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| Masters
of the Mix |
| Our panel of experts pick their favorite
bartenders. It wasn't easy: "New York is full of folks who know
how to run a bar, manage a crowd, get everybody exactly what they
ordered, and make it all look easy," says David Wondrich. "Which
it most assuredly ain't." |
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The Pour House: Stefan Trummer works his
magic at Bar Masa.
(Photo credit: Kate Appleton) |
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| BY CARLA SPARTOS |
Jerri Banks
• Taj, 48 W. 21st St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves.;
212-620-3033; tajlounge.com
You won't find Banks behind the bar at Taj, but you'll certainly find
the creations of her cocktail genius, including the signature Juniperotivo,
which we liken to alcohol nirvana. "I love her work," says
Audrey
Saunders. "She creates a wonderful aroma," adds Julie
Reiner, who's particularly smitten with the essences Banks creates.
Winston Cole
• Zarela, 953
Second Ave., between 50th and 51st Sts.; 212-644-6740; zarela.com
"He
understands balance," says Audrey, explaining why Cole's margaritas
taste so good. "They're always a perfect ratio."
Evan Freeman
• wd-50, 50
Clinton St., between Stanton and Rivington Sts.; 212-477-2900; wd-50.com
Audrey
is a fan of Freeman, who tends bar on weekends at wd-50, whisking
up cocktails like the Shanghaied Sazarac (rye, kumquat simple syrup,
peychaud bitters) that just might reach the innovative heights of
Wylie Dufresne's cooking.
Fred McKibbin
• Grace, 114
Franklin St, between Church St. and West Broadway; 212-343-4200
McKibbin
"knows his ingredients and can knock out cocktails consistently
and quickly," says David
Wondrich. Works for us.
Del Pedro
Both
Audrey and David praise Pedro, formerly of Grange Hall. "He's
just someone who can make a great cocktail without having to think
about it," says Audrey, who's especially fond of his whiskey
creations. Here's hoping Pedro finds a new home—fast.
Sasha Petraske and staff
• Milk & Honey,
134 Eldridge St.; unlisted phone
Julie
likes Laura's "great" Silver Rye Fizz. But Audrey's less
picky: "Order anything. They kick ass." Don't have Milk
and Honey's secret phone number? In May, Petraske opens the East Side
Company Bar on Essex Street, and this time everyone's invited.
Stefan Trummer
• Bar Masa,
Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, at 59th St.; 212-823-9800
Trummer,
formerly of Citarella, gets
high marks from Audrey. At Bar Masa, he creates Asian-inspired cocktails
incorporating sake and exotic fresh fruit, including the Asian Dawn
(gin, sake, fresh yuzu, grapefruit grenaté).
Michael Waterhouse
• Dylan Prime Lounge,
62 Laight St., at Greenwich St.; 212-334-4783; dylanprime.com
Audrey
admires Waterhouse, an owner at Dylan Prime, whose innovative cocktails
include a 48-ounce martini for sharing and a "Bloodless"
Mary.
Jason Woodruff
• Joe Allen, 326 West 46th St., between Eighth and
Ninth Aves.; 212-581-6464; joeallenrestaurant.com
Woodruff
"knows not to monkey with the classics when he makes them,"
says David. "I like that."
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Published April 19, 2004
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