresh ingredients and a assortment of quality rums. Somewhere along the way things deteriorated, along with cocktails in general, where quality and fresh where no longer important. Horrible artificial mixes and cheap spirits where substituted and we entered a dark time for mixed drinks. Thankfully all that has started to change and we are slowly seeing bars using fresh juices and quality ingredients in their cocktails. This has also resulted in a resurgence of Tiki Bars and Drinks. Bars like Trailer Happiness and Mahiki in London have helped put the Tiki drink back on the map. Martin Cate a Tiki Master has helped put the Tiki Drink back on the radar here in the US. He has a wonderful bar called Forbidden Island here in Alameda.

Cocktails in Los Angeles

How things have changed? Just as early as last year, L.A. was a difficult place to get a well balanced fresh cocktail. Now there are some serious cocktail bars that have opened and there are more coming. It seems that allot of this is happening in the revived downtown area. Seven Grand the whisky bar has been open now for about a year or more and have been popping out some serious cocktails by masters like Damian and Marcos. Recently, a very exclusive cocktail bar has opened by the same owners called The Doheny. Vincenzo who use to work at Providence is the Bar Manager and the crazy mind behind the cocktail list. One of my favorite drinks is the Smoke of Scotland which brilliantly blends Laphroaig Cash Strength with Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur and Averna. You have to try it and it will blow you away. They also have a very serious spirits selection of only the best of the best in every category. Eric Alperin formerly from Little Branch in New York and Osteria Mozza in L.A. teams up with Vincenzo at Doheny behind the stick and they are Masters at their craft to say the least. If this is a sign of things to come in LA, you will be seeing me down in LA for cocktails more often.

Cheers to The Doheny - Jacques

Jaffurs Barrel Tasting & La Super-Rica

Bartending isn’t only about cocktails; it’s an all encompassing service of beverages and libations to thirsty guests, one of those libations being wine. With a virtual plethora of producers making a variety of styles with what seems like an endless supply of choices of grape varieties but much of the process is left to nature.

The weather, the soil, the temperature, and even the direction the grapes face can contribute to the final product. That being said, last weekend I went to learn about some of the contributing factors in the production of wine that can be controlled. For instance, the cause and effect relationship between different styles and methods of wine making using similar grapes. Different yeast strains and barrels from different forests in different countries and tasting the wines as separate components of the finished blended wines. But mostly because it was a road trip to Santa Barbara and great Mexican food.

Recommended Reading - Welcome to Miami

I came across this great article by DailyCandy - Miami and wanted to share it with everyone. Abokado is a fantastic new restaurant in Miami that does a wonderful job fusing Japanese and Latin cuisines together. Check them out if you are in the area. (click the link below for the full article) Welcome to Miami - Marita

An Offer You Can’t Re-Fuse: Abokado Opens
 
How did the Japanese chef get the Latin American chef to cook with him? He made him an offer he could re-fuse! The latest trend in fusion — Japanese Pan-Latin — lands in Mary Brickell Village at Abokado, a new resto combining the two regions’ distinctive flavors.
And it turns out that the two largely coastal cuisines have lots in common.

Abokado, 900 South Miami Avenue, Mary Brickell Village (305-347-3700 or abokadosushi.com).

Introducing the Spirit - Everything's Bigger in TX

The Partida buzz has started in Austin, Tx. Curra's Mexican Restaurant has there staff stoke about Partida! For the next 3 months Curra's will be hosting a contest on who can introduce "The True Spirit of Tequila" to the most customers. As we all know that is not hard to do. I was in there yesterday informing them about all the awards Partida has won, its great rating on Tequila.net, and the excitement the Partida team has behind it. 2008 will be a great Tequila year in Austin!!! Everything's Bigger in TX - David

Holiday Decorations

Happy New Year!!! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a toast to 2008. And I hope you all enjoyed a few cocktails as I did.

I recently had a few friends over for a holiday party at my apartment in San Francisco. I did not want to decorate the tree with the usual bits and pieces so what could be better than mini bottles of Tequila. Needless to say the Tree was a hit and by the end of the night there was not much left on the tree after friends hat picked off it. Try it again next year.

Cheers - Jacques

Agave - Windy City

I visited an amazing Latin restaurant this week in Chicago. I know Jacques has written about it back in May, but this was my first time there. Agave, their name says it all!!! This Lincoln Park restaurant has a large selection of Tequila and the management & staff are great. They have a nice bar and the kitchen is exposed to the dining area with a party room upstairs. The bartenders Moises and Summer have created an awesome drink menu along with their manager Rafa. They have tons of experience and a passion for premium Tequila. They serve Partida Blanco infused with Lemongrass; Partida Anejo infused with chocolate and vanilla bean. The Lemongrass Mojito is fantastic and I would highly suggest stopping by for dinner and some great Tequila. Salud – from Alex in the Windy City

Agave Bar & Grill
3115 N. Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
773.404.1800

At the B.A.R.

Partida invited 40 of the top bartenders and bar managers from across the U.S. to Las Vegas for a 1-day crash course about Tequila. The good folks from B.A.R. (Beverage Alcohol Resource) crafted a program, which included Tequila history, Tequila Heritage, Tequila Cocktails and a tasting of 32 different Tequilas. I did a little cocktail presentation and Gary Shansby, the founder of Partida Tequila, gave a short interview at the end of the event. Check out the video. Salud - Jacques

On the Tequila Trail: The Soul of Tequila (Video #1)

Hi,

Check out this great podcast series about Tequila shot by Chef Mark and Jennifer of Culinary Media Network.  This episode talks all about the history, traditions and process of making Tequila.