So, a few weeks ago, I stopped in at Drink Boston’s celeb chef Barbara Lynch’s new temple to the cocktail. Ensconced in the city’s emerging Fort Point neighborhood, it’s brick and beamy and its basement level ambiance gives a nod to the speakeasies of yore. I ordered my personal fave, a Sidecar and then waited - and watched – and waited. Cocktails here are a serious business. There is no scooping of cubes out of a bin; the barkeeps hack and crack it off of a block. And there are all sorts of fresh herbs (all plucked from pots) muddling, mixing, stirring and shaking going on. Quite a production and fun to watch. Was it good? You betcha. Was it it the best I ever had? Nah…but it was in the top ten.
But, wait, there’s more: I just saw a picture and article, in the August 09 issue of Bon Appetit, about our bartender that evening, one Misty Kalkofen. I garnered two interesting factoids: she is a former student at Harvard Divinity School, and she founded the Boston chapter of the Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails. Who knew there was such a thing? It celebrates the art of classic cocktails and raises money for women’s charities. Kudos Ms. Kalkofen. Check out its website www.lupec.org to learn what its about and lots of fascinating lore – and recipes.
Misty also shared a great quote: “Who loves not woman, wine and song remains a fool his whole life long.” – Martin Luther. Love it.
