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Katz's Delicatessen
By Doug Singer

On the street that separates New York’s hip East Greenwich Village from urban chic SoHo and the Lower East Side, lays the Holy Land for all things deli. Founded in 1888, by a Russian immigrant family, Katz’s deli, at 205 East Houston Street is truly a New York Landmark. True delicatessens are real and rare, because they continue a tradition of meat preparation and preservation predating refrigeration. In the early part of the twentieth century, the Lower East Side was home to millions of the newly emigrated. This was a time long before smoking, pickling and other curing methods of prolonging the life of food had been perfected. 

This is the classic, Jewish, kosher-style, New York deli. While pondering the menu, you may notice words in Yiddish, the only language many European immigrants spoke when they arrived in this country. While arguably the best hot dog in the city, serving 12,000 per week, they also plate up 5,000 pounds of corned beef and 2,000 pounds of salami in that same time frame.

During World War II, Katz's encouraged parents to "send a salami to your boy in the army" which became one of the deli's famous catch phrases, along with "Katz's, that's all!" which is still painted on the side of the building. The former phrase is referenced in the Tom Lehrer song "So Long Mom (A Song for World War III)", with the lyric "Remember Mommy, I'm off to get a commie, so send me a salami, and try to smile somehow". 

The deli has served several U.S. presidents, including Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. The walls are lined with pictures of writers, politicians and more who have dined at Katz's. Additionally, Katz's was the site of Meg Ryan's famous "I'll have what she's having" fake orgasm scene in the 1989 romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally. The table at which she and Billy Crystal sat is marked with a sign that says "Where Harry met Sally...hope you have what she had!".

Katz’s menu is simple and straight forward. Whether it be Matzo Ball Soup or a hot pastrami sandwich, it is hard to go wrong on this menu. However, as a native New Yorker, I would feel remiss in not strenuously suggesting that you try one of their world famous hot dogs. 

Katz’s reputation for recreating the flavors of the Old World has created a loyal following for many generations of residents and visitors alike. It is and shall be for many, a link with their heritage, a place to show their children and grandchildren and the best delicatessen in the world. 

205 E Houston St, New York, NY 10002
(212) 254-2246
www.katzsdelicatessen.com
By Michael Hepworth

​
What exactly is GRAND BRULOT I thought to myself as I opened the bottle for the first time just around the time this lockdown took effect. Well, Grand Brulot is listed as a VSOP Cognac Café and it can be used in Bloody Mary’s, Manhattans, Negronis, Martinis, spritzes and sidecars , just for starters. It is a blend of Ugni Blanc & Colombard that is crafted into 80 proof VSOP. Then 100% Robusta Ecuadorian coffee bean essence is extracted and blended with brandy to meld for a few months and finally, it is blended with the VSOP Cognac. There is also a whiff of peppermint, nutmeg and hot cocoa in the drink. The retail price is $42.99.

The idea for the drink was instigated in 2015 by John Bernbach who asked for the help of industry veteran Francisco Tonarely to investigate the potential of a cognac/brandy drink blended with coffee. Three year later in August 2018 Grand Brulot was launched. This cognac comes from the Tardy Cognac Group and the grapes come from its single estate. Grand Brulot also plays homage to a New Orleans specialty of the same name that is still served around town.  The name Grand Brulot was inspired by the famous French pirate Jean Lafite who helped New Orleans repel the British invaders in 1812. He would order coffee, pour cognac in the saucer, set it alight and mix it with the coffee.
Recipes:

THE RISE AND SHINE
2 oz Grand Brulot
Orange Twist

Just pour Grand Brulot over ice and the orange will highlight the flavors
of the spirit.

BRULOT BLACK MANHATTAN
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz Bourbon
1 oz Sweet Vermouth
3 dashes Orange Bitters

Bartender Todd Smith created this one. Stir all the ingredients together in
a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass with ice and garnish

with orange wheel.

FRENCH NEGRONI
1 oz Grand Brulot
1 oz  Sweet Vermouth
1 oz Campari

Build in a rocks glass over ice and garnish w/orange wheel.

GRAND BRULOT CAFÉ HOLIDAY
1 oz Grand Brulot
0.5 oz Crème de Cacao
3 oz Porter Beer or Stout
3 dashes of bitters

Throw cocktail ingredients between two cups a couple of times to mix
And ignite the foam from the beer. Pour into a highball glass over ice
And garnish with nutmeg.



www.grandbrulot.com
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