The Globe & Mail recently ran an article about Bartenders waging war on VODKA...
First of all how this is even a news story is beyond me, must have been a slow news day. However since it has to do with Vodka and someone waging war on it I had to give it a read. Who knew that what I was about to read would get me so angry...I know...getting angry over Vodka? Silly...
However it was not the vodka issue itself that got me irritated it was the high and mighty attitude of the people interviewed for it. COME ON...A restaurant owner who WON'T serve cocktails with Vodka in them before dinner because HE feels that Vodka is not a good match with food...Ummm HELLO...remember me...THE CUSTOMER... what the hell happened to what I want.
Damon Clements, a chef-owner of the new Toronto restaurant Ortolan...and I quote...
“We’re trying to have things that are genuine aperitifs that open the palette, or digestifs,” he says. “And vodka and gin are more of a let’s-go-to-the-bar-and-get-loaded drink.”
Well La-De-Da aren't you so fancy..huh...You know where I WON'T be eating...
So sorry that us minions are not intelligent enough to make a decision for ourselves. Thank you kind sir for educating us what we NEED, cus of course you know best.
The cocktail culture is Canada is booming as of late and this is exciting and fabulous. Unfortunately it's snobbery and pretentious'ness like this that ruins it for everyone else...There always has to be one kid that pees in the pool!
Mixology has been around for centuries, as have bartenders and servers. Mixologist have been around since someone felt their penis was too small and they needed a bigger, fancier title...Yes I am blaming a man...It's been around since someone thought that being a fabulous bartender just wasn't cool enough. It's been around since someone thought they might get laid more if the were Fancy ...huh...It's like calling yourself ... "The Fry Manager" at McDonalds...and you still just make fries...
But of course that wasn't good enough and someone came along with an even smaller penis and felt their title had to be BIGGER AND BETTER...and on that day...The MASTER Mixologist was born. Wax on....Wax off...
I was lead to another article while reading the Globe & Mail article, that reflects this I AM THE GOD OF ALL THINGS BOOZE attitude quite well...
Another restaurateur and another restaurant I won't be eating at...wrote and article called Vodka is Stupid... Now normally I don't like to give small minded, I am better than you, blogs or bloggers a bigger soap box or liquor crate to stand on. But the author of this piece does such a good job of making herself look like an ass, it's worth the read...because as far as she is concerned...we are all DUMB...and she uses big words like DIATRIBE ...
The whole point of my rant...cus I think I have one...is...
WHO GIVES A SHIT....stop taking yourself so bloddy seriously...
Anyone can mix and pour a drink, it is NOT rocket science.
Need I say more...
You can use all the fancy ingredients or micro whatever you want. It's simply a recipe that anyone can follow...Anyone can also create a drink...my 13 year old does it with fountain pop whenever he gets the chance...Swamp Water Baby...guess we were all Mixologist at one point...
BUT...Not everyone can be a great bartender , this is a true talent...GO TEAM BARTENDER!
Besides, anytime I have ever had a Mixologist make me a drink...it takes TOO DAMN LONG...Just get me a drink already, I'm thirsty!!! As much as this deflates your ego, I came to drink a drink...not watch you make one.
My name is Dee Brun and I was and always will be...a Proud Bartender...
Only now I wear better shoes...and Cocktail'ista sounds funner...see...it's all about the fancy title...
Cheers
10 comments:
People really need to get over themselves. It's booze for gosh sakes. After a coupla 'palate openers' and some vino, ya can't taste the food anyways. Bazinga!
Maybe these high and mighty foodanistas should take a page out of some of the great chefs books and look up a recipe for Vodka Sauce where vodka is quite a good match with food.
As for Ms. Agg's comment in the article about vodka being "stupid"; calling vodka stupid is rather a stupid comment to make as the definition of stupid (unintelligent, slow of mind) requires the object being stupid to have a brain! While vodka has spirit it certainly does not have a brain - much like those who would call vodka stupid. Rofl.
Your snark is righteous,these people need to get over themselves, relax their sphincters and just have a cocktail!
Cheers to you Cocktail Deeva!
Wow. I just read the Vodka is stupid article and must say I am offended. Someone should pour a stiff cocktail for the high horse Miss Agg is on maybe tell her to loosen us a little and enjoy life rather than raging a war on those potato loving peoples in the world.
As for you, well written sass Dee, but I would expect nothing less.
Cheers!
'Vodka never disappoints' is practically my mantra. Kudos to you for responding to these authors with a curt 'get over yourself'. I am not a bartender, or a mixologist, but I do like to make cocktails, and I find vodka too versatile to exclude from my liquor cabinet. And I'm with you: no one should have to wait too long to get a good drink!
Say wha'? That's ridiculous. Vodka is a perfect drink for any time of the day, and hello, yes, about Vodka sauce! We pretty much drink vodka in Finland not just before the meal but between each bite we take. Perfect for cleansing the palate, especially when you eat seafood, especially any raw or pickled kind.
Cheers and kippis and let's keep the damn vodka pouring!
I left a comment on the article also. I'm a whisky drinker, a Scotch man at heart, so I'm obviously biased: give me a shot of brown in a dirty glass and I'm satisfied. That doesn't mean that I will ONLY drink scotch and DEMAND scotch regardless of anything else that may be offered. I also love rye whiskeys, bourbon, and Irish whiskeys. I'll fall in love with you if you give me a well-made Hennessy Sidecar. I've been drinking Negronis all summer. When life throws me grapefruits, I make Palomas.
When you belly up to a bar, you don't only see one bottle...you don't only see one type of spirit. You see a vast array of choices that you can have in your cocktail or to drink on its own. To not embrace that choice is a disrespect to all the other pretty bottles staring at you, as well as the vodka you might usually drink -- if you see other scenarios for other spirits, you'll come to enjoy your vodka in the best environments and come to enjoy it that much better. The fact of the matter is that there are times and places for all the different spirits, and we should be open to being available when that time and place presents itself.
*comes clean* All that being said, I am a vodka hater. Sorry. I just have really good reasons to back it up! I love your passion though, just open up a little bit to different things, be more congenial! I'd love to hear your perspective on this post: http://thecongenialhour.tumblr.com/post/9268656669/pharrell-x-smirnoff-start-pure
Nikolas
Thank you so much for your comment as I love your passion...
O am open to everything...use everything...drink everything and hate nothing..except for maybe Peach Schnapps...but like you, have good reason...
My point was not really about hating a spirit...but more having such a hate on for those who drink it, order it or enjoying...Calling us stupid drunkards because we enjoy vodka, was not really doing her argument and good...
Cheers and keep the passion...
Truthfully, vodka is my last choice when it comes to the major spirits. But this hate-on for vodka that seems to be growing among the mixology "elite" seems bizarre. Maybe it's not as widespread as we think, I don't know. It may just be the loud and the few...
But I do know that if someone offers me a well-made vodka cocktail, I will smile and say thank you. And if you're at my place, either my wife or I will be happy to make you a vodka cocktail. With pleasure. While it's not our first choice, we've had many a happy guest drink up many a tasty vodka cocktail at our home bar.
It's about having fun. Live and let live folks.
Gosh, what to say?! If it weren't for the fact that I Rocked being a Bartender for oh... 15 or so years I wouldn't have been able to buy my house or pay for University. And out of all the liquor we kept in stock, Vodka was it. You can do more with a bottle of vodka than you can with wine (not that I am dissing wine as I do love it myself). And if I want a Martini or a Vodka with a twist instead of a glass of wine with my dinner, that is my choice, not the restaurant owners.
I won't go to a certain beach because it is dry, so I certainly wouldn't go to a restaurant if they didn't serve what I wanted... which lately has been... VODKA. Hmm, that has picked up a bit since I have gotten to know you better Cocktail Deeva, gotta hand it to you you are rubbing off on me, vodka and all. Cheers!
Post a Comment