Bar Tab Hangover
I'm still thinking about that $18 cocktail at Sazón (from the review in this week's paper). It was fresh in my mind this weekend when I stopped in for some drinks and snacks at Radish & Rye. My party sampled several of the bourbon cocktails, which, swoon, were absolutely delightful. And each cost $12. One of them, the Abuelito, was delivered with a beaker of tobacco smoke wafted over the surface to evoke the aroma of your grandfather (quite accurately, in my case). Great drink theater, guys! I devoured a delightful Boulevardier. Urr … it gets a little fuzzy after that (It was Cocktail Week—I wasn't driving!), but I was impressed by the giant ice cubes, the real Amarena cherries and the prices.
Of course, that was after the nap I needed following the Rosé Extravaganza tasting out at Arroyo Vino, where there were more than 80 wines chilled and ready for a swirl. I found so many new favorites that I wanted to go back and replace half of my suggestions from SFR's Summer Guide. Oh well, there's always room for new favorites.
And it was my first trip to Arroyo Vino, out at Las Campañas. The restaurant is super lovely, as is the amazing garden out back. SFR even profiled head chef Colin Shane in a recent cover story. I was able to spend a little time before the tasting wandering around (and getting some tips from the accomplished gardeners). Just look at this beautiful garden: Much of it is devoted to flowers and greens for the restaurant (the lettuce and chard were huge for June, having been started under row covers). There's a farm stand set up at the garden on Saturday mornings from 9 am until 1 pm, with produce, plant starts, coffee and breakfast.
Speaking of gardening, I know I have previously lectured on the topic of fresh bay leaves (recap: always buy fresh bay leaves because they're cheaper and more flavorful than dried, and they'll dry anyway), but did you know that the bay laurel tree is actually quite well suited to our climate? I just bought one for a little "agriscaping" project I'm working on in my garden beds.
It cost $8 at Plant World on the northern edge of Albuquerque, a vestigial remnant of the Rowland Nursery empire that sells wholesale and to members of their "garden club." A lifetime membership costs $25 and it is often the best (sometimes the only) place to find big specimens of familiar plants, including huge fruit trees. Last week, I snatched a lemongrass plant, a big Brown Turkey fig, a huge rosemary, a beautiful Montmorency cherry tree and this epic pomegranate, which was only $27. I paid my money and ran out of there before they knew how badly I had robbed them. Will you look at this freaking pomegranate?! For $27? It's like 6 feet tall. I can't wait to juice these babies into pomegranate margaritas.
Spice up this weekend by stopping by the Jambo Café Cookbook Release party on Saturday from 2-4:30 pm. You can try some free nibbles and get your cookbook signed.
Or stop by the Greek Festival, 11 am-9 pm Saturday and 11 am-5 pm Sunday at the Convention Center. Food, beer and wine, folk dancing—and it's only $3. You can't miss.
Are there food festivals we need to know about? Great beers we should be drinking? Got news, tips or suggestions for The Fork? Let us know! Email thefork@sfreporter.com
