The Caipirinha Cocktail...now where'd I put that damn thong??

Smoke in a Drink Bad:
bacon-smoked bourbon at Belly Timber in Portland, or any smoked hooch that all the new "mixoligists" are doing at bars around the country. Guys...and girls...leave it alone already!

Smoke in a Drink Good:
Laphroig Single Malt Scotch....mmmm...peaty goodness.
The Caipirinha Cocktail...I'm guessing the national liquor of Brazil, Cachaça, gets its smoky character from the oak barrels it's aged in. However they do it, shaken up with a little lime and sugar it makes a kick ass cocktail. A caipirinha is kind of mojito-like, refreshing, the perfect sweet-tart mix, and with that crazy Cachaça complexity. Man, that shit's good! The other night after work I had an urge for something different than the usual negroni or martini. I had a neglected bottle of Cachaça in the bar that seemed so lonely, so to make it and me feel better it was time to put some samba on the stereo, wiggle into my my thong, and whip up a caipirinha and get my Barzilian groove on. Of course I soon realized that I didn't have a thong to put on...which is probably for the better. Talk about a crime against humanity to anyone who might get a peek at my lily white ass....the horror!! But even without the thong, my cocktail was simple, fast, and delicious. Obrigado, Brazil!!
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Caipirinha Cocktail
serves 1

ingredients:
3 oz. cachaça
5 or 6 lime pieces from a lime cut into eigths.
1 tablespoon sugar

method:
Place lime pieces and sugar into bottom of cocktail shaker and muddle until well combined and all mushy. Add cachaça and large ice cubes. Shake for about 15 or 20 seconds, and pour into 5 or 6 ounce old fashioned glass. Garnish with lime.

For an added, non-traditional bit of groove in case you're short on Stan Getz & João Gilberto in your playlist, may I suggest while enjoying a caipirinha getting your Snoop Dogg on with this...

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one year ago today @ E.D.T.: exceeding expectations with this awesome Butternut Squash Risotto!

Date Night...pt.1

Another night that reminds me of how fortunate I am to be able to enjoy the things I do...or in this case eat. It was Date Night last night, and since w had never been to Alberta Oyster Bar & Grill (2926 NE Alberta St.,503.284.9600), that was her pick. Turned out pretty well too. Much better than the two photos. But hey, it was pretty dark in there, and it seems rude to be flashing pictures and blinding my fellow diners just so I can stick some half assed food shots on here, so that's what ya get. Anyway, the point is the food was rocking. We started out our evening at Siam Society with a couple of their specialty cocktails. SS is a quasi-thai bar and restaurant built inside an old PGE sub-station. Even though these words wouldn't normally go together, it has this elegantly industrial feel. My caipirinha was perfect. I love that smoky cachaça flavor. w had their lycheetini, good but a bit sweet for our tastes.
Then off up the street to AOBG for more indulgence. I always like walking into the cozy interior here. Yeah, it's dark, but not too, and has a very comfortable vibe. So what else are you going to hit first there but some fresh shucked oysters? They usually have around ten different choices. We picked the Fanny Bays and the Cortes Island. They were both excellent, with the Cortes' getting the slight nod with their more assertive, briny flavor. The only quibble I have is the price. At $15 per 1/2 dozen they are about $3-$5 more than anywhere else. I washed mine down with an ever satisfying Tanqueray martini, while w had the excellent '05 Patricia Green Sauv Blanc. Both worked it in their own way. We followed with a baby arugula salad with toasted walnuts and blue cheese. Very good, balanced, fresh. And if you think I could resist something called Foie Gras French Toast, you would sadly mistaken. Foie Gras French Toast. I just like saying that. This was a perfectly decadent piece of the fattened goose that was so good!











We had the waiter pop the cork on the 2001 Gozzolino "Il Sciorio" Barbera d'Asti I brought along. I absolutely adore this wine, and it is one of the finest $20 bottles of wine you can buy. Killer juice...earthy, rich, ripe, and perfect with so many different foods. In this case perfect with our two entrees (pictured..sort of...above). Mine was a duck breast on top of a bed of greens with little squares of potato gnocchi, while w scored big with their monkfish and oxtail plate. Kind of a gourmet version of surf and turf. Very nicely done. We were stuffed and wisely decided to skip dessert after all that goodness. All in all this was a great dinner without one missed note. Really impressive and will have me coming back any chance I get!