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Post by pippsheadache on Dec 30, 2022 17:35:55 GMT -5
I believe I knew Allman pre-Cher. He never lacked women, but unfortunately he was pretty wasted much of the time. The Oar House opened at 7am, and ran a happy hour until 10am and you'd often see him drinking his morning Ouzo on the rocks. I believe he quit drinking years later. Back in the day, I drank a lot of Crown Royal and Chivas, but I didn't start drinking bourbon until years later. Now bourbon is my go to drink. I also keep a bottle of Tito's around for a change of pace. Went to a party at my neighbors last night and had a couple or four Maker's Mark old fashioneds. One of my neighbors is from South Korea and she had never had one. I taught her how and now she makes a killer one. I've drank a few Rusty Nails in my earlier life. They would put the hammer down very quickly, so much so I called them "liquid Quaaludes". They are great, but the hangover is not worth it. Today the only scotch I like is single malt. I'm a pet sitter by trade now and one of my clients told me to help myself to her liquor cabinet. Much to my surprise, she had a bottle of 15 year old Dalwhinnie. It was so smoky, I felt like I was drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. I didn't have the heart to drink a lot of it, but nevertheless she never again told me to help myself. I like Port too. My wife is Portuguese, so next time we go there I'll definitely check out some of the older varieties. Redbone is exactly who you see on stage. He quietly sat at a table by himself and sipped his drink. He did get up and played a couple songs with Waits, which was cool to watch. I began bartending at 18 and did it until I was 34. It was one of the few jobs I liked and was great at it. One of the few other things I was great at was pinball, so you see where my life's priorities have been. I did return to the profession for a year or so in my forties, but I found my heart was not in it. Ended up a barista for a few years, but it wasn't as much fun. I preferred bartending because it's like being on stage and a great job to meet women. Wow, Happy Hour at the crack of dawn. That was definitely a swinging place. What you have described so eloquently above sounds like a testament to a life well-lived. An Old Fashioned is always in style. You strike me as someone who leans toward the classics. My Grandfather, who was a connoisseur of fine cocktails, had a book written in 1948 called "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks." It was written by a lawyer named David Embury and although some of the ideas have not aged well, it is still packed with mellow wisdom that holds true today. Don't know if you know that one, but Granddad thoughtfully bequeathed the book to me and I still refer to it regularly. Anyway, the book has a section called Six Classic Cocktails. Embury said they were drinks every serious mixologist needs to know and have the ingredients around at all times. The Martini, then as now, holds down the top post. He also lists the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri (the real one, not the slushy thing college students drink at Senor Frog's), the Sidecar and the Jack Rose. The first three are no-brainers, and I can easily support the Daiquiri and the Sidecar, although I don't think the Sidecar rates quite so highly today. The Jack Rose is the one I dispute. Even though Hemingway loved them, I don't think they have carried over into the present. I would elevate the Sazerac into the elite group, although in Embury's day it had fallen out of favor largely because Absinthe was not available. I love that you overstayed your welcome with the bottle of Dalwhinnie. Still, you had the experience, and that's the most important thing. This conversation has me thinking about making one more late-in-life assault on Scotch. Although since that strong peat taste is not congenial for me, I need to try some of the less smoky varieties -- I know the Speyside single-malts lean that way. I've had a modest Glenmorangie Original that I was able to handle. Glad to find a fellow Port lover. And how cool that your wife is Portuguese. In fact I assumed your name was of Portuguese ancestry. John Philip Sousa was ethnic Portuguese, as I am sure you know. We have spent time in the beautiful Douro Valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown -- one of the prettiest parts of the country -- and then to come down the river to Porto, where the big Port distributors are -- such a colorful tradition. Port and Stilton cheese is probably the most natural wine/food combination I've ever had. That or Chablis and oysters. Perfect. We love Portugal because it's just enough off the main tourist path to still retain a little of the feel of the Europe of the 1960s. Other than the Algarve, which is nice but full of British tourists doing golf packages. Lisbon is pretty funky for a European capital -- we love Sintra and Cascais if you know those, and also Coimbra. Are you a fancier of Ginja? Thanks again for the great reflections on a life behind the bar. I think you have a book in you. |
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 30, 2022 19:48:59 GMT -5
I believe I knew Allman pre-Cher. He never lacked women, but unfortunately he was pretty wasted much of the time. The Oar House opened at 7am, and ran a happy hour until 10am and you'd often see him drinking his morning Ouzo on the rocks. I believe he quit drinking years later. Back in the day, I drank a lot of Crown Royal and Chivas, but I didn't start drinking bourbon until years later. Now bourbon is my go to drink. I also keep a bottle of Tito's around for a change of pace. Went to a party at my neighbors last night and had a couple or four Maker's Mark old fashioneds. One of my neighbors is from South Korea and she had never had one. I taught her how and now she makes a killer one. I've drank a few Rusty Nails in my earlier life. They would put the hammer down very quickly, so much so I called them "liquid Quaaludes". They are great, but the hangover is not worth it. Today the only scotch I like is single malt. I'm a pet sitter by trade now and one of my clients told me to help myself to her liquor cabinet. Much to my surprise, she had a bottle of 15 year old Dalwhinnie. It was so smoky, I felt like I was drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. I didn't have the heart to drink a lot of it, but nevertheless she never again told me to help myself. I like Port too. My wife is Portuguese, so next time we go there I'll definitely check out some of the older varieties. Redbone is exactly who you see on stage. He quietly sat at a table by himself and sipped his drink. He did get up and played a couple songs with Waits, which was cool to watch. I began bartending at 18 and did it until I was 34. It was one of the few jobs I liked and was great at it. One of the few other things I was great at was pinball, so you see where my life's priorities have been. I did return to the profession for a year or so in my forties, but I found my heart was not in it. Ended up a barista for a few years, but it wasn't as much fun. I preferred bartending because it's like being on stage and a great job to meet women. Wow, Happy Hour at the crack of dawn. That was definitely a swinging place. What you have described so eloquently above sounds like a testament to a life well-lived. An Old Fashioned is always in style. You strike me as someone who leans toward the classics. My Grandfather, who was a connoisseur of fine cocktails, had a book written in 1948 called "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks." It was written by a lawyer named David Embury and although some of the ideas have not aged well, it is still packed with mellow wisdom that holds true today. Don't know if you know that one, but Granddad thoughtfully bequeathed the book to me and I still refer to it regularly. Anyway, the book has a section called Six Classic Cocktails. Embury said they were drinks every serious mixologist needs to know and have the ingredients around at all times. The Martini, then as now, holds down the top post. He also lists the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri (the real one, not the slushy thing college students drink at Senor Frog's), the Sidecar and the Jack Rose. The first three are no-brainers, and I can easily support the Daiquiri and the Sidecar, although I don't think the Sidecar rates quite so highly today. The Jack Rose is the one I dispute. Even though Hemingway loved them, I don't think they have carried over into the present. I would elevate the Sazerac into the elite group, although in Embury's day it had fallen out of favor largely because Absinthe was not available. I love that you overstayed your welcome with the bottle of Dalwhinnie. Still, you had the experience, and that's the most important thing. This conversation has me thinking about making one more late-in-life assault on Scotch. Although since that strong peat taste is not congenial for me, I need to try some of the less smoky varieties -- I know the Speyside single-malts lean that way. I've had a modest Glenmorangie Original that I was able to handle. Glad to find a fellow Port lover. And how cool that your wife is Portuguese. In fact I assumed your name was of Portuguese ancestry. John Philip Sousa was ethnic Portuguese, as I am sure you know. We have spent time in the beautiful Douro Valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown -- one of the prettiest parts of the country -- and then to come down the river to Porto, where the big Port distributors are -- such a colorful tradition. Port and Stilton cheese is probably the most natural wine/food combination I've ever had. That or Chablis and oysters. Perfect. We love Portugal because it's just enough off the main tourist path to still retain a little of the feel of the Europe of the 1960s. Other than the Algarve, which is nice but full of British tourists doing golf packages. Lisbon is pretty funky for a European capital -- we love Sintra and Cascais if you know those, and also Coimbra. Are you a fancier of Ginja? Thanks again for the great reflections on a life behind the bar. I think you have a book in you. Have you ever read Kingsley Amis' "On Drink" or "Everyday Drinking"? I just looked up "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks" and there are still copies available on Amazon.com but range in price from 38 bucks to 800 quid! No better on eBAY. I am an admirer of Port. The few times I have had occasion to imbibe were delightful. My problem with wine - which I used to enjoy immensely - is even a single glass provides me with a headache for a day or two. Alas, how age plays tricks on one's chemistry and constitution. I miss the enjoyment of casual drinking, which for me was always social. For some reason, I never drink alone - not even a beer or an aperitif. I am sure you recall me making multiple references to my dearly departed friend and true Yankee fan Joe Simas. Simas was born in the central San Joaquin Valley in Hanford, California, where there is a large Portuguese contingent. His family came to the United States from the Azores, as did many who reside in that area of CA. I found it amusing that they refer to themselves as Port-a-gees, which does not appear to take on any sort of negative connotation. Most all of those families are hard-working, education-oriented, proud, tenacious, and very handsome. I used to tease Joe about the wonderful legacy that is Portuguese cuisine - of course, tongue in cheek. Joe was such a great conversationalist on any topic with a fantastic sense of humor and an encyclopedic memory for baseball and individual baseball games (much like you Pipps). For some reason, most people never saw that side of him. Most had such a reverence for Joe, they often treated him like an icon. I was one of the only people who teased Joe - who could give as good as he got. He loved banter and friendly jibes and had a great smile. I think that is why Joe and I had such a great friendship - the love was unconditional, and though I admired him greatly, Joe appreciated that I was not shy about taking an opposing view or just treating him like one of the boys. We traveled and vacationed together many, many times. So many dinners, ball games, and road trips. When Christopher Hitchens (Inger has me thinking of him) turned 60 years old, someone asked him how he felt. He replied that 60 felt not appreciably different than 59; however, he stated something that has always stayed with me. Hitchens said he did realize that he was at an age where he could no longer make old friends. So, the next time you enjoy a beverage of any sort, please raise a glass to one of the greatest Yankee fans to ever open a box of Crackerjacks: Joseph Morris Simas (His father gave him his middle name after the cigarettes. That fact still makes me laugh to this day  ) |
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Post by pippsheadache on Dec 30, 2022 20:49:36 GMT -5
Wow, Happy Hour at the crack of dawn. That was definitely a swinging place. What you have described so eloquently above sounds like a testament to a life well-lived. An Old Fashioned is always in style. You strike me as someone who leans toward the classics. My Grandfather, who was a connoisseur of fine cocktails, had a book written in 1948 called "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks." It was written by a lawyer named David Embury and although some of the ideas have not aged well, it is still packed with mellow wisdom that holds true today. Don't know if you know that one, but Granddad thoughtfully bequeathed the book to me and I still refer to it regularly. Anyway, the book has a section called Six Classic Cocktails. Embury said they were drinks every serious mixologist needs to know and have the ingredients around at all times. The Martini, then as now, holds down the top post. He also lists the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri (the real one, not the slushy thing college students drink at Senor Frog's), the Sidecar and the Jack Rose. The first three are no-brainers, and I can easily support the Daiquiri and the Sidecar, although I don't think the Sidecar rates quite so highly today. The Jack Rose is the one I dispute. Even though Hemingway loved them, I don't think they have carried over into the present. I would elevate the Sazerac into the elite group, although in Embury's day it had fallen out of favor largely because Absinthe was not available. I love that you overstayed your welcome with the bottle of Dalwhinnie. Still, you had the experience, and that's the most important thing. This conversation has me thinking about making one more late-in-life assault on Scotch. Although since that strong peat taste is not congenial for me, I need to try some of the less smoky varieties -- I know the Speyside single-malts lean that way. I've had a modest Glenmorangie Original that I was able to handle. Glad to find a fellow Port lover. And how cool that your wife is Portuguese. In fact I assumed your name was of Portuguese ancestry. John Philip Sousa was ethnic Portuguese, as I am sure you know. We have spent time in the beautiful Douro Valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown -- one of the prettiest parts of the country -- and then to come down the river to Porto, where the big Port distributors are -- such a colorful tradition. Port and Stilton cheese is probably the most natural wine/food combination I've ever had. That or Chablis and oysters. Perfect. We love Portugal because it's just enough off the main tourist path to still retain a little of the feel of the Europe of the 1960s. Other than the Algarve, which is nice but full of British tourists doing golf packages. Lisbon is pretty funky for a European capital -- we love Sintra and Cascais if you know those, and also Coimbra. Are you a fancier of Ginja? Thanks again for the great reflections on a life behind the bar. I think you have a book in you. Have you ever read Kingsley Amis' "On Drink" or "Everyday Drinking"? I just looked up "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks" and there are still copies available on Amazon.com but range in price from 38 bucks to 800 quid! No better on eBAY. I am an admirer of Port. The few times I have had occasion to imbibe were delightful. My problem with wine - which I used to enjoy immensely - is even a single glass provides me with a headache for a day or two. Alas, how age plays tricks on one's chemistry and constitution. I miss the enjoyment of casual drinking, which for me was always social. For some reason, I never drink alone - not even a beer or an aperitif. I am sure you recall me making multiple references to my dearly departed friend and true Yankee fan Joe Simas. Simas was born in the central San Joaquin Valley in Hanford, California, where there is a large Portuguese contingent. His family came to the United States from the Azores, as did many who reside in that area of CA. I found it amusing that they refer to themselves as Port-a-gees, which does not appear to take on any sort of negative connotation. Most all of those families are hard-working, education-oriented, proud, tenacious, and very handsome. I used to tease Joe about the wonderful legacy that is Portuguese cuisine - of course, tongue in cheek. Joe was such a great conversationalist on any topic with a fantastic sense of humor and an encyclopedic memory for baseball and individual baseball games (much like you Pipps). For some reason, most people never saw that side of him. Most had such a reverence for Joe, they often treated him like an icon. I was one of the only people who teased Joe - who could give as good as he got. He loved banter and friendly jibes and had a great smile. I think that is why Joe and I had such a great friendship - the love was unconditional, and though I admired him greatly, Joe appreciated that I was not shy about taking an opposing view or just treating him like one of the boys. We traveled and vacationed together many, many times. So many dinners, ball games, and road trips. When Christopher Hitchens (Inger has me thinking of him) turned 60 years old, someone asked him how he felt. He replied that 60 felt not appreciably different than 59; however, he stated something that has always stayed with me. Hitchens said he did realize that he was at an age where he could no longer make old friends. So, the next time you enjoy a beverage of any sort, please raise a glass to one of the greatest Yankee fans to ever open a box of Crackerjacks: Joseph Morris Simas (His father gave him his middle name after the cigarettes. That fact still makes me laugh to this day ) Both of those Kingsley Amis books sit on the shelf right next to Embury's book and the classic Jerry Thomas "Bar-Tender's Guide" and my Grandfather's Old Mr. Boston guide. After "Lucky Jim" I knew I needed something else from Amis, who was an occasional guest on William F. Buckley's "Firing Line" and who in later life fought a losing battle against alcoholism. I prefer his style to that of his son. I'm sorry the years have given you such a reaction to drink. Metabolism is weird. Maybe it's time to give Port another whirl. Have some Stilton and grapes along with it, and perhaps that will ease the transition. My tolerance for alcohol has been pretty steady throughout the years. I have rarely if ever drank to excess, even in college, but neither do I undershoot my bibulous targets. Other than periodic travel disruptions, the only days I abstain from alcohol are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Never had a hangover in my life. I hear you on Portuguese cuisine. I didn't want to offend Mr. Desousa, whose good standing I am determined to always be in, but I believe Portuguese food is my least favorite of any European food. After our first visit of several weeks in Portugal -- a country we both love for everything other than what they eat --my wife and I crossed the border into Santiago de Compostela in Spain and ate like ravenous beasts. Bacalao just doesn't work for me. Funny where those Azoreans settle. There were also a lot of them around Boston (also Cape Verdians around New Bedford.) Enough so that Boston is the only city in the US with direct flights to Ponta Delgada, Azores. You have made both Joe and Sarah very vivid for us. I thank you for the privilege. As for raising a glass to Joseph Morris Simas -- tomorrow is New Year's Eve and we will be out to dinner with several other couples and we will all raise a glass to him. Easiest thing I will do all day. |
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 30, 2022 21:57:23 GMT -5
Have you ever read Kingsley Amis' "On Drink" or "Everyday Drinking"? I just looked up "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks" and there are still copies available on Amazon.com but range in price from 38 bucks to 800 quid! No better on eBAY. I am an admirer of Port. The few times I have had occasion to imbibe were delightful. My problem with wine - which I used to enjoy immensely - is even a single glass provides me with a headache for a day or two. Alas, how age plays tricks on one's chemistry and constitution. I miss the enjoyment of casual drinking, which for me was always social. For some reason, I never drink alone - not even a beer or an aperitif. I am sure you recall me making multiple references to my dearly departed friend and true Yankee fan Joe Simas. Simas was born in the central San Joaquin Valley in Hanford, California, where there is a large Portuguese contingent. His family came to the United States from the Azores, as did many who reside in that area of CA. I found it amusing that they refer to themselves as Port-a-gees, which does not appear to take on any sort of negative connotation. Most all of those families are hard-working, education-oriented, proud, tenacious, and very handsome. I used to tease Joe about the wonderful legacy that is Portuguese cuisine - of course, tongue in cheek. Joe was such a great conversationalist on any topic with a fantastic sense of humor and an encyclopedic memory for baseball and individual baseball games (much like you Pipps). For some reason, most people never saw that side of him. Most had such a reverence for Joe, they often treated him like an icon. I was one of the only people who teased Joe - who could give as good as he got. He loved banter and friendly jibes and had a great smile. I think that is why Joe and I had such a great friendship - the love was unconditional, and though I admired him greatly, Joe appreciated that I was not shy about taking an opposing view or just treating him like one of the boys. We traveled and vacationed together many, many times. So many dinners, ball games, and road trips. When Christopher Hitchens (Inger has me thinking of him) turned 60 years old, someone asked him how he felt. He replied that 60 felt not appreciably different than 59; however, he stated something that has always stayed with me. Hitchens said he did realize that he was at an age where he could no longer make old friends. So, the next time you enjoy a beverage of any sort, please raise a glass to one of the greatest Yankee fans to ever open a box of Crackerjacks: Joseph Morris Simas (His father gave him his middle name after the cigarettes. That fact still makes me laugh to this day ) Both of those Kingsley Amis books sit on the shelf right next to Embury's book and the classic Jerry Thomas "Bar-Tender's Guide" and my Grandfather's Old Mr. Boston guide. After "Lucky Jim" I knew I needed something else from Amis, who was an occasional guest on William F. Buckley's "Firing Line" and who in later life fought a losing battle against alcoholism. I prefer his style to that of his son. I'm sorry the years have given you such a reaction to drink. Metabolism is weird. Maybe it's time to give Port another whirl. Have some Stilton and grapes along with it, and perhaps that will ease the transition. My tolerance for alcohol has been pretty steady throughout the years. I have rarely if ever drank to excess, even in college, but neither do I undershoot my bibulous targets. Other than periodic travel disruptions, the only days I abstain from alcohol are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Never had a hangover in my life. I hear you on Portuguese cuisine. I didn't want to offend Mr. Desousa, whose good standing I am determined to always be in, but I believe Portuguese food is my least favorite of any European food. After our first visit of several weeks in Portugal -- a country we both love for everything other than what they eat --my wife and I crossed the border into Santiago de Compostela in Spain and ate like ravenous beasts. Bacalao just doesn't work for me. Funny where those Azoreans settle. There were also a lot of them around Boston (also Cape Verdians around New Bedford.) Enough so that Boston is the only city in the US with direct flights to Ponta Delgada, Azores. You have made both Joe and Sarah very vivid for us. I thank you for the privilege. As for raising a glass to Joseph Morris Simas -- tomorrow is New Year's Eve and we will be out to dinner with several other couples and we will all raise a glass to him. Easiest thing I will do all day. Hah! Of course, I should have known better. I agree about Martin Amis' writing. Somehow, his father still eclipses him among literati. At times, I wonder if authors of Kingsley's education, status, and era were too heavily schooled in Dickens? Pipps, you are a true stoic, one of the Silvermen in the spirit of Marcus Aurelius: drinking enough to provide pleasure without any corresponding pain.  Unfortunately, where I grew up, tying one on was a rite of passage and for most a weekend ritual. Brits are very similar in my understanding. It has probably been 30 years since my last hangover. My nights of indiscretion were nearly exclusively in high school and college. As I moved away from Lousiana to California, my drinking habits changed with the cultural shift and being in such close proximity to Sonoma, Napa, and the vineyards of the Central Coast, made famous inside and outside of enology circles by the wonderful movie "Sideways." I used to love annually buying Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Guide, poring over its pages for great bottles at a reasonable price. My late great friend Douglas Holt once opened a 1967 Chateau Lafite Rothschild at a dinner in New Orleans at Commanders' Palace. That is not a bottle most mortals find in a glass very often. He graciously allowed their sommelier a taste. After winery hopping with Sarah around 1994, I remember sending Dougie a couple bottles of a Ravenswood Cabernet Sauvignon that I was smitten with. Dougie thereafter referred to the stuff as one of his favorite "Knock-Me Down Reds." Dougie was also a wonderfully fun cocktail guy, before diabetes put his imbibing at bay. I recall him ordering Ramos Gin Fizzes, Sazeracs, and many times coaching bartenders in making some obscure glasses they had not encountered previously. He always held decanters of sherry and brandy at his place. On road trips, he and I would sometimes christen our travel with a stop at a favorite wine-shop of his for a bottle of champagne that we would polish off in his car, which usually held some fluted glasses, just in case. Alas, I still have a heart for drink, if no longer a head for it. |
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 30, 2022 23:21:48 GMT -5
As a boy, I remember watching the Glen Campbell Good Time hour, and his music was ubiquitous on the radio (73 Top 40 hits). Here is an interview from years ago with Chris Isaac (another singer-songwriter who I have a couple albums of). You can tell that Glen's memory and verbal recall was already being affected, as Alzheimer's disease would ultimately take him, as it did my father. Cambell was the rare star who was also a long-time session musician. Not many could play at the level of Glen Campbell then or now.
Here he talks about growing up in Delight, Arkansas, his start in music, television, his time with The Beach Boys, Sinatra, Elvis, his part in True Grit with John Wayne, his battle with alcohol and cocaine. It's amazing that his voice still held up at his age in the video.
Get a load of Campbell's riff in the middle of this song. When Roy Clark is watching you, you have to be a great musician.
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 31, 2022 0:00:22 GMT -5
Glen Campbell's daughter Ashley with a song for her father. Absolutely loving and heartbreaking.
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 31, 2022 1:43:12 GMT -5
Pipps, do you remember a commercial for Miss Clairol at the beach with a song about a surfer girl? Just found out that was Glen Campbell and Leon Russell doing commercial work in those days.
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Post by inger on Dec 31, 2022 8:10:51 GMT -5
I guess it was about 1968 when one of our teachers asked a question and went around the class for the answer. The question what our musical preference was. The class was dived between country and rock for the most part. We might have had one or two say heavy metal. When my turn came I got an unintentional laugh when I said that I liked the country-rock sound. I mean, an uproarious laugh. Within a few months hearing someone describe certain music as country-rock wasn’t uncommon, but my foresight in the transition had create a “nerd” moment for me. Damn!
But there it was: Glenn Cambell at the forefront, but CCR definitely had a twang to it. Where did they thing the Eagles inspiration was coming from?
I liked Glen Cambell’s stuff back then. Much of it still plays well today…
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Post by desousa on Dec 31, 2022 11:36:47 GMT -5
I believe I knew Allman pre-Cher. He never lacked women, but unfortunately he was pretty wasted much of the time. The Oar House opened at 7am, and ran a happy hour until 10am and you'd often see him drinking his morning Ouzo on the rocks. I believe he quit drinking years later. Back in the day, I drank a lot of Crown Royal and Chivas, but I didn't start drinking bourbon until years later. Now bourbon is my go to drink. I also keep a bottle of Tito's around for a change of pace. Went to a party at my neighbors last night and had a couple or four Maker's Mark old fashioneds. One of my neighbors is from South Korea and she had never had one. I taught her how and now she makes a killer one. I've drank a few Rusty Nails in my earlier life. They would put the hammer down very quickly, so much so I called them "liquid Quaaludes". They are great, but the hangover is not worth it. Today the only scotch I like is single malt. I'm a pet sitter by trade now and one of my clients told me to help myself to her liquor cabinet. Much to my surprise, she had a bottle of 15 year old Dalwhinnie. It was so smoky, I felt like I was drinking scotch and smoking a cigar at the same time. I didn't have the heart to drink a lot of it, but nevertheless she never again told me to help myself. I like Port too. My wife is Portuguese, so next time we go there I'll definitely check out some of the older varieties. Redbone is exactly who you see on stage. He quietly sat at a table by himself and sipped his drink. He did get up and played a couple songs with Waits, which was cool to watch. I began bartending at 18 and did it until I was 34. It was one of the few jobs I liked and was great at it. One of the few other things I was great at was pinball, so you see where my life's priorities have been. I did return to the profession for a year or so in my forties, but I found my heart was not in it. Ended up a barista for a few years, but it wasn't as much fun. I preferred bartending because it's like being on stage and a great job to meet women. Wow, Happy Hour at the crack of dawn. That was definitely a swinging place. What you have described so eloquently above sounds like a testament to a life well-lived. An Old Fashioned is always in style. You strike me as someone who leans toward the classics. My Grandfather, who was a connoisseur of fine cocktails, had a book written in 1948 called "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks." It was written by a lawyer named David Embury and although some of the ideas have not aged well, it is still packed with mellow wisdom that holds true today. Don't know if you know that one, but Granddad thoughtfully bequeathed the book to me and I still refer to it regularly. Anyway, the book has a section called Six Classic Cocktails. Embury said they were drinks every serious mixologist needs to know and have the ingredients around at all times. The Martini, then as now, holds down the top post. He also lists the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri (the real one, not the slushy thing college students drink at Senor Frog's), the Sidecar and the Jack Rose. The first three are no-brainers, and I can easily support the Daiquiri and the Sidecar, although I don't think the Sidecar rates quite so highly today. The Jack Rose is the one I dispute. Even though Hemingway loved them, I don't think they have carried over into the present. I would elevate the Sazerac into the elite group, although in Embury's day it had fallen out of favor largely because Absinthe was not available. I love that you overstayed your welcome with the bottle of Dalwhinnie. Still, you had the experience, and that's the most important thing. This conversation has me thinking about making one more late-in-life assault on Scotch. Although since that strong peat taste is not congenial for me, I need to try some of the less smoky varieties -- I know the Speyside single-malts lean that way. I've had a modest Glenmorangie Original that I was able to handle. Glad to find a fellow Port lover. And how cool that your wife is Portuguese. In fact I assumed your name was of Portuguese ancestry. John Philip Sousa was ethnic Portuguese, as I am sure you know. We have spent time in the beautiful Douro Valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown -- one of the prettiest parts of the country -- and then to come down the river to Porto, where the big Port distributors are -- such a colorful tradition. Port and Stilton cheese is probably the most natural wine/food combination I've ever had. That or Chablis and oysters. Perfect. We love Portugal because it's just enough off the main tourist path to still retain a little of the feel of the Europe of the 1960s. Other than the Algarve, which is nice but full of British tourists doing golf packages. Lisbon is pretty funky for a European capital -- we love Sintra and Cascais if you know those, and also Coimbra. Are you a fancier of Ginja? Thanks again for the great reflections on a life behind the bar. I think you have a book in you. Funny you mentioned a Sidecar. I was just telling my wife how to make one the other day. I've only had one customer who only drank them and she loved the way I made them. That was back in the 70's. so I bet very few people drink them today. In all my years of bartending, I don't think I ever made a Jack Rose. In fact, the bottle of Apple Jack never moved off the shelf in any of the bars I worked. Martinis were my go to drink in the 80's. Bombay Sapphire if I could find it, otherwise it was Tanqueray. The perfect cocktail. DeSousa is actually my wife's last name. I accidently used it on Pinstripes Plus site because I mistakenly thought I was making up a password. I even stuck with it after moving to this site. She's a first generation American after her parents moved to Newark, NJ from Murtosa. Murtosa is a sleepy little fishing village south of Porto. We visited there a few years ago and I liked it. Newark had a big Portuguese population back in the day and their section of town was called the Ironbound. It's changed over the years and now has a big population of Brazilians. Gloria and I have been back to Newark and couple of times and loved to explore the various places that still exist from her childhood. The grocery store that smells like cod and you can still pick out a live chicken to have butchered in the back. Krug's Tavern that serves one of the best burgers you'll ever have. The liquor store that if you spoke Portuguese (she does) you get a discount. I loved the Portuguese brandy that I could only find in the Ironbound and will usually buy a case when I'm there. It was like $12 a bottle. I did find it again at Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. Couldn't believe it. I can't argue with you about the food. I think I had one really good meal the ten days I was there. But, the food and especially the wine was inexpensive. We've talked about getting a place there because she got her Portuguese citizenship. We hope to go back later next year to check out places to live. I found the people to be friendly and even discovered a bar I could hang out in on the last day we were there. It's owned by a guy who lived in Newark for 20 years before heading back and opening the bar. Any where I go, I'll always find a saloon I like. We did visit Coimbra and thought it was amazing. The university there is 700 years old and worth checking out. I even have a University of Coimbra t-shirt. |
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Post by inger on Dec 31, 2022 12:06:18 GMT -5
Wow, Happy Hour at the crack of dawn. That was definitely a swinging place. What you have described so eloquently above sounds like a testament to a life well-lived. An Old Fashioned is always in style. You strike me as someone who leans toward the classics. My Grandfather, who was a connoisseur of fine cocktails, had a book written in 1948 called "The Fine Art Of Mixing Drinks." It was written by a lawyer named David Embury and although some of the ideas have not aged well, it is still packed with mellow wisdom that holds true today. Don't know if you know that one, but Granddad thoughtfully bequeathed the book to me and I still refer to it regularly. Anyway, the book has a section called Six Classic Cocktails. Embury said they were drinks every serious mixologist needs to know and have the ingredients around at all times. The Martini, then as now, holds down the top post. He also lists the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, the Daiquiri (the real one, not the slushy thing college students drink at Senor Frog's), the Sidecar and the Jack Rose. The first three are no-brainers, and I can easily support the Daiquiri and the Sidecar, although I don't think the Sidecar rates quite so highly today. The Jack Rose is the one I dispute. Even though Hemingway loved them, I don't think they have carried over into the present. I would elevate the Sazerac into the elite group, although in Embury's day it had fallen out of favor largely because Absinthe was not available. I love that you overstayed your welcome with the bottle of Dalwhinnie. Still, you had the experience, and that's the most important thing. This conversation has me thinking about making one more late-in-life assault on Scotch. Although since that strong peat taste is not congenial for me, I need to try some of the less smoky varieties -- I know the Speyside single-malts lean that way. I've had a modest Glenmorangie Original that I was able to handle. Glad to find a fellow Port lover. And how cool that your wife is Portuguese. In fact I assumed your name was of Portuguese ancestry. John Philip Sousa was ethnic Portuguese, as I am sure you know. We have spent time in the beautiful Douro Valley, where the Port wine grapes are grown -- one of the prettiest parts of the country -- and then to come down the river to Porto, where the big Port distributors are -- such a colorful tradition. Port and Stilton cheese is probably the most natural wine/food combination I've ever had. That or Chablis and oysters. Perfect. We love Portugal because it's just enough off the main tourist path to still retain a little of the feel of the Europe of the 1960s. Other than the Algarve, which is nice but full of British tourists doing golf packages. Lisbon is pretty funky for a European capital -- we love Sintra and Cascais if you know those, and also Coimbra. Are you a fancier of Ginja? Thanks again for the great reflections on a life behind the bar. I think you have a book in you. Funny you mentioned a Sidecar. I was just telling my wife how to make one the other day. I've only had one customer who only drank them and she loved the way I made them. That was back in the 70's. so I bet very few people drink them today. In all my years of bartending, I don't think I ever made a Jack Rose. In fact, the bottle of Apple Jack never moved off the shelf in any of the bars I worked. Martinis were my go to drink in the 80's. Bombay Sapphire if I could find it, otherwise it was Tanqueray. The perfect cocktail. DeSousa is actually my wife's last name. I accidently used it on Pinstripes Plus site because I mistakenly thought I was making up a password. I even stuck with it after moving to this site. She's a first generation American after her parents moved to Newark, NJ from Murtosa. Murtosa is a sleepy little fishing village south of Porto. We visited there a few years ago and I liked it. Newark had a big Portuguese population back in the day and their section of town was called the Ironbound. It's changed over the years and now has a big population of Brazilians. Gloria and I have been back to Newark and couple of times and loved to explore the various places that still exist from her childhood. The grocery store that smells like cod and you can still pick out a live chicken to have butchered in the back. Krug's Tavern that serves one of the best burgers you'll ever have. The liquor store that if you spoke Portuguese (she does) you get a discount. I loved the Portuguese brandy that I could only find in the Ironbound and will usually buy a case when I'm there. It was like $12 a bottle. I did find it again at Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. Couldn't believe it. I can't argue with you about the food. I think I had one really good meal the ten days I was there. But, the food and especially the wine was inexpensive. We've talked about getting a place there because she got her Portuguese citizenship. We hope to go back later next year to check out places to live. I found the people to be friendly and even discovered a bar I could hang out in on the last day we were there. It's owned by a guy who lived in Newark for 20 years before heading back and opening the bar. Any where I go, I'll always find a saloon I like. We did visit Coimbra and thought it was amazing. The university there is 700 years old and worth checking out. I even have a University of Coimbra t-shirt. We could use a Lusitanic poster. I recall a time when Pinstripes Plus had a fellow from Columbia, and I believe from a couple other very well spread out area. Of course we had a fellow who was a part timer in Singapore until recently... |
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Post by pippsheadache on Dec 31, 2022 13:28:01 GMT -5
Pipps, do you remember a commercial for Miss Clairol at the beach with a song about a surfer girl? Just found out that was Glen Campbell and Leon Russell doing commercial work in those days. I don't recall that specific ad. I do remember the Miss Clairol ad that went "Does she or doesn't she, only her hairdresser knows for sure." Also the one that said "If I only have one life to live, let me live it as a blonde." Well I spent about an hour working on the definitive Glen Campbell response and it all disappeared the moment I tried to post it. I'm way too pissed off to try again, and there was certainly no deathless prose involved, so let me just say that Glen Campbell is on my very short list of all-time favorites and I really enjoyed your clips. Never missed "The Goodtime Hour." |
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Post by pippsheadache on Dec 31, 2022 14:15:09 GMT -5
Funny you mentioned a Sidecar. I was just telling my wife how to make one the other day. I've only had one customer who only drank them and she loved the way I made them. That was back in the 70's. so I bet very few people drink them today. In all my years of bartending, I don't think I ever made a Jack Rose. In fact, the bottle of Apple Jack never moved off the shelf in any of the bars I worked. Martinis were my go to drink in the 80's. Bombay Sapphire if I could find it, otherwise it was Tanqueray. The perfect cocktail. DeSousa is actually my wife's last name. I accidently used it on Pinstripes Plus site because I mistakenly thought I was making up a password. I even stuck with it after moving to this site. She's a first generation American after her parents moved to Newark, NJ from Murtosa. Murtosa is a sleepy little fishing village south of Porto. We visited there a few years ago and I liked it. Newark had a big Portuguese population back in the day and their section of town was called the Ironbound. It's changed over the years and now has a big population of Brazilians. Gloria and I have been back to Newark and couple of times and loved to explore the various places that still exist from her childhood. The grocery store that smells like cod and you can still pick out a live chicken to have butchered in the back. Krug's Tavern that serves one of the best burgers you'll ever have. The liquor store that if you spoke Portuguese (she does) you get a discount. I loved the Portuguese brandy that I could only find in the Ironbound and will usually buy a case when I'm there. It was like $12 a bottle. I did find it again at Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. Couldn't believe it. I can't argue with you about the food. I think I had one really good meal the ten days I was there. But, the food and especially the wine was inexpensive. We've talked about getting a place there because she got her Portuguese citizenship. We hope to go back later next year to check out places to live. I found the people to be friendly and even discovered a bar I could hang out in on the last day we were there. It's owned by a guy who lived in Newark for 20 years before heading back and opening the bar. Any where I go, I'll always find a saloon I like. We did visit Coimbra and thought it was amazing. The university there is 700 years old and worth checking out. I even have a University of Coimbra t-shirt. I looked up Murtosa and it sounds idyllic. The only downside I see is that it is noted for its eel stew. Err, I'll stick with the Mateus, thank you. You would have been bartending right around the time Mateus and Lancers from Portugal were popular mass market wines. The era of Blue Nun and Giacobazzi Lambrusco and Cold Duck. I swear there was a level below Cold Duck called Cold Hawk, but nobody else seems to remember it. Lucky you to have a U of Coimbra T-shirt. The best I had was Dyke College, which was in Cleveland but about 25 years ago they stupidly changed the name to David N. Myers University. It must have killed the concession business. Same thing outside of Philly where Beaver College became Arcadia University. But back to Coimbra. The main thing I remember about the U was the library, one of the most spectacular in the world. Also the Roman ruins outside of town. But Porto is wonderful, very colorful and lively. Fatima is also a must-see even if you have only the vaguest attachment to Catholicism. You do have to go off-season to avoid mobs. Under quiet conditions it is quite moving. Under Disney conditions it's unbearable. I'd forgotten about the Newark-Portugal connection. Thanks for the background. And yeah, the Sidecar is a nice drink. Very 1920s. The Jack Rose deserves to die, it is sickeningly sweet. It proves that Hemingway would drink anything. I mean I rarely dispute the master, but he was wrong on this one. It's funny how the composition of drinks changes over time. The original Martini was half gin, half vermouth. Yuck. I sometimes will take one drop of vermouth in my gin for old time's sake, but that's as far as it goes. Churchill had it down when he said he poured gin into a cocktail glass and then tipped it in the direction of the vermouth across the room. Although vermouth on its own I enjoy as an aperitif. And how did they get away with making a Martini with vodka? I don't think they were doing that back in the 1970s, were they? If you are going to change the name of a Martini to a Gibson just by substituting a cocktail onion for an olive, then the vodka "Martini" should have to change its name. Do people still drink Grasshoppers and Brandy Alexanders? Dessert in my book. My parents used to have huge New Year's Eve parties back in the 50s and 60s and 70s. I loved the old school drinks people had -- "highballs" which usually meant Tom Collins or I guess 7&7s. Screwdrivers, Whiskey Sours. There was one couple who always wanted Stingers. Not sure those are still around, although hipsters periodically exhume some of these drinks. The Aviation Cocktail was a great act of resurrection, as was the Sazerac for that matter. |
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Post by rizzuto on Dec 31, 2022 21:11:16 GMT -5
Pipps, do you remember a commercial for Miss Clairol at the beach with a song about a surfer girl? Just found out that was Glen Campbell and Leon Russell doing commercial work in those days. I don't recall that specific ad. I do remember the Miss Clairol ad that went "Does she or doesn't she, only her hairdresser knows for sure." Also the one that said "If I only have one life to live, let me live it as a blonde." Well I spent about an hour working on the definitive Glen Campbell response and it all disappeared the moment I tried to post it. I'm way too pissed off to try again, and there was certainly no deathless prose involved, so let me just say that Glen Campbell is on my very short list of all-time favorites and I really enjoyed your clips. Never missed "The Goodtime Hour." Sorry that you lost the Glen Campbell post - I know how frustrating that is. Here is a really good interview of Glen Campbell on the old Bob Costas late night show. If you go to the 39:00 minute mark, you'll find the commercial. I had no idea that Campbell actually subbed for Brian Wilson at live concerts after Wilson had his mental and emotional struggles with agoraphobia or whatever the diagnosis was. Incidentally, Glen Campbell and Alice Cooper were very close friends and golf buddies. Cooper said that everyone in the music business considered Campbell to be one of the top five guitarists. Eddie Van Halen actually contacted Cooper, asking if he could ask Glen Campbell to give him a guitar lesson. Quite the testimony to Glen Campbell's skill. |
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Post by desousa on Jan 1, 2023 8:38:06 GMT -5
Funny you mentioned a Sidecar. I was just telling my wife how to make one the other day. I've only had one customer who only drank them and she loved the way I made them. That was back in the 70's. so I bet very few people drink them today. In all my years of bartending, I don't think I ever made a Jack Rose. In fact, the bottle of Apple Jack never moved off the shelf in any of the bars I worked. Martinis were my go to drink in the 80's. Bombay Sapphire if I could find it, otherwise it was Tanqueray. The perfect cocktail. DeSousa is actually my wife's last name. I accidently used it on Pinstripes Plus site because I mistakenly thought I was making up a password. I even stuck with it after moving to this site. She's a first generation American after her parents moved to Newark, NJ from Murtosa. Murtosa is a sleepy little fishing village south of Porto. We visited there a few years ago and I liked it. Newark had a big Portuguese population back in the day and their section of town was called the Ironbound. It's changed over the years and now has a big population of Brazilians. Gloria and I have been back to Newark and couple of times and loved to explore the various places that still exist from her childhood. The grocery store that smells like cod and you can still pick out a live chicken to have butchered in the back. Krug's Tavern that serves one of the best burgers you'll ever have. The liquor store that if you spoke Portuguese (she does) you get a discount. I loved the Portuguese brandy that I could only find in the Ironbound and will usually buy a case when I'm there. It was like $12 a bottle. I did find it again at Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa. Couldn't believe it. I can't argue with you about the food. I think I had one really good meal the ten days I was there. But, the food and especially the wine was inexpensive. We've talked about getting a place there because she got her Portuguese citizenship. We hope to go back later next year to check out places to live. I found the people to be friendly and even discovered a bar I could hang out in on the last day we were there. It's owned by a guy who lived in Newark for 20 years before heading back and opening the bar. Any where I go, I'll always find a saloon I like. We did visit Coimbra and thought it was amazing. The university there is 700 years old and worth checking out. I even have a University of Coimbra t-shirt. I looked up Murtosa and it sounds idyllic. The only downside I see is that it is noted for its eel stew. Err, I'll stick with the Mateus, thank you. You would have been bartending right around the time Mateus and Lancers from Portugal were popular mass market wines. The era of Blue Nun and Giacobazzi Lambrusco and Cold Duck. I swear there was a level below Cold Duck called Cold Hawk, but nobody else seems to remember it. Lucky you to have a U of Coimbra T-shirt. The best I had was Dyke College, which was in Cleveland but about 25 years ago they stupidly changed the name to David N. Myers University. It must have killed the concession business. Same thing outside of Philly where Beaver College became Arcadia University. But back to Coimbra. The main thing I remember about the U was the library, one of the most spectacular in the world. Also the Roman ruins outside of town. But Porto is wonderful, very colorful and lively. Fatima is also a must-see even if you have only the vaguest attachment to Catholicism. You do have to go off-season to avoid mobs. Under quiet conditions it is quite moving. Under Disney conditions it's unbearable. I'd forgotten about the Newark-Portugal connection. Thanks for the background. And yeah, the Sidecar is a nice drink. Very 1920s. The Jack Rose deserves to die, it is sickeningly sweet. It proves that Hemingway would drink anything. I mean I rarely dispute the master, but he was wrong on this one. It's funny how the composition of drinks changes over time. The original Martini was half gin, half vermouth. Yuck. I sometimes will take one drop of vermouth in my gin for old time's sake, but that's as far as it goes. Churchill had it down when he said he poured gin into a cocktail glass and then tipped it in the direction of the vermouth across the room. Although vermouth on its own I enjoy as an aperitif. And how did they get away with making a Martini with vodka? I don't think they were doing that back in the 1970s, were they? If you are going to change the name of a Martini to a Gibson just by substituting a cocktail onion for an olive, then the vodka "Martini" should have to change its name. Do people still drink Grasshoppers and Brandy Alexanders? Dessert in my book. My parents used to have huge New Year's Eve parties back in the 50s and 60s and 70s. I loved the old school drinks people had -- "highballs" which usually meant Tom Collins or I guess 7&7s. Screwdrivers, Whiskey Sours. There was one couple who always wanted Stingers. Not sure those are still around, although hipsters periodically exhume some of these drinks. The Aviation Cocktail was a great act of resurrection, as was the Sazerac for that matter. Eels and Murtosa go hand in hand. Murtosa actually has a eel museum. Gloria told me when she was a child, her father always made eel for Christmas. Their kitchen sink would be full of live eels before they were prepared. Not your usual Christmas morning picture. When I order a martini, I always tell the bartender I want it so dry that tomorrow I'll be farting dust. Wave the Vermouth bottle over the shaker and then put it back in the rack. |
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Post by inger on Jan 1, 2023 11:12:08 GMT -5
I looked up Murtosa and it sounds idyllic. The only downside I see is that it is noted for its eel stew. Err, I'll stick with the Mateus, thank you. You would have been bartending right around the time Mateus and Lancers from Portugal were popular mass market wines. The era of Blue Nun and Giacobazzi Lambrusco and Cold Duck. I swear there was a level below Cold Duck called Cold Hawk, but nobody else seems to remember it. Lucky you to have a U of Coimbra T-shirt. The best I had was Dyke College, which was in Cleveland but about 25 years ago they stupidly changed the name to David N. Myers University. It must have killed the concession business. Same thing outside of Philly where Beaver College became Arcadia University. But back to Coimbra. The main thing I remember about the U was the library, one of the most spectacular in the world. Also the Roman ruins outside of town. But Porto is wonderful, very colorful and lively. Fatima is also a must-see even if you have only the vaguest attachment to Catholicism. You do have to go off-season to avoid mobs. Under quiet conditions it is quite moving. Under Disney conditions it's unbearable. I'd forgotten about the Newark-Portugal connection. Thanks for the background. And yeah, the Sidecar is a nice drink. Very 1920s. The Jack Rose deserves to die, it is sickeningly sweet. It proves that Hemingway would drink anything. I mean I rarely dispute the master, but he was wrong on this one. It's funny how the composition of drinks changes over time. The original Martini was half gin, half vermouth. Yuck. I sometimes will take one drop of vermouth in my gin for old time's sake, but that's as far as it goes. Churchill had it down when he said he poured gin into a cocktail glass and then tipped it in the direction of the vermouth across the room. Although vermouth on its own I enjoy as an aperitif. And how did they get away with making a Martini with vodka? I don't think they were doing that back in the 1970s, were they? If you are going to change the name of a Martini to a Gibson just by substituting a cocktail onion for an olive, then the vodka "Martini" should have to change its name. Do people still drink Grasshoppers and Brandy Alexanders? Dessert in my book. My parents used to have huge New Year's Eve parties back in the 50s and 60s and 70s. I loved the old school drinks people had -- "highballs" which usually meant Tom Collins or I guess 7&7s. Screwdrivers, Whiskey Sours. There was one couple who always wanted Stingers. Not sure those are still around, although hipsters periodically exhume some of these drinks. The Aviation Cocktail was a great act of resurrection, as was the Sazerac for that matter. Eels and Murtosa go hand in hand. Murtosa actually has a eel museum. Gloria told me when she was a child, her father always made eel for Christmas. Their kitchen sink would be full of live eels before they were prepared. Not your usual Christmas morning picture. When I order a martini, I always tell the bartender I want it so dry that tomorrow I'll be farting dust. Wave the Vermouth bottle over the shaker and then put it back in the rack. It’s strange that eels gross so many people out. They’re just fish, but people tend to classify them as snakes… |
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