Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Manhattan Cocktail Classic May 14 -18th

Sasha Petraske Breaks It Down
This week kicks off the Manhattan Cocktail Classic.  This multi-day event promises to  celebrate "the history, contemporary culture, and artful craft of the cocktail.  Part festival, part fête, part conference, part cocktail party, the Manhattan Cocktail Classic brings together the unparalleled talents and opportunities of the bars, bartenders, and restaurants of our great city for five days of activities, both educational and celebratory in nature, championing the common ideals of authenticity, equality, sustainability, service, and pleasure."In other words, this is an gathering of epic proportions and a cocktail lover's nirvana.

We suggest attending the following marquee events:


The Gala at the New York Public Library - Friday May 14th  9pm -1am- If you go to one event, go to the Gala.  Imagine if you had the world's greatest mixologists at dozens of stations making serious cocktails, paired with food, while great music and performances surrounded you all in charming confines of the landmark New York Public Library. Well dreams do comes true and the Gala promises to kick it off in style. Black tie optional, so of course that means Loungerati's Fredo and Grumpy Old Hepcat will be there in dinner jackets and black tie!

The "Three Hour Tour": Around the World in Five Cocktails - presented by The Tippling Point with 10 Cane Rum, Ardbeg Scotch, Belvedere Vodka, Hennessy Cognac, and Grand Marnier - Sunday May 16th 5:30 at Pier 60 at Chelsea Piers
Set sail on the Royal Princess and circle Manhattan while these premier bartenders take you around the world: Jacqueline Patterson of Heaven's Dog (San Francisco), Thomas Waugh of Death & Co. (New York City), John Lermayer of The Florida Room (Miami), Richard Boccato of Dutch Kills & Pain Killer (New York City), and Danny Valdez of Cure (New Orleans).

The Dizzy Fizz Taste Maker's Punch - Monday May 17th 7pm -11pm - We have to take our stingy brim fedoras off to Selena Ricks, editor of the Dizzy Fizz; not only is her party a must attend for all festival goers, but she even got Cocktail historian and Esquire's drinks impresario David Wondrich to host!! What a way to celebrate an anniversary and birthday!!

Classes, presentations, and workshops you must attend include:

Stories from behind the Bar series at any of the following bars:
Clover Club - Julie Reiner is a pro at opening cocktail bars that are trend setting and quickly become your local. She tells the story of Clover Club, which won best new bar at Tales of the Cocktail 2009, all while you sip her delicious drinks. Sit in F14 - my seat which is the best in the house.

Dutch Kills  - Sasha Petraske has been hanging out a lot at this LIC cocktail haven. Petraske is and continues to be a game changer in the field with a half dozen stellar bars under his belt. We think Dutch Kills is the jewel in the crown. Accordingly, we are dispatching Giancarlo Zanetti to cover Sasha's talk.

Painkiller - Richie Boccato and Giuseppe Gonzalez are literally still drying the paint on their Chinatown tiki bar, so they have a fresh take and recent bar opening experience to impart. Oh, and beware of the Scorpion bowl. Willy Shine of Contemporary Cocktails will also be slinging South Seas potions for your pleasure.

Mayahuel - Phil Ward, I blame you for my current Tequila Old Fashioned addiction. Ward's bar/ restaurant brought Tequila as the base spirit  of artisinal cocktail to the forefront. Oh and the Mexican food is killer!

Note worthy classes we recommend:

Cocktails for the Home Party with Sasha Petraske - I attended this at the preview in October and it was superb. Imagine turning your next party into Milk & Honey with standing room and you make the rules ... yes it is achievable with the right ice program!! - May 15th

Mastering the Art of Bartending: Everything you need to know before even picking up a bottle with Join Gary Regan, Dushan Zaric, Simon Ford, TJ Lynch and Aisha Sharpe as they share with you what it means to be a bartender without once mentioning cocktails, ice, or bitters. They will explore through their own experiences what it means to wear the many masks of a bartender: that of a shrink, matchmaker, shoulder to cry on, friend, headlining act, cruise director. Let these seasoned bartenders share with you their stories, antics, and advice on how to make an entire room full of people happy. - May 18th

These events are selling out fast so get your tickets now!

(Photo: Sasha Petraske drops cocktail knowledge at the Fall Preview.)

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