"I want to get dressed up and go out," he says...my eyebrows go up. Reeeaaallly? Because perhaps that is one of my very favorite things to do, ever. So after a false start (our August date cut short due to illness - his not mine), we are dressed to the nines (what does that mean?) and have a trifecta of cocktails planned for the soiree.
Bright pink dress with a key-hole neck and back and a full swing skirt, I am READY to go out. Even the lip gloss is on point, er as the kids say on fleek (eye roll). And my partner in crime rolls up in a SUIT - navy/charcoal (OK I admit I should have paid more attention) but he looks very, very nice. We hop in an uber and head to stop 1 on the trail - Bentley's. Now, ya'll know that this is one of my favorite places in the world to have a cocktail. But now that Amanda's gone I know it will be different. And because of the Carolina vs Carolina (Chapel Hill vs Gamecocks) game at the stadium, plus the Thursday before Labor Day weekend, we rolled up in there like we owned the place. And it was empty. One table. The bar was closing, the dining room was closing, the kitchen was closing. So after all my talk about Oysters and martinis, I felt like a real chump. Danny (the new Amanda - who CLEARLY isn't) recognizes my drink order from Jane and Sharon a few week's prior. And then he quizzes my date on why he wants an Old Fashioned. Well, Danny - it was a disappointment. The drink was too sweet (no lemon juice) and you STALKED our table for the bill. As someone who's worked in food service, if you really want to tab out ask to close the tab. I wouldn't have tipped you at all.
Next stop - Fahrenheit. The breeze was balmy and coming off the fireplace took the little edge off the early September evening. Although the view was phenomenal, this wasn't shaping up well either. No service for almost 20 minutes. Ok, now I'm hungry, cranky, feeling embarrassed that all my big fancy places are not delivering and FINALLY she comes over, and offers menus. I ordered a Lexi's Aviation - more lavender infusions this week - how unusual. Plus some Luxardo and lemon juice. I really need to stock Luxardo at home. I mean - then I could always have the last word (cocktail pun - google it). And we got some appetizers that were delicious. After a couple of those...we decided that the 3rd bar of the night could wait for another outing...which may be happening soon. Stay tuned.
Bentley's - 3
Fahrenheit - 7
No idea who won - Carolina or Carolina...
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Sunday, September 27, 2015
ArtPop
It was 1996, I was a Freshman in high school going to my first prom, when I arrived at the Adam's Mark hotel in my date's father's vintage MG - I felt HOT. Flash forward, it's 2015 and I'm going to my first ArtPop event in Charlotte and this very same hotel has had a major upgrade (it is now le Meridian) and I arrived on foot - and I felt hot (but that's because it was a little bit of a walk from my place plus it's September in Charlotte)!
Jane and I went to sip cocktails and watch Sharon Dowell paint...but we got to make art too! The bar and lounge in le Meridian feels much cooler than the Charlotte I live in; it's got a very boutique hotel meets Paris meets the South kind of groove. There is modern furniture and funky lighting with a couple of high top tables in the bar area. The bartenders were ok - I felt more like an imposition than a VIP guest. But I did manage to receive a menu and ordered a spectacular creation made with lavender. It was the loveliest shade of purple with a dried lavender bloom as a garnish. Not too sweet but elegantly crafted, this cocktail was worth the price tag ($15!). Now hold on to your hats...this one is a cosmo - yes, with Vodka - so I've gone a bit off the reservation here. Lavender infused vodka, lemon and lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and cranberry juice. Spectacular.
Sharon's art - 10
Le meridian vibe - 9 (would've been a 10 if those bartenders had made me feel moderately welcome!)
Martini - 9
Jane and I went to sip cocktails and watch Sharon Dowell paint...but we got to make art too! The bar and lounge in le Meridian feels much cooler than the Charlotte I live in; it's got a very boutique hotel meets Paris meets the South kind of groove. There is modern furniture and funky lighting with a couple of high top tables in the bar area. The bartenders were ok - I felt more like an imposition than a VIP guest. But I did manage to receive a menu and ordered a spectacular creation made with lavender. It was the loveliest shade of purple with a dried lavender bloom as a garnish. Not too sweet but elegantly crafted, this cocktail was worth the price tag ($15!). Now hold on to your hats...this one is a cosmo - yes, with Vodka - so I've gone a bit off the reservation here. Lavender infused vodka, lemon and lime juice, triple sec, simple syrup, and cranberry juice. Spectacular.
Sharon's art - 10
Le meridian vibe - 9 (would've been a 10 if those bartenders had made me feel moderately welcome!)
Martini - 9
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Run Pig Run!
Once I saw the website name, www.runpigrun.com, I HAD to go here. Swine. I read about it a year ago in the US Airways magazine...yes, I was that bored on the flight. There were so many reasons: bourbon, barbeque, cracklins, cocktails...but I had it in my head that it was a tapas place and would be better suited to a few people than the solo business traveler. So I waited. And every time I had colleagues with me they wanted to eat near the hotel. Sigh. And finally I had an opportunity to go at the end of last summer - a really lovely man I met on a flight invited me for drinks...but I was seeing someone at the time (whom very shortly after I STOPPED seeing) and I declined. Moral of the story - say yes to the drink!
The next shot - more business travel - this time with our President and another colleague. This was IT! But it wasn't.We dined French...
Again - this time I'm taking my clients and there's nothing that could stand in the way! But alas, there is a mechanical failure and the restaurant has to close - so I take them to Bulla instead.
And now...drum roll please...it's Monday night, I have no travel companions, and I decide to go for it. I request my Uber and a few minutes later I am arriving at Swine. Finally. I go in - it's small, rustic, 10 seat bar with one couple stationed near the corner; a few community tables full of diners and a handful of 4 tops and 2 tops. I sit at the bar, and the darling bartender gives me the menu(s) and lets me have a moment. I tell him about my trials just trying to go there (he's very polite about it) and we talk about the options and settle on the Miami Spice menu (this is a 3 courses for $39 like Charlotte restaurant week). And a Manhattan with Bulleit rye. It's just right - pretty coupe, sour cherry, the sweet vermouth is an accent, and the bitters bring out the rye. Well done, young man.
And the food was everything I hoped for. I even ate cold leftover ribs for breakfast the next morning. Just saying.
Martini - 7
The next shot - more business travel - this time with our President and another colleague. This was IT! But it wasn't.We dined French...
Again - this time I'm taking my clients and there's nothing that could stand in the way! But alas, there is a mechanical failure and the restaurant has to close - so I take them to Bulla instead.
And now...drum roll please...it's Monday night, I have no travel companions, and I decide to go for it. I request my Uber and a few minutes later I am arriving at Swine. Finally. I go in - it's small, rustic, 10 seat bar with one couple stationed near the corner; a few community tables full of diners and a handful of 4 tops and 2 tops. I sit at the bar, and the darling bartender gives me the menu(s) and lets me have a moment. I tell him about my trials just trying to go there (he's very polite about it) and we talk about the options and settle on the Miami Spice menu (this is a 3 courses for $39 like Charlotte restaurant week). And a Manhattan with Bulleit rye. It's just right - pretty coupe, sour cherry, the sweet vermouth is an accent, and the bitters bring out the rye. Well done, young man.
And the food was everything I hoped for. I even ate cold leftover ribs for breakfast the next morning. Just saying.
Martini - 7
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Triple Threat, but not American Pharoah
That's right folks, 3 for 1 tonight.
#1 (yes, YOU are number one, but so is this bev). Charlotte restaurant week...ahem Queen City Feast I believe is the proper name. Scene: hot Wednesday night in Charlotte, NC, slightly early cocktail hour - it was almost 5 - chez moi (oh no Meg it's another Manhattan...), how are we the first ones here seat us in the middle of the restaurant do they know what they are doing!, well...let's just get a cocktail while everyone arrives. Upstream in Phillips Place - sophisticatedly noisy and menu driven, this dining room offers an incredible value and wide variety for their restaurant week. But back to the cocktail - on the features list The Outer Bank: Smirnoff Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh squeezed grapefruit, lime juice, splash of cranberry. But of course, to be contrary and because the grapefruit made me crave a greyhound, I asked for gin instead of the vodka. And then so did Heather (not speaking in the third person, my friend Heather!). And then so did everyone else that ordered the drink. It's nice when your friends overwhelmingly approve of your choices.
Martini - 7
#2 girls weekend - a much needed low key getaway to stare at the water, sun bathe, cook, and sleep was hovering in the distance TOO FAR AWAY and the days felt like sand stuck in an hourglass. All you could do was stare and tap the sides and occasionally a few grains would fall. But finally on Thursday night, I dropped the top, picked Kate up and we hit the road! It felt like freedom even in the thick of traffic on 74. We allowed Google Maps to take us the most bizzaro back country roads, but in the end (plus getting caught in a massive thunderstorm - yes the top was still down) we made it to the townhouse around 11. Time for a grilled cheese and a salad and a martini! I know - that's a weird combination, but I wanted a drink and something comforting to eat, so there. What makes it a blog-worthy martini? Well, when you pour your New Amsterdam gin from the giant bottle on your home bar into a weekend's worth portion (safely toted in a Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter jar - hey it won't leak!), realize you have no vermouth, and that there aren't any martini glasses the whole thing makes for a pretty comical assembly. In a short glass (no shaker) add ice. Dump gin from peanut butter jar into said glass trying not to spill; clearly these jars are not designed for pouring liquid, clean up mess, curse wasted gin. Slice lemon (we did get some things right), squeeze into "shaker" and stir. Strain into chilled tiny wine glass. Garnish with lemon twist. Not the prettiest, but damn refreshing.
Martini - 5
#3 Pisces: Refined Drinks - I LOVE going for cocktails with Cassandra - just the two of us. It's always fun, real, and centering. I'm a lucky girl to have such long time friends in my life - and this one goes back to 2001, Limoges France. We decide to go for the sushi boat! Yes boat. I hadn't done this before, and it was amazing. To compliment, what better than a Manhattan? Ok, I'll admit that was a terrible pairing choice, but I really wanted it and we ordered drinks before we decided on the boat. Pisces version is called the Far East Manhattan - Bulliet Rye, Ginger Liqueur, Zipang
Sparkling Sake & Bitters. The balance is so perfect that there is no overwhelming ginger or sake. It's just good.
Martini - 8
#1 (yes, YOU are number one, but so is this bev). Charlotte restaurant week...ahem Queen City Feast I believe is the proper name. Scene: hot Wednesday night in Charlotte, NC, slightly early cocktail hour - it was almost 5 - chez moi (oh no Meg it's another Manhattan...), how are we the first ones here seat us in the middle of the restaurant do they know what they are doing!, well...let's just get a cocktail while everyone arrives. Upstream in Phillips Place - sophisticatedly noisy and menu driven, this dining room offers an incredible value and wide variety for their restaurant week. But back to the cocktail - on the features list The Outer Bank: Smirnoff Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Fresh squeezed grapefruit, lime juice, splash of cranberry. But of course, to be contrary and because the grapefruit made me crave a greyhound, I asked for gin instead of the vodka. And then so did Heather (not speaking in the third person, my friend Heather!). And then so did everyone else that ordered the drink. It's nice when your friends overwhelmingly approve of your choices.
Martini - 7
#2 girls weekend - a much needed low key getaway to stare at the water, sun bathe, cook, and sleep was hovering in the distance TOO FAR AWAY and the days felt like sand stuck in an hourglass. All you could do was stare and tap the sides and occasionally a few grains would fall. But finally on Thursday night, I dropped the top, picked Kate up and we hit the road! It felt like freedom even in the thick of traffic on 74. We allowed Google Maps to take us the most bizzaro back country roads, but in the end (plus getting caught in a massive thunderstorm - yes the top was still down) we made it to the townhouse around 11. Time for a grilled cheese and a salad and a martini! I know - that's a weird combination, but I wanted a drink and something comforting to eat, so there. What makes it a blog-worthy martini? Well, when you pour your New Amsterdam gin from the giant bottle on your home bar into a weekend's worth portion (safely toted in a Smuckers Natural Peanut Butter jar - hey it won't leak!), realize you have no vermouth, and that there aren't any martini glasses the whole thing makes for a pretty comical assembly. In a short glass (no shaker) add ice. Dump gin from peanut butter jar into said glass trying not to spill; clearly these jars are not designed for pouring liquid, clean up mess, curse wasted gin. Slice lemon (we did get some things right), squeeze into "shaker" and stir. Strain into chilled tiny wine glass. Garnish with lemon twist. Not the prettiest, but damn refreshing.
Martini - 5
#3 Pisces: Refined Drinks - I LOVE going for cocktails with Cassandra - just the two of us. It's always fun, real, and centering. I'm a lucky girl to have such long time friends in my life - and this one goes back to 2001, Limoges France. We decide to go for the sushi boat! Yes boat. I hadn't done this before, and it was amazing. To compliment, what better than a Manhattan? Ok, I'll admit that was a terrible pairing choice, but I really wanted it and we ordered drinks before we decided on the boat. Pisces version is called the Far East Manhattan - Bulliet Rye, Ginger Liqueur, Zipang
Sparkling Sake & Bitters. The balance is so perfect that there is no overwhelming ginger or sake. It's just good.
Martini - 8
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Hickory daiquiri doc
Wait, did you say national daiquiri day, Desi?
I've been to Asheville about half a dozen times and never knew the Thirsty Monk had a sassy side! For members...which my lovely companion, Jane, of course is one...you may order an amazing cocktail in which EVERYTHING (that's right, tonic, grenadine, cola, you name it) except the booze is made in house. Spectacularly made, by people who take pains to ensure balance and pleasure for you. Plus the view is outrageous overlooking the mountains and there is an herb garden wafting aromatics at you on the deck. Seriously, I will go here every time I am in Asheville from now on...NC's own PDT.
When our darling bartender, Desi, said, "it's national daiquiri day!" I was surprised by her sheer joy, not to mention skeptical...I can now see my ignorance soaking me like a cartoon rain cloud hovering overhead. She gestured to the sketched chalkboard menu nestled between towering shelves of bottles looking every bit the star in this intentionally designed space. And then the lesson began. Any drink with three specific components can be a daiquiri! It takes a spirit (typically rum), a citrus, and a sweetening agent (and a skilled hand) to create the proportions that craft the perfect cocktaill shake it with ice, strain and serve up. All along I thought that was a martini - foolishness. I think I need to change the blog to Charlotte Daiquiri...ok not yet. But this may have been the best cocktail I've had since the last time I was in Asheville (see 18 Lex).
The Hemingway (she had my pompous literary side right there) contained rum, some puckering agent, and something just barely sweet enough to set the whole thing in full tilt. Garnished by a stunning grapefruit twist and just a hint of luxardo to tint it pale green, it was beautiful. And delicious.
The atmosphere was the deliberate mix of luxury hotel bar and scandalous speakeasy. Desi's passion for her art absolutely MADE this experience.
Hemingway - 9
I've been to Asheville about half a dozen times and never knew the Thirsty Monk had a sassy side! For members...which my lovely companion, Jane, of course is one...you may order an amazing cocktail in which EVERYTHING (that's right, tonic, grenadine, cola, you name it) except the booze is made in house. Spectacularly made, by people who take pains to ensure balance and pleasure for you. Plus the view is outrageous overlooking the mountains and there is an herb garden wafting aromatics at you on the deck. Seriously, I will go here every time I am in Asheville from now on...NC's own PDT.
When our darling bartender, Desi, said, "it's national daiquiri day!" I was surprised by her sheer joy, not to mention skeptical...I can now see my ignorance soaking me like a cartoon rain cloud hovering overhead. She gestured to the sketched chalkboard menu nestled between towering shelves of bottles looking every bit the star in this intentionally designed space. And then the lesson began. Any drink with three specific components can be a daiquiri! It takes a spirit (typically rum), a citrus, and a sweetening agent (and a skilled hand) to create the proportions that craft the perfect cocktaill shake it with ice, strain and serve up. All along I thought that was a martini - foolishness. I think I need to change the blog to Charlotte Daiquiri...ok not yet. But this may have been the best cocktail I've had since the last time I was in Asheville (see 18 Lex).
The Hemingway (she had my pompous literary side right there) contained rum, some puckering agent, and something just barely sweet enough to set the whole thing in full tilt. Garnished by a stunning grapefruit twist and just a hint of luxardo to tint it pale green, it was beautiful. And delicious.
The atmosphere was the deliberate mix of luxury hotel bar and scandalous speakeasy. Desi's passion for her art absolutely MADE this experience.
Hemingway - 9
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Yes you can can
I have enjoyed several memorable Bastille days in the past decade, from French teacher hosted fêtes and International House gatherings to Paris fireworks at the Eiffel Tower and champagne at my dining room table with my girlfriends. But this year was the first time I'd gone to Georges Brasserie to celebrate. They had the entire place bedecked with blue, red, black, and white feathers. All the servers were dressed like Paris in the early 1900s.
And instead of a Kir Royale or a French 75 I opted for my old standby...Hendricks and cucumber, up. Cassandra had the best hair in the whole place, all waves and summeryness; and she did French us up a little bit with a 1668 (French beer). We reminisced about our months in France and dancing on the tables at Cheyenne when toutes suite there was a hush in the dining room and women in dancing clothes from a Toulouse Latrec painting appeared. And seriously, they danced the can can all around the bar! Food was exquisite (if you haven't looked at their happy hour menu GET ON IT!).
Martini - 8
Experience - 9
And instead of a Kir Royale or a French 75 I opted for my old standby...Hendricks and cucumber, up. Cassandra had the best hair in the whole place, all waves and summeryness; and she did French us up a little bit with a 1668 (French beer). We reminisced about our months in France and dancing on the tables at Cheyenne when toutes suite there was a hush in the dining room and women in dancing clothes from a Toulouse Latrec painting appeared. And seriously, they danced the can can all around the bar! Food was exquisite (if you haven't looked at their happy hour menu GET ON IT!).
Martini - 8
Experience - 9
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Blue Martini
This post is belated, but I'm a bit slow recently. A few Friday nights ago I was feeding some melancholy by wandering out into a sultry, firefly filled dusk walk. I meandered past the food truck lot and the drum line, pausing to feel the beat penetrate the pavement and align with my heart before pressing on towards the skyline. Construction on the light rail sidewalk made me take a perilous detour through dirt and building materials, but eventually I made it downtown and into Blue. It was about 9:30 and the jazz quartet was already feeling it, but only a few people were in the lounge. Seemed appropriate.
I ordered a cocktail from the list - can't remember the name - but it was St. Germain, Hendricks Gin, and cucumber. A little sweet, but refreshing after the hot walk. The music was more contemporary jazz than I prefer, but it's all Charlotte has to offer most of the time unless you hit the double door on Tuesday for the Bill Hannah Jazz Jam. To temper my melancholy my far away lover shared snippets of his afternoon and a few reminiscences through bursts of text messages and photos.
Round 2 added some lemon to the standard recipe to cut the sweet, and it was much better. The band took a break, I requested some standards, and was greeted with "easy like Sunday morning" when they retook the instruments. Melancholy quickly translated into a brief recording and I succumbed to a streams of tears. This thoroughly freaked out the bartender so I pulled myself together, paid the tab, and forewent an exquisite walk home in favor of a safe uber ride.
Drink - 4
Scratching the melancholy itch - 7
I ordered a cocktail from the list - can't remember the name - but it was St. Germain, Hendricks Gin, and cucumber. A little sweet, but refreshing after the hot walk. The music was more contemporary jazz than I prefer, but it's all Charlotte has to offer most of the time unless you hit the double door on Tuesday for the Bill Hannah Jazz Jam. To temper my melancholy my far away lover shared snippets of his afternoon and a few reminiscences through bursts of text messages and photos.
Round 2 added some lemon to the standard recipe to cut the sweet, and it was much better. The band took a break, I requested some standards, and was greeted with "easy like Sunday morning" when they retook the instruments. Melancholy quickly translated into a brief recording and I succumbed to a streams of tears. This thoroughly freaked out the bartender so I pulled myself together, paid the tab, and forewent an exquisite walk home in favor of a safe uber ride.
Drink - 4
Scratching the melancholy itch - 7
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