The Banter
The Guys discuss the pros and cons of “Best of” lists and how they would rank some colorful local watering holes.

The Conversation
The Restaurant Guys welcome acclaimed writer Robert Simonson,  a cocktail enthusiast and expert. They devise a dream team of restaurant reviewers, bond over a love of hot dogs and discuss an exclusive gin that might be worth its price.

The Presidential Stormy Porn Star Martini
A mash up of three cocktails
★ El Presidente (Rum, Curacao)★ Dark and Stormy (Black Seal Rum, Ginger)★ Pornstar Martini (Passion Fruit, Vanilla Vodka)

Ingredients
1    oz  Goslings Black Seal Bermuda Rum
.75 oz  Chinoa Passion Fruit Liqueur
.75 oz  Pierre Ferrand Orange Curacao
.5   oz  Stolichnaya Vanilla Vodka
.25 oz  Poire Williams (Purkhart)
.5   oz Ginger Syrup (same as for Penicillin - see sub recipe below)

Combine all above ingredients in a mixing glass.
Stir over ice until completely chilled.  Strain into coup.
Dash Regan's Orange Bitters
Dash DeGroff Bitters (Sub Angostura Bitters if necessary)
Garnish: Flag of Candied Ginger and Cherry               

The Inside Track
The Guys have known Robert for a long time and have hosted a couple of book signings to share Robert’s knowledge and expertise with others. After much research, Robert has deemed The Guys’ restaurant Stage Left Steak the oldest continuously running craft cocktail bar.

“Cocktails come with an attached culture and I don't think I would have spent so many years writing about cocktails if that culture wasn't so fascinating,” Robert Simonson on The Restaurant Guys Podcast 2024

Bio
Robert Simonson writes about cocktails, spirits, bars, and bartenders for the New York Times and is the creator and author of the Substack newsletter The Mix with Robert Simonson. He has been nominated and won numerous awards for his work. Most recently, he and his co-writer Mary Kate Murray won a Digital Media Award from the IACP in the Food Writing category of Beverage-Focused Column in 2024 for The Mix with Robert Simonson. 

Info
Robert’s Website (where you can get his books and link to his articles)
https://robertsimons

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