Bar Rouge and the evils of drinking

Yeah, yeah, yeah... I am extremely busy and promised several VIPs who read my blog (I am flattered!) that I would focus fully on research, so the posting frequence has (to) decrease(d) somewhat. But still, I just cannot abstain: here's the quote for the week. Or maybe it should be the quote for the whole year. We'll see; I might need/prefer some Champagne eventually...

When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.

Henny Youngman

This is the best motto from the cocktails list at Bar Rouge, of Skt. Petri Hotel fame (see also here, if you have the legal drinking age), a most interesting place in Copenhagen that I've recently explored (credits to Frederic, the Belgian who knows Copenhagen by heart). If you pass by, try "East & Hold Up" (votka, Aperol, pineaple, lime, and passion fruit); or, if the other bartender is there, maybe you will get "Captain Nemo" (Hendrick's gin, Noilly Prat, orange bitters, & a baby squid)-- in that case, let me know how it tastes.

PS. Overall verdict: almost as interesting as Michael Mina's Clock Bar, last year in San Francisco (more on which here--last paragraph-- where it is revealed that "Boulevardier" did not have the "Last Word").

Leaving Frisco in style

... with an absolutely delicious dinner at Michael Mina's restaurant in San Francisco (Mina wikilink), located just in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis hotel, Union Square.

My 3-menu choice (with accompanying yummy pictures that I couldn't help taking; the light was rather dim however; hence, ultimately, the photo quality is not what it could have been...):

• Dungeness Crab ~ Local and Seasonal
  • Endive, Poached Claw, Aïoli
  • Butter Roasted, Whole Leg, Espelette
  • Cioppino, Backfin Meat, Tinkerbell Peppers.

I paired the starter with a glass of fantastic Bernard Morey Chassagne Montrachet "Embrazées" 1er Cru 2006. Definitely worth its price :-).

• Liberty Valley Duck ~ Foie Gras
  • Breast, Parsnip Purée, Star Anise Jus
  • Seared Foie Gras, Pink Lady Apples, Laird Brandy Gastrique
  • Leg Rillettes, Apple Butter, Wild Man Mixed Greens
  
  
  

I assorted the entrée with an intriguing glass of Whetstone Pinot Noir "Jon Boat", Sonoma Coast 2006.

• Cheeses ~Goat, Sheep, Cow
  • Pata de Cabra, Sylvetta, Tomato Compote
  • Vermont Shepherd, Pear Purée, Clove
  • Persille du Beaujolais, Soft Caramel, Citron

As dessert wine I had to try a glass of Chauteau Guiraud, Sauternes, 2003: turned out to be a close-to-ideal company to the Persille du Beaujolais.

Read here more, in case you will happen to pass by San Francisco and decide not to miss Mina's culinary delights: the starter+entrée dinner menu, the dessert menu, the great (this label does not cover the prices, unfortunately...) wine menus--reds, whites. The 6-course seasonal tasting menu with wine pairings looked also extremely tempting.

The economist in me: (truly deserved) Michelin 2-star dinner (see also here), for 245 dollars, gratuity included (and wine accounting for half the bill). One of the best restaurant deals I've ever made.

And to call it a night, wrapped it all up with two cocktails in the Clock Bar (also featured in a recent NYTimes list of best cocktail places in San Francisco), just oposite Mina's restaurant (the Clock Bar is Mina's first bar concept!), also in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis. The "Last Word" was very interesting (my first trial); the "Mojito" was exceptional. My third was going to be a "Boulevardier" (expected-to-be perfect at the Clock Bar...), but I would have had to drink it alone; next time, for sure there will be a next time! :-)

New Year's Resolution

High time to reach the top speed and to keep it there. Brace yourselves, this is going to be far more adrenaline-thirsty than racing a Bugatti Veyron at 407 km/h :-). A Very Exciting New Year, everybody!

Quotes for week 21st to 27th of Oct '07

Bărbata nu pentru o bere obişnuită se duce la Irish [Pub].

La patru dimineaţa zâmbetul chelnerului e un cadou.

Mezei Nelli, "Noapte Lunga la Timisoara"

Read the quote of the previous week.

Song of the day: Happy Birthday, Mr. President!, by Marylin Monroe

Well, well, the opportunity arises only once a year, so here we go: this classic is dedicated to yours truly. Of course, I'm still searching for THE Marylin and JFK's job is not yet within my reach, but I'm slowly getting there :-). Meanwhile, one has to admit that nobody is better at singing Happy Birthday than lovely Marylin...

PS. Thanks to all good wishes I've received this weekend, from both (potential) Marylins and (less likely) JFK's :-). And now, time to sober up...

Best cold weather cocktails & how to cure hangovers...

Sometimes I find things that I knew for ages, but much better structured and presented. For instance (and in perfect resonance with the weather and my mood(s) these days), I've recently run into an excellent resource for cold weather cocktails (my top 3 of their top 10 would be Bloody Mary, Prairie Fire and Irish Coffee). Naturally, the sequel should be a good guide for getting rid of hangovers (particularly useful if you mix all the 10 weather cocktails above...): I am fine (and confirm their positive effects) with water, orange juice and Bloody Mary(s), but now that I know about the pickle juice, I am eager to try that (hopefully non-Polish pickle juice works as well).