Ok... one thing I didnt find out till today after my rave review of Del Posto. Since we were early and there was no one in the place, we decided to have a drink at the bar at the suggestion of the hostess -- sure, why not? Ok, so the drinks are $15 each... at least they are made by a real mixologist, not someone part-time at chilis pouring sweet & sour mix with whatever spirit that drink calls for (its easy: Margarita = mix + tequila; diaquari = mix + rum; cosmo = mix, cranberry + vodka)... so, sure, give us a drink... my brother chose an Italian Mojito, good choice, a great innovation on a classic cocktail... I am more the purist, I want what an italian would have ordered before dinner, a Negroni (equal parts of sweet vermouth, campari & gin). But they definitely fell short when I went to go buy those same liquors today. They didn't use premium spirits but brands that were $10 less per bottle. So why are they charging $15/cocktail? Is that what they use in Italy? If so, I understand, but when they are paying nearly half price for 2nd rate spirits, why are they charging premium prices?? A top notch restaurant is obligated to serve the very best of everything, spirits included, next time I will just get an apertivo wine by the glass!!

No comment necessary, because you weren't at a "top-notch" restaurant (APPARENTLY!)...

For the total tab of $400, people deserve a drink made with top shelf spirits :-p

Sounds like the Signature Lounge (95th floor in the Hancock Building in Chicago), paying more for the view than the drinks

When you pay $15 a drink in a place like that, they're charging you for their location...for their rent.


Ironic that you started this topic JR, because I signed on and was going to start one about liquor/drinks myself, and then found that you already had started one.

When I was over in Italy this past summer, one evening I was sitting at the Hotel Bar in Taoramina, and the Bartender poured me a drink on the house. It was a coffee liqueur drink. It was delicious. However, when I got home I could NOT remember the name of it. Then last night, we went out to dinner at a local Italian Restaurant and we decided to have a drink at the bar before sitting down. As I'm sitting I spot a bottle behind the bar and realize it's the brand of drink that I had, but couldn't remmeber the name of, in Taormina!

Patron Xo Cafe Tequila Liqueur. It's delicious.




The bartender put it in a Martini Shaker / Strainer with ice, and then poured it into a tall shot glass. Delicious. Problem is that it goes down way too smooth!

And I only paid $5.00 a tall shot...so I was able to have 3 to your one!

I'm not a tequila drinker by any means, but this stuff is so good and you don't even know that there is tequila in it. An espresso/coffee lovers liqueur drink!

My favorite drink in Italy was limoncello. We drank it in a bar in a rooftop bar in Rome on a warm night and watched the sun set over the city. It was magical. They served it in these chilled martini-shaped glasses, but smaller than a standard martini glass.

I still can't find anyone who carries Stock Limoncello in the US, but if anyone ever sees it, let me know. I've seen other brands of limoncello, but not Stock.

Go to a liquor outlet/wholesaler. Many times if a local store does not carry a certain brand of liquor that you are looking for, a liquor outlet / wholesaler will order it for you if it's availabe for sale. They'll know if it is or is not available in the USA.

I've seen that bottle of padron, I like Milagros tequila but will have to try that. For what its worth, cabo wabo, is not ALL that. Ironically, Batali serves it in his Babbo restaurant.

Taormina is a great place, my most fave... and only about 20 mins from my cousins house. When I was last in Italy I did get a chance to visit the famed Harry's Bar, had the peach bellini... and any sambuca I ever saw even in the smallest towns of sicily was always Molinari, shame on Batali for serving Meletti!

SB, just curious why you want STOCK limoncello when there are tons of authentic italian brands? its basically vodka, sugar and lemon, you can even make it yourself, the yellow just food coloring i think

*Gets the popcorn ready*

Yeah, Stock doesn't end in a vowel! Danny DeVito does!

When we were in Rome, that's what they served. That's what was sold in the stores in Sicily, and that's what we brought home (about 6 bottles). And actually, Mr. Babe HAS made his own Limoncello, but it involved grain alcohol. Ask Geoff for the recipe if you're interested. I sent it to him once. And I do believe that Stock is an Italian company.

Oh, its definitely an italian company, that much I know, I guess my point was there were so many "artisinal" limoncellos over the mainstream brand that are so much more interesting. I guess its like Florida orange juice, you have Tropicana which is good, but then you have a lot of other options which are great, even the "homemade" varieties... I guess I am a connisiuer (though I can't spell it at this hour)... I like to explore the lesser known road of everything, except grappa... thats one thing my taste buds will never appreciate no matter how expensive/refined it has become in recent years

SB, yesterday afternoon I went to the liquor store and bought myself a bottle of the Patrone XO Cafe that I was talking about in an earlier post. I asked them if they carry STOCK brand Lemoncello and the lady said that she didn't and doesn't recall it being on the list that they use to order their liquor. She looked at it and said that there were many other Italian brands listed on it, but not STOCK brand.

She also claimed that STOCK brand was probably not on it because like it's other liquors, it is basically a pretty cheaper made grade of liquor.

Thanks, DC. Funny, because that's what we saw in Italy all over the place, both stores and restaurants and bars.

I would still try a Liquor Outlet / Wholesaler / Distibutor if I were you. They'll know for sure.

Here's their homepage. They sell it here in the US.

Stock

Weird, I tried finding their homepage yesterday and could not. Thanks PB.

Here you go SB :




Crafted from sun-drenched Mediterranean lemons bursting with flavor, Limoncé with its pleasingly sweet and subtly tart taste is served icy cold as an after dinner drink, on the rocks or with your favorite mixer. It’s the perfect anytime natural refresher.

STOCK LIQUOR AVAILABLE IN THE USA

Then when you get to that page click on Distillerie Stock USA Ltd Stock Full Line Brochure

Now that you know it's available in the US, just go to any liquor store and I'm sure they'll be glad to order it for you.

SB, I am guessing other brands outsell it, so they probably don't import it, but I will make it a point to keep my eyes open for it... when were you last in italy? I'd be happy to send you my bottle of it but its probably 30 years old, and probably no longer any good (the alcohol dissolves out of it) i am only keeping it for nostalgic purposes, I actually got it from my aunt cleaning out her cabinent, its funny, one bottle still has the tax stamp still on it, but 1/3rd of the bottle is gone, again, probably because a lot of the alcohol has evaporated from it.

Anthony Bourdain may say chocolate alone is good, and vodka alone is good, but the 2 together are not, well, that is just not true... I encourage you to try the Chocolate Martini:

1 Part Godiva Chocolate liquer
2 Parts Vodka
1 Part Spring water (the clean water "evens out the sweet/alcohol tastes)
21 hard shakes in a stainless cocktail shaker
= One Delicious Chocolate Martini

Thanks, JR, DC and PB for all the info. I even tried to get it at Mr. Carmel Liquor, PB, figuring that they'd have it for sure. Nope. I'll have to ask my local guy.

We were last in Italy in 2001, and I am itching to go back. The airfares, however, are just a killer. To fly to Palermo this summer, they've been averaging $1300-$1500. It's a bit depressing to start out spending $5,000 before you book a hotel or anything.

I agree JR. If a Chocolate Martini is made right, it's delicious!

To add to the recipe above, take a container of Hershey's chocolate syrup and drizzle some chocolate on the inside sides of the glass before pouring the martini.

There was a restaurant near me that had a Martini bar in it. They made an outstanding Chocolate Martini. Maybe one of the best that I've ever had. It's too bad that the owner forgot to pay his taxes because they're no longer in business.

I know what you mean, Babe. My pop wants to go for six weeks because we didn't get to go this past Christmas, due to the fact that my sister-in-law is pregnant.

Not to sound like an elitist jerk, but it's nice knowing we have our own property in Italy, because we're that much ahead of the game when we travel there.

I agree, it's delicious, as long as the sugar and the booze don't send you into a diabetic coma.

When we go, I usually stay with family. However, we like to combine it with SOME sightseeing, and then end the trip in Sicily.

Last time, we did Rome. I would like to take the girls to Venice, since Mr. Babe's never been, and I haven't been there since I was 12. But there's no direct flight to Sicily from Venice (or there wasn't the last time I checked), which means going to Milan, and then flying to Palermo. I'd do Florence, but I think that the girls wouldn't appreciate it.

Oh, and I do like Chocolate Martinis, but only after dinner.

I agree, its totally an after dinner drink... and a substitute for dessert if you are dieting lol.

Well, tonite I saw a lime sitting on the counter, and before it went bad, I just had to make an authentic margarita, its easy as 3, 2, 1:

3 Parts tequila, 2 parts lime juice, one part Cointreau or Orange liquer -- shake hard with ice for half a minute or so... prefect every time ;-)

SB, I just want you to know I am looking for that Stock Limoncello! I was at 3 different liquor stores today (I had 3 errands to run, all at strip malls, each has a liquor store LOL), no luck, I wonder if they still make it or if just all the other brands far outsell it. It might be something they even export if you've never seen it here? I suspect that since its a relatively simple liquor, (sugar, lemon, vodka) they might even supply other companies with it and/or have a spinoff company and just bottle it under that brand for twice the price, who knows, I'm still looking

Thanks, JR. I have an excellent liquor store near me. I went in to pick up some wine this weekend and asked them why they don't carry Stock Limoncello. He said that it's available, but he finds the other brands he carries to be superior and less expensive. He said that the stock retails for about $20-$25 a bottle. When we were in Italy, we bought it for about $6! Granted, it was pre-Euro and the dollar was pretty strong, but STILL...

Yea, you know its funny... when I was in St. Croix, rum was literally cheaper than water ($3/liter), and when I saw Stoli at $7 a bottle, i gasped (its $22 here), I managed to fit 3 bottles in with my luggage. They actually give you a free rum tasting AT the airport when you arrive! In any case, I guess my thoughts were correct, the other brands just outsell it. I will keep looking just out of curiosity, I am always on the lookout for unique liquers.