Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année

Ah the French!

The St-Germain Le Peep Holiday Chapeau.



Christmas Eve. My St-Germain liquer "Le Peep holiday chapeau" was strategically posted to be received on Christmas eve. It was taken from the lovely cardboard envelope that I found with other Christmas tidings in the post. The return address was St-Germain, Coral Gables, Florida and I was puzzled to receive this. St-Germain is made in France. But what was inside? St-Germain is made in France from the the flower of Elderberry, sweet and best accompanied in champagne.

Much to my delight I found three papers inside - 2 of heavy cardstock. The contents - a cardstock paper with 3 pictures and a "template"/recipe card, an instruction page and a card stock chapeau,. The last, one has to assemble. St-Germain referred to it as a "peep show" and it did not take long to see the lovely early 19th century Parisian ladies posed in various stage of dress.  The instructions guided you thru the placement of the card inside the box on the reverse of the peephole. It further suggested that one might use the template card to insert a picture of one's own. (commenting - "this could be very interesting".)

 

It is suggested one is expected to wear this on top the holder's head at holiday gathering and for New Years' celebration.  It did take some guidance from a cohort of mine to explain the use of the "chin strap".

 

Making Christmas Sweet - A letter from Elaine Sciolino.

Not to be outdone, on Christmas morning - over the din of 5 splendid grandchildren running and rummaging around the tree - I picked up the New York Times and to my further delight found Elaine (recall author of La Seduction) has posted a letter from Paris in the Dining section on Christmas day. You know how I feel about Elaine.

I smiled so broadly as I read of the arrondissemonts and shops in Paris that I had only been to 6 months prior.

The "seduction theme" could be found again as I started to read the article in which Elaine wrote of a 'Chocolate Christmas tree", chocolate yule logs to scale and other tantalizing chocolate experiences of the French life. The efforts by the Paris Metropolitain, "metro",  to paint a train car chocolate brown and display it in all the stations of Paris with an exhibit on chocolate. And she wrote of all the the efforts the French go through to reach chocolate perfection.



      tip - Valrhone chocolate is considered the best industrial made chocolate.


Bonne Année

The St-Germain Cocktail
   Bon cocktail, Bon Chic.
   from St-Germain Liquer

2 parts Brut Champagne
1 1/2 part St-Germain
2 parts sparkling water

Stir ingredients in a tall chilled ice-filled glass, mix completely. Think Paris circa 1947. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Variation: Think Sartre circa 1947. Be the lemon twist.

Appetizer: unsalted almonds.

Playlist:
Something lively and fun like of the music of Cuban chica Cucu Diamantes.

Happy New Year ... Bonne Année et Bonne Santé ... Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος

The CIA Ganache Factory Emporium

 

 

Un Chocolatiere

There is a man with a toque

 

His wife always dresses bespoke

 

The toque man Marcel is into Ganache

 

The toque man's wife -- oil and clay
 

                      by author

 

 

 

The world is a greater place because of those talented artisans who bring to us mortals the delights from food and art. I write of one such artisan.

 

Admirers of "Death By Chocolate" dessert, Marcel's  book series, The Trellis Restaurant and not to be left out - the PBS television series, now enjoy Marcel and Connie's newest endeavor, the Mad About Chocolate patisserie.

 

I won't deny it, I am a fan - devotee of good food, a tasty drink, and an enjoyable place to experience these with my favorite date. Whether it be Washington, San Francisco, Peshawar, Paris, Athens, Berlin or London and Williamsburg, I have a long list of memories and experiences like enjoying a beer with "Laki" at the Saturday morning Frankfurt farmers market, an espresso at the Architect Museum coffee lounge or ouzo at the port of Mykonos.

 

Since father and son Peter and Nick BeLer's* The Williamsburg Restaurant, along with the Lafayette Restaurant, Regency Room at the Williamsburg Inn, this little city of Williamsburg has experienced a growth of fine dining venues. *And I cannot tell this story without mentioning Nick and his brother Buzz's The Prime Rib of Baltimore, Washington and Philadelphia.

 

The Trellis - the inspiration of Marcel's - not only brought out but made a name for a divine dining experience and has led to the more recent establishments - The Fat Canary, LeYaca and Chef Dave Everett's Blue Talon, the re-opened Trellis and the DOG Street Pub, along with Dave's newest fancy The Blackbird Bakery. (One awaits Dave's distillery.)

 

These special places .... here in this idyllic town...... Well, It's almost as if the CIA reached out from Hyde Park and sprinkled fairy dust on this quaint little hamlet.

 

And as we watch these gems on the landscape, we see a Havana Cuban-inspired  locale (since closed), the soon to open Jewish Mother and likely more in store.

 

Which takes me back to Mr. D and his Ganache Factory ... soon to be visited by five little persons who are quite "mad about chocolate".

 

The Marcel Desaulnier Ganache Martini*

 

          1/2 oz. Ganache from any "Mad About Chocolate" dessert

                      Remove Ganache and save pastry remainder for eating

          1 1/2 oz. Grey Goose Vodka Vanilla
          Mix Ganache and vodka well, then add ice

          Shake well, pour into a chilled tall martini glass

          Top with one layer of whipped cream

          Garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder
                            *a creation by Constantine
 

a bien tot, 

Constantine 

 



Dispatches - News and Notes from Around the World.

Start Here.

 

Eats -  Up and Dow(n) Trends.

Farm to Markets and celebrations of same. From rural to metropolis celebrations of this return to fresh local produce has come alive. Does this celebration have its roots in the Parisian and New York "White Dinner"? Where all dressed & party in white, you don't learn the location of the grand dinner til 30 minutes before hand. 

Locally Made Liquor.

You know, speaking of locally made - in this case - liquor, like Tito's Vodka of Austin, or Old Potrero Single Malt Rye, San Francisco -  have you noticed the increase in hand made, local liquor being produced around the country? I was surprised to read in a NYT review of vodkas that most of the mass produced vodka we imbibe is actually produced in the Midwest and this ethanol is sent to the producer for clarification, bottling, etc. Hmmmm. Makes me re-think my brand selections or to more closely know who is producing what. In the future I will be looking for producers that make their vodka "en premises". 

Drinking and Reading.

Reading Rosie Schapp's  Drinking With Men. Her style is admirable. She is becoming my second best author, the first Elaine Sciolino.

 Mergers and Acquisitions.

Bols. Bols, Bols. Expect to see more of this liquor brand as the company has taken over its own marketing in the USA. This Dutch manufacturer of the original gin (genever) and flavored liquors has opened its own marketing office in New York City  for the USA. 

Ins and Outs.
Out of the water is the Costa Concordia. What a fete that was lifting this ship off the granite shelf and "righting" it. Or is the correct nautical term parbuckling. What a visual treat it was to see the ship - on time lapse photo - being righted. More to follow on that. 

Politics.

Angela Merkel of Germany remains in again and her opponent is out, French prime minister Francois Hollande is still in and has been visited again by  IMF leader Christine Lagarde ( of France) - so that's good there is some company. Isn't it ironic that France was our only major partner on the proposed bombing of Syria, and England not!

And what's going on in Havana? 

 

"Later my friend".

Cocktail. The John Hancock from Burger and Lobster of London.
1,5 oz. Chivas                         1 tsp. simple syrup
2/3 oz. lemon juice                  2 dashes Angostura bitters
2/3 oz. vanilla syrup                2 1/2 oz. Sam Adams
shake all but the beer, pour and top with the Sam Adams



PS if you are a UAL traveler you may have noticed that either UAL is using the "Dispatches" or I have plagiarized from UAL magazine.

Bar à Cocktail - 22nd Lounge Frankfurt

22nd Lounge Frankfurt/Main

Located in Frankfurt's financial center's Helaba Bank, on the top floor, this superb bar with a grand view of Hessen is a veritable find amongst the somewhat staid bar atmosphere in this beer country. Located across from Deutsche Bank's twin towers, this classic venue sits high above the green treetops of the Taunaslange. Frankfurters proudly refer to the view as their own "Mainhattan".  Entrance is gained from the main floor by announcing to the concierge staff pointing up and saying "22nd". The glass elevator on the side of the building offers the view as you make your way up.

The Plus

If your in town for the evening this cocktail bar offers all that you could hope for and plus! The crowd is typically financial types stylishly dressed from the work day, so in this "Melia Hotel's" INSIDE  Frankfurt Eurotheum you'll be comfortable in a hip outfit. 

Who To See

You will want to check in with Orhaz Toprak, bartender extraordinaire originally from Istanbul. He is the maker of the 22nd Smash and the keeper of the bar menu. Of course any of the serve staff will help you wind your way through the menu and appetizers from the hotel's restaurant. My favorite date and I were able to chat with the young GM - Martina Müller-Frasch who regaled us with her comments on the decision made by she and her husband's choice for the children's names.

In The Well

Top notch liquors: Four Roses Bourbon, Jim Beam, Campari, Kahlua, Malibu Rum, "Cachaca" and  cocktails with freshly made juices and herbs.

The Cocktails

The bar list is extensive and you will be very surprised by the range of liquors, beers, wine and cocktails. Having not had "marc", France's answer to "grappa",  this offered the opportunity from a choice from  3 brands of marc. In addition to the house special cocktails, the wine list is extensive from both Germany and Europe. Drink of the evening - 22nd Smash.

Tunes

Light lounge music in the background in the evening. Reported live jazz at other times.

Cocktail
22nd Smash
Fresh basil mulled, Lillet, gin and lime juice.

22nd Lounge located in Helaba Bank Building, Neue Mainzer Straße 66-68, 60311 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. +49/(0)/ 2 10 88 - 0. http:www.innside.com/en/22nd-barlounge-frankfurt.html.  

 

Reading With Spirits!

It's summer time and nothing beats the heat and humidity here in the Mid-Atlantic States then having a Beefeaters Gin and Schweppes Tonic presented with a slice of lime! No lime, try cucumber. My best girl brings the drink to me at the end of the day, served on a pewter bar tray. The tray has condensation  from the cool drink on the warm tray in this humid weather.

So I am passing my time with a new list of books to read.  My interest in reading was sparked anew by a lifestyle change and two books given to me by new friends an old – the subjects are Frankfurt bars and a botanist who drinks.

What’s it worth – my renewed entre into reading? That’s a seductive question. I find that reading is refreshing (OK, that is the GandT). But seriously it’s refreshing to find the mind energized by the words. I find the mind begins to anticipate, embellish and “color” the events described in the book. So different then the visual experience. So not only does it entertain me, expand my horizons and educate, I find the real value in re-newed reading is expanding the horizons of my experiences.  Much like the recent trip to Paris.

The subject of the books differs; In the educational realm is The Drunken Botanist, DrinkSkool.com & The PDT Cocktail Book serve as excellent tools. The Drunken Botanist in particular has been a real find in understanding liquors, origin, ingredients with recommendations on what to purchase and why! Such as the difference between tequila and 100% agave tequila.

Entertaining me I have Drinking With Men,  The Frankfurt Bar Tale is a recent gift from the Frankfurt am Main 22^nd Lounge and it along with Barbarians At the Gate are serving as true real entertainment!

So in conclusion – reading is a much neglected pursuit that has many health benefits for the reader and those around him or her. 

                      My current reading list-

Frankfurt Bar Tale, An Intimate Insider’s Guide. Angelika Zinzow, Thorben Leo and Nicole Hoehne . 2006.
The Drunken Botanist – The Plants That Create The World’s Greatest Drinks. Amy Stewart. 2013.
DrinkSkool.com. 2013.
Drinking With Men, A Memoir. Rosie Schaap. 2013.
The PDT Cocktail Book – The Complete Bartenders Guide from the Celebrated Speakeasy. Jim Meehan. 2011.
Barbarians At the Gate – The Fall of RJR Nabisco. Bryan Burrough and John Helyar. 1990.

On the “Purchase List”

Le Ritz Paris – Une History de Cocktails.  Colin Peter Field.  2012. 

The cocktail here is dedicated to a committed reader.  “JC” thanks for the kick in the pants!
Cocktail

The Bloody Mary – originated by Fernand Petiot, 1921 at  Harry’s New York Bar, Paris.

2 oz.   Ketel One Vodka

2 oz.  tomato juice

Dash of  lemon juice 

Cover the bottom of  the shaker with four large dashes of salt, two dashes of black pepper, two dashes of cayenne pepper, and a layer of Worcestershire sauce; add a dash of lemon juice and some cracked ice, put in two ounces of vodka and two ounces of thick tomato juice, shake and pour. Credit to Wikipedia.

Garnish with 2 celery stalks, lime on the side and 3 olives impaled on a pick.

Appetizer -

Serve with a small dish of Raclette.

'A bientot -
Constantine

Parental Discretion Advised! Bars Bars Bars

How to add value to the vacation or work travel experience by the bar you choose.

At a wedding cocktail party recently I spoke with Clement IV from San Diego, and it caused me to reflect on why we choose the bars or lounges we go to.  I offer that, the choice of bar is simply one that adds to our experience. Whether a favorite in town or one that we seek out when traveling. My encounter with Madeline, has inspired me to write, in the future, on why we select the restaurants that we choose. (Curious of Madeline?)

I want to share with you the bars – that in my travels – have brought joy to the experience of where I have visited. You will more than likely find these bars in some other reference.  They may not be the current fad, nor require an  annual fee, nor will you likely find rope you have to pass some test for. What you will find is an experience, visual, like gorgeous chicks, or a skyline of a foreign city, or the bar itself, like Firefly or Rouge in DC's Kimpton Hotels. Other reasons I choose to make these recommendations are for the music or for historical reasons. Not certain why I make a particular recommendation, contact me. 

So here is my list of favorites -

Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia
     Piano Bar at The Prime Rib

Austin     The Driskoll Hotel Lounge

Boston     Mandarin Bar

Charlottesville     C&O Bar

La Jolla     The Marine Room Bar

New Orleans     Laffitte Blacksmith Bar

New York  Pressroom Rooftop Bar at Ink48

Stockbridge     The Porch at the Red Lion Inn

Washington     Round Robin Bar, Bar at Firefly and Rouge

Williamsburg     Trellis Lounge, Blue Talon Zinc Bar and
     the Veranda, Williamsburg Inn

Athenai     The Grand Bretagne Roof Bar, and Cafe - Lykavittos Hill

Frankfurt     22nd. Lounge, Neue Mainzer Strasse

Havana     La Floridita

Deserving of the special treatment one sometimes observes patrons receiving at the bar? Be engaging with the bartender. Ask the hostess for the name of the bartender and call her or him by name. Sincerely ask about a drink or her favorite cocktail. Ask the bartender to concoct a drink for you!

         Amuse-toi bien.

Santorini Sidecar – Tom, bartender at Mourayo Restaurant, Washington

1 oz Metaxa Brandy

½ oz orange infused Ouzo
¼ oz lemon juice