Day Drinking: at Millers All Day
Ever found yourself wandering South King Street around 8AM in need of a spirited beverage? Your best and only option would be Millers All Day. The restaurant operates from 7AM to 3PM offering seasonal breakfast options all day.
Choose from fluffy buttermilk biscuits or something more adventurous like pink unicorn grits. Out person favorite, the patty melt, always a win.
The picturesque venue reminds me of a retro diner slash 1950’s soda shop tinted in a calming yet inspiring blue shade. The bar and lounge area are as comfortable as they are stylish. While at the bar, order one of the premium cocktails. The bar menu offers a range of cocktails to excite the taste buds no matter the time of day.
The Mezcal cocktail affectionately named ‘Holy City Desperado’ would make any hater of the smoky spirit, a believer. Try it out to change the way you think about day drinking.
Another memorable cocktail, the Strawberry Basil Collins. This bright Gin based cocktail is very refreshing on warm Charleston afternoons, Stop in early.
Cheers –
Park Circle Kick Back: Vibes
The Kick Back was a vibe. We gathered an eclectic mixture of artists, grad students and creatives for a evening of musical enjoyment complimented by Patron Tequila cocktails and expertly fried chicken, courtesy of Hannibal’s Kitchen.
Dj Dope D not only played a smooth mixture of hip hop and soul tunes but he also supported artist Nino Casanova as he performed an assortment of original music.
Guest enjoyed the show from any of the comfortable couches or either of the two illuminated swings located inside Park Circle Creative.
We also served our signature ‘Peninsula Tea’ cocktail featuring Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka and Reed’s Ginger Beer alongside ice cold Island Coastal Lager.
Big thanks for the Eye of Elohim for sponsoring our sweater giveaway!
Reedsinc.com Hannibalkitchen.com Islandcoastallager.com Fireflyspirits.com Patronspirits.com Eyeofelohim.com
Our South
We were first introduced to the Southbound art exhibit during Pecha Kucha 31. Mark Sloan, the collections co-curator briefly shared the overall concept of the artwork. Mark explained that the project hoped to shed light on the changes or lack thereof, in The South over the last few decades. The compilation of photos represents the perspectives of 56 different photographers interpretation of today’s New South.
Deeply intrigued, we took a few friends out to view the pieces. Half of the collection is being held at The Halsey Institute at The College of Charleston, our Alma mater. Our group of 6 meandered through the gallery, mocktail in hand, gazing thoughtfully into each image. Some photos caused a strong emotional response; while others were weirdly familiar. We discussed and expressed which photos were the most impactful. We then asked our group of professional black women, “What ‘The South’ meant to them?”:
We encourage you to visit The Southbound exhibit and explore what ‘The South’ means to you. We are a nation of diverse people with varied and complex backgrounds. To ignore the systematic disenfranchisement that took place in The American South would be to deny an important portion of our country’s history. Exhibits like Southbound remind us that we are not that far removed and that discussion is needed if we are to ever see change.
What we drank…
Surreal Sorrel
Unsweetened Hibiscus Tea + Cheerwine Syrup + Hooch Limeade Soda
Add unsweetened hibiscus tea and Cheerwine syrup to mixing tin full of ice.
Secure the lid, then shake tin passionately.
Pour mixture into rocks glass full of ice.
Carefully add Hooch soda until glass is full.
Take #GentleLadySips
http://southboundproject.org/ https://www.hoochitup.com/ http://halsey.cofc.edu/ https://cheerwine.com/ Photos by: https://theredsunflower.com/
Italian Inspiration with Toschi Fragoli
We were first introduced to Toschi Fragoli during Southern Regional Conference for the United States Bartenders Guild. The 4-day program included sessions on professionalism in the bar community, training on the latest bar gadgets and, of course, spirits tastings.
Tad Carducci partnered with the Italian Trade Commission to educate our group of over 50 food and beverage veterans on Italian Amari. With ease, Tad delivered a brief history on each liqueur followed by a tasting of a craft cocktail using an Amaro. The herbal liqueurs were once used to stimulate ones appetite before a meal. Now, the bitter modifiers are a popular addition to craft cocktails. #ItalianSpirits
We fell in love with Toschi Fragoli. The strawberry liqueur is deliciously sweet without a medicinal aftertaste. The bottle is uniquely shaped and actually contains a couple handfuls of small strawberries. Very cute! We added a botanical Gin and dry Vermouth to balance the bright flavor and rounded out the cocktail with lime juice.
Infrared
1 oz of Toschi Fragoli
1.25 oz of Hendricks Gin
.75 oz of Dry Vermouth
.50 oz of Lime Juice
Garnish: Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil)
Add ingredients to mixing tin. Fill tin with ice. Shake passionately. Strain mixture into chilled coupe glass. Take #GentleLadySips
We named the cocktail ‘Infrared’ after the Pusha T song of the same name. The smooth beat of the song over poignant lyrics parallel the flavors of the cocktail.
http://italianspirits.ice.it/
www.usbg.org
Photos by Kim Craven Photography
MUA – John Mikal Artistry
Riding fine in the Toyota Prius Prime
We had the pleasure of getting a 2018 Prius Prime from Toyota last month for our Red Bull presentation in Raleigh. This. Car. Is. Amazing! When we first got into it, it felt like a modern day episode of The Jetsons! (may be telling my age here… oh well.) The interior was spacious, yet sleek and sexy. It had leather seats, a smooth, spacious console, a comfy headrest, and a HUGE screen!
The screen was everything. The GPS on the car screen was more precise than the directions on my phone and the rear view camera was great. The Prius Prime was also very tech friendly. It connected easily with our phones. It reminded me of a Tesla…. BUT it was a Toyota!
The driver’s seat automatically adjusted to the person and of course they were heated. There was a speedometer on the dashboard and lit on the driver’s left corner of the windshield… just dope.
It’s such a quiet car too. I didn’t even hear it crank when I started it… EVER. And the gas mileage was SPECTACULAR!!! We only filled the tank ONCE and drove around Charleston, went to Raleigh AND came back. We drove that car for an entire week on that one tank. This baby can go 53 miles to each gallon and we filled it for less than $25. Seriously. It’s my new favorite vehicle.
The trunk was hatchback style. It was plenty of space for our luggage and all of the Red Bull we had to bring back from Raleigh. (Beverage Professional Concerns.) It was a champagne color and a more modern Prius car shape.
Thank you Toyota for letting us experience the amazing-ness (is that a word?) of the 18’ Toyota Prius Prime last month. Extra honored that this car is not even out yet!! We are currently saving all of our extra money because WE MUST HAVE ONE of our own! I’ve never fallen in love with a car until I drove the Prius Prime. It has been the most pleasurable car experience I’ve ever had. I recommend this vehicle to anyone. You will NOT be disappointed! Cheers to more car adventures.
MARCH Madness Part 2 SCANPO/Together SC
Part 2 – The Philanthropy
After we got our full of amazing libations and food, we went to the SCANPO/TogetherSC non-profit summit in Columbia, SC.
SCANPO/TogetherSC, founded in 1997, holds a non profit summit every year in different parts of the state and we were happy to be in attendance. We are honored to serve as board members for the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival non profit organization and we’d never been to a summit like this before. The purpose and mission of this event and organization is to “unite, strengthen, and advance our state’s nonprofit community, so we may enrich the quality of life for all.”
There were many classes that we could attend during the 3 day conference. We enjoyed hearing keynote speakers, learning about fundraising and social media in non profits; but the event that left the biggest impression was a poverty simulation.
The poverty simulation was a 2 hour exercise where participants were given a packet and had to get through “4 weeks” of life in poverty. The exercise was meant to portray real life in poverty. Participants were given a bank, grocery store, a pawn shop, social services (welfare/Foodstamps) and a place to pay bills (rent/lights/phone) and even law enforcement to interact with. Poverty is real for many people. It affects families everyday.
I portrayed the life of an 85 year old retired woman, named Eunice, who lived on a fixed income. I only received around $550 per month, and the goal was to pay all of my bills before the month was over. Of course my bills were more than $550 a month, so it was not an easy task. It was hard to stretch my money. I found myself pawning household items like my TV and camera. I also had to beg for a few payment arrangements. When I went to social services to receive some assistance, I was treated very poorly and it seemed like no one cared. For a few weeks, I stayed at home because I didn’t have money to ride the bus. I did manage to pay all of my bills by the end of the month but I was living on the BARE minimum. I couldn’t even purchase much food or my medicine.
My neighbors (the other participants in the simulation) had families, school and jobs. It was insane to see them fighting for resources among one another. There were even police in the simulation because poverty leads a lot of people to a life of crime.
I, being the child of a teen mother, already knew about poverty and trying to make ends meet on unliveable wages. It’s not as simple as some people think and this task proved it. It really touched my spirit because the people in the simulation are REAL people, going through this in REAL LIFE. Participants couldn’t believe that there are people that have to deal with this reality everyday. Some people even cried. This project should make anyone appreciate their own life and hopefully makes us think twice before judging someone.
This simulation allowed us to be immersed in the poverty experience… hopefully it has sensitized participants to be more sympathetic and empathetic to the less fortunate.
Overall, the Together SC Non profit Summit was amazing, educational, and enlightening. We were honored to be there.
http://www.togethersc.org http://www.sweetgrassfestival.org
Imbibe Magazine ’75 People to Watch in 2018′
We are so proud to be listed among Imbibe Magazine 75 People to watch in 2018. Thanks for the allowing us to share some of our journey.
Read the full feature using the link below:
Dinner at the Navigator’s Table
An enjoyable dining experience is comprised of delicious food, exceptional cocktail, timely service and good company. This summer, we shared an eclectic meal among an even more diverse dinner group; all with a mutual love of Charleston. Renaissance Hotel brand ambassador and world renown Chef, Andrew Zimmern, hosted dinner at the hotel’s downtown Charleston location featuring cuisine prepared by local favorites including dishes from a few of the dinner guests and Andrew Zimmern himself.
Speaking of guests, we were joined by songstress Elise Testone, Chef and restaurant owners: Mike Lata and Kevin Johnson and magazine editor, David DiBenedetto.
Watch – Enjoy – Comment – Share
Part 1
https://youtu.be/7xu-lAV2KFM
Part 2
https://youtu.be/UmddAFx8NWg
https://www.instagram.com/rencharleston
https://www.instagram.com/1kept/
https://instagram.com/chefaz
https://www.instagram.com/thegrocerychs/
https://www.instagram.com/elisetestone/
https://www.instagram.com/davedibenedetto/
https://www.instagram.com/mikelata/
Masquiat
Masquiat: An Art Infused Halloween Event
Art has always provided a space for expression. Join us on October 28th as we play homage to culture changing artist while celebrating the season.
Attire:
As expression, colorful and loud as possible!
Wear your favorite Masquerade mask or craft a custom mask with us during the event.
October 28, 2017 – from 7pm – 11pm
Enjoying bites from Chef Marcus Middleton and a custom knife display and craving station hosted by Quinton Middleton of Middleton Made Knives
Craft and seasonal cocktail served by Cocktail Bandits featuring Virgil Kaine, Cathead Vodka, Bristow Gin and many others!
Games, painting stations, photo booth and so much more!
Redux Contemporary Art Center is a non-profit art center located in downtown Charleston.
Support local art.
Spark Charleston
Spark Charleston: A Tourism Industry Networking Affair
*Free admission for conference ticket holders.
