Tag Archives: Talk Greenville

cocktailin’ while the show goes on…

05 Thursday Nov 2015

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We’ve been out doing some more cocktailin’…this time with a bit of a theatrical flair!  TALKGreenville’s November issue is now on the stands, and here is our contribution… 

photo, Cindy Hosea

 
November is here, and there is so, so much to be thankful for…the fall leaves showing off their colors, football is in full swing (cheers to those rivalries), sweater weather has settled in to stay, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner (our favorite holiday…food, wine, food, wine)! Cocktailin’, of course, will play a major part in that kick-off to the holidays…kinda goes with the territory. We figured now would be a good time to scout out Genevieve’s at the Peace Center to prep for the upcoming shows (including some holiday favorites…a delicious cocktail adds an enticing dimension to The Nutcracker in our opinion!) because an informed imbiber is a happy imbiber.

 

http://www.peacecenter.org

We are privileged and grateful to have the Peace Center right at our fingertips, chock-full of events to please all tastes, and Genevieve’s has upped the ante on this fine establishment’s amenities. We paid them a little visit during a recent show and came away with quite a few suggestions for pre-performance, intermission, and post-performance hob-nobbing and libations.

 

the view from Genevieve’s can’t be beat!

 A Word about Genevieve’s schedule…

This place deserves a Tony for its performance in a supporting role! With its breathtaking views of the Reedy River and cocktails created with nods to all things theatrical, this delightful space could be open seven days a week for all to enjoy. However, they are wisely focused on serving as an amenity, opening their doors and wowing guests only when Peace Center-presented performances are in-house. And let us give you some tips on how to “work” Genevieve’s to your best advantage. Arrive a bit early for your show and grab a table (you can also reserve a table in advance). Relax and enjoy a refreshing beverage along with some snacks, then let your server know that you would like to place an order for intermission. Here’s the mind-blower…they will take that order, let you pay in advance, and will have that order sitting at that very same table, all fresh-n-ready for you when you walk in after the first act! Tony. Award. Just sayin’!

Bar “boss”, Justin, has something to suit all tastes.  These were our favorites…

 

photo, Cindy Hosea

 
“My Favorite Things”…

If you haven’t noticed, gin has come out of retirement and is making a rousing comeback of late. An alcohol that had taken a backseat to younger, trendier liquors, this boozy broad has re-entered society with smashing success! Justin, the suave and savvy bar manager, has quite a few creations featuring this throw-back spirit, and his love for the theater shines through in each delicious one. “My Favorite Things” is named after a childhood favorite of his, the Sound of Music. Here, gin takes center stage (told you gin was back in action) but is enhanced by cardamom bitters, cucumber and bay leaf. This drink deserves a standing ovation as the components play off of each other to perfection.

  
The “Employees Only”…
Much ado is made about the performers and the front of the house, but let’s not forget the hardworking staff that sets the scene, scurries backstage and puts all the pieces together. Justin has rewarded cast and crew with a liquid accolade in their honor. We can’t guarantee that it will be front and center on the menu, but if you ask for this secret cocktail, you won’t regret it. Earthy, with subtle notes of anise, a hint of sweetness, and an acidic note from a squeeze of lime, this beautiful amber elixir will warm you and energize you for the rest of the show.

  
The “Modern Gambler”…

You should be dancing into Genevieve’s at intermission soon to enjoy this concoction. Motown the Musical is showing this month, and Justin (bar manager extraordinaire) created the Modern Gambler with this show in mind. A true American dream story, and a great show for everyone, it’s uplifting, toe-tapping, and not to be missed. With songs like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “My Girl”, we can’t imagine not seeing this smashing hit. And the Modern Gambler will get you ready for all of that fun!

   
And now for a brief word about attire and such. With such sleek and sophisticated surroundings, we are compelled to put our best foot (we love a good shoe) forward! We encourage you to consider the performance and go from there. One might see jeans and cowboy boots for something like a Willie Nelson concert while the Nutcracker warrants a bit more festive, holiday slant to the wardrobe. However, the goal here is to bring a wide range of entertainment…and people…together for all to enjoy. Time to call the box office y’all!

a&a

drinkin’ on the job…a pourable passion 

04 Thursday Jun 2015

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Thought we’d share our latest Talk magazine article with you all…on stands or in your home now!!

  
whiskey with a love story…perfect for dear ol’ dad

We’ve been drinkin’ on the job again. This time, we did a bit less cocktailing and a bit more tossin’ it back…neat…feelin’ that “buttery burn” of a fine whiskey. Or two. Venturing over the county line in search of the perfect Father’s Day idea, we hit the jackpot (or barrel) at Six & Twenty Distillery. They offer tours to let us regular ol’ whiskey drinkers in on their secrets. We loved it. The dads in your lives will, too!

A Pourable Passion:

This tour gratifies our most important senses: Taste (obviously), knowledge (Farmer is a great storyteller and engaging guide), and people-watching (from the well-dressed couple, to the self-absorbed engineer testing his mettle against our distiller, the crowd was full-up with personality). Given the varied audience and Farmer’s laid-back, easy style, the length of the tour is flexible. Ours ended up being close to two hours. The passion for bourbon knows no time and in true southern spirit you are made to feel right at home. 

  
Old Money…

If you’re a bourbon lover you might be aware of a looming shortage. Thank goodness Six & Twenty is doing their part. Old Money (CHECK ARTICLE FOR DESCRIPTION) was developed using their Virgin wheat whiskey, a pure and clean base but with youthful attitude .  Turning the virgin Whiskey at into Old Money for a couple of reasons. Maintaining their profile by making their own bourbon and, well…not everyone marries for love….

  
Six & Twenty Five Grain…

This is a strong, solid, swarthy liquid. It takes your breath away as it hits your tongue and then captures your attention with its warmth and steady but inciting burn. A bourbon that is pure South Carolina, every grain is grown and purchased locally. From start to finish, a true southern gentleman…perfect for the dads in your life.

The love story…

 …it’s how these fellas came up with their name, “Six & Twenty”. Back before the Revolutionary War, Choctaw maiden, Issaqueena, was captured by the Cherokee. She overheard their plan to attack a trading post that housed her British lover. To warn him, she escaped and rode ninety-six miles, marking places by the number of miles she had ridden…Three & Twenty Creek, Six & Twenty Creek, and, finally, Ninety-Six, the town!  All ended well…and a distillery got a kick-ass name!

Now, we know our job is really about cocktails, but you gotta start somewhere right? We suggest taking dad, the father of your grandchildren, or the man who gave you yours on this adventure, treating him to his favorite bottle of hooch, and then (because dads deserve it), fixing him a nice drink, neat, on the rocks, or mixed he if must. After all, it’s all a labor of love.

Look ’em up & take dear ol’ dad for boozy tour!

a&a

treat mama to brunch…and maybe a cocktail or two

07 Thursday May 2015

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With that all-important holiday coming up on Sunday, honoring those who gave us life, guided us through our awkward stages, and taught us how to appreciate a well-poured glass of bubbly or creative cocktail, we thought we would give you an idea or two for winin’ and dinin’ the moms in your life. (Being moms ourselves, we figure it can’t hurt to put a bug in some little ears…if you know what we mean.)   So…on a sunny Sunday, we headed up North Main to one of the best brunch spots in town…the Bohemian…to do a bit of research for our Talk Magazine article and to scope out the place for you!


The Bohemian is quite the popular brunch spot! We arrived at 1-ish, hoping to have given the crowd a spell to settle down. No such luck! Lesson learned: show up early to get your name on the list. Because, if you hadn’t figured it out yet, if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy! No worries this time, though, as the people-watching was sufficient to keep us occupied until we were seated.

Our liquid selections…

A Bohemian Rhapsody…by way of the Bloody Mary bar. You can stick with bar-brand vodka or upgrade to your favorite label or flavor, then choose from a vast selection of tomato juices from Clamato, to Zing Zang, to the house-made.   An abundance of seasonings, spices, and flavors are there for the taking and mixing. Let your imagination be your guide! By the way, we believe bloodies belong in a food group…drink your veggies!!

 

via Chow.com

The classic Mother’s Day brunch elixir…a Mimosa. Mama needs her vitamin c, of course! This delicious concoction of sparkling wine and citrus juice first popped up in the 1920’s when it served in Buck’s Club in London as a “Buck’s Fizz”. Several years later, a clever bartender at the Ritz in Paris (heaven on earth) made his own version and dubbed it the Mimosa…and the rest is history. At the Bohemian, the mimosa is the choice for you if you don’t feel like workin’ the bar.

Traditional as well as edgier options await on the menu. One teen described the French Toast as “to die for”…we wonder where she got her gift for colorful description…wink, wink. Others tried different versions of the classic Benedict as well as the omelet du jour, a delicious asparagus and goat cheese creation.

Know before you go…typical for a Sunday brunch, we found quite a few folks who were stopping by after church, but for the most part, the attire was relaxed and casual.

Biggest bonus for a Mother’s Day outing…no dishes to wash! We all know that’s a gift! So treat yo mama (and yourself) to a liquid-friendly brunch!

a&a

bacon and booze…cocktailin’ with the brothers

02 Thursday Apr 2015

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IMG_2727We’ve been up to the cocktailing again, and this time we upped our game with a bit of bacon as a bonus! We headed out to Bacon Brothers Public House to sample their already legendary menu of creative cocktails…and they did not disappoint. This place is reeling with enthusiasm and a real passion for what they are doing behind that buzzing bar. These bartenders (they don’t like the pretentiousness of the term “mixologists”…big points there) all create, share, and have input on the fine details of the libations. They make their own bitters and shrubs (see our description below) daily, letting inspiration, spontaneity, and creativity guide them. We reap the rewards. Holla!

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu...see what we're talkin' about?

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu…see what we’re talkin’ about?

We tried the “Gin Shrub Fizz” and the “Fog Cutter” (perfect the San Francisco native), and we were quite happy with our choices!

Made with Damrak Gin, fruit shrub (spiced-apple in this case), and sparkling wine, the “Gin Shrub Fizz” kept us effervescing for a bit…a quality we love! It’s a nice balance of fruity and crisp…a cool, calm, collected sort of drink. This particular concoction will change as the shrub flavors change, so it might be worth a try every couple of weeks!

The “Fog Cutter”, made with rum, gin, brandy, byrrh (pronounced “beer”), allspice dram (again…we will explain this in a minute), and a touch of kumquat, is a strong, swarthy sort of cocktail. The citrus of the gin balances the bitterness found in the byrrh which is made with quinine, said to aid with digestion…a healthy bonus! Kumquat is apparently the next trend in cocktails. We are all aboard!

Now…to explain the “shrub”, which beats anything you’ll find in the yard! Used to flavor cocktails or sodas, this kind of shrub is a blend of fruit, sugar and vinegar. The recipe dates from 15th century England but is enjoying quite a revival. Gabriel, the brilliant Bacon Brothers beverage manager, uses in-season fruits to create a new shrub every couple of weeks.

And as for that “dram”…a dram can simply be a small portion of something to drink. However, the allspice dram used in the Fog Cutter is made with highly-spiced rum. We have discovered that allspice dram is apparently hard to come by, so Bacon Brothers is in the know!

"The Burger"...need we say more?

“The Burger”…need we say more?

And one should never cocktail-it-up without a nibble or two! We sampled the pimento cheese with bacon jam with house-made saltines…wow! We would have licked the bowl if our mamas hadn’t taught us right…(besides it was too crowded to get away with it!). And had we not filled up on the snack (mama lost the battle here…we ruined our dinner!), we would have sampled the heavenly burger the waiters so bravely brandished about! They need to watch their step…we might just decide to grab one and run next time!

On a follow-up visit, the belle with the son who’s pretty much all about bacon discovered that we are quite partial to the Bacon Caramel Popcorn…IMG_2728Lord, have mercy!
It’s a real winner…a must-try!

As far as what to expect of this fine establishment if you haven’t ventured over there just yet, Bacon Brothers is a relaxed, casual kind of place…so anything goes. The décor is rough-hewn with cozy lighting, exuding warmth and comfort…like your favorite pair of jeans. And the food is as creative and authentic as the cocktails!

So, belles…we suggest you make your reservations now! When (not if) you go, plan to step out of your box and experiment with options you won’t have just anywhere. Save the Pinot and suds orders for less creative establishments. Let these guys show you what they can do. You won’t regret it!

a&a

bacon and booze…cocktailin’ with the brothers

02 Thursday Apr 2015

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IMG_2727We’ve been up to the cocktailing again, and this time we upped our game with a bit of bacon as a bonus! We headed out to Bacon Brothers Public House to sample their already legendary menu of creative cocktails…and they did not disappoint. This place is reeling with enthusiasm and a real passion for what they are doing behind that buzzing bar.  These bartenders (they don’t like the pretentiousness of the term “mixologists”…big points there) all create, share, and have input on the fine details of the libations. They make their own bitters and shrubs (see our description below) daily, letting inspiration, spontaneity, and creativity guide them.  We reap the rewards.  Holla!  

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu...see what we're talkin' about?

The Bacon Brothers cocktail menu…see what we’re talkin’ about?

We tried the “Gin Shrub Fizz” and the “Fog Cutter” (perfect the San Francisco native), and we were quite happy with our choices!

Made with Damrak Gin, fruit shrub (spiced-apple in this case), and sparkling wine, the “Gin Shrub Fizz” kept us effervescing for a bit…a quality we love! It’s a nice balance of fruity and crisp…a cool, calm, collected sort of drink. This particular concoction will change as the shrub flavors change, so it might be worth a try every couple of weeks!

The “Fog Cutter”, made with rum, gin, brandy, byrrh (pronounced “beer”), allspice dram (again…we will explain this in a minute), and a touch of kumquat, is a strong, swarthy sort of cocktail. The citrus of the gin balances the bitterness found in the byrrh which is made with quinine, said to aid with digestion…a healthy bonus! Kumquat is apparently the next trend in cocktails. We are all aboard!

Now…to explain the “shrub”, which beats anything you’ll find in the yard! Used to flavor cocktails or sodas, this kind of shrub is a blend of fruit, sugar and vinegar. The recipe dates from 15th century England but is enjoying quite a revival. Gabriel, the brilliant Bacon Brothers beverage manager, uses in-season fruits to create a new shrub every couple of weeks.

And as for that “dram”…a dram can simply be a small portion of something to drink. However, the allspice dram used in the Fog Cutter is made with highly-spiced rum. We have discovered that allspice dram is apparently hard to come by, so Bacon Brothers is in the know!

"The Burger"...need we say more?

“The Burger”…need we say more?

And one should never cocktail-it-up without a nibble or two!  We sampled the pimento cheese with bacon jam with house-made saltines…wow! We would have licked the bowl if our mamas hadn’t taught us right…(besides it was too crowded to get away with it!).  And had we not filled up on the snack (mama lost the battle here…we ruined our dinner!), we would have sampled the heavenly burger the waiters so bravely brandished about!  They need to watch their step…we might just decide to grab one and run next time!

On a follow-up visit, the belle with the son who’s pretty much all about bacon discovered that we are quite partial to the Bacon Caramel Popcorn…

Lord, have mercy!

Lord, have mercy!

It’s a real winner…a must-try!

As far as what to expect of this fine establishment if you haven’t ventured over there just yet, Bacon Brothers is a relaxed, casual kind of place…so anything goes. The décor is rough-hewn with cozy lighting, exuding warmth and comfort…like your favorite pair of jeans. And the food is as creative and authentic as the cocktails!

So, belles…we suggest you make your reservations now!  When (not if) you go, plan to step out of your box and experiment with options you won’t have just anywhere. Save the Pinot and suds orders for less creative establishments.  Let these guys show you what they can do. You won’t regret it!

a&a

cocktailin’ with the Irish…a friend-1-1 to put a jig in your step

06 Friday Mar 2015

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We belles have been on the job again…doing a bit of cocktailing and writing about it…because that’s what we do!  This time we were doing a bit of prep for our favorite reason to celebrate March…good ole St. Paddy’s Day!  Who doesn’t love a day when everyone gets to pretend to have at least a wee bit of Irish blood…and (more importantly) have a great excuse to sample the spirits of the “Emerald Isle”?

While one of us has some true Irish blood…the other sure acts like it!  Our stubborn streaks had us cozied up to the bar at Connolly’s Irish Pub on a recent Tuesday night (purely for work, of course) until we found an Irish cocktail or two that tickled our fancy and made others green with envy. The Irish take their drinking very seriously…as do we. We found a couple of good ones for ya…

IMG_2394

The “Irish Breakfast”…of course the Irish would have a liquid breakfast option! Jameson and buttershots in one glass (buttery, syrupy, hearty goodness); orange juice (fresh, citrusy and a good dose of vitamin c) in another. It’s like an Irish IHOP in a glass!! And who doesn’t like a little breakfast for dinner…or cocktails?

IMG_2395

Next up, we asked for a “Bushmills Irish Buck.” While not on the regular bar menu, Chelsey and Jaime were happy to accommodate. Chilled Bushmills Irish Whiskey, ginger ale, and fresh lime combine to create a delightfully sippable elixir…sans ice (no dilution here)! Balancing the burn of the whiskey, the tang of the lime and the sharpness of the ginger make this a cozy cocktail that won’t weigh you down.

Bonus!!  Tuesday is Trivia Night, creating a fun, slightly competitive atmosphere. It’s a great idea unless you are with someone who refuses to leave until they win (ahem, petite belle). We (finally) made our exit with a jig in our step and twinkle in our eyes. Now we know why Irish eyes are always smilin’.

Click here for the full TALK article.

Cheers!

a&a