Mary Tutwiler

Booze in the news

by Mary Tutwiler

There’s lots going on in the drinking world this week.

For starters, the New Orleans Food and Wine Experience kicks off today. Five days of glorious food and drink in venues all over town feature wine dinners; a Royal Street sipping stroll; FEASTIVAL of celebrity chefs and food parings; Vinola super premium wine tasting and auction; and a seafood cook-off pitting New Orleans’ best against the world.

Chris Hannah, bartender at Arnaud’s French 75 bar, in the French Quarter, has been honored by Food and Wine Magazine for the third year in a row, with creating one of the best cocktails in the country. Hannah’s Bywater Cocktail, a rum based drink, is one in 130 great sippers listed in Food and Wine's Cocktails '09 special edition. The magazine also names its top 100 bars in the country. New Orleans garnered seven bar stools: at Arnaud’s French 75, Bar UnCommon, Carousel Bar, Cochon, Commander’s Palace, Napoleon House and the Swizzle Stick Bar.

Can’t make it to the Crescent City? Tomorrow, Rouses’s Market in Youngsville is holding a single malt scotch seminar at 6:30 p.m. Call 362-2814 for reservations. Next Wednedsay, May 27, Rouse’s will host a talk and tasting on wines from around the world. Charley G’s offers a wine dinner the same night. Call Charley G’s at 981-0108 for a menu and reservations.

And don’t miss tomorrow’s edition of The Independent. Our Spring Dining Guide, a listing of local restaurants from white linen palaces to mom and pop plate lunch joints, is included in a handy special section designed to fit in your glove compartment. Bon appetit.