Live! Casino & Hotel presents David's Private Select Dinners

Have you ever been faced with what whiskey, bourbon, rum, tequila to try? Sure, you have!  Beyond straight up and on the rocks, are you curious as to how would they taste in a cocktail, what would mix well with them?  If I have described you, then the series of Private Select dinners David’s Restaurant in Live! Casino & Hotel just might be the night out you are looking for?  Every third Thursday of the month, an ardent spirit is featured and paired with a chef-crafted 4 course dinner.

Read the full story at Dara Cooks at Baltimore Post Examiner

A Spanish obsession: Gin and Tonic

“The Spaniards are obsessive about gin and tonics” espoused Chef José Andrés in an August, 2017 article in Food and Wine Magazine. He said, “Spanish bars can have upwards to 50 gins.” These gins vary  with assorted aromatics and botanicals. 

Baltimore’s own Spanish tapas restaurant, Tapas Teatro, located in the Station North neighborhood, next to the Charles Theatre, tempts patrons with their signature gin-tonics. 

Read more at Dara Cooks at  Baltimore Post Examiner

Local Sagamore Spirit Whiskey stirring things up

The new Baltimore-based whiskey company Sagamore Spirit announced that will be the official spirit sponsor of Light City Baltimore which runs March 31 through April 8, 2017.  The events signature cocktail will be determined by a cocktail competition held by the Baltimore Bartenders’ Guild.

Last year, the official Light City cocktail was the Blue Hour, created with Van Gogh gin, grapefruit liqueur, lime juice, cardamom bitters and tonic by B&O American Brasserie’s Eric Fooy. Sagamore Spirit will provide a local spin on the event’s signature drink this year, being a local whiskey brand with a growing footprint in the regional and national market.

You don’t have to wait until Light City Baltimore for a signature cocktail from Sagamore Spirit, they have created the Passing Game Punch just in time for your Super Bowl Party. 

A new taste of spring at B & O American Brasserie

B & O American Brasserie’s Executive Chef Mike Ransom, Mixologist Brendan Dorr and their teams seasonally adapt and brighten their menus.  The rich, warm tones, leather appointments and décor of that of a high end rail car in its heyday add to the 2 story restaurant’s atmosphere.  Located in the former B & O Railroad headquarters, the obvious inspiration of a time passed. Not so the menu.

Attuned to the here and now, one can enjoy what is fresh with B & O’s seasonal updated menu additions.  For example, their winter cocktail menu was called The Spice Box, cocktails with the aromas of an evening by the fire – cinnamon, star anise, allspice and clove. Now that spring has sprung and the B & O American Brassiere’s Paris in Springtime cocktail list is offering the likes of the Dandy Lion; Clear Creek Brandy, Royal Combier, Dandelion Tea, Lemon Jack Ruby Tonic and Soda, The Jazzman; Barsol Pisco, Lillet Rosé, Jasmine Syrup, Lemon, Egg and the cocktail that passed my lips was Purple Rain; Lavender infused Novo Fogo Cachaca, Lemon, Honey-Apple Shrub – so smooth and well balanced. 

Check out full story and slideshow at Examiner.com / Dining 

Patrón Secret Dining Society speeds into Baltimore’s Grand Prix

 

   Patrón Tequila, considered the world’s ultra premium tequila, created the Patrón Social Club and any person of legal drinking age can join. It is through the Patrón Social Club one has an opportunity to vie for a seat at their pop-up Patrón Secret Dining Society events. Trust me when I say they are well worth vying for a spot.  If you are lucky enough to be one of 20 plus people chosen, you’ll be enjoy an evening of creative food styling from a regional chef to one of the city’s leading mixologist who will create cocktails with any one of the Patrón top shelf tequilas. Price of admission - FREE.

Prior to the green flag being waived to kick off Baltimore’s Grand Prix racing, Patrón sent out emails notifying members of their Social Club advising of a Secret Dining Society dinner to be held the night prior to the Grand Prix races. Those whose itineraries worked with the date and time answered a question to be in que for the coveted spaces.  They know not where the evening’s festivities will be held, where to meet, who the chef and mixologist will be. It becomes a treasure hunt atmosphere with clues along the way.    

Watch the video, enjoy slideshow with additional photographs and read the full story HERE.

An inside look at the soft opening of Hank's Oyster Bar

A couple months ago Chef Jamie Leeds of Hank’s Oyster Bars located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington DC and Old Town Alexandria shared that she was opening a 3rd Hank’s near the nation’s capitol. The official name is Hank’s Oyster Bar but even early on Leeds referred to it as Hank’s on the Hill. What was going to be different from the two early Hank’s was she was partnering with renowned mixologist Gina Chersevani formerly of PS7 and Rasika. Mixtress, Gina’s nickname, had worked with Leeds a number of years ago at 15 Ria when both were getting their careers going.

It had been a long, long time since I had driven to any location in southeast Washington, D.C. but it seems I was better equipped than the husband and we made it on a rainy Saturday evening 30 minutes early and with the luck of the gods got the parking space right in front.

Read the FULL story and enjoy the slideshow HERE.

Baltimore mixologist Brendan Dorr needs your Facebook vote

Hangar 1 Vodka has a contest going on for mixologists, beverage chefs, and Baltimore’s own Brendan Dorr of the B & O American Brasserie is in the competition. There are three competing mixologists under Baltimore category but in reality, all three are from Frederick

Read the full story and learn how you can help Brendan HERE

Tres Chic Cocktail Parties at Pazo called Trago (gulp)

Gals put on your best summer chic, put on your dancing Jimmy Choo shoes and get ready for the summer’s hottest cocktail party.  Gentlemen, guys - do the best that you can!  Pazo Restaurant is kicking in for three summertime parties including wine (well of course if the name Trago translates to Gulp), cocktails, tapas and dancing with a hot mix from DJ Ryan Patrick.

Continue reading Tres Chic Cocktail Parties at Pazo called Trago (gulp)

National and local look at Patrón's Secret Dining Society

Phew!  I got two stories up Patrón's Secret Dining Society.  One, a national look at the evening's event and the other with the local Baltimore slant.  It was a great evening, surprised dining venue, guests, chef and mixologist.

At the core is that premium tequila makes a great cocktail and pairs well with all types of food. The National Examiner story has all the cocktail recipes.

National Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/food-in-national/patr-n-s-secret-dining-society-the-pop-up-dining-experience-cocktails-recipe
Baltimore Examiner:  http://www.examiner.com/dining-in-baltimore/forty-lucky-guests-attended-patron-s-secret-dining-society-dinner-baltimore