Happy Easter! (Booze and Bragging)

I did not grow up in a religious household (my mom is Buddhist, my dad is atheist, and both in fact objected to my trying out Christianity/churchgoing as a youth), and so Easter to me meant mostly just colored eggs, bunnies, candy, and stomach aches. In that context, this makes sort of sense as an Easter post.

Part one: Booze

A delicious cocktail I enjoyed recently, which I thought would be a perfect Easter cocktail. I don't know how many people have cocktails on Easter, but I find that cocktails make most holidays more enjoyable/tolerable.

The 'Eh, What's Up Doc?' at Vandaag

Carrot & chickweed infused aquavit, Velvet Falernum, lemon, celery bitters, egg white (and almost-too-precious baby carrot garnish)

Sounds like an embarrassingly corny name an odd collection of components, but it's delicious--on Easter, on Good Friday, on Random Tuesday, whenever you like. This was my fourth visit to Vandaag, and while the food is good but not astounding, the cocktails always blow me away. Although I have heard that they can and will make most any cocktail you request, I highly recommend selecting from their menu, which includes a wide selection of curiousity-piquing concoctions, categorized by aquavit (akvavit), genever (AKA Dutch gin), wine, or beer -based. Others I have tried are Turf War, Chinaski (extra points for the Bukowski homage, if intentional), Rolling Orange, and the non-alcoholic Nopaloma. Just like the space in which they were served, all were stylishly clever, clearly meticulously well thought out, yet still charming and comforting. Every single one was exceptionally well-balanced in flavor. Really, really outstanding. A perfect coalescence of art and science.*
While I do hope this place succeeds, one of my favorite things about it--aside from the sleek, well-designed, airy space--is that it's never been crowded when I've been there. But I'd be willing to share the space if it means the place will do well and stay open.

*Speaking of coalescing of art and science...

Part two: Bragging

BOOM

is what my heart said when I opened the box.

M surprised me with this the other night, as my reward for electing not to drink on my night off (not really--he ordered it months ago, I think more to celebrate my awesome new job, and somehow managed to keep it a secret, the bugger). I bought the Haribo soon after opening the box, simply to ice the cake, gild the lily, put a cherry on top of my pure and utter bliss, as I realized that the only thing better than perusing those books at that moment would be to do it while eating Haribo gummies. (I ate the last 'U' before I got the brilliant idea to compose this surely-obnoxious-to-anyone-but-me photo.) I am a lucky, lucky girl. I recognize and appreciate that.

Happy Easter!!


Vandaag
103 2nd Ave (at 6th St)
NY, NY 10003
www.vandaagnyc.com