epicurianlife

February is a special time for the restaurants in upstate New York, when servers skulk through the dining room with empty pockets and bartenders migrate back and forth between the bar and kitchen, desperately looking for someone to talk to.

Meanwhile, we were busy in the kitchen, visioucly assaulting each other with promotional, rubber, Absolute Vodka bar mats. It is surprising how much a pound and a half of rubber willl hurt when wielded in the right hands. All it takes is a slight flick of the wrist, with just the proper forward momentum towards the ass or the small of the back, to leave a serious stinging sensation lingering on your enemy. Hot appetizer cooks and lowly prep-guys make easy targets. They generally have something to do regardless of the otherwise static line. Besides, they are sadly unarmed.

I have been gaining somewhat of a minor reputation for helping bartenders concoct the coveted "drink of the day." On one hand, I enjoy playing with different flavor combinations, trying to find that balance on the center of the tongue where everything just melds together in the mouth. On the other, trial and error is a hell of a way to get a free buzz. Today we were working with a cherry flavored vodka. I really dislike cherry flavored anything-- even edible panties. So, the artful combining of spirits took a little longer. In the end we found something that was both refreshing and tasty, as well as being pink and sweet enough to sell to our target female market. I've also decided that the edible panties might be better with an iced tea and elderberry back-- something to keep in mind.