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Is all club soda alike?
You are clairvoyant.Made both syrups yesterday.Tried the home made Ginger Ale today.Didn't find the ginger juice from Ginger People as Caitlin suggested and didn't feel like making my own ginger juice.So used the JG ginger/lime syrup(3 tablespoons) with 1 oz. of fresh lime juice and topped with about 6 oz.
of Schweppes Club Soda.Very tasty.Although I think it would probably be better with ginger juice,either fresh or store bought,than the syrup.
Peet's Coffee & Great Biscotti at ING Direct Cafe
If you make coffee at home,most of the supermarkets near me carry Peet's,both ground and whole bean.I'm on Long Island,so can't speak for retailers in NYC but I would think it shouldn't be too hard to find.
Is all club soda alike?
The syrup article also has a recipe for lemon-thyme syrup which is used in
a Vodka-Thyme Lemonade.I had forgotten about that but it was also very good and used seltzer.
Is all club soda alike?
Thanks for all of the great information.I didn't realize there was that much to the topic.That's why ChowHound is such a terrific resource.So many knowledgeable people who generously and enthusiastically share that knowledge.In the Sept. 2006 issue of Food and Wine(no affiliation to me despite my lame moniker), www.foodandwine.com , there was an article by Jean Georges Vongerichten titled " The Secret's in the Syrup". It has a recipe for ginger-lime syrup .I have made it and used it in margaritas,and various gin and vodka concoctions.Very tasty.Going back to the start of this post it might also be good in home made Ginger Ale.
Is all club soda alike?
Thanks very much for the detailed,informative reply and the link that you included.I hadn't really thought about making my own carbonated water,but I might now.
Romantic italian in the village
Gonzo in the Village has good food,warm atmosphere and reasonably priced.Good flat bread pizza,pastas,etc.Don't know of a drink spot nearby but I'm sure there are places within a few blocks.If you would conside Soho I would recommend Aurora and Mezzogiorno..Both offer good food,a varied menu,good service.Mezzo also has outdoor seating on the sidewalk if that sounds appealing.There are plenty of places to have a drink after dinner.Some cocktail spots like Tailor and Pegu Club,or The Room(nice wine and Belgian beer selection).
Is all club soda alike?
Who cares you might rightfully ask? Until yesterday not me.There was an article in the NY Times about home made Ginger Ale.I'm not technologically adept enough to provide a link to the article,but if you go to www.nytimes.com and then to the Dining & Wine section you will see it.The recipe calls for ginger juice,sugar,lime juice and club soda or seltzer.I don't know if there is any difference between the two.I Googled it but then started to doze off.But the article got me thinking about club soda,since this is by percentage the main component in the recipe.Are there any real differences between Canada Dry,the store brand,or Joe's Artisanal if there is such a thing? In the last couple of years there have been a bunch of boutique tonics to come on the market,and some bars(or cocktail purveyors if you prefer) take pride in making their own tonic.In the past 3 months I have read several articles about the importance of ice in drinks.In fact Eric Felten wrote about this last Saturday in his WSJ column "How's Your Drink?".That would be found at www.wsj.com and then the Life & Style section.Scroll down about midway to " A Chill to Scotch Purists Hearts".So all this made me wonder if there is any difference between bottle X and bottle Y of club soda or seltzer? I believe it's just water and carbon dioxide.So it seems like there would be nothing to distinguish one from another.I want to try this Ginger Ale recipe out this weekend and thought who better to satisfy my newfound curiousity about this topic than the very knowledgeable people on ChowHound.
Bianco Vermouth
These sound interesting.Have several different bitters but no celery bitters. Another thing to put on the list.Your mention of Jim Meehan brought to mind a drink using bianco vermouth that I believe was his doing.Can't be sure of the name but thinking it was along the lines of Astoria Bianco or vice versa.I think it was similar to the Maddow,using gin,bianco vermouth and orange bitters.Off hand don't know the exact ingredients or proportions,but will have to run it through Google.Thanks for your responses.
Bianco Vermouth
You're absolutely correct.The Little Italy uses sweet vermouth,not bianco.Thanks for the Heather in Queue and the story behind it.I thought I had a reasonably well-stocked liquor cabinet,but don't have Fernet-Branca(in addition to lacking Cynar).It's become much easier to find so will have to pick some up.
Bianco Vermouth
Anyone have some cocktail suggestions using Bianco Vermouth? I've looked on Google and only found two that sounded interesting, the Little Italy which uses Rye,Bianco Vermouth and Cynar(don't have any Cynar) and the Indian Summer which is equal parts Bourbon and Bianco Vermouth.Just wondering what others have tried that they liked?Thanks.
Best Grapefruit Juice
That sounds delicious.Can see why you've been spoiled.The first time I had a fresh squeezed drink was at Busch's Sea Food in Sea Isle City,NJ.We had vodka with fresh squeezed OJ at the bar.They had a large chrome juicer and the bartender would put some ice and vodka in the glass and then squeeze the OJ right into it.Unbelievably good.
Apologies to anyone who holds vodka in disdain,but it can make a very refreshing drink.
Best Grapefruit Juice
All three that I tried were good .I liked Simply Grapefruit best,then Noble's Ruby Red and third was the TJs 100% hand-squeezed.I've finished about 2/3 of the Noble's,since it had the earliest sell by date(May 1st).The others are ok for sale through late June.Have had it with Gin, with lemonade, in a margarita and also with Tequila/lime juice and club soda topper.Very tasty in all of the above and for now will continue to use rather than tonic.
10 Guys Celebrate their 40th - Where?!
Sounds like a very fun trip.I would recommend BBQ such as Blue Smoke.Good food and a decent atmosphere.Or the obvious ,steak ,and would go with Strip House,Ben Benson
or Smith & Wollensky.Although the last two are midtown.Downtown steakhouses would be Wolfgangs,The Palm,Dylan Prime and Bobby Van's.I've found that the downtown steakhouses tend to much less lively then their midtown branches(except Dylan Prime which is only located in TriBeca).Another fun place would be a Brazilian Steakhouse. Churrascaria Plataforma is good.They have a place midtown and one in TriBeca(downtown).I haven't been to the TriBeca one,but have been to the Midtown restaurant with a large group of guys and we had a great time.It is an all you can eat Prix Fixe set up and they keep the food coming until you beg for mercy.They also have a decent wine selection as well as South American drinks like the Mojito and Caipiranha.I would also second the Spice Market selection.It has good food in a fun location(the Meat Market).
Recession Vodka
Both Skyy and Smirnoff are good and moderately priced.In NY about $15/liter.I haven't tried the others that you mentioned,although Gordons is often mentioned as a reliable lower priced producer.I have had their gin and liked it.
Kentucky Derby on Long Island
Thanks for the feedback.Sweeney's sounds like they put together a fun Derby Day and being able to bet on the races is a nice plus.
Best Grapefruit Juice
So this weekend I picked up the following; Simply Grapefruit,Noble's Ruby Red and Trader Joe's 100% squeezed Florida Grapefruit Juice.All were good,although I think the first two were the tastiest.They were all pasteurized,100% pure,etc. I don't think I bought the suggested TJs Rio Red blend.I just picked up whatever they had in the juice/dairy case.The other may have been in the bottled juice section.I realize not everyone may feel the need to taste test grapefruit juice,but I appreciate your suggestions.I have found a very suitable substitute for fresh squeezed when Texas grapefruit is out of season.This summer I can drink gin and grapefruit and call it a health drink.Which reminds me that MGZ never did tell us what the Dinner of Champions was.Maybe there was no grapefruit involved.Kattyeyes,I did make a margarita last night with the Noble's Ruby Red and it was very tasty indeed.Thanks for the tip.
intimate 50th birthday in Montauk
The Inlet looks like a great choice and you will love Montauk.Hope you have a wonderful weekend and please report back afterward to let us know where you went and places you would recommend.
Best Grapefruit Juice
I haven't had the Rosa Mexicano pom. margarita but have read many raves about it.The cranberry/cinnamon one at Beacon was very good.I've made it at home and also tried it using Goldschlager instead of the ground cinnamon,but liked the one with the cinnamon better.Don't put in much of the spice.Maybe a pinch.Sprinkle it on top,then stir it in.It won't fully dissolve,but it will taste good.
Best Grapefruit Juice
Margaritas are a seasonal drink for me too,although I drink Gin and Tonic year round.Kind of my fall back if I'm not sure about the quality of drinks at wherever I am.I did have a very good margarita at Beacon that was a good fall/winter drink.I believe it had the usual margarita base recipe and added cranberry juice and some ground cinnamon.
Best Grapefruit Juice
Pretty much the same,although no sugar(or salt) on the rim.I usually use a Silver tequila.The liquor store near me often has Herradura at a good price.I go with 2 oz. tequila; 3/4 to 1oz. Cointreau or something comparable.I recently bought a bottle of Salerno,which is a Blood Orange liqueur and I like that.Although it's a little sweeter than Cointreau.Then squeeze in the juice of 1/2 a lime, and an ounce or so of another juice if I'm adding some more flavor.Whatever is in season or some bottled pomegranate,pineapple or cranberry juice.Or now,Ruby Red grapefruit juice.
Best Grapefruit Juice
Thanks for the link.It's telling me Stop N Shop in NY.The closest one to me is actually right across the street from Trader Joe's so I can do some research this weekend,possibly involving ruby red margaritas.
Best Grapefruit Juice
Thanks for the suggestions.I will give them all a try if I can find them.I'm 5 minutes from Trader Joe's and I have had Simply Lemonade,which is very good.
I don't recall seeing their Grapefruit but will try to track it down.The same with the Noble brand.I'm not sure if it's sold near me,the Metropolitan NY area,but will look next time I'm in the grocery store.I like a few different cocktails that use grapefruit juice and with warm weather on the way it's getting time to do some tasting research.
intimate 50th birthday in Montauk
It doesn't sound like we're talking about the same place.The Dave's Grill that I've been to uses dishes,not paper plates.They use white table cloths and have flowers in small vases on their tables.It has a very nice,comfortable atmosphere.Far from grungy,with flower boxes around the exterior.Rustic may be an apt description.The service is friendly and welcoming and the food is quite good.
Best Grapefruit Juice
Any non fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice that you would recommend? I really like the Ruby Red grapefruit from Texas but it is out of season and I don't care for the grapefruit that are currently available.Are there any worthwhile brands out there? I never liked grapefruit juice until I first tried fresh-squeezed.I couldn't believe how good it was,having only had the canned juice before that.
Kentucky Derby on Long Island
Looking for suggestions on a good place to watch the Derby with a group of 6 to 10 adults on Long Island.Could be anywhere in Nassau or Suffolk. Trying to find a place with a fun atmosphere and also a good beer selection and bartenders who seem like they would be able to make a good Mint Julep or other Bourbon based drinks.Maybe a Whiskey Sour with fresh squeezed lemon juice or a Ward 8.Food is secondary,but not completely irrelevant. Not looking for a full dinner.But somewhere with reasonably tasty appetizers,burgers,etc. Thanks for your help.
intimate 50th birthday in Montauk
Dave's Grill has excellent seafood and will be open when you're there.I'm not sure if it has a water view but it is within a short walk of Gosman's Dock.So maybe drinks at Gosman's and then a short stroll to Dave's for a delicious seafood dinner.The only drawback is I'm not if they take phone reservations.We walked over from Gosman's the day we wanted to have dinner there and stood on a short line to get on their dinner list. I think the atmosphere is in line with what you're looking for.It's not touristy, luxurious or grungy for that matter.It just seems authentic.Like a good seafood restaurant in a fishing town should.Highly reccomend it.I believe the website is davesgrill.com if you want to look into it.
Decent (cocktail?) bar, Midtown West
The bar at Ruth's Chris(51st/btwn 6th & 7th) is big and they have a good cocktail list.Not that much of a finance crowd for a steakhouse.They usually have a piano player and the room is very spacious.I've been there with friends a few times and had appetizers at the bar and it's always been a fun night.Across the street is Piano Due which has a nice bar room and Bar Americain is within a block.I don't know how crowded the bar gets after work.The Bar Room at the Modern is fun and hase very good bartenders but everytime I've been there it has been very crowded.
Getting married this Friday at City Hall need recommendation
Strongly agree with the many suggestions of EMP.The food and decor are terrific and the service is as good as any you will find.If you go,let them know about your wedding celebration and they will make it a very special evening for you(not that they need any prodding).One other thought is the River Cafe.The food is good,the service is excellent as is the view of Manhattan.The combination makes for a wonderful NYC dining experience.Congratulations and best wishes.
Gramercy Tavern
I highly recommend both the tavern room and the dining room.As already noted the dining room is more formal(but not stuffy).Both offer exceptional food,wine,cocktails and level of service.As with any place,there will be people who don't understand the fuss or popularity due to individual taste.By and large GT is still highly regarded and continues to be my favorite NYC restaurant.
