happy_stomach wrote:

pamiam wrote:What's the best way to find the LTH crowd?

Wasn't hard to spot us, right?

Thanks to all the LTHers for being so welcoming. I really enjoyed talking with you guys, and I appreciate everyone's eagerness to share their drinks (no signs of swine flu yet!) With everyone's cooperation, I got to taste many more excellent cocktails than I would have otherwise (including the Ninth Ward - was anyone able to nail down what all was in that?) The gimlet, manhattan, and dry whiskey sour were spot-on, and I agree re: the cherries!

I also enjoyed the Brazilian Flyer very much, since when I was at the VTR a few weeks ago, I asked if they were mixing any interesting drinks with St. Germain, and they said they were working on some, but hadn't perfected them yet. It was great to see what they had been working on, in addition to getting some more ideas for how to use the St. Germain in my cabinet.

The churchkela was tasty, though no one seemed to agree with me that if the walnuts were replaced with peanuts, it would taste like a PB&J in sausage form (esp. with the Concord grapes).

Looking forward to seeing you at another event soon.

happy_stomach wrote:I was for some reason very much in a gimlet mood last night, so the Rangpur Gimlet really hit the spot. The clear winner, however, was the VTR Manhattan, possibly the best of this cocktail I've ever had. The crafting of this drink was especially impressive because the women of VTR were slammed last night, making cocktails non-stop, yet it tasted of utmost care and attention.

Couldn't agree more. Although the Rangpur Gimlet went down easy, the botanicals in the gin not at all lost in the limey-ness of the rest of the drink, the clear winner was the Manhattan. Distinctly nutty, it was as if I had never had a Manhattan before. The homemade maraschino cherries were a nice touch - glad to see those much maligned garnishes get treated with respect.

I was surprised to see that VTR was being represented by two women. (After they shut down the bar, I think I overheard one of them tell Brad that the crowd was "nothing," that it was like an appetizer compared to what they're used to handling on a weekend. Heh.)

Edited to add: Special thanks to Dimitra for bringing the churchkela, which I had been wanting to try. Not a bad treat, more texture than flavor, even though it does bear a certain resemblance to a recurring character on South Park. And thanks to Rene G, who generously shared the Iowa sponge candy, which had a more yielding texture than my efforts at attempting to break it in half might have foreshadowed.

aschie30 wrote:And thanks to Rene G, who generously shared the Iowa sponge candy, which had a more yielding texture than my efforts at attempting to break it in half might have foreshadowed.

I wish I could have gotten that on video.

(And technically, I did take photographs of Josh wielding the churchkela, but perhaps I was too happy from the Spicy Chica by that point--all my pictures are blurry.)

And, Rene G, thanks from me too for sharing the chocolate-covered sponge candy. (From Moline, right?) That's exactly my kind of sugary treat.

happy_stomach wrote: (And technically, I did take photographs of Josh wielding the churchkela, but perhaps I was too happy from the Spicy Chica by that point--all my pictures are blurry.)

Thank goodness for that. Wouldn't want to end my political career before it starts

pamiam wrote:including the Ninth Ward - was anyone able to nail down what all was in that?

Nice meeting you, Pam.

As for The Ninth Ward, I think I was told (I'm a bit foggy today, so I will try to confirm it tonight) it was Bourbon, St. Germaine, Lime and Simple Syrup.

It really was a wonderful event last night. The place was bustling -- a strong LTH contingent was in the house -- and the VTR drinks were distinctive and tasty. I had 4 drinks -- Spicy Chica, Oronoco Flyer, Ninth Ward and Old Fashioned -- but managed to get tastes of all 10 libations on the VTR's menu. With the exception of the Old Fashioned, which was not really to my liking, I enjoyed them all. As others have posted, some of those creations might have been better fits for warmer times of year, but I could definitely see ordering, making or craving any one of those cocktails in the appropriate moment. Paulius was his charming self and his bartenders -- Carol and Julie -- even under heavy fire, were fast, pleasant and accurate.

Looking forward to tonight's second installment (I'll probably arrive around 9), at which I hope to be a bit more analytical.

=R=

Stopping by tonight after dins at Perennial. Will probably be flying solo for a portion of my evening. Feel free to say hello. I'll be the ass still in work clothes--buttondown shirt, slacks, and cufflinks, rejoice!

BryanZ wrote:Stopping by tonight after dins at Perennial. Will probably be flying solo for a portion of my evening. Feel free to say hello. I'll be the ass still in work clothes--buttondown shirt, slacks, and cufflinks, rejoice!

I too will be wearing pants! I'll say hello, indeed. Who else is coming tonight around 8?