Gin o'clock

One of the benefits of working in advertising is that alcohol is not only necessary for lubricating the wheels of commerce vis-a-vis schmoozing with clients and/or potential clients, but also for getting the creative juices flowing during concept development. We don't just pull "Wow!"-inducing creative out of thin air over here! There is a systematic approach to generating high-concept campaigns, usually involving
Dr. Goodbeers, an agency partner, who holds meetings at beer o'clock. Cocktail hour comes frequently (and frequently early) 'round these parts, and it's a blessing that my boss doesn't skimp on the "entertainment" budget.

On this lovely sunny Thursday afternoon, I figured that a crisp, refreshing beverage was in order. As CBO (Chief Bartending Officer) I am usually responsible for making sure the ladyfolk here are sufficiently plied with foofy drinks. Today I served up decidedly non-foofy gin & tonics, using Tanqueray's Rangpur gin. Fun fact about the Rangpur limes with which it is infused - they are a hybrid of mandarin orange and lemon! How about that. Perhaps this is why dropping a real lime into a Rangpur G&T results in a fantabulous cocktail? A downright ethereal melding of citrus flavors within the distillate.

Tony Sinclair knows what he's talking about.

Rangpur-fect

I brought a bottle of Tanqueray Rangpur over to Dr. Raven & Benoc's pad last night. I had tried it once before in a bar, but didn't have an opportunity to experience it fully. It's a delightful gin. It's unique in its taste - infused with Rangpur limes, among other botanicals - it's quite delicious. The lime flavor makes for a fantastic gin & tonic. Tanqueray's standard gin is serviceable for a gin & tonic, but pales in comparison to Bombay Sapphire or Hendrick's for martini purposes. Rangpur takes the gin experience in a different, yet wonderful, direction. Smooth and flavorful - unfortunately it comes in a bit pricier than a bottle of Sapphire, but if you're looking for something a bit different and perhaps more approachable than other gins, Rangpur may well be the answer. I was waiting for a gin aside from Hendrick's to get my attention, and Rangpur has done it admirably.

Zyr & Good Cheer

A big thank-you to Anne and Marc for throwing a great party last night. I was afraid the Pats game would overshadow the affair, but I think it just added to the atmosphere. I even managed to have one or two conversations. The food was tremendous: risotto cakes, potato cakes (latkes?), lamb and feta pocket pies, deviled eggs, stuffed clams (butter content: deliciously high). It obviously took a ton of time and effort, and I applaud the chef and sous-chef for fabulous hors d'oeuvres.

Also Amanda made a fantastic spinach and artichoke dip.

The Zyr acquitted itself admirably once again.

And Scottostyle looks absolutely edible in his new frames, ladies!

smAlbany

On Friday I got out of work early and Jeff and I headed out to Slingerlands, a suburb of Albany, NY, to visit Amrys and her folks for the weekend. Am's mom and the Good Doc (Doc, what happened to your blog?) provided good food, holiday cheer, and a lot of amusing anecdotes and advice, as always. Weekend highlights included:

Good eats - It seemed as if food was being prepared at all hours over the course of the weekend. Undoubtedly holiday preparations were the cause of this, but Jeff and I were the beneficiaries of this gastronomic largesse. The Williams made a roasted lamb which came out just before Jeff and I arrived. One of Jeff's relatives had given his family a basket full of homemade preserves, and, knowing what was on the menu, Jeff brought along a jar of mint jelly. The jelly was the perfect compliment to a heavenly lamb - moist, garlicky, with a simple yet delicious herb crust. The leftover lamb found its way into a curry the next night. The Good Doc slung some of the best homefries and eggs I've had for breakfast each morning.

Good reads - On Saturday we went off to do some Christmas shopping at a few Albany locations. One of these proved to be a great stop for me personally - Dove & Hudson, a used book store (296 Hudson Ave., Albany, NY; right on the eponymous corner). It was a small shop but it was packed with a pretty good selection of stuff, including a decent fiction section. The gent who ran it was also a character, helpful and rather witty. I managed to pick up a few choice books:

• Prague, by Arthur Phillips. I've read Phillips' The Egyptologist, and I liked it quite a bit. He wrote Prague prior to The Egyptologist, and it was well-received.

• If on a winter's night a traveler, by Italo Calvino. Full credit for this goes to Am, who literally put it atop the pile of books I was assembling as I poked through the shelves. I've heard good things about this and decided to go with Am's literary judgment (which I have found to be very reliable).

• The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana, by Umberto Eco. I've read a couple of Eco's novels, and I'm currently in the middle of The Island of the Day Before. I'm becoming a fan, and it was impossible to pass up a beautiful paperback in perfect condition.

• Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace. I took perhaps the biggest chance on this one. Am gave it a mixed review; I read an excellent review of it and I've heard good things in the past from a couple people. It's massive, and will require a lot of time, dedication, and effort to slog through, I reckon. I don't think this will be at the top of my To-Read List for some time, but it was hard to pass up a paperback in very good condition sitting there screaming to be purchased.

• Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke. This was probably the coolest find. I've heard many good things about this, and it's been on and off my radar for a while, but I zoned right in on it when I saw it sitting on the shelf. An earnest recommendation from Jeff sealed it for me. I think this will climb toward the top of my list.

A great used book shop, though. Definitely stop in if you're ever in the area. On a related note, Jeff picked up one of Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey/Maturin series, and the Good Doc clued me in to a recent biography of Lord Cochrane, upon whom the character of "Lucky" Jack Aubrey is based. I flipped through his copy; looks to be a fascinating read. I may have to acquire this sooner rather than later.

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..." - Not only did we have a cozy fire on Saturday night, but we roasted chestnuts in a popcorn-popper. This was cool and kind of fun, although chestnuts are surprisingly starchy. They are tasteless raw, but after some prolonged roasting they have a curious taste similar to roasted potatoes. Not unpleasant, but takes a while to get used to it.

The Mark - Manhattans and hot water bourbon with Maker's Mark; pleasant accompaniments to a roaring fire on a cold winter's night.

Getcha flax here! Two-I-got-two-I-got-two-two-two - A rousing game of Pit, the exciting card game that simulates the U.S. Corn Exchange! It's actually a very simple game that's good fun for a group. I believe I had a score of -20, which is horrendous.

Of course it was great to have the A-Side Lounge reunited for the first time in a while. With one in England and one in Wisconsin (and yours truly in the Hub) it's not too often that we can do this. Nice to be back together, if only for a short time. Getting a bit dusty in here...

Thanks to Am's parents for a wonderful, fun, relaxing weekend. Two nicer, more generous, more genuine people I will be hard pressed to meet.

9:5:3

I'm not a vodka connoisseur by any means. In fact, I rarely drink it. That being said, I can tell rubbing alcohol from a quality vodka, and when put to the test, I will order up some Grey Goose.

Perhaps no longer.

Zyr might be my new favorite vodka, and indeed, one that stands a good chance of converting me into a vodka drinker. Zyr entered the U.S. market a few years back, and broke into the Commonwealth last year. I remember going to a local North End wine store sometime last year and there was a Zyr representative giving a tasting. At the time I thought it was a nice, smooth vodka. I had the opportunity to try it again a couple months back at a tasting at the Golden Goose during their annual fall Open House, along with many tasty foods and wine. This second tasting was side by side with Grey Goose, and I had to admit that the Zyr contrasted favorably with the Goose. It was smoother and had a more intriguing taste. I brought a bottle to a friend's holiday party recently and although nobody had seen it before, several people enjoyed it, including me - quite a bit.

I've only had Zyr on the rocks, and I think this is the best way to drink it. Icy cold, silky smooth, with enough taste to be interesting but not arresting. If you are a vodka drinker, definitely check out Zyr. It can definitely hold its own with the Goose.