Category: Lifestyle (Page 194 of 274)

Drink of the Week: The Commodore

September 13, 2013 / Bob Westal

One fact of boozy life that is both a source of endless fascination and constant befuddlement is that there isn’t a single cocktail recipe that is even remotely agreed upon, much less set in stone. Some may insist that an Old Fashioned is always made with exactly one teaspoon of water or club soda, one sugar cube, and two dashes of Angostura bitters. However, no one’s going to stop me from muddling an orange slice and/or cocktail cherry and maybe adding a bit more water and liking my version a bit better.

This week, I’m extra befuddled and feeling vaguely guilty. That’s not so much because of anything having to do with today’s drink but because this post is appearing just a few hours before the start of Yom Kippur and vague guilt is just a the natural state of being for ultra-secular Jews like myself.

Leaving all that tsuris aside, I can tell you that the Commodore is a worthwhile classic/pre-prohibition beverage with a softer edge, but I can’t even tell you which version I personally prefer. So, this week you get two recipes for the price of one, even if you’re really not supposed to be handling money on the high holidays. Did I mention that you’re also reading this on a Friday the 13th?

The Commodore

1 1/2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 ounce white creme de cacao
1/4 teaspoon grenadine

2 ounces bourbon
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
3/4 ounce white creme de cacao
1/4 teaspoon grenadine

Whichever recipe you choose, combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker, shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled champagne flute or cocktail glasses. Drink and toast our nation’s maritime armed forces or Dabney Coleman of “Boardwalk Empire.” (I’m at least two seasons behind so, please, no clues on the Commodore’s ultimate fate, please.)

*****

Allow me to explain the nature of this week’s cocktail cockup. Returning to the scene of the crime that was my recent Clover Club triology, my first try at the Commodore was a recipe taken almost exactly from Robert Hess’s The Essential Cocktail Guide, the second of the two recipes you see above. Made with Four Roses bourbon from a nearly empty bottle, it was pretty wonderful, with the chocolate from the creme de cacao doing a merry dance with the bourbon and citrius as the grenadine added just a hint of additional color. (The one change I made in Hess’s recipe is rendering his “dash” of grenadine as a quarter teaspoon.)

Subsequent research, however, provided me with two discoveries. Firstly, there are actually a number of barely related classic-era cocktails called “Commodore,” including one with rum and egg white I might well be trying pretty soon, and a version from The Savoy Cocktail Book that is basically just a super simple Canadian whiskey sour. Secondly, I discovered that the Hess recipe was actually a refinement of a somewhat less boozy cocktail from an era when good bourbon was probably a little harder to find than in these times of alcoholic plenty.

So, that led me to the first recipe of the cocktail you see above. While I found that I enjoyed it well enough, one of my in-house guinea pigs found it a bit over-citrusy and I had to admit it wasn’t quite the subtle taste treat I remembered from my first try at the Commodore. I found, however, that when I switched out the lighter 80 proof Four Roses I started with for some 100 proof Knob Creek, I liked that version a lot better. Still, that first drink, the one with more whiskey and less lemon, was so strong in my memory that it would still just have to my recommendation to the denizens of DOTW land.

That, however, went all to hell when I tried the Hess recipe again. A super-boozy attempt using two whole ounces of Knob Creek was, to my mouth, a bitter tasting non-starter which I tossed out. I then went with what I thought would be a sure thing — Basil Hayden, which is both 80 proof and an absolutely outstanding bourbon that usually mixes superbly. For whatever reason, using it with the Robert Hess recipe was okay but far from spectacular. Since I’m out of Four Roses, it’s hard to know whether my love of that first Commodore was just the thrill of the new, or a repeatable phenomenon, as long as I stuck with just the right bourbon. So, despite being a bit citrusy and overtart, I think I’ll have less to atone for, and will have a slightly better chance of being inscribed in the Cocktail Book of Life, if I steer readers towards the older recipe I listed first. Got that?

Shana tova, everybody.

Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Vices

Basil Hayden Boardwalk Empire cocktails creme de cacao Dabney Coleman Drink of the Week Four Roses Bourbon grenadine Happy Hour Knob Creek Bourbon Robert Hess The Commodore The Essential Cocktail Guide

Denver Broncos All-Pro Wes Welker talks Old Spice, Stingers and NOT Peyton Manning or Tom Brady

September 11, 2013 / Paul Eide

Wes Welker is a player that any fan can relate to, which is what makes him such a great pitch-man for Old Spice and the new “Unnecessary Freshness” campaign. But when you look at Welker’s career and laundry list of accomplishments, it becomes apparent that you are looking at the body of work befitting a future NFL Hall of Famer.

Two Super Bowl appearances as a cog in the most productive offense in NFL history. Five Pro Bowls. League leader in receptions three times. Most seasons with 100+ receptions in NFL history (5). Most receptions in Patriots history.

Welker even holds the Dolphins’ all-time records for total kickoff returns, kickoff return yardage and total punt returns. Only one player in NFL history, Gale Sayers, had more all-purpose yards in his first three NFL seasons than Welker did with the Dolphins. Legendary NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer has called cutting Welker from the Chargers in 2004 “the biggest mistake (he) ever made.”

I spoke to Wes about his career and his experience working with Old Spice.

Wes, how the hell are you?

Good, good everything is great.

Right off the bat, I’m not going to ask you any questions about comparing Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, okay?

Okay, (laughing) sounds great man. I’ve had so many of those lately it’s almost normal.

First, I’d like to address a rumor that I heard. Kim Kardashian and Kayne West recently had a baby and named it North West. I actually heard that they named it after you, Wes Welker, because you run north and south predominantly and of course, your name is Wes. Is that true?

That is the first I have ever heard of that. So, I think you have to go to them on that one, but that would be pretty interesting.

They’re pretty well insulated so I’m just going to take your word for it.

Yeah, you can, feel free. Who knows?

Grooming, Interviews, Lifestyle, Sports, Videos

cologne Denver Broncos Old Spice Old Spice contest Old Spice Fresh Collection Wes Welker Wes Welker interview

How Not to Dress Up Like “The Big Bang Theory” Boys This Fall

September 10, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

The gang of geeks paired with the hottie Penny has been a recipe for sweet success on television. “The Big Bang Theory” will move into its 7th season pretty soon, and there has been a great reaction to the spoilers released so far.

Sheldon’s unique sense of humor, Leonard’s social awkwardness and just the sheer hilarity of the situations Howard and Raj get themselves in are great to watch.

The boys may have a great sense of humor, but not many would like to emulate them when it comes to style.
If you’ve been prepping up the wardrobe to prepare for the upcoming season, then this post will guide you on how NOT to dress up like the Big Bang Theory boss.

Sheldon

Sheldon’s style is all about layered clothes. He starts off with an undershirt with a round neck and full sleeves. He usually prefers statement tees over a standard under shirt.

The tees have the typical Bazinga! exclamation sign over them, Star Wars inscriptions, rock, paper, scissors or something scientific printed over them (it’s becoming too mainstream).

If you want to avoid dressing up like Sheldon, then go for simple tees with no scientific garb printed over them. A snazzy gingham shirt is also a great option as it can come in handy on multiple occasions. You can wear such shirts to a wedding, homecoming, business dinner etc. and look as dapper as possible–without coming across like an even more sociopathic version of Niles from the show “Frasier.”

Howard

Howard’s style is from the 70s. His poofed up hair tucked behind one hair, and shirt tucked into the pants (a bit too small) is reminiscent of a fabulous era that is long gone.

Howard wears checkered shirts in bright colors. He also buttons up the shirts and doesn’t roll up the sleeves.

So if you want to avoid looking like Howard then wear formal shirts, with no checkered prints. Try to make your look casual, and roll the sleeves as far as they can go. The next thing Howard is known for are bright pants and a shiny new belt. Avoid shimmering belts and wear simple black colored pants.

Leonard

Leonard typically sports army jackets, dull printed t-shirts underneath and a baggy pair of jeans. Also, he mostly wears oversized clothes. Thick rimmed glasses are another classic Leonard trademark.

Avoid emulating his style as oversized clothing can make you look like a fashion disaster. As for the glasses, they aren’t necessary, but you can go with lens of a rimless frame. Brightness is the key to your wardrobe when it comes to avoiding Leonard like looks.

Raj

Unlike the traditional Indian, young Raj likes to show off with tacky and nerdy outfits. His sense of style is largely made up of sleeveless plaid sweaters and a simple full sleeved shirt underneath. In some cases, he also wears front open sweaters, with plain shirts underneath.
To avoid Raj’s old-age style, you can consider high neck and polo neck sweaters. Make sure that the sweaters are in solid colors like gray, brown, black and blue.

The style ideas will help you avoid looking like the fashion outdated Big Bang Theory doppelgangers and let you do something different this season.

How do you plan to dress up this fall?

Lifestyle, Television

dressing like nerds geek style gingham shirt Howard Leonard Penny Raj Sheldon style The Big Bang Theory TV Girlfriends

Smoking in the Dorm Room – An eCig Primer

September 10, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Any college student can tell you how much of a pain in the ass it is to go out for a smoke if you live on campus. You have to lock up your room, make your way outside, have your smoke, swipe your card to get back in, and unlock the door. That’s a ton of work just to smoke, don’t you think? It gets old, fast.

There’s no way that you can smoke when you’re in the dorm room because the fire detector is set on maximum sensitivity mode (or something) – hell, how many times have you had to endure that obnoxious fire alarm because someone burnt their ramen? You’ve gotta be mindful of that.

It’s time to get switch it up. You really need to consider using electronic cigarettes.

• They’re better for you since you’re not inhaling smoke and other toxins since it’s vapor
• They’ve got different flavors so you’re not stuck smoking 305’s because you’re broke
• They’re really inexpensive compared to buying a pack especially when you use e-liquid
• They’re not going to force you to evacuate because you wanted a drag in your room

Let’s say you’re good on the idea and you want to check into eCigs. A good place to start, especially if you’re low on funds at the moment, would be one of the free starter kits by Victory Electronic Cigarettes.

So here’s the deal: the kit is basic in the sense that it’ll get you started with eCigs on mid-level. You may have tried one of the Blu’s or NJoy’s that you find at 7-11 sometime or another but those are disposable which means that once they’re done they’re worthless.

The kit that Victory is giving away comes with a rechargeable battery (along with the chargers that go with it), various flavored cartridges (like tobacco, menthol, blueberry, etc), and a cool case for it so you can be all gangster style.

If you’ve never used one of the better (we’re talking mid-level at this point) electronic cigarettes than you’re going to be blown away because it takes those disposable ones and dumps them to the curb.

The fact that you get to change out the cartridges and recharge the battery means that you’re always getting a nice vape – you’re going to feel it when you take a drag. You’re also not forced to stick to one flavor which may suck depending on the brand when you picked up a disposable that one time. You can think of the different cartridges like a sampler pack of the flavors which is a nice touch if you’re unsure what type you like.

Okay and here’s the best part, so we can come full circle: you can smoke ‘em in your dorm.

You’re inhaling vapor, still getting the nicotine, but without the smoke and the nastiness that comes along with process tobacco. The vapor isn’t going to set off the fire alarm and even if you’re paranoid you could always open a window – it’s basically like water vapor.

So, no more being forced to run down to have a smoke – you can keep concentrated on doing your homework (or getting ready to party) – and you’ll save a good amount of coin.

That’s playing the game when it comes to college dorm life.

Lifestyle

college college life dorm room life eCig electronic cigarettes smoking

A Drink of the Week Special Report – A Few Off-the-Beaten Path Cocktails in Las Vegas

September 6, 2013 / Bob Westal

This week’s regularly scheduled Drink of the Week has been preempted by my Labor Day weekend trip to Las Vegas, during which I punctuated lengthy bouts at downtown craps tables with excursions in search of Sin City’s finest cocktails.

My original plan had been to focus on a few of the city’s best regarded craft cocktail bars located mostly on the increasingly interesting, and more than a bit trendy, Fremont East section just a block or two away from my temporary digs up at the Golden Nugget. The only problem was that, knowing that these joints — which cater more to locals than us obnoxious tourists — would be closed Sunday night, I planned for Monday, Labor Day evening, as being my main downtown bar crawl. More fool I as that part of the Fremont Street (Hipster) Experience was basically shut down for the entire second half of the Labor Day weekend.

Of course, this being Vegas, not everything was closed and I did manage to find a few cool to truly amazing places with a few truly amazing drinks. We’ll start with my absolute favorite of the group.

What you’re looking at right now is a view of my favorite drink out of several truly excellent cocktails I was privileged to slurp down during my Labor Day of the Lost. This is the Improved Whiskey Sour, which alongside lemon, egg white, and Old Granddad Bourbon, also contains Cherry Herring liqueur/brandy and cinnamon syrup.

As to what’s up with that stencil of the bunny, the place I enjoyed this at is the Velveteen Rabbit, about 1.2 miles or a $10.00 cab ride away from the Fremont Street area. While I’ve had some lovely variations on a whiskey sour in my day, this one lived up to it’s name with the cherry and cinnamon sweetness cutting through the lemon tartness in just the right way, even as the egg white provided that silky mouth feel you regular readers know I’ve become addicted to.

Almost equally delicious, and a lot more exotic in flavor, was the Green Bitch, which contains Green Chartreuse and an even more oddly tasty herbal liqueur, Strega, along with celery juice, simple syrup, more egg white (no wonder I love this place) and the crowning touch, curry bitters. Imagine the best version of a drink made with these kind of ingredients that you can — the curry is not overpowering and doesn’t taste at all like Indian or Thai or Japanese curry, yet it tastes a bit like curry. It’s pretty wonderful.

As for the Velveteen Rabbit itself — imagine the coolest, nicest, most inviting coffee house you’ve even been to and add really outstanding booze. 20-something sisters Christina and Pamela Dylag have got something with this place.

*******

If the hipster bars of Vegas foiled my plans with their hep but tasteful decor and super-civilized hours, Frankie’s Tiki Room was the exact opposite. This place offers mega kitsch appeal both in terms of decor and beverages, delightfully super sweet juice-heavy beverages, and, get this, no closing time — ever! Practically next door by car and a near death experience on foot from the Velveteen Rabbit, the bar combines a drab exterior with a perfectly tiki’d up interior. My 2:00 a.m. repast was the Tiki Bandit, described as a “jackpot of rums, pineapple juice, passion fruit syrup, and blue Curacao.” No surprise that I left my digital camera AND my credit card there and had to retrieve them the next morning, a bit worse for wear.

*******

Herbs and Rye website may be, as they used to say, “under construction” but the restaurant/bar is a pretty beautifully finished work of art — even if I misunderstood it’s Yelp entry and took a couple of buses there only to find them closed on my first try. A place truly steeped in classic cocktail history and on the cutting edge of today’s cocktail revival, take one step inside and you know you’re in good hands from the classy, comfortable decor. Indeed, one of my earnest young bartenders told me he was a close friend of voluble, New Jersey-bred superstar craft barkeep Steve Schneider, who I interviewed back in June. Just to add flavor, I overhead the 60-something guy next to me, wearing a crisp, white jacket on a 90+ degree evening, complaining into a cell phone about the Gucci handbag with $1700 inside that had been stolen from his car.

There’s also a great, very long happy hour (5-8 p.m., 12-3 a.m.) which won’t give you a discount on the classic cocktails but will get you half-off a really good steak and assorted wines and well beverages. What drinks did I get? Two tried and true ultra-classics I’ll eventually be doing right here at Drink of the Week, a Ramos Gin Fizz and a Brandy Crusta. I’d give you the ingredients, but they’re easy enough to look up and what I had contained all the time honored ingredients. These guys follow the classic path and they know what they’re doing.