'Behind the Bar' Archives

Blogs

New York News Local News Blog Michael Musto Nat Hentoff Archives Search Weekly Newsletter Get Mobile

New York Events Top Picks Submit an Event Events Newsletter Get Mobile Entertainment Ads Free Will Astrology Tickets Choice Streets

New York Music Music Blog Concert Calendar New York Nightlife Pazz & Jop Submit an Event Music Newsletter Get Mobile NYC 4Knots Music Fest

New York Restaurants Food Blog Find a Restaurant Menus Happy Hours Deals Choice Streets Dining Newsletter Get Mobile Restaurant Ads

New York Arts New York Theater Arts Newsletter Get Mobile Entertainment Ads Obie Awards Books Dance Art

New York Movies Showtimes Film Poll 2012 Film Festivals Film Newsletter Repertory Film Get Mobile Free Stuff

Things to do in New York 2012 Readers Poll 2011 2010 2009 2008 Best Of Newsletter Get Mobile Best Of Ads

New York Promotions Promotional Events Street Team Free Stuff Promotions Newsletter Get Mobile Deals Web Awards Brooklyn Pour Tickets

New York Classifieds Post an Ad Virtual Career Fair Advertiser Index Deals Deals Newsletter After Dark

Top

blog

Stories

Frank Prisinzano on Wine

By Lauren Mowery
Spiedie Notes: A Sandwich Tour of Binghamton...

By Tejal Rao
New York City's Best Juice Bars

By Jessica Goodman and Mallory Stuchin
5 Great Food Events This Weekend

By Jessica Goodman
Three Underrated Patios

By Laura Shunk
In Praise of Diner Hamburgers

By Robert Sietsema
Inside Andrew Tarlow's Achilles Heel

By Laura Shunk
The Fourth Opens Near Union Square

By Laura Shunk
What Can You Do About the Coming Cicada...

By Robert Sietsema
New York's Serious Case of Cronut Fever, and...

By Tejal Rao

Behind the Bar

Bittermens' Janet Glasser on Bitter Liqueurs

By Alexia Nader Fri., Apr. 13 2012 at 1:11 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

After trying Bittermens gentian liqueur in the Shanty's Sauvetage cocktail, we decided to check out Bittermens Spirits, a Brooklyn-based company that specializes in bitter and herbal liqueurs. We found that its products have been embraced by some of the city's top bars, like PDT, Amor y Amargo, and Dram, and caught up with one of the co-founders, Janet Glasser, who took time out from bottling to tell us where she gets ideas for her unique flavor combinations.

Tags:

Behind the Bar, bitters, liqueur

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

The Bourgeois Pig's Frank Cisneros on Forgotten European Spirits

By Alexia Nader Thu., Apr. 5 2012 at 3:08 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Jena Cumbo

To create the sophisticated drink menu at the new Bourgeois Pig in Carroll Gardens, Frank Cisneros has been delving into the often mysterious world of European liquor. He told us about his adventures tracking down some of the forgotten spirits and liqueurs from the Continent and mixing them back into the bar scene.

Tags:

bartender, Behind the Bar, booze, cocktail, drink

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Hella Bitter's Benjamin Ahr Harrison on Artisanal Bitters

By Alexia Nader Thu., Mar. 29 2012 at 3:00 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Hella Bitter owners Benjamin Ahr Harrison and Eduardo Simeon at the Meadow

Hella Bitter, a Brooklyn-based start-up, sells artisanal bitters that are quickly becoming the product of choice at some of our favorite bars and restaurants, like Noorman's Kil, the Spotted Pig, and the Mermaid Inn. So we decided to ask one of the company's owners, Benjamin Ahr Harrison, to explain how Hella Bitter got its start and what sets its bitters apart from the competition. He gave us some great answers and his own recipe for a Manhattan cocktail as an extra bonus.

Tags:

artisans, Behind the Bar, bitters

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

The Wayland's Brian Hawthorne on Spring Drinks and Impromptu Bar Concerts

By Alexia Nader Thu., Mar. 22 2012 at 3:30 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Brian Hawthorne is one of the owners of the Wayland (700 East 9th Street, 212-777-7022), where he tends bar and sometimes performs late-night impromptu concerts for his customers. We asked him about one of our favorite drinks on the menu -- a margarita made with kale juice -- spring cocktails, and his musical talents.

Tags:

Behind the Bar

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Top Hops' Ted Kenny on Growlers

By Alexia Nader Thu., Mar. 15 2012 at 1:58 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Martha Camarillo

After years of working as a bartender and a marketing guy for Anheuser-Busch, Ted Kenny decided to test out his beer chops by opening up a store of his own on the Lower East Side, Top Hops Beer Shop (94 Orchard Street, 212-254-4677), where you can grab a pint to stay or a growler to take home. Of course, we had to ask him for a St. Patrick's Day beer pick -- he likes O'Hara's, an Irish microbrewery known for its stouts and red ales -- but we were more interested in some long-term beer advice. He gave us some great tips for switching over to growlers, and how to pair beer with spicy chocolate.

Tags:

Behind the Bar

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Billy Deal on Noorman's Kil's Collection of 326 Types of Whiskey

By Alexia Nader Thu., Mar. 8 2012 at 3:54 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Kevin Beard

Noorman's Kil, a Williamsburg grilled cheese joint and bar, prides itself on its massive collection of whiskey -- the bottle count is currently at 326. The bartenders there help customers navigate this intimidating selection by holding free whiskey tastings every Wednesday and being ready to share everything they know about their favorite booze. So we asked one of them, Billy Deal, who's also one of the restaurant's owners, to talk whiskey shop with us.

Tags:

bartender, Behind the Bar, whiskey

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Matt Piacentini on The Beagle's "Academic" Cocktails

By Alexia Nader Thu., Mar. 1 2012 at 2:15 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Matt Piacentini helped develop the Beagle's old-school cocktail menu, which we love here at Fork in the Road. He's a little bit of a cocktail history nerd, so we asked him to explain how he researched the drinks on the menu and the story behind the restaurant's unusual pairing boards.

Tags:

bartender, Behind the Bar, cocktail, drink

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Five Leaves' Joshua Van Horn on Brunch Drinks

By Alexia Nader Thu., Feb. 23 2012 at 4:00 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar

Camilo Fuentealba

Joshua Van Horn is the main man behind the new cocktail menu at the Greenpoint neighborhood spot, Five Leaves. The restaurant is usually pretty hopping around brunch time, most likely because of its impressive daytime cocktail selection, so we asked Van Horn what makes his drink list so special, and the secret to the perfect morning pick-me-up.

Tags:

bar, bartender, Behind the Bar, Greenpoint, Williamsburg

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Orient Express' Sam Ziar on Romantic Cocktails

By Alexia Nader Tue., Feb. 14 2012 at 12:47 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar, Featured

Alexia Nader

Sam Ziar tends the bar at Orient Express, one of the West Village's most romantic spots. Today, on Valentine's Day, he expects to be one busy man, but he took some time out to talk to Fork in the Road about his favorite winter ingredients and what makes a great Valentine's Day drink.

Tags:

bartender, Behind the Bar, cocktail lounge, drinks, Valentine's Day

Email to Friend

Write to Editor

Print Article

Behind the Bar

Tremont's Zach Lombardo on Being a 'Neat' Guy

By Victoria Bekiempis Sun., Jan. 22 2012 at 9:49 PM

Categories: Behind the Bar, Featured

Zach Lombardo

Zach Lombardo, a Cleveland native, has been at West Village newcomer Tremont for seven months. During his time bartending at the restaurant (51 Bank Street, 212-488-1019), the Randolph alum has tried to take advantage of the four seasons in designing cocktails. He talked to the Voice a bit about gin, juice, and hotness.