Before I even begin to write about our fantastic experience in the “Cocktail Classroom,” I want to send a shout out to Summer Street in Stamford, CT. This little stretch of road is home to so many restaurants that are worth a look. Fortunately, to entertain ourselves before class, we could grab gorditas and mojitos at bartaco right next door.
The class was held in a private room. Gretchen Thomas was her usual great combination of charisma and knowledge. The first cocktail demo was Caipirinha (made in the classic style). The class was interactive – having three volunteers work on each drink. The Aye Cukarumba was very crisp tasting, as long as you like the taste of cucumber. It was a refreshing second drink. We closed with the Hot Dahlia. The habanero-infused tequila added so much spice that it was an interesting close to the night. The drink was spicy and flavorful.
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| Aye Cukarumba |
Chef Scott Quis took us on a tour of Brazil/Portugal with the food accompaniments. The Conch Ceviche was very tasty. Honestly, I added a bit of salt, but that was my personal preference. The Marinated Shrimp was excellent. I liked the flavor, since I like cilantro. The Churrasquinho was extremely tender and flavorful. The Tapioca Olinda was an amazing surprise. I was not expecting a chorizo/cheese final course. This was fantastic. The cough was very tasty and the filling was cooked perfectly. It also paired well with the spicy Hot Dahlia! It is important to note that some of the courses are shared with your neighbors.
Overall, I would highly recommend the class. Gretchen is extremely knowledgeable and gives the class an opportunity to ask questions. The bar staff (at the actual bar and Olivia in the room) were helpful and exhibited skill. The food was very tasty and the cocktails gave us an opportunity to explore flavors that we wouldn't normally opt for at the restaurant.
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