The Viceroy is like a film set. Dark, with curtains covering the windows and entrance, 1930s jazz in the background. Checkered red and black floor, sleek wood bar, low red lights. The staff dresses in white, black and red, and bartenders don arm garters, vests and suspenders. The cocktail menu is expansive, offering an array of house infused liquors, mixed with syrups and tonics made from scratch.One beautiful and charming bartender you'll find on a regular basis is Lydia Clowney, whose blog, scarydinner.blogspot.com, provides an interesting read on culinary quandaries and experiments. Clowney and Viceroy's expert team of tenders have managed to produce a stunning cocktail list featuring staple classics (Sidecar, French 75, Brandy Alexander) as well as their own concoctions and an inspired list of creations based on various worldly drinks and cuisines.
Consider the Sesame Souse, Clowney's invention.
"I wanted to create a drink evocative of people putting peanuts in RC Cola,” Clowney said. “But the peanut butter kept emulsifying, so I used tahini instead. With tahini, the drink wrote itself."
The ingredients: Pisco, vanilla syrup, cream, tahini and cardamom, served in a coupe. The drink has become quite popular, and Clowney has heard it described as something one could drink for breakfast. More specifically, the drink is similar to a nog — thick, strong, slightly sweet, with conflicting flavors that provide for a unique finish. Like most drinks at The Viceroy, the Sesame works best as a sipper. These drinks are to be savored, not shot.
The selections are many and varied, and it could be tough to choose just one, though most are quite strong and made with mostly, if not all, liquor. (Clowney said she thinks of flavorings like condiments.)
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The Viceroy
53 Commerce SW, Grand Rapids viceroygr.com, 616-774-VICE Hours: Tues.–Sat.: 4 p.m.–2 a.m., Sun.: 4 p.m.–midnight, Closed Mon. |
"Good drinks are all about balance," Clowney said, "If you're going to go crazy with one thing, you need to be restrained with others. It's also about having your own perspective that you convince others is the right perspective."
In addition to the cocktails, Viceroy does serve beer and wine and a small food menu of several appetizers and a few entrees.
July 8-10; 5-10 p.m.
cherryfestival.org
This event will feature a superb collection of more than 100 local, domestic and international wines. A $10 entry fee buys visitors an Andrea Robinson designed glass, and the first glass of wine to be tasted. Wines will be available in 2.5-ounce and 5-ounce pours in prices ranging from $3 to $30. Generally, you can expect at least 50 wines to be priced at $3 per 2.5-ounce pour. Food will also be in $3 portion sizes. Admission tickets are available online and will also be available at the event.
As temperatures rise and mouths across West Michigan become dry, nothing seems to be able to quench the thirsts of the residents of Lawton better than a tall, frosty glass of hand-brewed, German beer.
Standing out above the herd of summer wheat beers is Old Hat Brewery’s German-style, unfiltered Hefeweizen.
“The Hefeweizen is made from 50 percent wheat and 50 percent German barley. The mixture creates a sort of banana and clove flavor that we traditionally serve with a lemon slice to add acidic flavoring,” said Tom Fuller, owner and brewer of Old Hat Brewery. The Hefeweizen (less than 5% ABV) makes a statement, much like the brewery itself, in presenting a traditional wheat beer and introducing a unique banana flavoring and lemon, in contrast to the orange slices one can often see perched on the rim of a beer glass. The increasingly popular beer, which is sold between May and September, is the only beer that Old Hat Brewery serves on tap that is additionally distributed across West Michigan. —Katie Bludworth
Hefeweizen is available May through September at Old Hat Brewery, located at 114 North Main Street in Lawton, for $4.50 a pint. (269) 624-6445, oldhatbeer.com.
Clay Avenue Cellars, 611 Clay Avenue, Muskegon
June 12, 12-6 p.m.
clayavenuecellars.com, (231) 722-3108
As the weather gets warmer, we're all aching to sit back, relax and get outside. Located just a walk away from the beach and equipped with beautiful gardens of its own, Clay Avenue Cellars is reconstructed out of the historic Freres Gas Station, which was built in 1928. The station exhibits and sells artwork from more than 30 local artists, but specializes in their fruity wine used by the freshest fruits from West Michigan. Check the online schedule for free wine tastings.
South African Wine
Bar Divani, 15 Ionia Ave. SW, Grand Rapids
bar-divani.com, (616)774-9463
As the World Cup approaches, South African wines are in high demand for the summer. Even if you are not into soccer, a Glen Carlou chardonnay from Paarl, South Africa could be the perfect "match" for your palate. Save your money and enjoy the southern hemisphere tropical fruits and vanillin flavors while at Bar Divani in Grand Rapids. A glass is retailed at $8.50; a bottle costs $34. Not sure if you are ready to set sail to the southern hemisphere? Just a taste is $3.50.
Meet the Makers
Trattoria Stella, 1200 W Eleventh Street, Traverse City, June 10; 6:30pm
June 10, 6:30 p.m.
stellatc.com, (231) 929-8989
Savor some wine and dinner as you meet the wine makers of your favorite wines of Old Mission Peninsula. The Annual Wine Dinner showcases the best wines grown on Old Mission Peninsula alongside a menu created specifically for the wines. This great learning experience and event fills up fast, so be sure to call and make an appointment as soon as possible. Price is to be announced.
