Category Archives: Spirits

by Steven Doyle | November 10, 2011 · 10:36 am

Laphroaig Visits Lonesome Dove

by Steven Doyle

Last night we were invited to an event in Fort Worth at Lonesome Dove located in the historic Stockyards. The celebration was for the Friends of Laphroaig, a group dedicated to a special scotch whisky hailing from Loch Laphroaig on the south coast of the Isle of Islay in Scotland.

The evening started off as most scotch tastings might, a dram of their 10-year old was passed freely in the crowd and a lot of back and forth with devotees of the brand with the master ambassador, Simon Brooking and distiller John Campbell. Both gentlemen were proud of the whiskys and spoke freely about the process of creating a cask. Continue reading →

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Filed under BBQ, chefs, Fort Worth, fun with food, Party!, Spirits, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | November 9, 2011 · 11:03 am

Vegan Girl Does Absinthe Lounge for the Holidays

by Melissa Brenner

It’s party season, people! I’ve been to quite a few already, but there are myriad more on the calendar. Problem is none of them have been all vegan. All drinks and no food (celery and carrots on a tray don’t count as alcohol appropriate food, by the way) makes for me needing a ride home. What are your options for a totally safe for vegan holiday party? Have it at your house or have it at your vegan friend’s house… blah. What if you, like me, prefer to be out and about where all of the fun party energy is flowing? What if you, like me, prefer to leave the set up and clean up to someone else? What if you, like me, prefer your glass items remain intact (unlike the last party at my house)? Here’s your answer: call Miss Lisa Carmen Olson at Absinthe Lounge.

Lisa is the Queen of party planning and always has some great theme that makes the evening even more interesting. Anyone that has attended one of Lisa’s parties knows that nobody leaves without having a good time and making some new friends. Now Lisa is available to plan your party. For your vegan soiree, she’ll take care of all the party details, or just the things you don’t want to deal with, including the vegan catering, theme, decorations and probably even a signature drink for the evening. Continue reading →

More 828 Action

by Steven Doyle photos by Suzi Migdol

We have more photos from last Friday’s version of the 828 pop-up bar. In speaking with Michael Martensen, he said that the space is so much fun that he is considering taking the location for his next venture and keep it much the way you see it today. This would be a good thing. We have enjoyed the first week of 828, beautifully collaborative venture between Martensen and fellow barmen across the city. Continue reading →

Makers 46 Competition at FW’s The Usual

by Steven Doyle

Last evening The Usual in Fort Worth played host to 7 bartenders from across Dallas and Fort Worth including gents from Bolsa, Smoke, Whiskey Cake, Bob’s Steak and Chop House, Del Frisco’s, and a Kelly from Grace in Fort Worth who was the only female contender.

At stake was a pair of Cowboy play-off tickets and bragging rights. The latter seemed more of the coveted prized than the former.

Each bartender would use Makers Mark 46, the high end spirit that uses seared French oak planks inside the barrel to draw out more flavors. The product’s name reflects the profile number attached to the process and is a slightly higher proof than the regular Makers Mark. The result of the new process is a less sweet liquor with richer tones and stronger notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Continue reading →

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Filed under Cocktails, Contest, Fort Worth, Spirits, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | September 27, 2011 · 5:32 pm

New Bar: People’s Last Stand Opens Soon

by Steven Doyle

The People’s Last Stand opens up Friday October 7, 2011 for a soft run through and will be offering more of the great cocktails we have been finding across the city with locally sourced tastes and flavors.

The new bar will open at 5319 Mockingbird #210 (Mockingbird Station) and promises to be relaxing and low-key from the inside to the outdoor patio with quality of the eats, drinks and service being the theme. Continue reading →

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Filed under Mockingbird Station, Party!, restaurant news, Sandwiches, Spirits, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | September 19, 2011 · 1:03 pm

Meet Cedar’s Bartender Trina Nishimura

by Steven Doyle photos by Robert Bostick

I like to fancy myself as a cocktail specialist. I like to drink them. I like to make them. I like to discuss them when I am not drinking or making them. One thing I recently noted while making my way across the city in search of something new to sip, the craft cocktail movement that is taking Dallas by storm lacks representation by the fairer sex. There are plenty of women that can toss a gin and tonic and open a bottle of beer, but there are very few that are making the crazy good pre-Prohibition stuff.

I have enjoyed the drinks that Louise Owens makes at Windmill Lounge for years, and she is tops in her game. But trying to think of another woman that is throwing down high octane drinks with flair, and I am remiss. That is until I ran into Trina Nishimura at Cedars Social on Lamar. Continue reading →

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Filed under Cocktails, Crave, Robert Bostick, South Side of Lamar, Spirits, Steven Doyle, Weekend Fun

by Steven Doyle | September 6, 2011 · 12:56 pm

Absinthe In Dallas

by Steven Doyle

Absinthe carries a large stigma that we often associate with the Jazz Age, an era where writers and other artists were thought to have droned out on the liqour in a psychedelic mind meld due to one of its flavoring ingredients, wormwood. Although wormwood does contain an agent called Thujone, little of the toxin may be found in Absinthe as most of it is removed during distilling. The sprit was banned in many countries due to the wild stories associated with the drink, some of this hysteria induced by winemaker’s associations. It was finally banned in the United States in 1912. Continue reading →

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Filed under Cocktails, Party!, South Side of Lamar, Spirits, Steven Doyle

by Steven Doyle | August 2, 2011 · 9:30 am

Dee Lincoln’s Bubble Bar – The Scene, The Thirst, The Food

by Stealing Kitty photos by John Stuchly

There is a new, swanky hangout in town and it is a must-see on your night on the town with your girlfriends, on a sexy date, or even business meeting, Dee Lincoln’s Restaurant and Bubble Bar.

Recognized from Dallas to Wall Street as a national female powerhouse in the male-dominated steakhouse industry, Dee Lincoln is now taking her luxury brand to the next level with Dee Lincoln’s Restaurant and Bubble Bar. She has expanded her Cowboy Stadium concept to her new digs in the Rosewood Building off Cedar Springs.

The new location is chic with a splash at ease flavor with its comfortable seating, thirty-two station wine machine, and one of the only flute machines in the US. Lincoln brought in Ruth’s Chris chef, Juliard Esshizuka, utilizing his expertise with meat and fish, bringing flavorful and as a fellow diner pointed out, “addictive” fare to your table. The restaurant offers comfortable seating throughout with big, high back, cranberry colored bar chairs, large, white and brown, leather couches, conversation tables and semi private lounge areas. This is as soon as you walk in the door. Continue reading →