Hello my literary friends,
Here's another colorful event that will fill that creative well for both fiction and non-fiction writers and I would dare say a good number of poets as well. After all Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams gained a lot of their motivation sitting at the Monteleone Carousel Bar, the host hotel for the Tales of Cocktail event.
The premier event of the summer, Tales of the Cocktail just celebrated its seventh year dedicated to the history and culture of dining and drinking in New Orleans. An international pool of celebrities, mixologists, chefs, authors and cocktail experts held seminars, spirited dinners and parties throughout the event. A must for anyone in the hospitality industry or those who savor a spirited glass of libations. From the Creole Julep, the Tales official cocktail, to the New Orleans famed Sazerac, book your calendar for next years event on July 21-25, 2010.
My thanks again to the W Hotel in hosting me for the event and for the Zoë spirited dinner. For more postings of the Tales event, visit www.talesblog.com. For more info on the sleek and saucy W Hotel check out www.whotels.com/neworleans or call 1-877-822-0000.
W New Orleans Hotel paired up a perfect blend of spirits courtesy of the Contemporary Cocktail crew and the culinary creations of Chef Roberto Bustillo, Jr. who has won the NOWFE (New Orleans Wine & Food Experience) Gold Fleur de Lis in 2006 & 2007 and a Silver Fleur de Lis in 2008. Zoë’s contemporary setting set the stage for a sold out crowd with the usual Tales buzzing—both conversation and intoxication. What a night!!!
The evening kicked into high gear with a grapefruit cocktail titled 212…then a zinger from Chef, a Hawaiian Red Tasmanian Sweet Crab draped with a chilled spiced Gazpacho. The cocktail crew whipped up a refreshing Don Julio Blanco with Fino and St. Germain Elderflower to balance the sassy tomato.
Louisiana in the summertime!! Remember the days of injecting vodka into watermelons? Our next meal brought back memories of drinking melon cocktails drenched in watermelon juice in front of the family’s camp. Our very attentive servers brought in our next pairing. The Del Maguey San Luis, sweet vermouth, watermelon juice and Averna with corn crusted scallop dusted in corn meal served over pickled watermelon and candied chow-chow.
Then the exquisite lobster and artichoke lasagna roll served with shaved black summer truffle and porcini mushroom foam. By this time, things were really getting high pitched—both in the provocative storytelling and the moaning & groaning with every presentation. You could feel and see the energy—sipping turned into gulping with the wicked combo of Partida Reposado, Amontillado Sherry, Apricot Liqueur, simply syrup and bitter.
Next on the menu…roasted sea bass (my all time favorite) dashed with sweet corn and fava bean relish accompanied with El Tesoro Blanco, Viogner, apple & lime juice and honey syrup. And for dessert, fresh ginger lemon Verbena sorbet crowned with our last cocktail, Milagro Barrel Select Anejo and Sazerac with Absinthe Ginger Rinse and Lemon Verbena Foam.
A smashing evening had by all and although our Contemporary Cocktail pals are jetting back to homebase the creative juices keep flowing with the Zoë Lounge mixologist extraordinaire Amanda Buhr. Join Amanda and savvy cocktailing hipsters for their 4:59 cocktail hour with $4, $5 and $9 specials. Or just let Amanda take control. She has that N’awlins magic spinning her spells, tickling the throat with mind blowing combos. Mojito fans will never drink another after Amanda’s strawberry mojito made with muddled fresh strawberries, mint and Jeremiah Sweet Tea Vodka. Just sit down and enjoy the ride!!
Cheers…
Deb
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