10 days of vacation - well, 1 day of it on airplanes, and some time on trains, so let's say 8 days of vacation. In France. Ahhhh. No phone. No email. No friends. No family (except mom). No drama. I am breathing a deep sigh of contentment just remembering how that felt.
Our first day in Paris was an odd one. Not that it wasn't wonderful, it was just a bit odd. We dropped our bags at the (wHo) Hotel Windsor Opera (address unknown) and breakfasted, strolled, Musee D'Orsay, got lost trying to find said hotel (address still unknown), napped, showered, snack, Tuileries, dinner. Dinner was at a small restaurant called Brasserie Flo. We walked by it about 10 times earlier in the afternoon while trying to find the hotel that was tucked at the center of a snail shell-like but not quite circular 9th arrondissement neighborhood. The concierge at wHo said that Flo was "fantastique" and we would really enjoy it so he made us a reservation and out the door we went. And we walked in circles again for about 20 minutes before we found the place! Had we realized it was the restaurant we walked past earlier in the day so many times, we could have gone straight to it!
Alas, we went in, were seated smack beside a man and his mistress (oh la la) eating a decadent spread of shellfish. Mom ordered a carafe of water and I ordered my martini. Not even hesitating the server (very serious fellow) walked away with our orders and returned about 15 minutes later with an old fashioned glass with 2 ice cubes, about 1 inch full of clear liquid, and a twist of lemon.
I have googled french martini recipes, even googled them in French but to no avail. I have absolutely no idea what was in the martini...gin, vodka? It will remain a mystery - much like the French are a mystery to Americans (and vice versa).
French martini - Sept (7).
But there are a couple of other beverages that require mentioning - kir royale, rouge gorge, and a c'est la vie.
Kir Royale - Chateau Versailles - at the Salon de The accompanied by a Choc Africain (African chocolate cake - AHHH Bonkers good). We do have this drink in the US but it doesn't taste this good - it requires French Champagne.
Rouge Gorge - Aux Deux Canards, Paris - red wine (dry but fruity), gin, black loganberry liqueur (where the heck can I find this?)
C'est la vie - Lyon - on the terrace where we saw the mice (yes, plural) - strawberry liqueur, vodka, champagne. Um...yum.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
A summer without martinis?
Not quite. I just haven't done much record keeping the past several months. Part of it is sheer laziness. The other part is being too busy for my own good, which I love.
So today I made virtually no plans (save a massage and a phone date with Oakley). And when I awoke this morning at 10:00 (HOLY MOLY!) I decided to live today's relaxation to the fullest. And while I am gazing out of my still (relatively) clean windows onto the water, I reflected on the martinis of the summer.
The first that bears mentioning is a sapphire martini, up, at the bar at Obrycki's. The bartender was so terrible that she actually grunted at us when taking our drink order. But you can read the rest of that review on Urban Spoon. I give the beverage a 6 (because of atmosphere and service) - it's hard to screw up gin over ice, shaken and strained...
Another martini (again not in Charlotte) was at J Alexander's in Deerfield Illinois. It was supposed to be served with dry ice, and the name included a volcanic reference. However the experience fell flat when the martini arrived with no dry ice (they were out) and was a bit on the sweet side for me (cassis). We'll give that one a 4. And that's only because they serve a "refill" in a little carafe that floats in a glass of ice water. That part was pretty neat (no pun intended).
The best martini of the summer - once again, Bentley's on 27th. This time Mandy, Jane, and I donned fantastic dresses and dancing shoes and headed up the elevator to be greeted by Phil (the first bartender I experienced there). The sapphire (they were out of Hendrick's) and St. Germain with a twist were just as wonderful as always. And so were the oysters - both orders! Rating - 8
Shockingly enough I discovered that Ruby Tuesday's has St. Germain now as well...so you can add that to your list if you need a fix and cannot find a non-chain restaurant nearby.
In hindsight, I have missed many opportunities to try a new martini somewhere, so I will take this moment to recommit to my Charlotte martini search! Perhaps tonight...
So today I made virtually no plans (save a massage and a phone date with Oakley). And when I awoke this morning at 10:00 (HOLY MOLY!) I decided to live today's relaxation to the fullest. And while I am gazing out of my still (relatively) clean windows onto the water, I reflected on the martinis of the summer.
The first that bears mentioning is a sapphire martini, up, at the bar at Obrycki's. The bartender was so terrible that she actually grunted at us when taking our drink order. But you can read the rest of that review on Urban Spoon. I give the beverage a 6 (because of atmosphere and service) - it's hard to screw up gin over ice, shaken and strained...
Another martini (again not in Charlotte) was at J Alexander's in Deerfield Illinois. It was supposed to be served with dry ice, and the name included a volcanic reference. However the experience fell flat when the martini arrived with no dry ice (they were out) and was a bit on the sweet side for me (cassis). We'll give that one a 4. And that's only because they serve a "refill" in a little carafe that floats in a glass of ice water. That part was pretty neat (no pun intended).
The best martini of the summer - once again, Bentley's on 27th. This time Mandy, Jane, and I donned fantastic dresses and dancing shoes and headed up the elevator to be greeted by Phil (the first bartender I experienced there). The sapphire (they were out of Hendrick's) and St. Germain with a twist were just as wonderful as always. And so were the oysters - both orders! Rating - 8
Shockingly enough I discovered that Ruby Tuesday's has St. Germain now as well...so you can add that to your list if you need a fix and cannot find a non-chain restaurant nearby.
In hindsight, I have missed many opportunities to try a new martini somewhere, so I will take this moment to recommit to my Charlotte martini search! Perhaps tonight...
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Homemade Martini
A true friend will tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. And yesterday while we drank coffee and chatted, Carrie very kindly offered to help me wash my windows sometime. Well, they were a bit dirty but I promptly deflected the conversation away from my housekeeping flaws (and later at the library picked up a book on how to clean things).
So this morning while I sat quietly drinking my coffee on the couch and looking through my dirty windows at the lake, I decided today was the day. Wash the windows and then go to the pool - so I did.
After the hot and sunny afternoon at the pool, I made a fabulous roast beet salad with goat cheese and arugula, and sipped some cucumber water. How very spa, no?
But something was missing. Those cucumbers floating in clear liquid begged for a higher purpose. Somewhere between gazing out my clear windows and Edith Piaf, I felt the need for a cocktail. Out came the Sapphire, the rest of the cucumber, the ice, St. Germain (thanks, Edith, for the French inspiration), the shaker, the glass. Ah the ritual. I placed a few cubes in the martini glass (with stem), and poured the cucumber water in to begin the chilling process. I mean, we cannot waste the perfectly good water! Into the shaker went more ice, and then the gin, a splash of St. Germain, and a splash of lemon juice. Cover the whole thing with a towel (because I am a wuss and don't like holding the cold metal) and commence to shaking it like a Polaroid picture. Free the glass of the ice and the chilling water, and strain in the elixir. Garnish with a few fresh cucumber slices.
Edith's album is over, but Madonna and I are enjoying a spectacular view of the water. Right now as the sun is setting, I am not missing a single nuance of the colors - no dust or smudges are obstructing the shafts of light through the clouds.
Homemade martini - 7
Small edit - now that the sun's gone down I went out onto the porch and was inspired to add a baby mint leaf as a garnish. Oh yes.
So this morning while I sat quietly drinking my coffee on the couch and looking through my dirty windows at the lake, I decided today was the day. Wash the windows and then go to the pool - so I did.
After the hot and sunny afternoon at the pool, I made a fabulous roast beet salad with goat cheese and arugula, and sipped some cucumber water. How very spa, no?
But something was missing. Those cucumbers floating in clear liquid begged for a higher purpose. Somewhere between gazing out my clear windows and Edith Piaf, I felt the need for a cocktail. Out came the Sapphire, the rest of the cucumber, the ice, St. Germain (thanks, Edith, for the French inspiration), the shaker, the glass. Ah the ritual. I placed a few cubes in the martini glass (with stem), and poured the cucumber water in to begin the chilling process. I mean, we cannot waste the perfectly good water! Into the shaker went more ice, and then the gin, a splash of St. Germain, and a splash of lemon juice. Cover the whole thing with a towel (because I am a wuss and don't like holding the cold metal) and commence to shaking it like a Polaroid picture. Free the glass of the ice and the chilling water, and strain in the elixir. Garnish with a few fresh cucumber slices.
Edith's album is over, but Madonna and I are enjoying a spectacular view of the water. Right now as the sun is setting, I am not missing a single nuance of the colors - no dust or smudges are obstructing the shafts of light through the clouds.
Homemade martini - 7
Small edit - now that the sun's gone down I went out onto the porch and was inspired to add a baby mint leaf as a garnish. Oh yes.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Schooled
Have you ever been schooled by a bartender? I got my second life lesson this weekend in Atlanta. Mandy, Reece and I started the evening with a wonderful meal of oysters, mussels, liver, and chicken "oysters" at JCT Kitchen. I tried the Allagash White Ale - yummy. After we were sufficiently amused with couple staging their proposal for some photos, and the most awkward date ever - she's 6'1 and he's 5'4 - we crossed the tracks to Ormsby's. This is a super fun bar: pool tables, darts, jukebox, and Bocce ball! After stalking the Bocce courts for a bit we played with an interesting couple. Damn it Brad! I tried 2 new beers: Hitachino White Ale and then a draught - Weihenstephan Hefeweizen. I stepped out for a moment and my beer was commandeered and replaced with a Sapphire martini! Then we moved on to Skeeball followed by a round of darts.
It was at this point I went to the bar and ordered a Sapphire martini, not dirty. Why did I say, "not dirty" instead of "no fruit, no olives" like I usually do? Who knows - let's blame it on the beer. So I was admiring the way the bartender chilled the glass, painstakingly shook the shaker for at least 1 minute...mmm. Very nice moves. And then, when he brought the drink there was a toothpick of olives in it! How did this happen? So as I removed the olives and handed them back to the bartender I said, "I am sorry I said not dirty" and he said, "I know - dirty is olive juice." Wow. So, kind readers, learn from my lesson - be clear with your drink order or be schooled.
Oh, and the first time a bartender taught me a lesson - I was 19 and at a bar in London. I ordered a pitcher of sex on the beach and 2 glasses. Picture me standing there with my index finger and middle finger extended, a common symbol of the number 2. But not with the palm facing the bartender (like a peace sign) but the palm facing me. The bartender became furious and waving his middle finger at me said, "How would you like it if I came to America and ordered 1 fucking beer and 1 fucking cheeseburger?" And so if you really want to insult a Londoner, please do give them the reverse peace sign...but he still gave me my glasses!
Ormsby's martini? 4 - but mostly because of the attitude he served with it.
It was at this point I went to the bar and ordered a Sapphire martini, not dirty. Why did I say, "not dirty" instead of "no fruit, no olives" like I usually do? Who knows - let's blame it on the beer. So I was admiring the way the bartender chilled the glass, painstakingly shook the shaker for at least 1 minute...mmm. Very nice moves. And then, when he brought the drink there was a toothpick of olives in it! How did this happen? So as I removed the olives and handed them back to the bartender I said, "I am sorry I said not dirty" and he said, "I know - dirty is olive juice." Wow. So, kind readers, learn from my lesson - be clear with your drink order or be schooled.
Oh, and the first time a bartender taught me a lesson - I was 19 and at a bar in London. I ordered a pitcher of sex on the beach and 2 glasses. Picture me standing there with my index finger and middle finger extended, a common symbol of the number 2. But not with the palm facing the bartender (like a peace sign) but the palm facing me. The bartender became furious and waving his middle finger at me said, "How would you like it if I came to America and ordered 1 fucking beer and 1 fucking cheeseburger?" And so if you really want to insult a Londoner, please do give them the reverse peace sign...but he still gave me my glasses!
Ormsby's martini? 4 - but mostly because of the attitude he served with it.
Monday, January 10, 2011
27th Floor Martini
The quest for the perfect martini has reached a climax (after two years of foreplay it's about time). But never fear, I will continue to press on in search for a contender. Because with this new perspective on the Queen City, I begin to wonder if there might be more than one perfect martini.
This was my second trip to Bentley's, and we made time specifically to have a martini at the bar before dinner. I can now say with conviction that Bentley's has the BEST martini in Charlotte I have ever had. I asked the bartender, a lovely young lady, to make a Hendrick's and St. Germain martini with some lemon. A good bartender recognizes that when someone know what she likes you should give it to her the way she orders it. A great bartender knows what will make that drink even better - and this bartender is a great one. She perfectly balanced the St. Germain and lemon to make the Hendrick's shine through (like the city view from the 27th floor at Charlotte Plaza - beautiful). Then she added three thinly shaved seedless cucumber slices. The effect of the cucumber was precisely what a garnish was intended to achieve.
My friend was equally delighted with his Sapphire and blue cheese stuffed olives, slightly dirty.
The martini and the whole evening - a 10. Bien fait toutes les duex!
This was my second trip to Bentley's, and we made time specifically to have a martini at the bar before dinner. I can now say with conviction that Bentley's has the BEST martini in Charlotte I have ever had. I asked the bartender, a lovely young lady, to make a Hendrick's and St. Germain martini with some lemon. A good bartender recognizes that when someone know what she likes you should give it to her the way she orders it. A great bartender knows what will make that drink even better - and this bartender is a great one. She perfectly balanced the St. Germain and lemon to make the Hendrick's shine through (like the city view from the 27th floor at Charlotte Plaza - beautiful). Then she added three thinly shaved seedless cucumber slices. The effect of the cucumber was precisely what a garnish was intended to achieve.
My friend was equally delighted with his Sapphire and blue cheese stuffed olives, slightly dirty.
The martini and the whole evening - a 10. Bien fait toutes les duex!
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