June 2007 Archives

I recently had the rare privilege of visiting one of the most acclaimed stills in the world, second only to the inimitable Stephen Stills, that is. I'm talking about the centuries old pot still at the Black Friars Distillery in Plymouth, England, makers of the all too glorious Plymouth Gin.

At a recent speaking engagement I was asked if I thought that the level of mixology and bartending in the UK had now eclipsed what's happening in the United States. Tough question. I conjured up an answer that hopefully didn't belie my general ignorance. At the very least it seemed to mollify the person.

One evening during the National Restaurant Association Show I was fortunate enough to join Donna Hood Crecca, editor of Cheers, for dinner at Nacional 27, an acclaimed restaurant in Downtown Chicago that features central and south American cuisine. The evening's fare was indeed amazingly delicious, but Donna and I weren't there necessarily for the food, we chose the venue for its cocktails.