Underhill-Lounge

Speaking of Mr. Darcy O’Neil…
A couple years ago, Darcy published an article about Arrack. Being as I thought Arrack was, at the time, completely unavailable to those of us in North America, I was quick to send him a note asking where on earth he’d found it.
Batavia Arrack is important because it is used as [...]

First off, let me say that the websites which say that blanching almonds is as easy as…
Place almonds in a bowl.
Pour boiling water to barely cover almonds.
Let the almonds sit for 1 minute and no longer.
Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again.
Pat dry and slip the skins off.
…are lying. Sure, [...]

Normally, I quite enjoy the beers of the Anderson Valley Brewing Company. Really enjoy their Boont Amber, Deep Ender’s Porter, and Barney Flats Oatmeal Stout. All are fine examples of California Beer Brewing.
But, boy I did not like this 20th Anniversary Imperial IPA.
It’s an OK Imperial India Pale Ale. Not particularly out there [...]

Making drinks in a bar is like, “doing it,” with a beautiful woman?
Making drinks at home is “onanism”?
Have I gone crazy? Is this my mid-life crisis? Could I use a bigger cliché?
After reading that last post certain persons in the house were about ready to call the exorcist, fearing I had been possessed [...]

I had a good time with the guys at Flower on Friday, but I went into the weekend with a bit of a heavy feeling in my heart.
Two more times and that’s it.
All of E.’s arguments against me working at Flower made sense. Plus, it’s in Oakland, making the late night commute back to [...]

After Enrique the barback spontaneously hit me with the kudos, we had to explain the whole situation.
Tell him I actually have a job and a wife that probably wouldn’t be thrilled if I worked more than a couple nights at a bar. I was just checking it out. I think he thought I [...]

The big difference between the first Friday and the second Friday at Flower was that Mrs. Underhill had been out of town the first week. The second week I was giving up a night at home with my wife.
When we sat down, E. asked, “So what’s next?” I’ll paraphrase E.: I’ve been [...]

The next Friday, I’d planned with E. to again work at Flora.
I have to admit I was far more nervous this time than the first. Afraid I’d get over confident, and really muff it this time. Actually had a little of a hard time sleeping the night before, due to worry. Very [...]

Bich’s Special Cocktail
1 Dash Angostura Bitters.
1/3 Kina Lillet. (3/4 oz Lillet Blanc)
2/3 Dry Gin. (1 1/2 oz Beefeater’s Gin)
Shake (Stir, please) well and strain into cocktail glass. Squeeze orange peel on top.
This one was nice. Using Beefeater’s, it really showcases the flavor of Lillet more than any other cocktail I’ve tried. It is a surprisingly [...]

I got home at about 1:00 on Saturday morning.
It might have been late, but I’d been serving drinks to people all night. I was hot, sweaty, and thirsty.
Quite some time ago, I had tried Firestone Walker’s Double Barrel Ale and not really cared for it. To me it tasted kind of like unmalted [...]