ClassicCocktails

Surrey Hotel Rolls Out Bar Cart Service

by Michael B. Dougherty (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services, Spirits

In an ingenious twist on the classic cocktail craze, the recently reopened Surrey hotel in Manhattan is now offering in-room bar cart service for its guests.

While missing the modern Art Deco splendor of the hotel's Bar Pleiades is not recommended, neither is spending too much time away from the rooms' Duxiana beds. The logical compromise is the Surrey's cocktail program. "The inspiration came when I was at Dukes in London," says Director of Restaurants and Bars, Sims Foster. "They go through this very simple, but classic, way that they pour their martinis."

Here's how it works: guests first order whichever base spirit is to their liking, whether it's Hudson Baby Bourbon, Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka, Patrón Silver tequila or Gosling's Dark Rum. Then, your personal Surrey bartender will arrive accompanied by a fully stocked bar cart-modeled after an Italian mid-century original-and its attendant supplies, among them bitters, fresh fruit, ice and the implements of the trade. He'll demonstrate for you the proper way to make classic cocktails with your chosen spirit, say a Moscow Mule (vodka) or a Vanilla Old Fashioned (bourbon). And then, he'll leave.

From there you can pretend you're Nick and Nora, using the vintage Boston shaker glasses to mix, muddle and strain your day away. With several rounds of ammunition in you it's only a brief sway to the Whitney Museum of American Art, Central Park or Daniel Boulud's Café Boulud (the chef also operates Bar Pleiades). But now that you're so close to figuring out the elusive tequila-bourbon cocktail combination, there isn't much of a reason to decamp. Especially when a fresh cart rolls in so easily.

Tags: bar cart, bar ware, BarCart, BarWare, classic cocktails, ClassicCocktails, hotel, hotels, new york city, NewYorkCity, shakers, spirits, surrey hotel, SurreyHotel

Classic Cocktails Make a Comeback (with video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

At the newly renovated Plaza Hotel, which recently underwent a $450 million renovation, Luxist visited the famous Oak Room Bar where we discussed the comeback of classic cocktails with Head Bartender Orlando Rivera.

"It is almost like jazz music," says Rivera. "Classic cocktails never die.

Orlando Rivera, who has worked at the Plaza Hotel for 21 years, presides over the Oak Room Bar. During his time there, he has seen cocktails come and go, but the classic ones, such as martinis, Grey Goose martinis, dirty martinis and Bloody Mary, are very popular right now.

Rivera also told us which are the proper garnishes for different cocktails. A Sidecar is garnished with a lemon, while a Cuba Libre is served with a lime. A Bloody Mary is served with a lemon or a lime, but a Gibson must be served with an onion pearl, not an olive.

We couldn't think of a better place to learn (or a better person to learn from) about classic cocktails than at this landmark location. Built in 1907 (originally as a bar for men only), the Oak Room Bar remains an iconic meeting spot for New Yorkers and visitors to the city alike.

Tags: bloody mary, bloody marys, BloodyMary, BloodyMarys, classic cocktails, ClassicCocktails, cuba libre, CubaLibre, entertainment-pedia, gibson, luxist-awards, main-pedia, martini, martinis, oak room, oak room bar, OakRoom, OakRoomBar, orlando rivera, OrlandoRivera, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, plaza hotel, PlazaHotel, sidecar

How to Make a Classic Manhattan

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

At the newly renovated Plaza Hotel, which recently underwent a $450 million renovation, Luxist visited the famous Oak Room Bar where Head Bartender Orlando Rivera shared with us some of his secrets, including how to make one of the most classic cocktails---the Manhattan.

Orlando Rivera, who has worked at the Plaza Hotel for 21 years, presides over The Oak Bar. During his time there, he has served classic cocktails to the great and near-great, including princes, presidents, powerbrokers, politicians, Hollywood stars, musicians and professional athletes.

The Manhattan is believed to have been invented at the Manhattan Club in New York City in the 1870's. The cocktail has not diminished in its popularity over the ensuing 140 years and is referred to as the "king of cocktails." We couldn't think of a better place to learn (or a better person to learn from) how to make this classic cocktail than at this landmark location. Built in 1907 as a bar for men only, the Oak Room Bar is now an iconic meeting spot for New Yorkers and visitors to the city alike.

Tags: awards-main, classic cocktails, classic manhattan, ClassicCocktails, ClassicManhattan, cocktails, entertainment-pedia, luxist-awards, main-pedia, manhattan club, ManhattanClub, oak room, oak room bar, OakRoom, OakRoomBar, orlando rivera, OrlandoRivera, outdoor-entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, plaza hotel, PlazaHotel