Sweet Blog O'Mine

v. 2.0

  • Update from Probonofest

    Menu I'm in Washington DC at the annual Pro Bono Institute.  It's the second day of the conference, and my third day down here, and it has been very successful so far.  On the work front, I had a good meeting with the folks in my DC office about focusing on some new pro bono projects, which I'll try to get moving once I'm back in the office next week, and I co-moderated a panel, which colleagues told me they enjoyed.  On the social front, I went out Wednesday night with @TMFIII and @jasonmader, who took me to the Tabard Inn.  The cocktails, by Chantal Tseng, were delicious, and the company was delightful.  We followed up with a quick stop at the Passenger, which was somewhat overrun due to St. Patrick's Day and overflow from a nearby TV/radio correspondents' dinner.

    Although I went to bed at a reasonable hour Wednesday night, given the long day I had yesterday, I was about ready to fall over when my meetings ended at 8pm, but I had arranged (as I tend to do at conferences) a group dinner at Zaytinya.  It was great, but somewhat slow-paced, and didn't end until 11:30, which felt like about 3 a.m. to me.

    Slept well last night, and after writing this week's cocktail column, it's off to the races again.  I'm hoping to sneak in a workout somewhere today, and looking forward to our reception with Ruth Bader Ginsburg tonight!

  • Early to Bed, Early to Rise?

    As much as I want to shift my body clock, going to bed early seems to have little to no impact on my ability to wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.  I have trouble falling asleep before 11:30 – 12 and even if I do somehow managed to fall asleep earlier than that, it's rare that I wake up before my alarm.  I will then proceed to snooze for at least 1/2 hour if not more.  That's just the way it is.  I've got some work to do before I get that dog, apparently.

  • Tri Training in Training

    So this week was supposed to be my first real triathlon training week.  As you may know, I'm doing my third NYC Triathlon on July 18th.  I did okay on the running and biking front, but still haven't quite made it into the pool yet.  Next week, I swear — no excuses.  I'm also starting to feel like regular yoga would be a welcome addition to the mix, as my flexibility isn't great these days.  Plus, it's good for stress-relief, which I can always use. 

    That said, I have already started fundraising, and have gotten a few early bird donations (which, in addition to providing much-needed services to those dealing with leukemia and lymphoma, make me extra-motivated — I can't let my donors down) — thanks to those who have donated so far!

    Want to donate?  Please do!  More information here.

  • More Women, More Whisky

    Share photos on twitter with Twitpic
    Cheers to all for such a fantastic event at Astor Center last night! The International Women's Day festivities continue all week long with Compass Box drink specials created by members of LUPEC NYC, with a portion of the proceeds going to Dress for Success.

    Death & Co., Battle of the Rude by Jessica Gonzales: Oak Cross, Asyla, Cinnamon Bark Syrup, Lime, Lemon, Pineapple

    Louis 649, Sendak by Eryn Reece: Peat Monster, Applejack, Carpano, Demerara, Lemon

    Raines Law Room, Highland Crossing by Meaghan Dorman & Katie Emerson: Oak Cross, Amaro Nonino, St. Germain, Lemon

    Rye House, Muriel's Spark by Lynnette Marrero: Spice Tree, Drambuie, Yellow Chartreuse, Dolin Dry, Flamed Orange Zest

  • A Virtual Cocktail Party — The Sparkling Ginger Daisy

    As I've mentioned before, I really do love Twitter.  Simply by using it, I have managed to meet so many new people this year, many in the world of (not shockingly) food and cocktails.  Although I have met many in person, there are some I've only interacted with virtually, at least so far.  One such person is Kara Newman, author of Spice & Ice: 60 Tongue Tingling Cocktails.  Kara is hosting a virtual cocktail party, and I'm taking part by making her Sparkling Ginger Daisy.  I made this zippy cocktail to start off a Friday night with two close friends, who both loved the mix of ginger and bubbles sparkling together.  It made an ordinary Friday night seem downright festive!  Thanks, Kara, and cheers!

    Sparklinggingerdaisy

    Sparkling Ginger Daisy
    Yield: 1 drink

    A daisy is a classic juice-based cocktail sweetened with grenadine or a red liqueur, and often topped with sparkling wine. Here, the bright spice of ginger plays against a backdrop of bubbles for a festive holiday sparkler. And if you feel like gilding the lily, try one or both of the optional special touches below.

    1 ounce Plymouth Gin

    1 ounce Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur

    2 Tablespoons
    Lemon juice

    1 teaspoon grenadine

    Brut champagne

    Combine gin, ginger liqueur, lemon juice and grenadine in an ice-filled mixing glass. Stir until well chilled, and strain into a Champagne flute. Top with champagne.

    Optional touch #1: If desired, rim the flute with sparkling sugar before pouring in the drink.
    Optional touch #2: Garnish with a cherry at the bottom of the flute.

  • Booze You Can Use

    is the title of my most recent post on Serious Eats NY.  Plus, for extra cocktail credit, a Q&A with PDT's Jim Meehan.  Enjoy!  Tune in this weekend when I FINALLY try to catch up and write about some of the amazing events I've attended recently.

  • Press Clippings

    Exhibit A: A listing of our upcoming Women/Whisky Tweetup in the New York Times dining calendar section.

    Exhibit B: A picture of me stuffing my face at the Time Out New York's Dining Libation Society Rye House Mardi Gras party on p. 20 of this week's mag.

    Nice to know that all that eating/drinking is getting me somewhere . . .

  • Women & Whisky

    What's not to like?  In honor of International Women's Day, my latest tweetup focuses on Women & Whisky.  Joined again by LUPEC NYC (Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails), Compass Box, and Astor Center, we've put together quite an event.

    Invite 
    $5 of each ticket will be donated to Dress for Success, which promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools.  Also, we've got 10 LUPEC ladies from the likes of Rye House, Pegu Club, Momofuku, Raines Law Room, Hearth, Bar Celona, Freeman's, Drinks at 6, and Hush Cocktails behind the stick, creating winter warmer cocktails with Compass Box whiskys.

    Hope to see you at Astor Center next Monday 3/8 on International Women's Day — men and women are welcome — and be sure to buy your ticket in advance!

    http://www.astorcenternyc.com/class-winter-warmer-cocktail-tweetup.ac

    Twitter users, RSVP here too.  Our hashtag for the event is #WomenWhisky:
    http://www.twtvite.com/pf8vdt

    See you on Monday, and spread the word!

  • Weekend Highlights

    – A quiet night in on Friday night.

    – A solid workout on Saturday morning.

    – Catching up with Lauren over a drink Saturday afternoon.

    – A lovely and delicious dinner at Sara and Arlan's on Saturday night.

    – An amazing day and evening at The Liquid Lab on Sunday (much more on that to come)!

  • Spring?


    Spring?

    I love the first daffodils of the season, although given all the snow on the ground this morning, I'm not so sure that Spring is any closer . . .