This Little Piggy Read "Time for a Drink: the Michelada | Serious Eats : Recipes"

I love Micheladas more than almost anything. If I could choose one drink to enjoy for the rest of my days, this would be it. That being said, I am also fairly territorial so I find this article slightly annoying. Oh well... click here to check it.

My personal recipe:

- Rim glass with Mexican Seasoning (not telling you which one!) / sea salt
- squeeze limes
- add Worcestershire sauce
- add Cholula or Tapatio (Cafe Habana uses Tapatio and it is great)
- add Mexican beer (Corona, Pacifico, Sol, Modelo Especial, Negra Moldelo)
- Enjoy!

ps. I also love Clamato!

This Little Piggy Has a New Favorite Spot

I decided I would start the week off with a bang.  I met up with a good friend so we could swing by the friends and family opening of Cienfuegos, a "secret rum bar in the EV" (posted on Urban Daddy yesterday).  Upon entering Carteles, the small sandwich shop at the front, we were led up a staircase in the back and entered a medium sized dining room.  While food does not seem to be of much concern here, the cocktail list is quite extensive.  All of the drinks are "punches" and can be ordered by the glass or in various sizes of bowls.  We enjoyed the the $30 punch bowl of some concoction with the word "Mischief" in it (as opposed to the $60 and $100 options).  It was alright, probably not as good as some of the punch bowls I've had at their sister cocktail dens, Death & Co. and Bourgeois Pig, but still light and refreshing.  In the next couple of months I bet this places will become extremely popular, especially for Friday/Saturday night birthday parties, bachelorette parties, and groups of loud girls who want a night out.

But... all in all, I just wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be.  I mean, I thought the space was great.  The decor was nice, especially the tiles that adorn the ceiling above the upstairs bar.  Unfortunately, however, I think they will likely be so focused on the drinks that the food will probably always take a back seat.  But, hey! I didn't try the food so I may be entirely wrong. 

It's worth the trip though, and I am sure I will go back in the near future to try the food and another punch bowl.  At the end of the day, I am fairly certain the place will be a huge hit, at least at the beginning, and people will probably call me crazy, but oh well!

That was not the bang of the night, however.  We then headed down to Chinatown for additional cocktails and some live jazz.  This is where I truly thank my friend for such a wonderful evening.  He brought me to Apotheke, which I had heard of but never visited.  This is by far my new favorite spot in NYC, and even better, it is located near my apartment.  I was told the weekends tend to be different there than the weekdays, so I will probably stick to Monday and Tuesday nights when they have live jazz.

Also of great importance were their cocktails.  They were unbelievable.  I told the barkeep that I liked everything except tequila, and he threw some things together creating an insanely delicious spicy, salty beverage.  Did I say how amazing it was?!  Ok, just checking, but really, it was that good.  Anyways, it was a fabulous way to end the evening and an even better way to start the week.  Great music, excellent cocktails and a wonderful friend!  What more can you ask for?!  Oink oink!

Never too late for a Cocktail Event

Culintro is hosting a fabulous event tonight called "Building an Effective Cocktail Program" (in a Chef-Driven Restaurant).  Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend due to a prior engagement, but if you're free and in NYC, you should definitely check it out.  The program will include five amazing panelists, including Jim Meehan as Moderator (the guy responsible for those amazing drinks at PDT).  You can rsvp at alinam@culintro.com.  Hope you all can make it!  Oink oink!

Saturday Cocktails @ The River Cafe

Last Saturday, after a delightful walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, me and Ellie ("frenchie" visiting me) enjoyed some delicious cocktails at the River Cafe.  I had heard wonderful things about this Brooklyn Heights resto that sits perfectly under the bridge along the East River, but granted I've only been to Brooklyn a handful of times, its not shocking that I hadn't been before.  Basically, the afternoon was perfect... the weather, absolutely beautiful and the drinks, delicious.  Larry, the wonderful bartender, took excellent care of us, bringing us scrumptious samples of strawberry smoothies and other beverages, along with my slightly spicy Bloody Mary and Ellie's Bellini.  Though we didn't eat, both the brunch and dinner menus looked fantastic.  I was also told that they have a pianist who performs nightly.  The entire combination of a lovely view, live piano music and an exquisite meal is something I hope to experience soon.