Vermuth

Before a meal, after work or during the witching hour, one should broaden their scope to the pleasures of Carpano Antica. This Italian sweet vermouth is worlds apart from the environs of Martini & Rossi. Try yourself an apéritif. 

Correct Enjoyment
3 oz - Carpano Antica Formula
Orange Twist
One Ice Cube

And Alfred Hitchcock used to inform the bartender to just waived his gin shaker over the bottle of vermouth.....if he only had known.

Second Glance

What can arouse more excitement than a scarf and Champagne ? This subtle approach displays an onwards style and sophistication than one is not born with but carefully adopts. One sees a man walking down a lamp post lit street, smoking the oxygen, carrying a bottle of Champagne with his scarf ruffling in the piercing air and the external curiosity begins. Where is he going ? What are his intentions ? Could I ever find myself at the same place as him ?  And before there is any resolution he is gone.

Ms Apéritif

Adult Carousel

Abraço

If things have become stale and one craves a buzz try this drip. The focus is quality. No free Wi-Fi, no lounging because there are no chairs, in fact the employee work space is larger than the customer standing room. It is not a divulgance that this East Village cafe vibrates on coffee beans and pastries. Between the zaftig, rich espressos and the olive oil cakes there is not much one needs after this. Just whisper Abraçoooooo.......

Les Armes

                           1.Velvet Slipper                             3. Combat Boot

                                   2. Brogue                                      4. Deer Skin Chelsea

                                                                                               

Mode of Transport

Preferred is the scooter.  A man that has does not have to rely on others for transportation shows independence, appeal, and stability. Alone, he comes and goes as he pleases.  A scooter is not a loud, bulky Harley-Davidson with a million moving parts and it is certainly not a crotch rocket in which you have to hold a yoga position to drive.  A scooter belongs to the city.  It is refined, yet amusing, humble and terribly convenient.  Owning a scooter is quite nice but accenting it to one's lifestyle is something completely different.  Now, it is not just about the scooter but even more about the cowboy riding it.  Does one use the scooter only in summer to pick up groceries while wearing cargo shorts and flip flops or does one accent it is with a slicked back hair, a fitted suit and sunglasses with a femme fatale on the back ? I bid for the latter. It may sound like a movie but it is not.  What do you think I did all summer ?

Urban Jet Ski

Reckless: utterly unconcerned about the consequences of some action;without caution; careless (usually fol. by of ): to be recklessof danger. 

Driving the scooter in Chicago's desolate 'Loop' at 4 a.m. with a mellow buzz can be rather transcendent. Now, if one can manage a beauty on the back to assist with leaning into the turns well, all the merrier.

Refinement at 3 a.m.

I had the honor and pleasure of consuming many wines the evening prior. The notables Henri Bonneau Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1999 and the Bouchard Aine & Fils Les Bonnes Mares 1957 but I am being unfair.

Purview

What Happened ?

When the Lower East Side was the place to be, when we were allowed to still smoke in bars, when no one knew the lyrics, when independent rock had a focused sound, when The Strokes debuted, 'Is this It', when the myspace band page ceased to exist, before the big label, before the fame, before Carlos D's departure, and everything else.

Titans

During the 1969 filming of 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'. A film about two non-heroic legends and a woman. 

Often one can read in GQ, AskMen, etc a reappearing question. 'What makes a man ?' Although the answer to this question is impossible due to various opinions by the sheer population of men on this planet. My definition is in this picture.

ILEGAL MEZCAL

The chairs were small, wooden, slung back.

We stretched out our legs. She tilted

her head back as

she drank.

I leaned forward and kissed her neck.

I did not expect the sharp

taste of earth,

salt, and

gold.

Unknown by most, consumed by few and
viewed by the ill-informed as 'that worm Tequila' is an injustice. 

I first tasted Ilegal at Mayahuel in the East Village. This is a handcrafted, artisanal mezcal grown and made in tradition. Ilegal got its name because it was smuggled into Antigua, Guatemala from Oaxaca, Mexico by John Rexer to be poured at his cafe, Café No Sé.  Ilegal was also blocked from the United States market due to its absurd name....  In order to appease TTB regulations, 'Mezcal Joven, Mezcal Repasado, or Mezcal Anejo ' is printed largely on the label as the pseudo name but sure enough our beloved Ilegal appears underneath in smaller print, 'Produced for Ilegal Mezcal'. 

  

* Lot 001 Joven