Cocktails

Union Market of DC is an authentic market of culture and commerce. A true vision, this gathering place serves as an inviting melting pot of old world heritage and new world opportunities. This authentic district expands beyond its culinary origins to include music, retail, hotel and residential uses. Currently, more than 100 businesses employ 1,500 people in food production and distribution. It is a rare place in the city where a wide variety of ethnic groups and diverse social-economic groups come together. You can spend days wandering around from stand to stand trying different foods and products from local, artisanal producers. Here's a handy guide to help you:
San Francisco is filled with great cocktail bars and talented bartenders. As work takes me to San Francisco on a regular basis, I get to try new places, and re-visit others, all the time.  But, on one particular weekend, we went on a “bar tour” and here is what we managed to cover in 2 days! The Buena Vista 2765 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 Located at the end of Fisherman’s Wharf, this bar has a menu that will please anyone looking for a refreshing cocktail or a boost of caffeine. With a number of specialty drinks ranging from Irish Coffee to Bull Shots, you are sure to get your fix of liquid courage. The Buena Vista also has a full beer menu, including their very own Buena Vista Café Pilsner. This bar has sought to recreate a classic Irish Coffee menu in addition to other spirited cocktail offerings.
The cocktail scene in Washington DC is one of the best in the country. With names like Derek Brown and Todd Thrasher who led the charge, there is so much talent in the city today. On a recent visit to DC, my cocktail guide, and local bartender, Rico Wisner led me from bar to bar as we drank our way through the city. Here are some of the highlights (although this is just a short list of some of the best bars): Barmini  855 E St NW (between N 9th St & N 8th St), Washington, DC 20004   Barmini is Chef José's Andres’ culinary cocktail lab in the space adjoining his restaurant Minibar. More than one hundred artisan cocktails are crafted and served with the same care and attention to detail as the dishes at minibar. Like all of Jose Andres’ creations, barmini is like nothing you’ve seen before and each cocktail is a work of art. Barmini has set the bar high for avant-garde cocktails.
Surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards, Sonoma Valley is a premier destination in Northern California. Sonoma Valley offers visitors an array of activities such as wineries, spas, 5-star restaurants, hiking trails, historic grounds, and a variety of ethnic eateries. One of our favorite towns to visit is Healdsburg. A quaint town with a charming town square, Healdsburg is the perfect place to make as a home-base as you explore the various wine areas. After numerous trips to Healdsburg, we have come up with some of our favorite spots: Where to Stay: 
The owners, Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal, of Cure and Bellocq in New Orleans, opened their newest spot Cane and Table, just in time for Tales of the Cocktail. And, we are thankful they did so. Of course, it was a bit difficult to find with the nondescript entrance, especially with the line for another restaurant blocking the door- But, we found it.
Located on L.A.’s infamous Restaurant Row on La Cienega, the new Scratch|Bar is tucked on La Cienega between Wilshire Blvd and San Vicente. Next door to Matsuhisa (use their parking lot to valet your car), Scratch|Bar stands out among its neighbors in all ways. Most importantly, everything is made from scratch.....from the food to the decor.  
As the 11th Annual Tales of the Cocktail took place this past July, it was my 5th journey to one of the world's largest cocktail festivals. Bringing together industry professionals and cocktail enthusiasts from around the world, Tales of the Cocktail is made up of hundreds of events including seminars, tastings, Spirited Dinners, cocktail competitions and parties. There are so many things to do and it's impossible to do everything. Even when trying to pick and chose carefully, schedules fill up fast and no matter how hard we try, we still were running from event to event.  Here are the highlights from our 2013 trip. Day 1: The Perfect Respite by Perfect Purée of Napa Valley - What a perfect way to start the day - with Perfect Puree smoothies, hangover helpers, antioxidant nibbles and massages. We were relaxed and at peace, ready to face the day.   Auchentoshan Whisky & Whiskers - From breakfast, we were whisked away on a Pedi Cab to Aidan Gill for Men for an Auchentoshan dram, a cocktail and a hand massage. Going from one massage to another was definitely a treat but the best part were the Auchie Highballs with Auchentoshan Classic, cucumber soda and RX Auchie bitters.
Who doesn't love a great Tiki cocktail while sitting on the beach? Or perhaps you have a favorite Tiki bar. But, now you can make the best Tiki drinks at home and enjoy them in your own backyard this summer! P Moss, a Tiki historian who owns Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas and the Double Down Saloons in Las Vegas and New York City, recently released his new book LIQUID VACATION: 77 Refreshing Tropical Drinks from Frankie’s Tiki Room in Las Vegas.  P Moss and Liquid Vacation  
It’s been more than a year since talk began surrounding Chef Michael Cimarusti (of Providence Restaurant) opening a New England clam shack in LA.  Named after his maternal grandparents, Connie and Ted, Chimarusti takes us to the East Coast where he grew up, offering a menu of simple, delicious, familiar seafood dishes. The restaurant is located where the old Silver Spoon used to be in West Hollywood. As you approach the 140-seat restaurant, the large patio, open floorplan and exposed kitchen are bright and inviting.
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