Day #1 at Tales...

By pinklady on Fri, Jul 18, 2008 7:15 pm

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Began late with a perfect Pimm's Cup and breakfast at the Napoleon House. YUMMMM...If you've never had a Pimm's Cup do yourself a favor and check this cocktail out, especially if you happen to be in the quarter, near the Napoleon House. We also sampled a Roast Beef Po' Boy, since evidently the deep fried version we had the evening before just wasn't enough for us, and a Muffaletta, which comes portioned as a whole, half, and quarter sandwich. We ordered the quarter size, and it was still as big as my head.

Registration at Tales was exciting/overhwelming, the lobby of the Monteleone literally swarming with cocktail types of all stripes. Our first class was a panel led by none other than LUPEC's Barbara West, on "How to Get Your Drink, Bar, or City More PR", featuring writer Jenny Adams, PR maven Jennifer Baum, Food Arts wine and spirirts editor and Men's Health contributor Jeffrey Lindenmuth, and of course, Babs. It was awesome and informative and is going to help me help LUPEC Boston become WICKED famous. Um...do you know who I am?

In a late binding decision we also decided to attend a seminar called "Emerging Spirits: What's the next big thing?" featuring the editor of Cheers magazine Donna Hood Crecca, Cuff & Buttons founders and general mixology badasses who we kind of want to be Christy Pope and Chad Solomon, cocktail consultant and Aviation gin maker Ryan Magarian, spirits writer and author of THE BUSINESS OF SPIRITS Noah Rothbaum, and Beverage Information Group statistician Eric Schmidt. Wow, did we learn a lot. Here are some highlights: vodka is still the biggest spirit category and growing (how is anyone still drinking this stuff?), but some of our fave categories (gin, rye) are seeing unprecedented growth. Rum is actually totally hot right now, too, especially cachaca. An interesting conversation overall, though it did feel a little weighted by our cocktail nerdiness and knowledge. Even in Boston, where we have a small but vibrant cocktail scene, I'm constantly taking orders for Cosmos and Pomegranate martinis. There is no rest for the weary prophet of the endangered cocktail, is there?

Off to the hotel to freshen up for dinner, where we suddenly realized we were famished. We grabbed a bite of some more fried things, Campari & soda, and were off, drinks in hand since you can take cocktails to go in NOLA. Isn't is a glorious place? Next stop: welcoming reception at The Palace Cafe. Schmooze fest. Tom Collins' were flowing, and we downed them like it was our job. Before we knew it the place cleared out and off we went to meander along Decatur Street in search of dive bars and live music.

After wandering in and out of a few places, the familiar strains of brass lured us into a club. On stage were the saxophonist and the trombone player from Rebirth! We danced our asses off once again, then wandered down the street to hear some blues and indulge in our very own Juniperlooza. Much gin was imbibed by all, much more dancing ensued. Oops! We forgot to eat dinner, meaning the finer details of the evening past oh, say 2 a.m., get a little fuzzy. There was some late night pizza, some drunk dialing to our Boston compatriots, and some passing out. Only to rise and shine and live the dream once again on Thursday!

Check out the pictures to prove it all at lupecboston.blogspot.com.

Ole!