Where they garnish Manhattans and Old Fashioneds with an olive

[Bull City]

Bull, have you been watching the Tucci series on Italy? His last piece on his homeland area was very good. I also watched him in a Netfliks movie playing a murderer on death row. He has good range as an entertainer.

Yes, Mrs. Bull and I have been watching it, but we must have missed the bakery episode. I would have remembered it.

In 2016, we spent three weeks in northern Italy: Milan, Verona, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre. The Tucci series makes me want to go back, particularly to the southern part.

He has a book out, Taste, which I just finished. It very appealing at the start, but kinda goes downhill, at least IMO. It has some interesting recipes.

That has been an excellent series. I particularly liked the piece on the bakery making peasant bread, where all the bakers were young women who looked (and were seemingly built) like Sophia Loren, and were similarly hanging out of the tops of their dresses.

I lost track of the recipe, but I'm sure the bread was good...

 

[chester]

That has been an excellent series. I particularly liked the piece on the bakery making peasant bread, where all the bakers were young women who looked (and were seemingly built) like Sophia Loren, and were similarly hanging out of the tops of their dresses.

I lost track of the recipe, but I'm sure the bread was good...

gotta link?

 

[Kris Cringle]

Yes, Mrs. Bull and I have been watching it, but we must have missed the bakery episode. I would have remembered it.

In 2016, we spent three weeks in northern Italy: Milan, Verona, Venice, Florence, Tuscany, Cinque Terre. The Tucci series makes me want to go back, particularly to the southern part.

He has a book out, Taste, which I just finished. It very appealing at the start, but kinda goes downhill, at least IMO. It has some interesting recipes.

Three weeks, I envy you. That must have been so enjoyable. We were also in Northern Italy in late March 2016 for a week or so.

I love that country and have seen quite a bit from Rome, northward. I too would like to see more of the Southern parts in the cooler season.

There is such a fantastical mix of culture in Italy. One consistent commonality I've found is the food.

Simple yet raised to an art form even in the hole-in-the-wall Cicchetti bars.

A grilled whole bream served on the island of Guidecca off Venice in an old restaurant owned by the same family for centuries.

 

[accnick]

Three weeks, I envy you. That must have been so enjoyable. We were also in Northern Italy in late March 2016 for a week or so.

I love that country and have seen quite a bit from Rome, northward. I too would like to see more of the Southern parts in the cooler season.

There is such a fantastical mix of culture in Italy. One consistent commonality I've found is the food.

Simple yet raised to an art form even in the hole-in-the-wall Cicchetti bars.

A grilled whole bream served on the island of Guidecca off Venice in an old restaurant owned by the same family for centuries.

View attachment 551426

You cannot beat Italy when it comes to food, although Spain comes close.

We are fortunate enough to have cruised that area on our own boat, and work has taken me to both Spain and Italy numerous times in recent years. I rarely turn down a job that requires travel to Italy or Spain.

The UK, on the other hand, has less appeal, despite my fondness for good pub food. Since work is almost always in port cities, it's usually possible to find a mixture of cuisines, even--dare I say it--in the UK.

 

[climenuts]

I agree with Bull's and Sloop's Martini recipes but I prefer to garnish mine with a pearl onion (a.k.a. a Gibson).

 

[FD Sea Dog]

is it time to bring up the shaken versus stirred question?

At my age Shaken is preferred, as the more antioxidants the better. (see link)

As with lubing up Women-of-a-certain-Age (as mine) with this marvelous savory solution.
I am often quoted as saying: I'm old enough to Pee, so I'm old enough for You.
(e.g.: These day the Women are the ones saying: Old enough to Pee, Old enough for Me)

 

[Bull City]

You cannot beat Italy when it comes to food, although Spain comes close.

For me, the entire Mediterranean is a gastro-wonderland. Along with Spain and Italy, Greece is in the top three. Lunch on the island of Hydra (magical potatoes and Greek Salad not shown):

 

[Bull City]

@Israel Hands I had an excellent Martini at Spoon RIver on our recent visit.

 

[Bull City]

Any Vieux Carré fans out there?

 

[Israel Hands]

@Israel Hands I had an excellent Martini at Spoon RIver on our recent visit.

Bull, thanks, may try one of those soon. We are planning an overnight to Belhaven before year's end.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Any Vieux Carré fans out there?

The absinthe, the cocktail, or the neighborhood?

 

[Bull City]

The absinthe, the cocktail, or the neighborhood?

Le cocktail, mon ami.

 

[socalrider]

Le cocktail, mon ami.

I love this tequila based variant, the Nouveau Carre. I serve it up.

1 1/2 ounces anejo tequila (or anejo sotol)
3/4 ounce Benedictine
1/4 ounce Lillet
3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
ice
lemon twist, for garnish

 

[Max Rockatansky]

I have been to the Monteleone Carousel Bar in the Vieux Carré, and have drank the absinthe brand (as frappé VC was good; it’s not the best absinthe I’ve had)… but not the cocktail…

 

[kinardly]

I love this tequila based variant, the Nouveau Carre. I serve it up.

1 1/2 ounces anejo tequila (or anejo sotol)
3/4 ounce Benedictine
1/4 ounce Lillet
3 dashes Peychaud's bitters
ice
lemon twist, for garnish

Life is sure simpler for us beer drinkers.

 

[Elegua]

Life is sure simpler for us beer drinkers.

You sure about that these days?
IPA, Hazy IPA, Double IPA….mosaic hops?…..et cetera ad nauseam…

 

[Israel Hands]

You sure about that these days?
IPA, Hazy IPA, Double IPA….mosaic hops?…..et cetera ad nauseam…

I don't count those grapefruity IPAs as IPA

 

[socalrider]

Life is sure simpler for us beer drinkers.

Life is simpler for people who stay away from boats. Simpler is not always better.

Have a friend who once ordered a drink: Rocks Manhattan, hold the bitters. Swap out the vermouth for bourbon & no garnish.

 

[accnick]

I don't count those grapefruity IPAs as IPA

You got that right! I had one last summer because that was all the place had on tap. One of the few alcoholic drinks I've struggled to finish in my life.

I love IPA. That is not IPA.

 

[Kris Cringle]

I like a cold beer at times. It's all too confusing so I only drink it with my son and or his friends. Millennials know beer (although they will drink copious cans of PBR if the wallet demands).