The SF Chronicle's Bar Stars 2009 feature just came out, and the introduction to the winners is here. The 2009 Bar Stars are: Reza Esmali of Conduit Brooke Arthur of Range Marcovaldo Dionysos of Clock Bar Cate Whalen of Pizzaiolo Thad Vogler of Heaven's Dog I did the write-up of... Read more →
I was in New York a couple weeks ago for the launch of Rosangel, the new hibiscus flavored tequila from Gran Centenario. Naturally, when launching a tequila, your first choice would be to do it in New York in February. During the day I attended the taping of a film... Read more →
In my job I'm usually the only vegetarian in the room and always the only one at the pairing dinner who has to pair all of his cocktails with salad. Being a vegetarian was never inconvenient until I entered the spirits industry, but now all my meals are planned for... Read more →
When I was in New York a couple of weeks ago I was able to stop into both Employees Only and the Macao Trading Company, which was opened by some of the same crew. The two places had similarities- both were very much busy, sceney bars rather than the quiet... Read more →
New Booze is an occasional introduction to new spirits on the market. Gran Centenario's Rosangel tequila has already hit a few stores and will roll out for real in March. Unlike most flavored tequilas (not that there are that many of them) that are made from unaged blanco tequila, Rosangel... Read more →
Can't get elected to the senate? Luckily you can always fall back on margarita mix! At least that's what Bob Schaffer is doing in Colorado. [link via Gawker via The Atlantic] Watch the video here. Read more →
Two weeks ago I was in New York for a brand launch that coincided with a party for Saveur Magazine and David Wondrich and Tales of the Cocktail at Tailor. It was a fun coincidence because the last time I was in NY a little over a year ago it... Read more →
Thanks to the Dallas Morning News for pointing me to this terrific tale of intoxspiration. "About two years ago, I started noticing that people carrying martini glasses were spilling their drinks," says [Renee] Williams, a full-time information technology professional. "The glasses looked sophisticated, but they weren't functional." So keeping consistent... Read more →