http://northbaybarfly.com Leaving No Bar Stool Unturned Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:02:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en You know how much I LOVE vanilla vodka, so when Gina at Jasper O'Farrell's offered me this drink instead of my usual vanilla Cape Cod, I was both intrigued and delighted. It's delicious and uncomplicated. 2 oz Vanilla Vodka 2 oz Pineapple Juice trickle of Grenadine Happy New Year, Barflies! http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=367 From the boozy north comes this little holiday gem, courtesy of one of my BFFs, the Martini Minx. Chai-Tai 2 oz vanilla vodka (unless you are spending the holidays with family and/or have out of town guests, then make it 4 oz) 2 oz Chai 1 oz half & half (or cream or fat-free ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=362 For those of you who prefer the more classic holiday treat recipe for Rum Balls - here's a less radical twist using our local Korbel VSOP Brandy. 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, finely chopped (hazelnuts, walnuts, or almonds can be used) 1 1/4 cups finely crushed vanilla wafer cookies 1/2 cup confectioners sugar 3 ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=357 Rum Balls are kind of a traditional holiday treat, but this year I decided to make something with whiskey, Jameson's to be precise. This is a Barfly exclusive recipe, taste-tested by the drunks and lushes of the North Bay Pool League. Remember kids, when cooking with booze it's always a ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=352 The Rendez Vous Bistro (614 4th St, Old Courthouse Square) is reminiscent of buying mint juleps at Disneyland or staying at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas. The decor is a little over the top, making it more of a whimsical environment instead of a serious atmosphere. Nothing wrong with ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=348 Had we been thinking about it, Monday night was probably not the best night to check out Third Street Aleworks (610 Third Street, Santa Rosa) seeing as it is football season. Located in the old Good Earth restaurant building (shows you how long ago I lived in Sonoma County), Third ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=344 [caption id="attachment_340" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Are you feeling claustrophobic?"][/caption] Located near in the industrial park area of Santa Rosa, the Nutty Irishman (900 block of Piner Rd), is a very ... interesting place. I wanted to go there because they participate in the pool league that I play on and I wanted ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=339 I understand that businesses are open in order to make money, I really do. I'm a good capitalist and consumer and I understand the basics of economics, but what the hell is up with charging $2 for a soda in a bar? Is the 400-500% mark-up on your alcohol sales ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=334 In case you aren't up to speed with your local bar gossip, Jasper O'Farrell's has been taken over by new owners who are making some interesting changes. First and foremost, there is now food. Having grown up partially on the East Coast, Irish-Italian pairings are nothing new to me. I ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=329 I've been wanting to try the happy hour at Stark's Steakhouse (Adams and 7th, near Railroad Square) ever since I heard they had $2 martinis on Wednesday and Thursday. I finally had a chance last Thursday. I love the lounge at Stark's because it has all the elements that make you ... http://northbaybarfly.com/?p=323