TLM Does the Playboy Mansion – Again

Toasting St. Tropez With Provencal Absinthe in Beverly Hills

I had one of those “I’ve arrived” moment when I received an invitation to the 4-Star Byblos Hotel's 40th Birthday Party at the Playboy Mansion. Forget Disneyland. St. Tropez’s hottest hotel and its nightclub “Les Caves du Roy” throwing an anniversary bash at the Playboy Mansion is the “happiest place on Earth” as far as I’m concerned.

I stayed at the Byblos, a few years ago, with some friends from Paris. We had our own table at “Les Caves” at the side of the dance floor for the week. By the end of our stay, I’d probably had one too many champagne showers spewed from $1000 magnum bottles all over my sticky sunburned skin and party dresses. But, as you can see in this photo from that vacation, I reveled in the hedonistic French Riviera none-the-less.

(Sidenote: I grew up spending summers with my French grandparents down the coast in Beaulieu Sur Mer. Let's just say that its way better as a grown up, and without a chaperone...)

World famous DJ Jack E’s nightly declarations at Les Caves are almost as famous as the discotheque itself. “Weeelcooome Back to Saaaaaaaint Tropeeeez!” reverberates around the world beckoning the high-flying “rich and famous.” Guests at the Playboy Mansion were treated to Jack E’s spinning during the party (pictured here).

Unsurprisingly, my friend, photographer Claire Barrett (pictured here raising a glass near the Grotto) and I were the first ones up and dancing!

Anyone who checks in with The Liquid Muse knows that I am a Playboy fan, and have seen every episode of "The Girls Next Door.” I even have a collector’s edition of Playboy from 1981 featuring “Playmate Roommates: Imagine These Girls Next Door.” Kinda weird to think that Kendra (current girlfriend #3 in ranking) wasn’t even born when that pictoral was shot!

One of the most fun projects during my career as a Mixologist was creating four poker-themed cocktails for the Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Playboy Mansion, last April. Although the "girls" weren’t there I had a blast and even got my photo taken in the Grotto (wearing a suit, like a total dork)! This time, Holly, Bridget and Kendra were at the party being filmed and photographed with Hef, sequestered in a tiny section of the giant tent party surrounding the infamous Grotto. So, we didn't really get to mingle with them, much to my chagrin...

However, just like my last visit to their legendary home, my big dilemma for the Byblos party was: “What do you wear to the Playboy Mansion when you’re 30-something, married and packed on a few pounds since the wedding?” Luckily, over time, I’ve realized that people are more inclined to overlook imperfections if you dazzle ‘em with cleavage. Which was exactly what I went for when I bought this dress.

Other party guests included American Idol’s Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest, shown here lounging on the couch. Matthew Modine and Dr. Gary Atler of Dr. 90210 also took in the festivities.

All the while, a couple of little minions from TMZ snuck in and out of their environ to make notes on who was picking their nose or other such oh-so-fascinating reports for which TMZ is known.

Back on the red carpet, these adorable Playboy bunnies posed for photos with guests. I just love the little fur coats and matching furry tails! Apparently the Byblos and Caves du Roy team did, as well. Pictured here are the Byblos / Caves du Roy big-wigs: Stephan Personi, DJ Jack E, Antoine Chevanne and "Junior."

The party was a smashing success despite the unusual rainy weather. The bartenders were awesome, and Joe (in this picture) has worked for Hef for a decade!

At this party, I also tried Versinthe Absinthe for the first time. Versinthe is made in Provence and won the “silver” place at Absinthiades Pontarlier, a French absinthe competition.

In addition to traditional absinthe, Versinthe also makes "La Blanche," or white absinthe. It is crystal clear and has a wonderful, smooth anis flavor. It also has the maximum legal thujone level, so the absinthe-champange cocktails this bartender and I experimented with were potent, indeed!

Jack E.'s music made me wish I could follow the Byblos crew around the world as they continue on this global anniversary tour. After LA, they hit Moscow, London, Paris, Milan and wrap up with its closing bash at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Antoine Chevanne, owner of the Byblos, extended a personal invitation to Hef and the girls for to stick around for a bit this summer. (No, I’m not jealous. Ok, maybe just a teeny, weeny bit. Alright, I'm green with both Absinthe and envy!)

Which made the goodie bags we received upon leaving extra sweet. In addtion to Sisley Cosmetics, we were presented with the not -yet released Volume 3 Byblos CD and small bottles of Versinthe Absinthe - both the traditional and “La Blanche.” They thoughtfully included an absinthe spoon, absinthe-infused chocolate and even absinthe perfume for him and her.

Needless to say, my "happy place" has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse but rather Green Fairies and Hef's Cottontails prancing hand-in-hand around the Grotto, while I groove on the dance floor to the tunes of a world-famous DJ. The only thing that would make it better is transporiting the whole kit-and-kaboodle to the sandy beaches of St. Tropez... and something tells me that party may not be too far off...

"Official" photos are courtesy of: Brian Lindensmith- Patrick McMullan. The rest of the snapshots belong to: The Liquid Muse

Tablehopper Hits 100!

Congratulations to my pal and fellow scribe, Marcia Gagliardi, who is the creator and editor of San Francisco’s weekly online restaurant and bar column, tablehopper. Keeping up with a column, newsletter or blog takes a helluva lot of dedication and passion for the subject, and our lady recently churned out her 100th issue!!

Reflecting the amazing support, appreciation and solidarity the bar folks have for one another up there, four of the premiere drinking spots in the City by the Bay created celebratory cocktails in her honor. These boys held nothing back and showered the Tablehopper with libational love. If you pop in soon, and ask for a Tablehopper special, I bet they may just whip one up for you to raise a glass to Marcia, as well… And, in the meantime, see what all the fuss is about by checking out tablehopper for yourselves!

From Tim Stookey at Presidio Social Club:
100 Reasons Rye
1 1/2 oz. rye
1 oz. Punt E Mes
1/4 oz. Cointreau
1 dash Regan's Orange bitters
Stir all ingredients together in a mixing glass and strain.
Garnish with a flamed orange peel

From Jonny Raglin and Jeff Hollinger at Absinthe:
100 Tuesdays
Wild Turkey Rye
Meyer Lemon Shrub
Pimm's
Angostura bitters
lemon twist.

From Duggan McDonnell at Cantina:
Princi and Contessa
rye
luxardo
orange muscat
grapefruit bitters

And, from Daniel Hyatt at Alembic:
the (s)tablehopper
(the lovely Marcia is pictured here)
bourbon
crème de peche
chili oil
white miso powder

Tiny Tykes Love to Drink!

You all know that I have a penchant for non-alcoholic cocktails. I create them for baby showers, parties and restaurants. And, my first non-alcoholic cocktail book is due on shelves in December. So, imagine my enthusiasm when I learned of this New Orleanian gentleman, barely over a decade in age, whipping up his very own child-friendly versions of grown up drinks.

This particular little fellow is the Godson of Paul Tuennerman, who is the husband of our very own Ann Rogers Tuennerman, founder of Tales of the Cocktail. They may not be blood-related but the love for the cocktail obviously runs in this family!

THE GODSON MOCKTAIL
Created by Paolo Sunyak

4 oz Chilled Pomegranate Cranberry Seltzer water
2 oz Chilled Cranberry Juice
Build in a cocktail glass
Garnish with fresh raspberries

Adam The Wine Guy Launches Website

If you like wine, you'll love Adam Leemon.

Funny, knowledgeable and a sweetie to boot, his new website lists his wine-related services and favorite picks.

Watch a webisode on Adam's website or listen to him on the radio at The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis.

Cheers, Adam, and welcome to the worldwide web!

Bartender Publishes Second Book!

(posted on behalf of my pal, Carly Sachs: author, blogger, poetess)

People ask two things usually of bartenders. These being in no particular order---

"What should I drink?" or "What do you like to make?" and many of us bartenders either love or hate this question depending on how busy the bar is and who the person asking the question is. It's our time to shine and make you something amazing, show off a new wine or liquor or dazzle you with our knowledge about spirits...all of which I could do at that point, but there is something more than alcohol that draws people to a bar. For me, it's the conversation, which brings me to my next question: "What else do you do?"

When I first started bartending, I took this to be an insult, as if bartending wasn't sufficient on it's own, that people expected me to be doing something else. I started bartending in DC, so perhaps that explains something, but now, I realize, people want to connect with you. More than someone to pour you a drink, they're sitting at the bar for another reason. Luckily, I have some pretty good answers to this question too.

When I started bartending, I was a professor of Creative Writing. Now I'm on an academic fellowship studying Biblical Hebrew and Talmud. And I have two books published. One of my own poetry, but the second is a project that's much more meaningful than that. My second book of poems, the why and later, an anthology of poems about rape and sexual assault was just released from deep cleveland press. The part that I am most excited about is that half of the profits from every book will be donated back to rape crisis centers.

I sold a considerable amount of my first book behind the bar, and that was great for book sales, this book has the potential to do much more good than sustain independent literary publishing. I've found that people who care about cocktails, care a lot about this world and what we take out of it and what we put into it. Coincidentally, my book sells for as much as a martini where I bartend. So, twisting the words of Sally Struthers, for the cost of a martini, you could make a real difference in a woman's life when you purchase the book!

With this anthology, Carly Sachs has drawn together poems of such heartbreaking eloquence and humanity that I felt as though I was placing my hands on raw wounds. Expect to be moved–it is impossible to read this collection and not be disabused, shocked, disturbed, outraged and eventually brought to a place of empathetic tenderness.

---Beth DellaRocco

New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Contributors: Alice Anderson, Julianna Baggott, Ellen Bass, Jan Beatty, Erin Belieu, Laure Anne Bosselaar, Jeanne Bryner, Teresa Carson, Helen Marie Casey, Grace Cavalieri, Lucille Clifton, Nicole Cooley, Michele F. Cooper, Teri Ellen Cross, Toi Dericotte, Debra DiBlasi, Frances Driscoll, Denise Duhamel, Molly Fisk, Audrey Friedman, Nicole Gervace, Clarinda Harriss, Marie Howe, Julia Kasdorf, Laurie Klein, Karen Kovacik, Maxine Kumin, Joan Larkin, Dorianne Laux, Harriet Levin, Frannie Lindsay, Denise Low, Linda McCarriston, Amanda McGuire, Erin Murphy, Nita Penfold, Meg Peterson, Marge Piercy, Margaret Randall,Adrienne Rich, Melanie Rivera, Carly Sachs, Ada Jill Schneider, Jackie Sheeler, Sue Standing, Kiely Sweatt, Cheryl Townsend, Mary Weems, Ruth Whitman, Rosemary Winslow, Kathleen Winter, Nellie Wong.

Available in January 2008 in bookstores, Amazon.com, and Deep Cleveland Press

Vegastripping Names Person of the Year

Vegas is back in a big way. 'Everyday' Angelenos, and our celebrity cohabitants, descend upon our liquor-drenched neighbor in droves to lap up every last drop of unapologetic sparkling, slithering, sultry debauchery. And, we're damn grateful for it! (Put the green tea lattes, meatless burgers and faked out psuedo-spiritualism on hold --- cuz, for Crissakes, we like to party, too!)

However, we often forget that Vegas is also a real, live city with breathing, thinking people... most of whom avoid the strip on a Saturday night, go to sleep when its dark, wake up in the morning (sans hangover) and actually do things other than lounge poolside with Playmates.

Steve Friess' blog, aptly named The Strip Podcast, covers the city's entertainment, sure, but also delves into commentary on real estate, politics, snippets from his personal life and how a regular Vegas resident spends NYE. Informative and entertaining, it has been recognized by Vegastripping as "Blog of the Year." Steve has also won Vegastripping's admiration for going head to head with Steve Wynn, and so named their Person of the Year.

Blogger to blogger, I gotta say, "I'll drink a toast to you, Steve. Congrats!"

(pic is from Steve Friess' homepage)

Dangers of Drinking

Booze and Broads

You may just have so much fun sampling cocktails and watching Miss Charming's bar tricks (like I did at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans) that you won't resist the urge to reach out and lick the tip of her nose!

(Or, maybe I was just thanking her for the adorable "girl in the glass" earrings she had just given me...)

Where the Boys Are…

I hear a lot of women complaining about men. Where are the good ones? Why don’t they meet any?

Well, I’ll tell you why. Because the cool guys are online writing about cocktails!

As one of the (relatively) few females impassioned enough about spirits, wine and cocktails to write about them like, oh, every freakin’ day, I can tell you, from personal experience, there are a whole bunch of boys over here. Fun-loving, knowledgeable and for Chrissakes, they make a mean margarita. Or martini. And, please, don’t insult them by asking for a hum-drum blended daquiri or Cosmo. These guys are on the cutting edge of what’s new and exciting in cocktail culture. Don’t be controlling. Leave it in their hands. (It’s a turn-on to be able to do that, ladies. Trust me on that one.)

So, forget hanging out on a late-night barstool. Cancel your subscription to match.com. Mosey on over to The Liquid Muse, and I’ll share the 411 on some of the most fascinating gentlemen on the web.

And, if you don’t connect with an actual man, you’ll definitely pick up some good drink recipes along the way. Nothing heals a lonely heart like a good, stiff cocktail. And, once you’ve mastered the art of mixing a killer drink, you may lure a good, stiff man over to enjoy one with you…

Let’s kick this off with my adopted mentor in the cocktail world. Tony Abou-Ganim lives in Vegas, travels the world shaking up the classics, had a show on Lifetime and recently released a new line of how-to-mix DVD’s. Join the fan club (I’m the President) and check out the Modern Mixologist, himself.

The King of Cocktails, Dale Degroff, has been slinging booze since before many of the folks on this list were old enough to drink. He ran the bar at the top of Manhattan’s World Trade Center and now teaches cocktail antics around the globe.

Darcy has mastered both the Art of Drink and the entrepreneurial spirit. Are you a potential advertiser? Email Darcy. He heads up a cocktail bloggers advertising co-op.

If I were constructing an online family, Jeffrey Morgenthaler is the one I’d choose to be my big brother. Or, kid brother. Behind the bar, or behind the scenes he’s the kind of guy who’s got your back. For a great attitude with a side of booze visit his Oregon-based blog.

Paul from the Cocktail Chronicles kicked off Mixologist Mondays. And, I feel like such an ass not to have jumped on board that wagon, yet. Perhpas I'll host one in the not-too-distant future.

Dr. Bamboo comes up with cocktail recipes and awesome graphics to accompany them. Check out his site for the artwork as much as for the cocktails. (And, congrats are in order as Baby Bamboo is on the way!)

Shawn, a lawyer by day, Mixologist by night, is the cocktail world’s Clark Kent. Armed with both a sense of justice and a killer cocktail, his original recipes are featured on his blog, Rejiggered.

Grandiose Blog’s barman, Mondiu is a newcomer to the Blogosphere so a hearty welcome from TLM. His first several posts (bar tools and classic cocktails) are definitely worth a gander.

San Francisco has an incredible cocktail culture. Interactivity, collaboration, passion and knowledge are words that come to my mind after spending a few days up North for the San Francisco Cocktail Week. Camper English is in the City by the Bay, and therefore in tune with all sorts of cool stuff.

Ok, ladies, Chris is taken (wife and child) but his blog Nonjatta devoted to Japanese whisky is available to all the world. Who knew that Japan was one of the biggest whisky-loving countries in the world?

Rick Lyke, of Lyke 2 Drink, reports wine, beer and booze news from North Carolina. He’s also got a very comprehensive drink link list on his blog.

These other guys I have not met or corresponded with personally, but want to make sure they’re included in this round up. Their blogs content (and in some cases the bloggers themselves) provide plenty to drool over: Jimmy’s Cocktail Hour, Drink Boy, Joe Bartender, The Thinking Bartender, Liquor Snob, Martini Lounge.

Into Beer? Knut’s Beer Blog is based in Oslo, and Jeffrey Wells website is on its way!

TLM Interviews Guinness Brew Master, Fergal Murray

”Considering it took 248 years to get it so wonderful, we do a few secret things,” confides Guinness Brew Master, Fergal Murray who fell in love with brewing beer nearly 24 years ago. He explains that to become a Master Brewer incorporates both science and art, and can take 10 years of experience to successfully pass the standardized exams at the Institute of Brewery in the UK.

Accomplished in his field, the company sent Murray to Nigeria, to oversee the first Guinness brewery outside the Emerald Isle. He says that the people there came to regard the stout as their own and even asked Fergal why the main brewery is in Ireland, instead of Africa. That sort of brand loyalty has helped Guinness grow to have breweries in 49 countries, and distribute its products to 147 nations. Top markets include the UK, Ireland, Nigeria, US and Ghana.

Fergal still enjoys “dabbling” in the brewing itself, though most of his time these days is spent traveling around the world, talking about products and teaching bar professionals to achieve the “Perfect Pint.” He says that the Guinness experience is as much visual as it is flavorful, claiming, “People drink with their eyes, first.”

According to Fergal, the perfect beer begins with its environment. Guinness should be stored at 38 – 42 degrees Fahrenheit. The bar equipment should be set up with the right amount of gas to push the rich nectar through the draft spout and, of course, clean lines and glasses are integral.

The bartender can then craft "the perfect pint” via 6 steps:

• start with a 20 ounce tulip glass. (Fergal says this design is optimum for the aerodynamic flow of the bubbles.)
• hold it at a 45 degree angle, under the beer faucet
• allow a smooth flow until glass is 3/4 filled
• allow the extra bubbles to settle and the creamy head to form
• top up, creating a domed effect, a “proud head”
• present to the customer

With Spring approaching, and St. Patty’s Day this weekend, I was particularly interested getting to the bottom of rumors that Guinness is less fattening than many paler ales and lagers. Fergal confirmed that Guinness has roughly the calorie equivalent of orange juice. It is also lighter in alcohol than Smithwicks, brewed by the same company but geared toward the taste for higher alcohol content in the American market.

This weekend, no doubt, the Irish brews will flood US streets, from coast to coast. Irish people in the US have celebrated their heritage since early immigrants first held parties in Boston. Fergal is celebrating the feast day of Ireland’s Patron Saint in the Big Apple, enjoying its famous parade.

Fergal says that enjoying a pint of Guinness with friends is well-suited to the social atmosphere of Ireland. “Over the years, I look at the people enjoying our beer, and I feel like their expectation becomes my responsibility to make it perfect.” This weekend, he’ll no doubt get validation that he succeeds in meeting those expectations.

Personality Profile

Food Blogger, Amanda McClements

I've always been impressed with Metrocurean's Amanda McClements. Listed as one the "Most Beautiful People in DC" last year, this Durham, North Carolina native is as nice on the inside as she is to look at, on the outside.

Amanda says her 9th grade teacher got her hooked on the idea of journalism. By the time she graduated, she was the editor of her high school paper. She graduated from UNC with a degree in journalism, and moved to DC in 2000.

Her first job in this area was at a technology magazine, in the graphic design department. She says, “My biggest regret about leaving that job is that the restaurant, 2941, opened two months after I quit!"

From there, Amanda went to work at another publication, Roll Call, where she pitched the editors a “Hot Plate” column. Soon, she was writing about restaurants on Capitol Hill and surrounding area. In June 2005, she went freelance, though she still contributes“Hot Plate” and restaurant reviews to Roll Call.

Next month, she celebrates the one-year anniversary of Metrocurean, her very popular food blog. Amanda claims, “I didn’t even know what a blog was a year and a half ago! My boyfriend suggested I start one to keep myself writing during slower weeks as a freelancer.”

20 minutes into “playing around” with blogger last summer, and trying out different blog names, Amanda got an email from DC Blogs offering to link to her. Taken aback with the immediacy of response she exclaims, “I was like, ‘Wait! I’m not serious about this!’”

Obviously, she became serious about it. She now says, "I see a blog as an information source more than a personal journal. ‘Comments’ make it more community-based.” She explains that inspiration for a food blog sprung from the idea that she wasn’t the only person interested in DC restaurants. “Metrocurean became a place where I could use the information I didn’t use in my other writing.”

Metrocurean's a loyal following doesn’t always realize blogging is not her full-time job. “80% of my time is devoted to paying jobs. Eventually, I’d love to think of ways to turn it into something bigger. I love doing it, and I like that people know me for it.”

She plans to add new features to Metrocurean, including updated lists of restaurant recommendations, an ongoing list of new hot-spots on the horizon and recommended cookbooks. She also wants to pursue more national publications as venues for her own writing, having contributed a DC Restaurant Report to Food & Wine Magazine's May issue.

Ironically, Amanda admits, “I don’t love to write. I only like to write about things I love. I’ve always been into food. Its like the adage about some people eating to live and others living to eat. My mom and dad are amazing cooks. Our vacations were about having more time to cook, while other people’s families were happy not to have to cook."

Before moving to DC, she did a 4-month work program at a language school in Paris. She says, “I learned to eat well on very little money. A baguette, some cheese, olives and wine… I pretty much lived on that.” She adds, “I’d love to go back and eat in some nice restaurants.”

Amanda says, “Its an exciting time to be in DC. People are starting to realize that Washington has a lot to offer. We have a lot of young talented chefs and sommeliers, that is, if they all stay!”

With the Restaurant Awards this weekend, I had to ask this DC foodie about her picks...
She says,"I'll got with Busboys and Poets for Neighborhood Gathering Spot.
For Hottest Bar Scene, I think it'll be a very close race with five spots that are "hot" in different ways. I'll give the edge to Sonoma or Tabaq, though Zaytinya has a good shot, too.
As for Power Spot, I'll go for Charlie Palmer Steak.

Where does Metrocurean’s dame of dish like to go for a drink?
“I wish Restaurant Eve’s bar were in my neighborhood!” She also loves the Saloon, for its good Belgian beer selection; the bar at the Tabbard Inn; and sings the praises of Agreria’s house martini, which comes with pickes, peppers and olives.

Favorite libations?
Margaritas, Side Cars and always Kir Royale. Amanda says she also likes a good beer, then adds… “Oh, and then there’s wine…”

I have a sneaking suspicion a Wine of the World Wednesday chat between The Liquid Muse and Metrocurean could be on the horizon…

For more info check out: www.metrocurean.blogspot.com