THE FLAME OF LOVE

Here's a bit of cocktail lore for cocktail enthusiasts: the Flame of Love.

This cocktail was a popular drink at Chasen's in West Hollywood. Created in the late 1930's by bartending legend Pepe Ruiz, head bartender at Chasen's for thirty-five years.  The story goes that it was created for Dean Martin.

Coat the inside of a cocktail glass with dry sherry, then discard the excess.
Then carmelize orange oil into the glass by squeezing an orange twist through a flame to coat the inside of the glass.
Chill about three ounces or so of vodka, then strain into the glass.
Finish by flaming another orange twist over the drink.

This cocktail became very popular at Hollywood parties, of which Frank Sinatra threw many.

SURGERY

Well, I finally did it. I went under the knife for that herniated disc. Wasn't as bad as I thought, or heard, it would be. The worst time was the first hour in recovery. Pain level there was about a ten. But once they had the pain medication going in through an IV, it started subsiding.
Next worst case was when the IV came out, and they put me on pain pills. The first few hours was pain city. Just goes to show you how much that IV worked its magic. The pain pills started kicking in, and it was downhill from there.
When I was in pre-op, I had this vision of being wheeled into the operating room, and a surgeon who looked like Peter Lorre would be standing there, sharpening his knives on that big leather strap, with an evil grin on his face. Guess I've been watching too many late night horror films.
Went home on the third day. But I was up and walking on the second day. Therapist said I probably wouldn't need any physical therapy, as I was doing so good in the hospital.
My doctor saw me a few times after surgery, and was impressed on my recovery.
When I saw doc about ten days after surgery and told him I needed only two pain pills a day, if that, he said that I was doing better than most patients after back surgery, some of whom take up to ten pills a day.
Definitely on the right road to recovery. Just can't drive for six weeks, and no bending, lifting, or twisting for three months.
Joannie, my wife, is on call 24/7 now. She is a delight in taking care of me. Constantly asking me what I need. Not bad, huh?
Catching up on a lot of reading, which is one of my great pleasures in life anyhow.
When not reading, it doesn't hurt to sit in the recliner and have the remote in one hand and a cocktail in the other. Only problem with that is, I don't know how many more re-runs of Gunsmoke I can watch!
Will I be able to go back to bartending?
Really don't know. Have to talk to my doctor about that. Kind of afraid of pulling my back out of whack again. Really don't want to go through this type of surgery a second time.
If I bartend again, great. If not, I'll miss it terribly!

HERE'S TO GOOD HEALTH!

Back problems.
I knew this would happen eventually. Seems like most bartenders experience some sort of back problems, leg issues, muscle aches, or some sort of debilitating injuries that keep us off the job for days on end. In my case, months on end.
Ever since Rock Creek closed, I haven't been able to find a worthy place of employment. Then to top it off, I now have a herniated disc that's pressing on the sciatic nerve. Painful is an understatement!
I've been through three steroid injections (to relieve the inflammation), and two sets of physical therapy, one of which included lumbar traction. Nothing really worked to a great extent.
The first neurosurgeon I saw said surgery would be a last resort.
I have an appointment later this week with another surgeon for a second opinion.
Really hate to go through surgery. But I guess it would be better than suffering through all this pain I have.
Nerve pain is a deep burning sensation. Feels like the inside of my leg is on fire.
I also have to walk with a cane now. Too painful without one.
Seems like the only pain-free position I have is when I'm on the recliner with my legs elevated. It also helps to have the remote in one hand, and a cocktail in the other.
But I can only watch so many re-runs of Gunsmoke.
Now that I think of it, I'm glad I worked nights for all these years. After watching what's on the tube these days, I realize I haven't missed a thing.
Reality shows? I'd rather watch lab mice try to decipher the recombinant DNA theory.
On the bright side, I've got a lot of reading done. I absolutely love to read! I think I'd rather read than do anything else. Can't get enough of old, classic literature. Almost through with the complete works of Franz Kafka. Finished the Raj Quartet by Paul Scott. Now I have to watch the film again. (One of the greatest productions ever televised on PBS.) The new translation of War and Peace is coming up, along with the Autobiography of Mark Twain.
Being a devout Catholic, (and a Secular Franciscan) I've had a lot of time for spiritual reflection.
Along with many Rosaries prayed.
I'm also probably one of the few people that have read the entire Bible, cover to cover. That project took about four years of daily reading. Now that was one interesting read! Adventure, mystery, thriller, biography, poetry, history, crime, etc. The Bible has it all.
On a good note, I now have some time to finish my short story about a bartender.
Next time I hoist a few, it'll be a toast to Good Health!

CELEBRITIES

Most bartenders and waiters seem to have a "most famous person ever served" list.Then again, sometimes it's more of a "wish list," instead of a real list.
I've seen and served quite a few of the famous, (and also the infamous), and it's not really a big deal anymore.
Working at Duke Zeibert's Restaurant was one of the best places for celebrities.
Duke's was definitely a sports mecca. Redskins headquarters. George Allen always came in on Sunday night when they won a home game. Then Monday afternoon, Duke's would take a victory cake out to Redskins Park. Sonny Jurgensen was a regular. Also Billy Kilmer.
Those days were old-school Redskins.
Also remember Hubert Humphrey coming in, and Peter Lawford from the Rat Pack.
Peter Lawford drank a brandy and milk, with brown granulated sugar on top. When I asked him how his drink was, he said: "Terrific!"
It was also an honor to see CBS commentator Eric Severeid there.
Ay Mel Krupin's Restaurant, I remember Charlton Heston coming in with his wife. He drank Remy Martin.
When the new Duke's opened at Connecticut and L Street, N.W., it was still a sports mecca.
Morrie Siegel, legendary sports writer, had his regular table in the front.
Jack Kent Cook also had a regular table.
When Mark Rypien came in, the staff besieged him for autographs. Randy Zeibert had to tell us to leave him alone. But hey, the Redskins were hot stuff then!
John Travolta came in and had his photo taken with the staff. Funny thing is, he was the only one looking at the camera. The entire staff was looking up and staring at him. He was very gracious.
Ted Kennedy was in a lot, as also former House Speaker Tip O'Neill. Tip often got "chicken in the pot" to go.
Had my photo taken with Al Gore. Vice-President at the time.
Pat Sajak and Vanna White. (Vanna, gorgeous as ever!)
When Jewish comic Jackie Mason was in for dinner, I asked him for an autograph for my wife. My shirt must have been wrinkled. He look at me and said: "Does your wife do your 'shoits' for you?"
Actor Jerry Lewis was in for dinner. He ordered lobster. He also signed an autograph for my wife. I took a photo of him with Duke. For the photo, Jerry put the lobster claws in his nose. Terrific photo op!
Heavyweight boxing champ Riddick Bowe was in, and everyone was calling him champ. Which he was. And a perfect gentleman he was also.
Paul Shaffer from the David Letterman Show strolled into the bar one night. I took a photo of him with one of my customers. Paul then asked me if I wanted one too. "Hey, why not!" I said.
One classic photo I took was actor Tony Curtis standing in the foyer of the restaurant. I was using black-and-white film, with available light. It came out beautiful, one of my favorite portraits I ever took.
(I guess you've gathered that I'm also a photographer.)
Harry Caray, famous St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs sports announcer was also in one night. Two very beautiful "arm ornaments" hanging on to each side. He ordered a Budweisser, which we didn't carry.
Actress Cybill Shepherd was there, looking very stunning.
Tending bar at Signature's Restaurant was very political. Everybody on the Hill seemed to be a regular there.
But Hollywood and music also.
Arnold Schwarzenegger came in. When he came up to the bar, I shook his hand, and he ordered a Tanqueray Martini for one of his associates.
Mickey Hart, drummer for the Grateful Dead was in for a sushi dinner. I went up to the table and asked him for an autograph. I called him Mr. Hart. His dinner companion said to him that I was the third person that day who called him Mister. He was very gracious and polite. He also looked great (I mean, he is, or was, one of the Grateful Dead.) He looks the opposite of Keith Richards.
Miss America was in one night. She had photos taken with customers and staff. The restaurant manager came behind my bar, and asked two guys who were sitting there if they wanted their picture taken with Miss America. They replied: 'We're not "star f____rs." I told them they were better off coming behind the bar and having their picture taken with me.
At the Oval Room Restaurant, Hillary Clinton was in for lunch. I took some photos of her leaving, and I remember the Secret Service asking the White House photographer who I was. (I use professional equipment.)
Also got a photo of President George Bush (the first pres), with the owner. He told me to snap away!
Wolfman Jack, of "American Grafitti" fame, was there one time. He looked like Orson Wells.
Lanny Davis, special counsel to President Clinton, was a somewhat regular at my bar. He outlined his book, "Truth To Tell," on my cocktail napkins. Lanny is one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He gave my family and I a private tour of the White House. I felt very honored to have got that.
Lanny is also a great jazz pianist. Seriously! I've heard him play on the Oval Room bar piano. His wife was with him, and sang along. She is a fabulous vocalist.
Chief fund raiser Terry McAuliffe often droped by after work with his staff for cold Amstel Lights. When President Clinton called him on his cell phone, Terry would get up off his bar stool, walk over to the side of the room, and say: "Yes Sir, Mr. President."
(Things you never see or hear in Omaha!)
But for the top of my "most famous person ever served" list, the honor goes to:
John F. Kennedy, Jr.
He came in the Oval Room for lunch one day. About a year before he died. One of the very few days that I ever worked lunch. I've always been a night barman.
He came in incognito. Sunglasses, very preppy, with a back pack slung over his shoulder.
He was by himself, and ordered a ginger ale. He was waiting for two other people. He was very polite, very quiet and reserved, and was a real gentleman. No airs about him.
When his guests arrived, they went into the dining room for lunch.
My fifteen minutes of fame.

Celebs now are old-hat to me.
After seeing so many of them, I barely give them a glance anymore.
They put their pants on the same as I do: one leg at a time.
Now that I think of it: there's more celebrities in jail than bartenders in jail!

But there is one famous person who I would absolutely flip over:
Paul McCartney!
If I ever get a chance to meet Sir Paul, I would get on my knees and start bowing!
No, I'm not a Beatle fan, I'm a Beatle FANATIC!

SAZERAC

History (or more likely "legend") has this cocktail invented circa 1850 by New Orleans bartender Leon Lamothe.
The recipe originally called for brandy, but was changed to rye whiskey during the 1870's.
To mix properly you need two old-fashioned glasses.

3 oz. straight rye whiskey
three-fourth oz. simple syrup
Peychaud's bitters (depending on taste, but be liberal)
Herbsaint
one lemon twist

Take one old-fashioned glass, and fill with crushed ice.
In another old-fashioned glass, muddle sugar or simple syrup with bitters. Then add ice and whiskey to the bitters mixture, and stir to chill and slightly dilute.
Discard the crushed ice from the first glass, and rinse with Herbsaint.
To rinse, pour a small amount of Herbsaint into glass, swish around to coat, then discard.
Strain the chilled whiskey into the Herbsaint rinsed glass
Garnish with a lemon twist.

If you are not a purist, you can add crushed ice to the Herbsaint rinsed glass before straining the whiskey into it.

To really enjoy this cocktail, please be seated (and I do mean seated!) at an outdoor patio somewhere in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

RAMOS GIN FIZZ

Forget the Bloody Mary for a hangover cure. Contrary to what Hemingway would say. Your stomach (not to mention your nerves!) needs something soothing and relaxing. What better way than to imbibe some concoction with cream in it. I'm not talking about any old concoction. I'm talking about a classic cocktail from the late 1800's. The Ramos Gin Fizz.
If you can't import a bartender from New Orleans to mix it for you, here's how:
("Here's How" was actually a common toast in the 1920's and 1930's. Instead of saying "cheers" or "heads up," or "here's to ya," people would say: "Here's How!")

RAMOS GIN FIZZ

In a large shaker, without ice, pour:
one-and-a-half oz. gin
one-half oz. fresh lemon juice
one-half oz. fresh lime juice
one oz. simple syrup
3-4 dashes orange flower water
2 oz. fresh cream
white of one egg

Shake vigorously for 3-4 minutes
add ice, then shake for another minute, until cold and frothy
pour into Collins glass or large tumbler
top off with club soda

When drinking this classic when nursing a hangover, remember that there are more old drunks alive than old doctors alive!

THE BRONX COCKTAIL

Here's a recipe that will separate professional bartenders from the novices.

The Bronx Cocktail

Created by bartender Johnnie Solon around the turn of the century (early 1900's). Johnnie had just returned from the Bronx Zoo. A customer requested from a waiter named Traverson, that he wanted a special cocktail. Traverson relayed the request to Johnnie Solon, the bartender. Being that he had just returned from the zoo, Johnnie said that a lot of customers had told him that they saw different animals after drinking excessively. Johnnie also said that some of his customers reminded him of animals he had seen at the zoo!

Bronx Cocktail

2 ounces gin
1/4 ounce dry vermouth
1/4 ounce sweet vermouth
1 ounce fresh orange juice
2-3 dashes bitters (orange bitters may be used, depending on taste)
Shake with ice. and strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with orange twist

Now here's where a real professional barman comes into play:

Silver Bronx:
original recipe, but add egg white

Golden Bronx:
original recipe, but add egg yolk.

Recipe for a perfect Sunday:
1) church service with a good sermon
2) a stroll through the zoo (or do the stroll! a popular dance for those of you too young to know what the stoll was)
3) Bronx cocktails while watching a beautiful sunset!