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 New York Shakes New Orleans Cocktails to Help Hurricane Katrina Victims.
For the past two years, we have attended the annual Southern Comfort’s Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans. This year the event was held on August 17 – 20, 2005. Hurricane Katrina swept through the city on August 29, 2005, to devastate this historical city. Since that time, people around the world have been organizing events to help raise money for the victims.
On September 12, 2005, over 50 New York City restaurants and bars did their part by shaking New Orleans cocktails including The Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, Comfort Julep, Vieux Carré, Ramos’ Gin Fizz, Obituary Cocktail, French 75, Hurricane and Brandy Milk Punch during “Save New Orleans Cocktail Hour” which we promoted in our September 2005 edition of the magazine. Although we couldn’t make the rounds to all of the restaurants and bars participating in this special cocktail hour from 5:00 pm – 7:00pm, where 100% of all the monies received went to the workers and their families of the New Orleans food and beverage industry via a tax-deductible relief fund established by the Museum of the American Cocktail, we did visit a few of them.
 During those two hours we were able to visit Triomphe, at The Iroquois New York, 49 West 44th Street, where Southern Comfort Mardi Gras beads decorated the tables, Brita Hansen, Director of Food and Beverage welcomed guests and Bartender Natalia Pinna shook up some excellent New Orleans cocktails. Edward indulged in The Sazerac, (Pernod, bourbon, simple syrup, Peychaud’s Bitters), while I enjoyed a Hurricane, (dark rum, light rum, fresh lime juice, passion-fruit juice, simple syrup), in honor of our friends Brian Reid and Rick Buell who live in New Orleans and told us that whenever there is a hurricane, that this drink is de rigueur. We shared a table with a great couple, Barbara and David Spizzirro, who also came out to participate in this special event. We lifted our glasses up to the true spirit of the people of New Orleans. Paul Celnik, General Manager of The Iroquois New York, stopped by to introduce himself and sent us Pan Seared Scallops with Porcini Mushrooms and Foie Gras Butter and Homemade Hummus with a Salad of Filet Mignon, Tomatoes and Salsa Verde on Crostinis as a delectable surprise.
 Our next stop was at Café St. Barts, at 50th and Park Avenue, where Leslie Nilsson, Owner and Sarah Denby, Catering Director, really got into the New Orleans spirit by providing live Dixieland Jazz by Nathan & The Nightcrawlers. Since the restaurant has a beer and wine license, they served up special Wine Juleps, along with Southern Comfort Mardi Gras beads as their New Orleans contribution. The weather was hot and steamy, as it too, seemed to get into the New Orleans spirit. “Laissez les bons temps roulez”.
If you were unable to attend the special “Save New Orleans Cocktail Hour” you may still participate by donating through the fund set up by the Museum of the American Cocktail. Thank you for your support.
© October 2005. Luxury Experience www.luxuryexperience.com All rights reserved.
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