Lush Life
An Anchorage bar-hopper's essential guide to the latest nightlife action and coolest hot-spots.
Archive
Cool Moms and Cool Cocktails - 5/8/2008 11:28 am
The Rules of the Bar - 5/8/2008 11:27 am
Margarita, por favor! - 5/2/2008 9:59 am
Warmer weather, refreshing drinks - 5/1/2008 4:41 pm
Appetizing times at the Crow's Nest - 4/25/2008 10:01 am
Earth Day - 4/22/2008 5:34 pm
It's all about the martini - 4/18/2008 11:11 am
How to make a martini - 4/17/2008 5:40 pm
Saunders at Simon's! - 4/17/2008 5:31 pm
Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant -- Big Music, Bigger Bar - 4/11/2008 9:41 am
Ladies, Listen up - 4/9/2008 3:19 pm
Smoking ban follow-up - 4/4/2008 9:48 am
Smoking ban slideshow - 4/3/2008 5:39 pm
Keg on his shoulder, whiskers on his chin, mixes on his mind -- Christoff Jefferis - 4/3/2008 1:58 pm
Decoding Drinks - 3/28/2008 2:21 pm
Musing on spring flings - 3/28/2008 9:45 am
Well-crafted beer a simple, shoulder-relaxing delight - 3/24/2008 10:02 am
Cocktails and spirits to combat (or complement) spring fever - 3/20/2008 5:26 pm
St. Patrick's Day all weekend long - 3/14/2008 2:12 pm
Clearing the Air - 3/14/2008 10:34 am
What do you think of the smoking ban, Anchorage? - 3/7/2008 2:10 pm
The Ravioli Rumble - 3/7/2008 9:39 am
Cool Moms and Cool Cocktails
MAY 8, 2008 - 11:28 AM
Mother's Day is Sunday and nothing says "I love you, Mom" like a fancy cocktail or classy meal. Here are some sweet suggestions to show the woman who brought you into this world that you truly care.
First, if you haven't planned anything yet, take her to brunch. Several restaurants are providing a prix fix buffet for moms and guests. The Anchor Pub & Club (712 W. Fourth Ave., 677-7979), Anchorage Senior Center (1300 E. 19th Ave., 258-7823),Lone Star Steakhouse (4810 C St., 562-7827), Sea Galley Restaurant (4101 Credit Union Drive, 563-3520) and Villa Nova (5121 Arctic Blvd., Suite 1, 561-1660) are a few, but wherever you decide to dine make sure to call ahead to check on buffet prices and times.
The Rules of the Bar
MAY 8, 2008 - 11:27 AM
Any nightlifer, whether close to retirement or just getting in the game, has to be aware that there are certain unspoken rules about the bar scene. Unspoken, however, often means that some of us didn’t get the memo.
Here are some bar-specific codes (house party rules are a whole ’nother column) compiled from my research and observation. Consider this a refresher as the summer party season approaches.
• If you can’t afford to tip, you shouldn’t be drinking at a bar in the first place. Stay home and save up until you can afford both.
• It doesn’t matter what bar you’re in, who you know or how you tip: Never be rude to the bartender. This includes pinching, making snide comments or jokes at their expense or generally acting like a jerk. Bartenders, though friendly, are doing their job. They may like you, but they aren’t serving you for free. And even close friends can be lousy customers if they have one too many.
Margarita, por favor!
MAY 2, 2008 - 9:59 AM
Cinco de Mayo — the fifth of May. Not just any day on the calendar, but a day to commemorate Mexico’s 19th-century fight against French occupation. Though this year Cinco de Mayo arrives on a Monday, one overwhelming aspect of the date holds true — whatever day it falls on, it’s always a party. In fact, it’s a fiesta.
It’s a given that Mexican restaurants will be hosting events, but here are few places with special perks for party-goers. They are all free to attend, but food and drink from the menus will cost you.
La Mex Restaurant (8330 King St. and 2550 Spenard Road) is adding some sweet prizes and merchandise to the mix. The theme this year is “beachy,” said Cyndi Ramirez, La Mex’s promotions guru.
Warmer weather, refreshing drinks
MAY 1, 2008 - 4:41 PM
Spring is in the air, Anchorage. After a brief setback last week, the grass is showing again and it looks like, fingers crossed, warmer weather might be on its way. To celebrate, here are some fun drink recipes embracing all things Spring, with fresh ingredients and garnishes. For a full listing of recipes and other suggestions visit about.com's cocktail blog or Imbibe magazine's Web site.
Tea Tini
Use a light iced tea for this refreshing vodka martini with a hint of lemon. This martini also begs for a splash of flavor and adding a small amount of berry, lavender, rosemary or chamomile to the steeping tea is subtle yet soothing.
Appetizing times at the Crow's Nest
APRIL 25, 2008 - 10:01 AM
The view from the top-floor lounge in the Crow’s Nest at the Hotel Captain Cook (939 W. Fifth Ave.) is one of the best in town. On sunny days, the mountains form a snow-capped backdrop for the city. At night, the lights of Anchorage are a shiny, bustling blanket snuggling the hotel from below.
This was where I headed for my next food foray on the hunt for the perfect appetizer. And though a little upscale, the Crow’s Nest is definitely a contender. Why? Because up in the Crow’s Nest, it’s not just the food, it’s the experience, and the entire lounge is a cozy, luxurious, appetizer-oriented oasis.
Earth Day
APRIL 22, 2008 - 5:34 PM
Happy Earth Day, nightlifers!. In celebration of all things green, I found some fun tips and eco-friendly treats on the about.com cocktails blog and listed them just for you.
For instance, if you're in the mood for earth-friendly libations, try the following environmentally friendly alcohols -- 360 Vodka, Orange V Vodka, Reyka Vodka and Square One Organic Vodka.
And, to mix up some earthy drinks, try these "green" (literally and figuratively) recipes:
It's all about the martini
APRIL 18, 2008 - 11:11 AM
The martini is arguably America’s favorite cocktail. It was the drink of choice for Hemingway, Capote and Bond; Alfred Hitchcock’s favorite recipe called for five parts gin and a “quick glance” at a bottle of vermouth. At heart, it is a creation of gin, vermouth and a subtle garnish. But today’s martinis revel in a large, diverse and apple-flavored atmosphere.
The classic drink is a nightlife symbol. It means class, it means glamour and it means liquor. When it’s on a restaurant sign or menu, the understanding is that there are “good times to be had.”
But I like my martini dirty and vodka-based and use gin only when cleaning paint off something. Martini purists argue that the whole point is the taste of gin — with a vodka version, you taste only vermouth and the garnish.
How to make a martini
APRIL 17, 2008 - 5:40 PM
Watch Keith Saunders, bartending blogger and Daily News spirits guru, as he concocts the perfect martini with step-by-step instructions here.
-- by Jessica Bowman
Saunders at Simon's!
APRIL 17, 2008 - 5:31 PM
For those of you who enjoy a well-crafted cocktail made by a familiar face, you'll be happy to know that alcohol aficionado Keith Saunders, formerly of the Crow's Nest and current bartending blogger and spirits guru on www.adn.com is back behind the bar, serving up specialty drinks at Simon & Seafort's Saloon and Grill.
Having taken a short break to focus on family, Saunders returned just in time for the busy summer season for our mixing pleasure. Simon's has an established drink menu, but I'm sure if you ask Saunders, he'll make you something special. Or, if you want to try some of his recipes visit the recipe forum on the bartender's blog bartender's blog.
Henry's Great Alaskan Restaurant -- Big Music, Bigger Bar
APRIL 11, 2008 - 9:41 AM
The bar inside Henry'sHenry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant has an interesting personality. It’s reminiscent of a chain restaurant — the inside still seems squeakilynew after more than two years in business, and it’s brightly lit, spacious and bustling.
But it’s also a rustic, unassuming and easy-to-appreciate place where cowboy hats and Carhartts are usually de rigueur.
And with the recent additions of live music, a dance floor and a liquor license, it’s a new nightlife scene.
When the restaurant opened, it was a beer-and-wine-only affair, and ownerRay LeGrue said the goal was to concentrate on dining before dancing.
Ladies, Listen up
APRIL 9, 2008 - 3:19 PM
Perusing MySpace the other day, I noticed an awesome bulletin posted by Chilkoot Charlie's. In April, all women can get complimentary VIP Ladies Passes, which allow them free entry into Koot's all month.
Want one? Go to www.myspace.com/chilkootcharlies and make Koot's your friend if they're not already. If you can't find the bulletin or don't see one posted right away, call 272-1010 or send them a MySpace message about the offer. Once you receive the bulletin, print out the offer and then grab your official pass at the coat check inside Koot's. But this means you must pick up the pass before 8 p.m., especially on the weekends, so that you don't have to pay that initial cover to get in to grab your pass.
Smoking ban follow-up
APRIL 4, 2008 - 9:48 AM
A smoke and a drinkSince my column on the smoking ban in the March 14 issue of Play, I've received several comments online and even a typewritten letter. As a follow-up I've decided to touch on some of the more pertinent reader comments and attempt to keep the overall discussion going.
Whether you're missing those places with the smoky air that made you feel at home, or are rejoicing at clean-smelling watering holes, it affects each and every one of us. To begin, as of this posting, the results of an online poll read that 77 percent of voters loved the ban, 21 percent hated it, and 3 percent said "what smoking ban?" This was from a total of 39 voters.
Smoking ban slideshow
APRIL 3, 2008 - 5:39 PM
Still fired up about the smoking ban? Check out my
audio slideshow and tell me what you think.
-- by Jessica Bowman
Keg on his shoulder, whiskers on his chin, mixes on his mind -- Christoff Jefferis
APRIL 3, 2008 - 1:58 PM
Christoff JefferisHis T-shirt bears a quote widely (but erroneously) attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” His business card reads, “Christoff Jefferis: Slave to beer, booze and wine, i.e. Bar manager.”
Patrons may have recognized him as the mustachioed, sideburn-festooned man behind the bar at Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse. But his signature whiskers were recently shorn because Jefferis, 38, wanted to see his face again.
Jefferis has been in the hospitality business for 15 years, doing everything from washing dishes to serving to bartending. In four years at the psychedelic, salmon-themed beer den on Sixth Avenue, he has risen to bar manager.
Decoding Drinks
MARCH 28, 2008 - 2:21 PM
To follow-up on this week's column all about Spring flings, here are some tips for the ladies in the nightlife scene, from the March issue of Cosmopolitan, where top bartenders were asked to help decipher what a man's drink choice really means.
Ever get a free drink from "the gentleman at the bar?" Before you accept, take a look at what he's drinking.
Decode His Drink
Shot: Probably funny and eager to impress, don't expect him to stay long-term.
Mojito or blended drink: Perhaps on permanent vacation, this man will never be on time. And if you see an umbrella in his drink, run.
Musing on spring flings
MARCH 28, 2008 - 9:45 AM
As Alfred Lord Tennyson once said, “In the spring a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” And with the grass beginning to show, the sun appearing on our way to work and the scent of summertime in the air, every gender is feeling the springtime lift. And nothing goes better with spring than a fling. But where to find one?
On my blog, a reader commented that a bar is the last place a single should look. Yet flocks of fun-lovers throng local bars every weekend, mingling with the hopes of finding someone special. It must work some of the time, right?
Well-crafted beer a simple, shoulder-relaxing delight
MARCH 24, 2008 - 10:02 AM
This week, Play’s Last Call columnist, Jessica Bowman, and Down the Hatch columnist, Dawnell Smith, switch roles to discover if the love for liquid translates across ale and cocktail borders. Things will be back to normal next week. Read Smith’s take on mixed drinks on Page 4.
Switching it up and doing a beer column was a trying task for me. When I go out to dinner, for happy hour or just for fun, I want something interesting, intriguing — something to tingle my taste buds. I never order beer.
Beer, to my barely barley-trained palate, was just too blase. Too boring. I mean, I usually thought of beer as a keg-party necessity and a good complement to pizza. The idea of ordering a Corona at a bar made me cringe. Beer seemed like a carbonated, tasteless waste of five bucks.
Cocktails and spirits to combat (or complement) spring fever
MARCH 20, 2008 - 5:26 PM
Spring is in the air, so check out this cocktail recipe from about.com for some soon-to-be sunnier fun! It's originally non-alcoholic, but you can add the vodka if you like, or leave it without for a refreshing cooler.
Spring Fever
3/4-oz. lemon juice
3/4-oz. mango syrup
1 1/2-oz. apple juice
2-oz. blood orange juice (if you can't find this, just use regular orange juice or grapefruit juice)
2-oz vodka
Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
St. Patrick's Day all weekend long
MARCH 14, 2008 - 2:12 PM
A big party night and a week-long sacred event don't always mix, which is why there has been some confusion as St. Patrick's Day approached this year.
This week March 17 will fall in Holy Week for the first time in more than 60 years, which poses a dilemma. Party people and venues around the world had to choose when to celebrate - on St. Patrick's Day or on another date. Of course, Anchorage couldn't decide on one day so there will be Irish-inspired parties today through Monday. Plan your Guinness- and Irish stew-filled fun by perusing the listing of best bets and updates below.
Clearing the Air
MARCH 14, 2008 - 10:34 AM
We now party in a world of smokeless venues, congregations of smoke clouds lingering above sidewalks, designated smoking sheds (of varying comfort levels) and divisions between smokers and nonsmokers.
Nearly a year ago, local voters endorsed a law to ban smoking in public places by a more than 2-to-1 margin, and on July 1, 2007, it went into effect and the nightlife scene changed forever.
But the issue is still smoking.
When reached for this column, some venue owners refused to comment, bristling at the mention of the ban. Most party people either love the ban or hate it, but many bartenders are torn — they admit hesitation to push patrons outdoors but relish that they now get off work with smoke-free uniforms.
Important warning about e-mails purporting to be from the adn.com staff.