Tippling at L'Artusi

L'Artusi:

       I first patronized Gabe Thompson's L'Artusi on March 22nd, 2011. 'Twas a splendid occasion indeed. I drank a glass of Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi , selected the bass as my entree and debated with my dinner companion about the financial efficacy of slow loris breeding. Both the wine and the bass were delicioso, which, of course, is Latin for "fuckin' tasty."

       How, might you ask, am I able to recount so vividly an event that took place over a year ago? No, this is not a case of eidetic memory. In fact, quite the opposite--my recall's so horrible I've taken to tattooing important names and dates on my body. Now, I'll never miss the Fourth of July again.

       But I digress, I remember the meal for several reasons, the main one being that I tweeted about the experience the following day and just now spent fifteen minutes scrolling back through old posts in order to find it. Also though, it was the first time I'd ever tasted Gavi and I fell in love instantaneously with the Italian white wine. The bass killed it too, but I'm no food critic. Martha Stewart is though, and she too dined there that night.

       Like the prodigal son, I made my sophomore return to L'Artusi yesterday and this time I came away with the distinct view that it is bar none my favorite restaurant in NYC! A rebellious utterance, but one I'm willing to stand on the front line and defend. 8 of us convened on the evening of last to partake in the West Village restaurant's prix fixe Summer Cocktail Dinner. It consisted of four courses, each paired with two sensational cocktails from their hot off the press summer menu.

Click "Read more" for menus, pictures and reviews:

Super Linda Tribeca: Cocktails, Long Drinks and Drinkers Drinks

     
       Ask any bartender. 2 out of 50,000 will tell you devising clever names for original alcohol amalgams is a labor of love. I personally tend to stick to titles that'll sound good following the phrase "Can I have the...". For instance, some of my more popular past creations include: Subscription to Buttman, Short Version, Beer Shits, Hard Facts, and Number To A Urologist. Should a patron request any one of these libations, I'm pre-programmed to respond with, "I'll toss in a set of fuzzy handcuffs if you sign-up for the three-year package, " "it's really much funnier if you hear the long version, but, basically, the children called him Stainsputin after that," "not in my bathroom you can't," "queen ants have the longest lifespan of any known insect; 28 years," and "212-566...", respectively, of course. Who doesn't like a barkeep with an arsenal of witty banter?!
       Last night I dropped by Super Linda, a relatively new Latin American restaurant from the guys behind La Esquina, and I found myself pleasantly surprised by some of the seemingly ambiguous headings on their own cocktail list. Juliet, you had a point when you said, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." There's no arguing that taste is the most important aspect of any potent potable, but dammit Juliet, don't underestimate the value of pizzazz! Like a book judged by it's cover, we must give credence to the art of 'tail tagging.


Find the complete Super Linda cocktail menu below. Additional comments highlighted:

We's Antiques-- Keenly Selected Heirlooms

       I went to this hoity-toity Obama fundraiser back in October of 2008. It took place at Hammerstein Ballroom and Bruce Springsteen headlined alongside Billy Joel; a pretty monumental occasion to say the least. What I remember most--aside from the then Presidential hopeful's inspiring speech--was the part of the program when Billy introduced his daughter Alexa to the stage. He said something to the effect of, this is "shameless nepotism" at it's best. I thought to myself, "wow, that's a really dick way to announce your daughter's grand entrance Billy." 


       In a similar fashion, I will now channel Billy Joel and lay bare my nepotistic intent. Go to my mother's website and feast your eyeballs upon her glorious wares! Her antiquities are so unique she's even sold her product to Mike Zohn from the reality TV show Oddities. She's also a much better singer than Alexa Ray Joel.