A little while back, fellow cocktail and spirits enthusiast/blogger/writer Lincoln rounded up a few of like-minded types to review a number of spirits and write about them. Booze reviews? Bottles provided? Yes, please. This kind of thing doesn't usually fall within my milieu, so all of you cocktailians, sit tight: a separate recipe post will... Continue Reading →
This past weekend, friend Jack and I made our way to downtown Decatur to seek out one of Atlanta's newest cocktail-centric bars, Paper Plane. The cozy, retro-infused spot is the latest project by local bar wizard Paul Calvert (of Pura Vida and Sound Table fame). As the AJC has said, it's not a speakeasy -- it... Continue Reading →
A while ago, I was opining about the state of locally-produced liquor in Georgia -- how it would be nice to see more of it, that the Atlanta bar scene would begin demanding it, etc., etc. Apparently we were on the verge of a microdistillery boom here in the Peach State...who knew? Georgia can now... Continue Reading →
Recently, I paid a visit to Charleston, which has established itself as a culinary Mecca in the South -- James Beard Award-winning chefs, fresh seafood, classic southern dishes, and more than a few microbreweries dot the city's foodscape. While the city frequently boasts more churches than bars -- earning its "Holy City" moniker -- it nonetheless has an excellent, if small, selection of... Continue Reading →
In a word, Yes. True, I like Holeman & Finch, but it takes aim at the semi-high-spending gastropub crowd and is a tad over-hyped (I admit, I've done my share of hyping). I mean, H&F has become a destination now, lauded by the AJC, listed in Food + Wine's "Best Bars in the World/Country," and written... Continue Reading →
Well, I met David Wondrich last Thursday. Yes, I could heap applause and accolades upon him, but that's been done enough already. I'll just say that Mr. Wondrich was an affable, approachable guy who loves his cocktails, and that all of us who attended the book signing -- a surprisingly low half-dozen or so --... Continue Reading →
The next meting of the Heron Social Club approaches! The theme? Bourbon and Rye. When you're looking at base spirits, whiskey is arguably right up there with gin, a well-established spirituous foundation on which rests a large family of cocktails. Choosing a whiskey can, however, become quite a dilemma, as each variety of this spirit... Continue Reading →
"There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place, and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what's possible." - Field of Dreams, 1989 OK, so that might be a bit of over-enthusiastic hyperbole, but I can't help but praise Leon's Full Service in downtown Decatur.... Continue Reading →
After heading to downtown Atlanta and meeting up with my good buddies Jack and BK, we decided to check out a few bars in the area which, partially by chance, partially by design, are on my list of recommended Atlanta bars and restaurants. The current list is based on the March/April 2011 issue of Imbibe ... Continue Reading →
Tempered Spirits 