A cocktail, writes the food historian Joseph M. Carlin in his book Cocktails: A Global History, “regardless... of what [it] is composed of, or when it is consumed,... is always served chilled; in fact, the colder the better.” By this standard, I can’t call any hot drink made with booze a “cocktail.” Carlin didn’t provide any alternative terminology. So I’ve decided this gives me license to ignore him—at least on this one point. Whatever you choose to call them, hot beverages made with booze are especially delightful this time of year. There’s something sweet and old-fashioned about them: it is, you may recall, the preferred drink of Clarence Odbody, Angel Second Class, in It’s A Wonderful Life, and it got him laughed out of Nick’s Bar in Pottersville. But there’s also something luxurious and comforting about a drink that needs to be heated up. It requires time to make, and so it should take time to drink, slowly, … [Read more...] about Hot booze: a taxonomy
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Ask The Salty Waitress: Why is the bartender talking more to the cute girl next to me?
Dear Salty: It’s snowing on a Friday night, and I decide I’ve been cooped up enough to head to the BBQ down the street. It’s not a 5 star restaurant, but it is definitely not a walk up fast food place either. I am male. I ask to sit at the bar, and I am the only one sitting at the bar. The male bartender acknowledges me, gets me a menu, and takes my order—no conversation, but politely handles the necessary essentials. Then he goes back to watching the basketball game. Shortly after walks in a single attractive girl. He immediately turns into service overload, and then I am in the middle of a conversation about both their interests, day, hobbies, ski trips, and what interests them on a Friday night. It’s not like I want to date the guy, but am I wrong in thinking this is a reflection of his service? Sincerely, Not as cute as the girl next to me Dear Cutie Pie, The answer to your question, honey bun, depends on how much you value conversation as part of … [Read more...] about Ask The Salty Waitress: Why is the bartender talking more to the cute girl next to me?
Ask The Salty Waitress: Should I ask customers why they didn’t finish their meal?
Hey Salty! Long, longtime server/bartender here. What should I say, if anything, if a customer asks me to clear their plate at the end of their meal, with the majority of their food still on it? (I’m not talking here about a few bites left over at the end, I mean they’ve clearly only taken a few bites at all and are asking me to remove the plate from the table) I’m conflicted on this—on one hand, if the customer was dissatisfied with their meal and that’s why they’ve left most of it, I’d love to get the chance to make it right, whether that’s offering them something new, or offering to remake the dish. On the other hand—I wouldn’t want to embarrass anyone; for all I know they didn’t eat their food because they’re struggling with a health issue, or an eating disorder. Do you have an idea for a script with this sort of thing? I don’t exactly want to say “Was everything okay here? I notice you didn’t … [Read more...] about Ask The Salty Waitress: Should I ask customers why they didn’t finish their meal?