Archive for the ‘Absinthe Bars’ Category

Mark your calendars, July 17, 2010 – Sept 30, 2010, and come see Damian Hevia’s new collection of Absinthe related photographs at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB), adjacent to the Museum of the American Cocktail, NMark your calendars, July 17, 2010 – Sept 30, 2010, and come see Damian Hevia’s new collection of Absinthe related photographs at the Southern Food and Beverage Museum (SoFAB), adjacent to the Museum of the American Cocktail, New Orleans, L.A., on July 17, 2010.(Riverwalk Marketplace 1 Poydras St., Julia Street entrance, top floor). Come meet Damian at the opening, 4:00-6:00 pm, and see his, “Absinthe Visions” photographic exhibit. If you can’t make it for the opening, you still have a chance to see his work as the exhibit will be featured for 3 consecutive months. Damian is a very talented and world renowned professional photographer, acclaimed musician and Absinthe aficionado from Houston, Texas. His artistic photographs capture and reflect the spirit of his subject and evoke reflective emotions that stimulate both curiosity and excitement in his audience about this mysterious aperitif called Absinthe. Opening of this exhibit kicks off the festivities of, “Tales of the Cocktail”, (July 21-24,2010) headquartered at the Montelone Hotel. See, (http://www.talesofthecocktail.com/), for more details. Presentations by Absinthe experts and historians, Jay Hendrickson and Ted Breaux will inform the audience about the history, myths, distilling processes and recent legalization (2007) of contemporary Absinthe. (See schedule for dates, times and locations of these seminars). This exhibit and the above cocktail festival are sure to entertain, stimulate, educate, and, if you’re not careful, inebriate its audience. Please drink responsibly so you can come back in September, 2010, to hear Damian present his motivation and practical approach to achieving his vision for the photographs in the exhibit. (Dates to be determined and shared when available). To see more examples of his artistic expressions through still photographs, visit (http://www.dhevia.com/) Please share this invitation with all of your friends and acquaintances! We hope to see you there having tons of fun in New Orleans!

Absinthe guru Ted Breaux, whose Jade line of absinthes is generally considered among the best, will be teaching a class in making absinthe cocktails. It will feature drinks made with existings and unreleased absinthes. The event will take place June 24th at the Windsor Court Hotel in New Orleans at a cost of $20 per person and reservations can be made at 504-522-1994

John Trummer, owner of the New York bar Apotheke, prides himself in his pyrotechnic displays at work. The bar claims to be trying to re-create the atmosphere of absinthe dens in the 1800’s. John performs a rather elaborate absinthe fire ritual as seen in the picture. Any real absintheur knows that they never used fire with absinthe in the old days. He was recently arrested for pouring several different types of booze on the 20 foot long bar and lighting it on fire.  While I’m sure this looked really cool, it seems to be very dangerous. Friends don’t let friends burn absinthe . 

Jean-Francois Raffaelli’s 1881 painting “The Absinthe Drinkers” was recently aquired at auction by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for just under 3 million dollars (I guess my bid of $10 didn’t quite make it). The pre-auction estimate for this great piece was between $400,000 and $600,000. Except for the clothing this kind of  looks like my place on a Friday night.

This little beauty might more acurately be described as a cross between a spoon and a grille. Talented artist and good friend Chris Olson is responsible for the design and production. It’s made of 3 ounces of pure silver and features  a unique recessed sugar cube holder which allows the sugar to dissolve more thoroughly, resulting in less in the bottom of the glass. Chris, at one time, worked for special effects wizard Stan Winston. As Master Designer for the prestigious Molina Fine Jewelry, Chris also did restoration work on some of the artifacts retrieved from the Titanic. Currently only 3 of these exist. I own one, Chris has one, and one of  Molina’s very wealthy clients, who is also a big absinthe fan, has the 3rd one. They may be available to the public at a future date.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has an exhibit called “Synthetic Cubism” which runs through April 25. It features 214 works of art by Picasso and others. On display is Picasso’s “Glass of Absinthe”, which is his only free-standing sculpture. It’s very interesting and looks as though he had a few too may absinthes while sculpting it. 

Toulouse-Lautrec, a big absinthe fan, is credited with coming up with this cocktail. You mix 1/2 shot of absinthe with 1/2 shot of cognac, swirl in a brandy snifter, and drink. Due to the strong flavors of both absinthe and cognac I prepared it with a minor alteration. I poured 1/2 shot of each into an absinthe glass and added  8 oz. of  ice water. I gave this a try while watching the Super Bowl and I’ve got to say it’s pretty tasty and packs a punch. I used Swiss LaBleue Clandestine absinthe and Remy Martin V.S.O.P cognac. Give it a try and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it.

I was surprised, and frankly, somewhat dismayed, to find out that they are using the Bohemian ritual at The Old Absinthe House in New Orleans (thanks for that info Jessie). You would think that the oldest and most well known spot for absinthe in the US would know better.  Anyone who knows anything about absinthe realizes that you just don’t burn the sugar cube. What are these people thinking? If anybody happens to visit there, please try and talk some sense into them.

Digestif, last year voted the “Best Place to Chase the Green Fairy” in Phoenix, closes it’s doors today. It was the first place in Az. to take absinthe seriously and give it the attention it deserves. If you look at some of the older posts there are pictures taken there last year at an awesome absinthe dinner that took place with special guest Ted Breaux. This is truly a sad loss for the absinthe community! Goodbye my old friend, you’ll be missed

Sommelier Paola Embry brings her own special touch to Crush Lounge, which offers a separate, but just as inspiring ambience and fare complimented by an impressive wine list ranging affordably through most of the world varietals – a list that has earned the “Award of Excellence” from Wine Spectator Magazine for nine consecutive years.

Before or after dinner, slip away to a sensuous setting and forget everything else. Sip a glass of absinthe and munch on a charcuterie and cheese platter or truffle fries.

Crush Lounge and Patio is the place to be seen for cocktail parties, with indoor seating for up to 25 guests and up to 50 guests comfortably on cozy outdoor banquettes.

Explore the possibilities behind the curtain…