How Well Do You Know Your Cocktails?

How Well Do You Know Your Cocktails?

by | Oct 3, 2016 | IndiNews

Which are you: Cocktail Connoisseur or Boozy Beverage Beginner?

Time to find out!

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How to Host an Unforgettable Dinner Event, According to a Sommelier

How to Host an Unforgettable Dinner Event, According to a Sommelier

by | Sep 21, 2016 | IndiNews

Planning a dinner for clients and employees is never an easy task. These personal events can and should create lasting memories for all guests. That’s a lot of pressure! So take the time to create an evening no one will forget. A sophisticated wine paired meal with an elegant atmosphere, adventurous food, and good fun to be had by all.

Ask a Professional for Planning Help

Wine is a little world for a huge topic! Sommelier’s train for years and there is always more to learn. No one expects you to know it all right away. So, ask for help when planning a wine-centric event. Caterers, wine merchants, websites, wine forums online, the sommelier organization are all great resources for guidance in the planning stages.

Treat All Guests Like VIPs

Modern entertaining is certainly more relaxed than it used to be, but there are a few hosting rules that never go out of style. The most important entertaining ‘rule’ is that it’s the host’s job to make every guest feel special and welcome.

Be available when a guest arrives to welcome them and make sure they are comfortable right from the get go. If your event has a theme or is organized in a specific way, make sure your guests are aware and excited so that they are never lost or unsure as the evening progresses.

Some people are uncomfortable mixing socially with colleagues and clients, so make sure everyone is comfortable throughout the evening.

Some people are uncomfortable mixing socially and it’s up to the host to make sure everyone is comfortable throughout the evening. Introduce nervous guests to those you know will be welcoming, and encourage conversation about the wine and food to get your guests to relax.

Start With A Bang

Set the tone for your event by wowing your guests right out of the gate. Have a special cocktail, champagne, or apéritif ready for your guests to enjoy. Pair it with small but elegant bite-sized snacks to whet appetites and set the tone for the meal to come.

Think luxury and comfort for these initial snacks – creamy truffle mac and cheese bites, velvety smoked salmon and whipped mascarpone on a pumpernickel crouton, caviar deviled eggs. Yummy!

Take Care of the Wine

When wine is the centerpiece of your evening it’s vital that it is presented at it’s best. For both red and white wines this means paying attention to temperature. Serving white wine at too low a temperature deadens its subtle aromatics. Pull your white wines out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before they will be served.

Offering options in this way will inspire your guests to try new things and talk about the wine with fellow guests.

Inversely, refrigerate red wine for about 20 minutes prior to serving. This removes the harsh edge or finish found in improperly tempered red wine. The proper temperature for whites is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and about 65 degrees Fahrenheit for reds.

Encourage Your Guests to Have Fun

The best way to do this is to both pair wine and food and serve them in pairs. For example, serve different vintages of the same wine with differently aged cheeses. Or a New Zealand wine and a French wine of the same grape at the same time. Or even pair both a red and a white with one dish to highlight different aspects of the same ingredients.

Pair both a red and a white with one dish to highlight different aspects of the same ingredients.

Offering options in this way will inspire your guests to try new things and talk about the wine with fellow guests. Depending on your food progression you may want to offer multiple wines with each course, each one displaying intriguing differences between vintage, grape, price, location, brand, and more.

End the Evening With Thanks

Hosting a business wine dinner is so much more than event planning. It is a strategic marketing move and brand awareness tactic that presents your brand in a sophisticated and open way. Hopefully, events like these will be the beginning of strong client relationships and strengthen relationships within your company.

So end your evening with thanks. Publicly thank those who helped you, tip any waitstaff or caterers, thank clients for attending. And then, end the evening with fruit, nuts, chocolate and the last of all the wine. Sometimes these final relaxed moments are when the deals are made!

But, most importantly, have fun playing host!

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Sirvo Says: Best Restaurants to Have Brunch in Denver

Sirvo Says: Best Restaurants to Have Brunch in Denver

by | Sep 12, 2016 | IndiNews

Who doesn’t love brunch? It has everything – friends, stories, drinks and, most importantly, delicious food! But choosing where to brunch… now that’s a different story. With an ever growing number of options in Denver, it can be a tough choice. So, we’re here to offer a little guidance with our list of top 10 brunch spots in the Mile Hight City.

 

1. Beast + Bottle

best brunch Denver

Are there really people out there who haven’t eaten here yet? Not only do they serve up one of the best dinner experiences in town, but their brunch menu is phenomenal. Chef Paul Reilly uses a combination of flavors that create an unforgettable experience. Our recommendation? The Pork Shoulder Tostada: charred tomatillo, queso panela & sunny eggs…yes please!

2. Snooze

best brunch Denver

This Colorado staple is an obvious choice on any brunch list, but Snooze is more than just a pretty face. The minute you walk in the door you are met with a smile from a staff that has been slinging eggs to multiples of people before you and your crew strolled in at 9 AM. Yes, the line is long-but many of the locations have games like Cornhole and complimentary coffee to keep you occupied and awake while you wait. If you can’t decide which Benny to eat, then choose the Benny Duo and combine your two favorites. Our duo would be the Chilaquiles and the Bella Bella.

3. Steuben’s

best brunch Denver

Did you already forget who helped (with others) create this whole food scene we are enjoying today? Many of our wonderful transplants may not know that Steuben’s has been offering some of the best brunch options for ten years now (Happy Anniversary Steubs!). With a revamped brunch list and a new location in Arvada, Steuben’s is as relevant as ever! Our choice? Simple, the Buttermilk Chicken & Waffles and a Ramos Gin Fizz while we wait.

4. OneFold

best brunch Denver

Yet another great Uptown brunch option! It’s not the largest of places, but it is well worth the wait. As cliche as it sounds we recommend the Breakfast Burrito. Seriously, it’s one of the best in town! An in-house handmade flour tortilla, choice of Tender Belly bacon or housemade breakfast sausage, green chili, eggs, duck fat fried potatoes & asadero cheese. Wash it down with a Sophisticate’s (local) Black Chai Latte.

5. Root Down

best brunch Denver

This Lo-Hi establishment was the first concept given to us by Justin Cucci and his wonderfully talented team at Edible Beats. With a focus on sustainability and using local growers and purveyors, you know you are getting the best/freshest ingredients. The Banana Bread French Toast will remain in your taste bud registry for months and lucky for us if we are ever traveling out of town we can justify heading to the airport early to visit their DIA location.

6. Lola

best brunch Denver

With plates like the Horchata Pancakes, Griddled Green Chile Bolillo or Smoked Mushroom Tamale, how can one not put this amazing establishment on a top ten brunch list? Chef/Owner Dave Query and his Big Red F Restaurant Group have been essential to the diverse scene we as eaters get to partake in. A trip to Lola for brunch is a great way to-Treat. Yo. Self.

7. Denver Biscuit Company

best brunch Denver

In 2009 Denver experienced a flavor explosion when Denver Biscuit Co. entered onto the scene. The concept can be a little to confusing, but basically Owner Drew Shader has created three concepts in one, Atomic Cowboy, Fat Sully’s and of course DBC. One of our favorite plates is the The Franklin, buttermilk fried chicken, Tender Belly bacon, and cheddar cheese smothered in sausage or vegetarian mushroom gravy. Delicious. Seriously.

8. Sassafras

Two locations, one in the Jefferson Park and one in Cap Hill, both serving some of the best Southern style food in Denver. Sassafras also has some of the best housemade Bloody Marys you’ll ever have, with eleven on the menu to choose from. Our favorite dish? The Chicken Fried Eggs with Buffalo Hash, local Buffalo smoked over Pecan wood, fried six-minute eggs (not a minute under or over), housemade cornbread & a Fresno Chile Hollandaise. YUM!

9. Linger

best brunch Denver

This list is definitely representing the classics in town, well there is a reason places like Linger stay consistently popular with Denver residents. Located in LoHi, with one of the best patios and ambiances in the state. Another Edible Beets concept and the second one on this list. Are we biased, yes we are, for delicious food that is prepared and served by one of the best staffs in Denver. The obvious choice on a Saturday morning is the Hangover Ramen, pork belly, soft boiled Shoyu egg, duck confit, mushrooms, sesame & Lots o’Condiments. Enjoy.

10. Revelry Kitchen

best brunch Denver

Top ten lists are so difficult, especially when the last restaurant on the list could very easily be at the top. This is one of the best new restaurants in town and you need to make it a top priority to check it out! Order the The Benny: rajas tamales, braised kale, guajillo hollandaise & pork chicharron. When should you go? Any day because they have brunch every day of the week!

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The ABC’s of Being a Restaurant Employee

The ABC’s of Being a Restaurant Employee

by | Sep 7, 2016 | Career

From job searching to getting along with new coworkers, being a restaurant employee demands dedication, creativity, and a hospitable attitude. The path from the first job application to an experienced employee is long and often rocky, but take heart! The following tips guide you through the whole process: the search, training and continued improvement, interaction with coworkers, and finally interaction with guests.

Job Search ABC’s

  • Assertive: Nothing gets you nothing, so go for what you want and keep after it. Apply for as many positions as possible – we have a ton of great job opportunities on Sirvo!
  • Believable: The best way to appear trustworthy when interviewing for a to be a restaurant employee is to be honest — if you lie, it will become apparent quickly. Need more interviewing tips? Check out how to answer the 5 most common interview questions.
  • Careful: If at all possible, talk to past or current employees before taking a job to see if it will be a good fit.

How To… Know Which Position to Accept: Look at factors such as location, hours, flexibility, salary, coworkers, and of course, if you like the food you would be preparing or serving. Pick the one that fits your schedule and personality the best.

Do… Apply at Different Locations: Different kinds of food, different atmospheres, different sizes — you never know where you will find your perfect fit.

Do Not… Make Assumptions: You know nothing about a place until you do your research, so never assume you know something based solely on what it serves, the tables it uses, or any other peripheral factor.

The best way to appear trustworthy when interviewing for a job is to be honest.

Job Performance ABC’s

  • Ambitious: Take your progress into your own hands, show interest, and look for ways to take steps forward.
  • Busy: No orders? Ask someone to teach you something — a new plate, an off-menu special, a new drink, etc.
  • Creative: Step out of your box and try something you know nothing about — what do you have to lose?

How To… Get Feedback: Correctly made orders are good feedback, but if you are looking for something a bit more in-depth, take some time to talk to a manager or trainer — most are happy to do either a formal or an informal evaluation and go over your strengths and weaknesses.

Do… Take Advantage of Opportunities: If someone offers to show you something, take them up on it.

Do Not… Act Like a Know-It-All: So maybe you have experience and nothing feels new, but that does not mean you know everything about being a restaurant employee — stay open to learning.

If someone offers to show you something, take them up on it.

Interacting With Coworkers ABC’s

  • Agreeable: You spend a lot of time at work, be nice.
  • Bold: Experienced coworkers may intimidate you initially, but they are one of your biggest assets in learning and improving, so go after them.
  • Considerate: Pick up a little slack and clean up after yourself before you leave — your coworkers will always be happy to see you.

How To… Work With Even the Most Difficult: There will always be people you cannot stand, so when it comes time for your shift with them, ignore their snide comments or complaints and just focus on your own work.

Do… Try to Fit In: This does not mean following along with a mob mentality, it means learning names, going along with inside jokes, and doing your part without complaining.

Do Not… Let People Walk Over You: Stand up for yourself, even if you think people may not like it.

You spend a lot of time at work, so be nice!

Customer Service ABC’s

  • Approachable: Guests who know where to find a listening ear become repeat visitors, so do your best to be personable and friendly.
  • Bulletproof: People get picky — and angry — about their food. Shake it off — at the end of the day, it is just food.
  • Circumspect: Stay aware, always.

How To… Calm an Angry Guest: The first step is listening and sympathizing, next offer a plan of action that goes above and beyond what they expect, and finally make sure the guest leaves happy. Here are even more tips on dealing with angry guests.

Do… Make Friends: They come for the food, and come back — or not — for the service.

Do Not… Share Work Drama: What happens at work should always stay amongst coworkers. People come to eat, not hear gossip about their second favorite server — their favorite is you, of course.

Throughout your journey in restaurant service, your work ethic, attitude, and people skills will determine what kind of experience you have. While this ultimately depends on you, following these ABC’s, How To’s, Do’s, and Do Not’s will set you on the fast track to a successful, fulfilling, and lucrative career. So go get started!

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6 Signs That You Should Quit Your Job

6 Signs That You Should Quit Your Job

Staying in the same job offers comfort and consistency, but many workers outgrow their position, lack room for advancement and miss out on potential career opportunities. Could this be you? Read on to find out the 6 Signs That You Should Quit Your Job!

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Not Every Food Establishment Should Offer Craft Cocktails

Not Every Food Establishment Should Offer Craft Cocktails

by | Aug 12, 2016 | IndiNews

The craft cocktail event horizon has long passed. The truth is that craft cocktails are no longer a new thing. We’ve reached a point where customers expect virtually every restaurant and bar to understand their obligation for offering the drinks, even if it isn’t their main selling point. And that’s a problem. Creating a craft cocktail list and keeping up with it night after night is far trickier than many people think.

Part of the issue lies in the fact that mixing a drink and doing it well is a complicated process. This especially rings true when the server is trying to throw together a dozen different concoctions in just a few minutes to keep bar goers happy. The number of bartenders who can juggle all that at once is blatantly insufficient for the demand.

The truth is that craft cocktails are no longer a new thing.

In addition, numerous establishments that have attempted to implement an ambitious cocktail menu in the past are ultimately forced to return to offering their regular drinks. It’s unrealistic to assume that every 20-something with a few months of hospitality experience can be taught how to make a proper craft cocktail.

More so than execution, however, what trips up restaurants and bars the most is the planning. Given the wide variety of craft cocktails that already exist, it stands to reason that there are literally billions of potential combinations for various ingredients. So it should come as no surprise that many of those cocktails taste quite terrible. Because of this, there are actually fewer combination possibilities that are worth exploring. To top it off, the majority of the great cocktails have already been created and named.

That doesn’t mean an establishment should not experiment and see what they can come up with. Just because most have been done, what’s to say the next great cocktail invention isn’t right around the corner? Restaurants and bars would have a far smaller drink lineup without that experimentation. At the same time, it also doesn’t mean that every business should be trying to create something patrons have never seen before.

The reality is that an increasing number of customers are demanding what used to be a novelty everywhere they go, and it doesn’t matter where they are.

Not all restaurants should attempt to reinvent the wheel when exploring its food options. The same holds true with bars and the drinks they offer.

Despite all of this, the reality is that an increasing number of customers are demanding what used to be a novelty everywhere they go, and it doesn’t matter where they are. Whiskey drinkers are no longer content to stick with a well-made Manhattan. Even diners at Asian restaurants are asking to see a craft cocktail menu, even if the establishment doesn’t have one.

That’s taking it a bit too far.

The unfair assumption that craft cocktails are served anywhere drinks are available damages everyone in the hospitality business. Restaurants and bars can’t please those customers who demand they comply with their unreasonable expectations. Patrons may not be able to guess whether or not a specialty cocktail will actually taste any good. And genuine craft cocktail bars are forced to watch their products become lost in the shuffle.

When someone wants to try something exotic, they will make it a point to find a bar that already has a creative drink on their menu.

Everyone loves to try a creative food or drink once in a while when they go out to eat. But most of us are reasonable enough not to expect every pizza place to have its own unique topping combination. Many people would balk if a restaurant tried something creative with fried chicken. So why should cocktails be any different?

Not all establishments should feel the need to give in to the pressure of coming up with something new – because truth be told, classic combinations are perfectly fine just as they are for the majority of the population most of the time. When someone wants to try something exotic, they will make it a point to find a bar that already has a creative drink on their menu. Let them have their moment, and they’ll return soon enough.

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