Dale DeGroff has been selected by the Peruvian government to be awarded one of the highest recognitions, the “Orden al Merito por Servicios Distinguidos,” due to his work with Pisco, Peru’s artisan brandy. He’ll also be hosting a two-night event in Lima for which he has designed a menu of specialty Pisco cocktails that Peruvian chef Pedro Miguel Schiaffino will pair with a variety of dishes…
Prolific chef restaurateur Jose Garces has debuted Village Whiskey in Philly, a small neighborhood bar focusing on cocktails and inexpensive bar food, with a comprehensive collection of about 100 varieties of bourbon, rye, Irish, Scotch and Japanese whiskies. This is the first foray into whiskey for Garces, who has incorporated innovative cocktail programs at other Philadelphia restaurants he owns: Amada, Tinto, Distrito and Chifa. Here, 14 house cocktails developed by bar manager Paul Rodriguez are offered in two categories — Prohibition, or classic, cocktails, and Repeal, the contemporary takes. Prohibition cocktails include Philadelphia Fish House Punch, a favorite of George Washington, interpreted by Garces using dark rum, peach brandy, Cognac, lemon, tea and spiced sugar. Repeal cocktails include the Horse With No Name, using Scotch, stone pine liqueur, pineapple juice, orange juice and honey syrup…
As part of a $14 million renovation project, InterContinental Montreal has unveiled what it calls the first absinthe bar in North America. Named Sarah B. after the 19th century actress Sarah Bernhardt, the new bar focuses on the rituals and legends surrounding absinthe. With the help of Southern Wine & Spirits’ Francesco Lafranconi, head barman Alexis Morisseau created the cocktails on the menu. Signature cocktails include the Jacques Cartier Collins (Versinthe absinthe, Absolut Pears, limoncello, sour and soda) and the Seasonal Absinthe Frappe (absinthe, Marie Brizard anisette, Angostura bitters, basil leaves and seasonal fruits)…
Flights are nothing new, but with gin? Now Washington, D.C.’s New Heights offers flights designed to showcase the nuances of international gins. Priced at $15 for a tasting of three different varieties, the flights will change every month, drawing from the restaurant’s 30-bottle gin menu known as “The Gin Manifesto.” The first flight featured Broker’s, DH Krahn and Rogue Spruce Gin. October’s flight includes Plymouth, Aviation and Hayman’s Old Tom. In November, New Heights will offer Dutch style gins New Amsterdam, Zuidam and Bols Genever…
Italian restaurants are not normally known for brunch or cocktails, but the new brunch menu at NYC’s Trattoria Cinque includes five Bloody Mary variations made with house-made tomato juice: The Caprese, with mozzarella balls and basil; Prawn Cocktail with shrimp; the Arrabiata with hot peppers; the Antipasto with salumi and cheese; and a Bloody Caesar. Also new are specialty cocktails including a Basil Martini and an Aperol Spritz (vodka, peach nectar and Aperol)…
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., recently introduced “Drink Pink,” a new menu of signature pink cocktails including the Pink Lemonade Martini, Pink Margarita and Pink Melon. The drinks are offered at Borgata’s six fine dining restaurants as well as Gypsy Bar, B-Bar and The Sunroom at The Water Club. A portion of the proceeds for all sales benefits Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC), through the Borgata Heart & Soul Foundation…
Julie Reiner’s Clover Club in Brooklyn, N.Y., is reviving the Supper Club, famous at the original Clover Club in Philadelphia for its debate over current events, good natured “roasting” of local celebrities, potent cocktails and great food. The inaugural evening held last week began with a cocktail hour hosted by Reiner (who also owns Manhattan’s Flatiron Lounge), who gave guests a brief dissertation about the history of the original Clover Club …
The deadline is around the corner to submit your proposals to present at Tales of the Cocktail 2010. The final deadline is Oct. 31. Additionally, organizers are seeking presentation proposals for the Nightclub & Bar Professional Series and the general program. Click here for an online submission form and rules.