Holiday Hooch, Gin & Tonic: Botanical

Happy New Year, drinkskateers!

I'm having Park withdrawals but don't dare venture into the place - assuming there would even be a parking space to be had in all of Anaheim - due to the bedlam of holiday crowds choking off every last molecule of oxygen and square inch of standing room. 

Anyway, let's toast to another year of classy inebriation by sampling two seasonal offerings and a variation of the Gin & Tonic.

Holiday Whiskey Punch: Maker's Mark Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, Agave Nectar, and Pineapple, Orange, and fresh Lemon Juices topped with Ginger Ale and Pomegranate and garnished with Lemon Zest.

This one resembles a Pimm's Punch but lacks the cloy aspects; it does not threaten to be too sweet, it threatens to be so drinkable and apparently lacking in booze that you find yourself eventually unable to find your feet. Is it unpleasant? No. But honestly, if James is working, you're much better off getting a Curveball instead. 

Random note: I'm tickled to find former deathrockers and club kids are among the Carthay's Cast. I was wearing my old Dickies jacket on my last visit and two of them complimented me on my Siouxsie patch. 

And now for the Poinsettia, which I sampled on a later trip with drinking companion Melanie. They tell me it's pronounced poin-set-tuh.

The beverage of dubious spelling contains: Cointeau, Cranberry Juice, and Champagne garnished with a Twist of Orange Zest.

It's sweet. I've been overusing the word "cloy" but it is particularly apropos. It is viscous, not too unpleasant, and festive, hence its placement in the menu's holiday insert, but it's not something I'd feel any need to revisit. 

Lastly we sampled the Gin & Tonic: Botanical. Hendrick's Gin, Premium Tonic, Star Anise, Cardamom, and Mint.

The tonic is served in a separate vial so that one can add as much or as little as one prefers. I like that. Or rather, I liked that once I got over the deflated elation caused by momentarily thinking that I'd been served a bonus vial of Hendrick's. 

I managed to jot down the ingredients and I managed to get Melanie to model the drink for me...

And then I failed to write any tasting notes.

There were distractions: Melanie was trying to explain Japanese to me, or rather the aspects distinguishing kanji, hiragana and katakana. I would transcribe the characters she wrote distinguishing the three but, well, I can't. 

I do know that I liked it, as I made no negative notes about it. I do know that I enjoyed the taste and flavor combination. It's rare that I enjoy anything that evokes the flavor of anise, which I try to pretend is a homonym of anus.

It will be worth sampling again, either before or after trying the other subtle and elegant variations of the gin and tonic.

Cheers.

Underground Drinking, Lobster Bisque

Look at this picture. No, really, click to embiggen it and look at it. That is one of the best things you will ever put in your mouth and it is only five miles north of the Carthay Circle.

Today we take a side-trip to my favorite speakeasy, a restaurant and lounge that, since 1970, has been one of Orange County's "best kept secrets." It's called The Cellar, and it is, indeed, down a flight of stairs and underground. The interior was fashioned by the same guy who designed the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. You've really got to see it.

The image you see above is of their velvety lobster bisque, and I am incapable of visiting this establishment without having it. I won't. On two occasions I have forced non-seafood eating persons to try it - they both conceded to its delectable nature.

If one wants to have a formal sit-down with tablecloths and everything one can do so. As for myself, I prefer to just stroll in and take a seat at the bar, which features, I might add, the best cocktail craftsmen around. A bold statement, you say? Try the sazerac.

My recent dining and drinking companion was Kat, a bony girl who should be deployed as a ringer in an eating contest. The picture of the bisque was taken with her high-resolution pants wizard. The picture of her was taken with my crappy flip-phone. The plate before her was previously covered with Chateaubriand and whipped potatoes and leeks (we were splurging a bit that night, and could have otherwise ordered more modest sliders or something).

Anyway, drop in sometime and you could look as happy as she does. 305 N. Harbor Blvd. Fullerton, CA 92832. 714-525-5682. See you down the stairs.

My Hobby

Listening to the Carthay Circle soundtrack at work in order to fool my subconscious into thinking I'm actually enjoying a cocktail and having a fine time.