Discover: Wine Bars

Wine bars are all the rage. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that New York is currently in “the golden age of wine bars.” While New Orleans has not yet seen its golden age, there are several wine bars around town that will appeal to a wide variety of people.

The Delachaise: Uptown
The Delachaise is the premier wine bar in New Orleans. Located in a narrow building on St. Charles, The Delachaise makes the most of its space with a long bar and banquette seating. It is everything a wine bar should be: warm, intimate, hip and trendy— without being too much so. Named Gambit’s “Best Bar to People-Watch,” The Delachaise attracts a diverse set of Uptown customers. The Delachaise serves a distinctive selection of wines, beer, and liquor. The Delachaise was an early adopter of the gastropub concept, with an extensive menu of upscale bar food. The pommes frites, fried in goose fat, are craved by many. Daily specials are listed on the chalkboard. No happy hour, but The Delachaise offers a red and a white wine for $5 each day. If you are Uptown and want to enjoy great wine and food, The Delachaise is where you want to be.

Clever: Mid City
Clever is a wine bar adjacent to Cork & Bottle in the American Can Company. Clever has a carefully chosen selection of wines by the glass and beer, as well as a small list of specialty cocktails. Clever’s atmosphere is laid back and intimate, with an eclectic assortment of furniture arranged into several conversation areas. You can enjoy your wine while you chill out to live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Clever’s happy hour is 5-7 P.M. Tuesdays through Fridays, featuring a choice of four $4 wines and no corkage (buy your favorite bottle next door!). If you are looking for a great neighborhood wine bar, head to Clever in Mid City.

W.I.N.O.: Warehouse Distric
W.I.N.O., Wine Institute of New Orleans, is perfect for anyone that likes to explore wine in an informal setting. W.I.N.O offers 120 wines dispensed by Enomatic machines- just use your card (like a debit card) to serve yourself wine by the ounce, half glass, or full glass. W.I.N.O. has an extremely casual vibe. W.I.N.O.’s front room is cozy; the back room is far more expansive, with several tables and plenty of room to spread out. It is great for groups but is also ideal for the solo wine drinker that just wants to try a few new wines. If you are hungry, W.I.N.O. serves cheese, pâté, and other light fare. W.I.N.O. is also a school, offering classes to educate its customers. The current schedule is available on W.I.N.O.’s web site. Whether it’s for a class or just to explore, check out W.I.N.O. in the Warehouse District.

Margarita: a Classic Drink Served with New Orleans Flair

One thing is for sure about New Orleans, we like our cold beverages. When I first moved to town, I was amazed at the cocktail culture. The Sazarac, Pimm’s Cup, Hurricane, Hand Grenade, Daiquiri, and even the Drive-Through Daiquiri– these are standards in New Orleans culture. Even beer has local strength in numbers: Abita has several great options (and Abita’s Brewery is located just a jump across Lake Pontchartrain), and our very own New Orleans Lager and Ale (NOLA) Brewing Company has taps in many local bars, and a free tour at their headquarters on Tchoupitoulas Street at 2 p.m. on Fridays.

FULL STORY at GoNola

DISCOVER: COCKTAIL BARS

New Orleans has always had an affinity for cocktails; the Sazerac and the Ramos Gin Fizz were created here. While New Orleans wasn’t at the forefront of the current cocktail craze, the addition of several new cocktail bars, as well as mixologists at some of the best restaurants and hotels, have helped us catch up quick.

My personal exposure to cocktails (beyond cosmopolitans and martinis) was during a visit to New York several years ago. After I volunteered at Tales of the Cocktail last summer, I was hooked. Luckily, I did not have to look far to feed my cocktail addiction.

If you want to experience the cocktail culture in New Orleans, check out these three:

Cure

Cure is a beautiful, sleek bar located on Freret Street. Cure somehow pulls off being modern yet warm at the same time. Cure also has a courtyard, one that will make you forget that you are on Freret Street.

Cure is not the bar that you want to visit if you want Grey Goose L’Orange (or any flavored vodka for that matter). They don’t have it. Cure serves well crafted cocktails. Beyond the cocktails on the menu, the bartenders are capable of making any classic cocktail, in precise fashion. If the choice is overwhelming, the bartenders can help you find a cocktail based on your taste. I have always had attentive service, even late at night when the bar is busy. If you want to engage the bartender in questions regarding cocktails or liquors, I suggest you go early or during the week. Also, if you want to experience Cure’s cocktails at a discounted price, visit during happy hour. Cure features several classic cocktails for $5, from 5-7 PM daily.

Bar Tonique: Cocktail Virtuosity Opposite Armstrong Park in New Orleans

I’m tired of the title “mixologist.” I assume it came from some intrepid bartender who wanted to move up in the world, and instead of letting his work speak for itself, decided to just call it something else. Perhaps he wanted a behind the bar equivalent of cook versus chef. Regardless, I’ve always found it pretentious and unnecessary– you make drinks at a bar, you are a bartender. If you’re good, you don’t need a new name for yourself. Bar Tonique is good.

Full Story at GoNola.com

THE ROOSEVELT RE-CREATES “STORMIN’ OF THE SAZERAC” IN HONOR OF NOTABLE EVENT’S 61st ANNIVERSARY

A MUST ATTEND event all the ladies of New Orleans should check out is the re-create of the "Stormin of the Sazerac" on September 24th.  This year will mark the 61st anniversary of the "Stormin". Back in 1949, on September 26th, women began to receive equal admittance to the world - famous bar. Before then, women were only admitted on Mardi Gras. 

This event will feature Sazeracs for the ladies along with a "vintage glamour" costume contest.  The "Stormin' of the Sazerac" will also feature informal hat modeling by Fleur de Paris and the Emporium Gift Shop.  To make this event even more special, all guest are encouraged to dress in late 1940s attire.

Check Out This Event!

Ladies on Lunch Menu at the Sazerac Restaurant in The Roosevelt Hotel $25 (Beginning at 12pm)

For Lunch Reservations, 504-648-5486

Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar Receives Sazerac Seal of Approval

New Orleans, LA (July 30, 2010)-After a team of "Secret Sippers" toured the
city sampling New Orleans' famous Sazerac cocktail, The New Orleans Culinary
and Cultural Preservation Society announced the Hotel Monteleone's Carousal
Bar as a recipient of the Sazerac Seal of Approval.  The bar was one of
eight establishments recognized in the first ever group of recipients during
the Toast to Tales, the Tales of the Cocktail welcome event held on July 21
on the front steps of the Hotel Monteleone.

The Sazerac Seal of Approval honors bars that produce the beverage
consistent with the traditional Sazerac recipe, delivering New Orleans
Sazeracs of the highest quality. The New Orleans Culinary and Cultural
Preservation Society acknowledged the cultural importance of the Sazerac,
the official cocktail of New Orleans, and the necessity for any local
bartender to possess the knowledge for creating it.

Andrea Thornton, director of sales and marketing for the Hotel Monteleone,
was thrilled to accept the award on behalf of the Carousel Bar for excelling
in creating one of this city's most well-respected and traditional drinks.
"It is an honor to be one of the first recipients of the Sazerac Award. We
want to thank the Secret Sippers and Tales of the Cocktail for recognizing
the Carousel Bar."

The Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone is the only bar in New Orleans that
revolves around the room. It overlooks famous Royal Street through large fan
windows and has long been a favorite of both locals and tourists. Famous
visitors to the Carousel include Michael Jordan, Dennis Quaid, Gregg Allman
and Sally Struthers.  The bar is open daily from 11AM-2AM.

For more information on the Carousel Bar or the Hotel Monteleone, please
visit www.hotelmonteleone.com.

Windsor Court offers class on summer drinks

When it’s hot, you often need more than just a drink that’s cold. To quench a summer thirst, you want a cocktail with the zing of citrus or the refreshing flavors of tropical fruit. On Thursday, May 27, at 5:30 p.m., the Windsor Court Hotel (300 Gravier St.) teaches the secrets of drinks for the hot and humid season.


Roger Blais, the head bartender at the hotel’s Polo Lounge, has been experimenting with ginger liqueur, homemade bitters and vodka infused with pineapple and watermelon.

FULL STORY

Bartending by the Book

Bartending by the Book

Saturday, May 15, 2010

5pm – 7pm

Cure

Bartenders rarely play it by the book. Their freelancing nature is what brings about the original creations we enjoy on a nightly basis. As part of World Cocktail Week®, NOCCPS and Cure have partnered to hostBartending by the Book where we will hold mixologists to the recipes found in the world’s greatest cocktail books. Cure’s award-winning mixologists will be working from Stanley Clisby Arthur’s Famous New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ’Em to create four classics by the book.

The featured cocktails will be the St. Charles Punch, the Daiquiri Cocktail, the Stinger, and the Vieux Carré Cocktail. Proceeds will benefit the Museum of the American Cocktail and the New Orleans Culinary and Cultural Preservation Society.

Favorite Restaurants/ Cafes 2009

Good Nola Readers Voted!!!
Here is the TOP 16 List of Good Nola readers  favorite restaurants and cafes of 2009. Hope You Enjoy the list!

1. Bourbon House: 144 Bourbon Street http://www.bourbonhouse.com/
2. Boucherie: 8115 Jeannette Street www.boucherie-nola.com
3. Catch: 3226 Magazine Street
4. Cochon: 930 Tchoupitoulas St www.cochonrestaurant.com
5. Dante's Kitchen: 736 Dante St www.danteskitchen.com
6. Dick & Jenny's: 4501 Tchoupitoulas Street www.dickandjennys.com
7. Domenica: 123 Baronne Street www.domenicarestaurant.com
8. Elizabeths: 601 Gallier Street www.elizabeths-restaurant.com
9. Felipes: 301 North Peters Street www.felipesneworleans.com
10. Gott Gourmet: 3100 Magazine Street www.gottgourmetcafe.com
11. Green Goddess: 307 Exchange Place www.greengoddessnola.com
12. La Peniche: 1940 Dauphine Street
13. Mahoney's: 3454 Magazine Street mahonyspoboys.com/
14. Parkway Bakery: 538 Hagan Avenue www.parkwaybakeryandtavernnola.com
15. Stanley: 547 Saint Ann St. http://www.stanleyrestaurant.com/
16. Theos: 4218 Magazine Street/4024 Canal Street www.theospizza.com

Sazerac Academy Happy Hour

 

Herbsaint Restaurant

presents

Sazerac Academy Happy Hour 

 

Wednesday, December 16^th, 2009

4:30pm to 6:30pm

  

Herbsaint Restaurant

701 St. Charles Avenue

$35 per person

To RSVP, contact (504) 524-4114 or info@herbsaint.com  

Join Tales of the Cocktail us as we pay homage to the Sazerac Cocktail and Herbsaint in a special event that is designed to better acquaint you with this legendary libation. Learn about the cocktail’s storied history and how to make your own Sazerac. After attending this event, you will officially be a Sazeractivist, and it will be your honor to spread the story of the official cocktail of New Orleans to others in an effort to preserve its history.  

 

Also learn about the legendary Herbsaint brand and its rich history in New Orleans dating back to late December 1933, when a New Orleans pharmacist-turned-entrepreneur by the name of J. Marion Legendre introduced a product called Legendre Absinthe. This new product came on the heels of the United States’ repeal of Prohibition earlier that month. Legendre, who became interested in pastis and absinthe products while in France during World War I, secretly made absinthe in his uptown home in New Orleans during prohibition.  His launch of Legendre Absinthe was a dream come true.  Sadly for Legendre, just months after launching his product, the U.S. Government banned the use of the word absinthe amid concerns that absinthe could have hallucinogenic and possible detrimental effects on people.  Not one to be dismayed, Legendre quickly re-named his product HERBSAINT and launched an aggressive marketing campaign that called on people to “Drink Herbsaint Wherever Absinthe Is Called For”. After 15 years of tireless HERBSAINT promotion across the United States, Legendre sold the brand to the Sazerac Company in 1949.  The Sazerac Company of New Orleans still owns the brand, and Herbsaint remains a mainstay on sophisticated bars throughout the city.

 

In commemoration of the 75^th Anniversary of HERBSAINT production, the Sazerac Company will be introducing a new product called HERBSAINT ORIGINAL in December 2009.  The new product is made according to the very same recipe that Legendre first used in December 1933.  It will also bear the same label design as was used on Herbsaint in the 1930s.

 

As an added bonus to the evening, Chef Donald Link has hand-crafted a three course, French inspired menu for us to dine upon, while learning.  

 

Starter (choose one)

Soup of the Day

or

Mixed Market Greens with Goat Cheese

 

Entrée (choose one)

Beef Bourguignon

or

Fish Provencial

or

Confit Chicken with Olives

 

Dessert
Tart Tartan 

 

The Herbsaint Happy Hour will include:

• Historical overview of the Sazerac Cocktail
• Memorabilia and artifacts on display
  
• Hands on making of a Sazerac Cocktail by each person
  
• An exclusive Tasting of the new Herbsaint Original
• A hand crafted French inspired meal, by award winning Chef Donald Link

All attendees will receive:

•  A limited edition Sazerac® Blue Print Poster
• An Official Sazeractivists Certificate   

To learn more about The Sazerac Company and Herbsaint visit www.sazerac.com andwww.neworleansabsinthehistory.com  

Eight wonders of New Orleans

f you travel to New Orleans, the one thing you must do is eat! Forgo the nouvelle cuisine restaurants in favour of the sandwich joints, cafés, oyster bars and cocktail lounges. Here are my musts:

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Wine and Dine: Highlights of Downtown New Orleans

New Orleans is known for their great food, great drinks, and great culture. Below are a few highlights of the French Quarter and Warehouse District.

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Shrimp Dinner Benefiting Local Shrimper

It isn’t easy to be an ambassador for your field when making a living in that field requires you to be up before dawn and out on the water, fishing with maybe one other guy for most of the day.

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