Catherine Lombardi's blog

For more than 100 years punch was the drink of choice of most western nations and most western navies. The flowing bowl provided comfort and enhanced companionship and community to those who would would gather at clubs or homes or in the galleys or on the decks of the ships at sea. To the latter, it also had the beneficial effect of preventing scurvy, the scourge of the worlds navies until the last century.

Some cocktails come seemingly out of nowhere. Our barman, Chris Stanley, and I were working on some punch recipes (more on that in a moment), when we came across a rather curious combination. We have Cointreau, in which we put up peaches last summer. It's delicious but very intensely fruity. We added Chartreuse, because the herbal character tends to compliment fruity things. We then added some Irish whiskey because we needed to man the whole thing up a bit. It was lovely and really, really interesting but still a bit intense with fruit and herbs.

We are pleased to welcome THE SETH JOHNSON TRIO at CATHERINE LOMBARDI tonight late night. There is no cover charge. There is a $20 minimum for table service. Jazz Fridays at Catherine Lombardi are programmed by The New Brunswick Jazz Project. You can find out more about this dynamic organization at www.NBJP.org.

Jazz, Great Cocktails and a warm fire: who could ask for more on a cold winter's night?

Valentine's Day in Stage Left
We will offer an early Three-Course Menu for $65. It will be available from 4:30 - 6:15 and there will be choices in each course. After 6:30, we will offer a Four-Course Menu for $75. Both menus are posted at www.stageleft.com/events.

Reserve by emailing JAlexHall@StageLeft.com. We are booking up, so so please reserve right away.

Valentine's Day in Catherine Lombardi

In mid-19th century France, absinthe (which is green and often referred to as "The Green Fairy" or "La Muse Verte") was so popular that the hour of 5 PM, was referred to as "The Green Hour" or "l'Heure Verte." From 1906-1912, absinthe was banned in most European countries and The United States. It was the victim of a malicious campaign of misinformation and hysteria. It became legal again in The U.S. only in the last few years. Of course, we were the first bar in NJ to serve absinthe legally in the 21st century.

In honor of the snow (which has stopped, thank heaven), we are offering all our warm drinks at a 33% discount this evening: Tom & Jerry, Hot-Buttered Rum, Whisky Skin, Etc. Come warm up with us.

My Dear Friends and Loyal Customers,

As many of you know Francis and I met at Rutgers during college and I became an avid Rutgers football fan. For years now, I, along with a group of my friends have held a large block of season tickets. I know from so many conversations on the dining room floor that so many of you are connected with the Rutgers community as well.

We'll be open late tonight for any last minute wine purchases or gift certificates.

Catherine Lombardi is open Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
New Year's Eve is going to be extraordinary here so make a reservation with us!

New Year's Day both Stage Left and Catherine Lombardi are open!

For details: check the www.stageleft.com or www.catherinelombardi.com, stop by or give us a call at 732.828.4444.

I am an anal retentive sort of fellow. I am also quite the sentimental sort of fellow. So it should be no surprise that I took great pleasure in organizing the last bit of storage space in my old house, above the garage, where ancient artifacts have laid in boxes unopened through many years and many moves. Much of the stuff was junk of course, gift certificates to Fortunoff and the like; but there were some treasures as well.

Seventy - seven years ago, the United States Congress voted to repealed Prohibition. After years of hidden speakeasies and crime-driven empires controlling the flow of alcohol in America, alcohol was once again made legal on December 5th, 1933. Prohibition was a foolish experiment, not a noble one. Thank Heaven it ended.