lantheaume's Profile
Agave Nectar
I know this is late, but I don't get back to chow as often as I'd like.
We don't have it yet, but it's on my short-list of products to carry.
So much great cocktail stuff - so little time to acquire and space to carry it!
Restaurant Death Watch - Marliave
A few comments.
I've really liked Marliave in the past, so much so we hosted a major event there. The staff, food and drinks were excellent and every guest had a wonderful time. Really. It was totally great.
That being said there's a few things that just don't work for me there:
1. To my knowledge most, if not all, of the bartenders that had the skills have moved on to other restaurants/bars that are busier so they could make some money. The lack of patrons does not equal decent pay for tip earning folks.
2. Scott, although a nice guy, has some control freak in him and was a little tough to work with when planning our events menu. The staff was great and did a lot of things to incorporate what we wanted for the night even if Scott wasn't open to it originally.
3. Two brings me to three - the music selection. Holy cow, does it suck. It's the same iPod with oldies tunes over and over and over again. And they aren't great, lost and found oldies from obscure but excellent artists - this is crappy top 40 oldies. On a short loop. I don't need to hear "Run Around Sue" 3 times in one visit. Has anyone else noticed that? I know the staff has and their hands are tied.
I REALLY wish Marliave well and want them to succeed. The space is great, the food is good (or has been whenever I've eaten there) and I think it'd be good to have another bar where a decent cocktail can be mixed (assuming they regain talent in that department).
But like others on this thread - 8 customers a night is not going to get them there.
Here's hopin'!
P.S. The alley is an obstacle, but not the end of the world. Freemens in NYC is down a alley but there's usually a wait out the door for it anytime I've been there. If Marliave had a following the alley could be a draw.
Boston-area retail sources for Dolin vermouth?
Dolin is handled by Ideal
Ideal Wine & Spirits Company
P:781.395.3300
You could probably call them and find out which retailers are carrying it.
I've heard that Brix has it, but haven't confirmed that first hand.
Cheers!
chau chow city or china pearl?
I second that - been going to Hei La Moon for years now instead of China Pearl.
The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters - where in Boston?
Nice!
As of yesterday I had three bottles left. (I'm holding a few for a restaurant that might want them, but if they don't I'll add those back out too the shelf)
Glad you got some!
The Bitter Truth Celery Bitters - where in Boston?
I have maybe one or two bottles left of the Whiskey Barrel-Aged (last I was at the store on Tuesday so those could be gone.)
I'll be there today from 12-3 if you wanted to swing by and say, "hey."
cheers
Where to buy punt e mes
Great! After talking with one of the employee's I know they work hard on it :-)
right consistency of simple syrup
JMF's got it right and I couldn't have said it better myself.
Cold water and sugar, in equal amounts to a pan and heat until the sugar disolves into the water. For the type of recipe you mention above you're only trying to sweeten (and add a little rosemary flavor) so the 1:1 proportions are appropriate. It'd toss the rosemary in once I started to see the sugar begin to dissolve, but before it's completely gone.
Once the sugar is dissolved let it cool, then strain out the rosemary and put into a bottle you can use to measure out the small amount you need per drink. I like the squeeze bottles you can pick up at a restaurant supply store, but if that's not handy buy a tall glass jar with a pourer that at your local big box store.
And try not too stress about it, simple syrup is pretty forgiving using the above method - cocktails should be about having fun! Enjoy your night!
Where to buy punt e mes
I believe that Liquor World in the Shaw's Shopping center at Porter Square T is stocking it (or trying to at least.)
It's an easy on/off the red line so it's worth checking out.
