• Tag Archives Manhattan

  • “It really all started with New Orleans.” Ginny Bishop

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    Since I actually don’t get out much, I’m pleased to say that thanks to the burlesquers, they introduced me to a really cool dive/not dive bar that I really like out in Deep Ellum.

    The Black Swan Saloon outwardly is a non-descript end of one of the strips, across from Trees and next to La Grange. The first time I went in, I wasn’t even sure I was in the right place. No signage! (Obviously stolen image from google, since there’s a watermark right in the middle. I digress)

    Once you get inside and see the containers of fruit soaking in booze behind the bar, you pretty quickly realize that this isn’t a normal bar. The vibe is cool and Gabe, the owner, is really set on making some really fresh and unique drinks. I’ve read a lot about the cocktail culture in Houston (ala Anvil) And actually, the only reason I thought to write about it was that he introduced me to a new cocktail last time. The Vieux Carre, which translated is “Old Square”.

    Gabe suggested it after I had ordered a Sazerac – which historically is considered the USA’s first cocktail.  I was really impressed that he had the actual Herbsaint absinthe as called for in an “authentic” recipe. The Vieux Carre is a lot like a Manhattan, but a little sweeter. A typical Manhattan has a weird tinge for me, but the Vieux Carre (pronounced “Voo-Car-Ay”) was a lot  smoother and a great sipping drink.

    The other thing I usually drink there is a Pecan infusion – which is bourbon that has had pecans soaking in it. Good stuff.  The atmosphere is really laid back, and I’ve found myself talking to random people who aren’t in my “scene” and generally had a great time.

    Check it out if you’re down in Deep Ellum.


    📂This entry was posted in Main 📎and tagged

  • “I’m not a good butcher but I’ve had to learn to carve the joint. People expect a new look.” Margaret Thatcher

    Posted on by The Thousand Yard Stare Comment

    I’m going to write a song called, “Please do the needful.” I’m not exactly sure what it actually means. When I first read it, I thought, “By any means necessary.”

    I’ve come to the conclusion that it probably just means “please do what is needed”.  Truncated English is going to become a specialty I suppose.

    So, now I’m back in the rat race, running in my rat-wheel-cubicle. It’s a nice change of pace from working at a small tiny upstart (blood, sweat, tears, blood and more blood). I’m a small cog in a big machine rather than a small jellybean stuck between the tiny gears in the tiny machine. I digress.

    At the moment I wrote this, I was surrounded by three cubicle walls. Lest you pity me, it’s air conditioned, I have internet access, and my boss is located somewhere in another wing of the building. Speaking as a subcontractor for a subcontractor of a subcontracting subcontractor, life is pretty good.  I’m left to my own devices since I’m still in training, and everyone is busy. My last job required that I become knowledgeable about every single aspect of the job whereas this one takes a relatively narrow slice of that knowledge. I’m still learning to not be tense. Of course, this is the first job (that I can remember) that I was hired for specific knowledge. It’s not like all my other jobs where I walked in and had to be trained every step of the way. Yes, I’m being trained, but it’s the fine details I have to pick up, not the broad strokes. It’s a nice change.

    Other than the weekly grind, we did manage to visit Central Market for a “Eat the Heat” celebration.  Every spicy thing imaginable was available for tasting. Of note, the freshly made habanero guacamole is to die for. Well, not literally, but it’s good stuff. They even had wine samples! It was sample city. I still dropped a load of cash though. Unfortunately, samples make you want to buy stuff. Mission accomplished.

    I got to try on my leopard print jacket that my tailor has been making – it’s almost done. I hope to reveal it at a Burlesque show soon. Speaking of which, since I’m employed, I got rid of all those other sites I was working on. So, just dfw is left.

    House projects have slowed a bit now. I’m working on patching up one giant hole in the main bathroom and then we can get going in there.

    Lastly, I found some Blood Orange Bitters at the liquor store the other day. Man, oh man. It “made” my Manhattan.

     

     


    📂This entry was posted in Main 📎and tagged